Murphy’s Law, “If anything can go wrong, it will,” merits climate crisis amplification: If two things can go wrong simultaneously, they will. And they have via electricity blackouts due to extreme weather. Examples: California in August 2020, and Texas in…
Environmental News and Notes
A look at issues of concern involving our planet. Illinois gas plants could offset Clean Energy’s gains Weeks after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, his administration tentatively OK’d a new source of heat-trapping pollution: a new…
Nature Rambles | Ancient trees key to a land’s legacy
Way back in forestry class, I learned that a good forestry practice was to leave some old trees standing when harvesting timber. Our forestry professor, Dr. Jay Cravens, used to say, “Make sure you leave some of the old trees…
West Peoria News | Spring forward with eye toward the Fourth of July
Winter is slowing down at the time of this writing but not completely leaving us. Many activities and meetings were cancelled and will soon become an active part of our community. March 13 will mark the start of daylight savings…
Serendipity | Hope springs forth from sunny disposition during winter doldrums
Every March I celebrate that winter is nearly over. My optimism is boundless. Sure, I realize it can still snow or ice can play havoc with plans. But even with unpleasant possibilities, Spring is right around a corner or two…
Labor Roundup | ‘Egregious attendance policy’ rankles railers; UPS cuts wages
Thousands of BNSF Railway workers in Galesburg and central Illinois, and throughout the country are fighting the freight carrier’s attempt to implement an attendance policy that would result in many workers receiving less paid time off. Last month, the Transportation…
What we see in the GOP
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger on Oct. 29 announced he would not seek reelection to Congress this year, and on Jan. 13, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood and all candidates could start circulating petitions for Illinois’ June 28 primaries. But almost anything…
Can Darin LaHood continue to compromise his own constituency?
By SHELLEY EPSTEIN In the adjacent article, my old friend Jim Nowlan outlines a political path forward for Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Since Illinois Democrats’ unconscionable and immoral gerrymandering lumped Kinzinger and Darin LaHood in the same conservative and Trumpy district,…
Can Adam Kinzinger escape the squeeze from his own party?
By JIM NOWLAN What is Adam Kinzinger going to do? “What should he do?” friends ask me. His options aren’t good, yet I have a path forward for the 43-year-old Republican. First, some background. Kinzinger is a typically conservative, six-term…
Bill Knight | Say these names for 2021
Last year, Peoria County had the highest number of homicides since 2019, approaching the dismal statistic logged by Cook County. The 34 murder victims mean a murder rate of 18.9/100,000 people, compared to Cook County’s 21/100,000 stemming from its 1,087…
The Lion’s Den | What if Malcolm, Martin survived?
For those familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is a series of comics dedicated to “What If?” This comics series has recently been rebooted as an animated series on the Disney+ Channel. The concept of the “What If?” series…
Real Talk | Power of fear feeds on a fragile democracy
You’ve heard the saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same?” This saying came to my mind as I watched the Democratic Congressional members commemorate Jan. 6, 2021’s insurrection at the United States Capitol. After the Civil…
Straight Talk | Journal Star’s Saturday strategy a reason newspapers fading out
It came as a surprise when the once great Peoria Journal Star newspaper announced it was eliminating home and business delivery of its Saturday edition. Time was when the Saturday paper was the most popular of the week, though it’s…
Editorial | Just how hard is this hold the GOP has on its fool’s gold?
Just how hard is this hold the GOP has on its fool’s gold? The rift in the Republican party is intriguing, but may or not be increasing. In the past six or so years, the GOP obviously morphed into the…
OpEd | Haunting taste of defeat makes me long for life Before COVID
The day will come when B.C. will no longer denote a time before Christ. Human history has entered a period of irrevocable change unlike any since the birth of our Lord and Savior. I believe B.C. will eventually designate a…
The Watch | Charter Oak tabled; Sheriff Asbell will not stand for election in ’22
Peoria City Council discussed disconnection of property — which was annexed to the city in 1993 with the Charter Oak development — at its Dec. 14 meeting. Michael Fleming, attorney for property owners, requested undeveloped parcels without access to roads…
Peoria census shows shifts in city
The 2020 Census updated data about populations, and people may wonder what happens next. A definite result is changing local voting districts at all levels, though specifics remain unclear. A possible result is revising plans for public and private services…
Redfield: New election law hard to enforce
The Illinois legislature has seemingly tried to enact a narrow rule to limit some campaign contributions, but Kent Redfield, the University of Illinois/Springfield emeritus professor featured in Bill Knight’s column last month, doubts whether it’s much more than window-dressing. Democrats…
Probably no puppet shows at PPS in spring
The Peoria Symphony Puppet Troupe will have to wait until at least next school year before it’s able to perform at the Peoria Public schools. The Troupe, which has put on puppet shows for PPS K-3 classes for more than…
Nature Rambles | Bird counts can tally more than just what’s flying around
December and early January was Christmas Bird Count time in Central Illinois. The Peoria Audubon Society coordinates three counts in the region. One in Peoria, one near Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, and another in Chillicothe. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC)…