Illinois-based Railway Workers United urges united front. A rank-and-file group spanning all rail crafts, unions and carriers is petitioning leaders of all 13 U.S. rail unions to coordinate bargaining as a united front in the next round of talks with…
Antiquated consent forms pose obstacles for women on Medicaid seeking contraception
Storms and “Killer Heat” loom, challenging globe
Views & Perspectives | Reflections about Sept. 11, 2001
As I sit here today on Sept. 11, 2019, I am reflecting on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that so many friends and neighbors and I remember vividly and will never forget. I was a very proud member of Congress…
Straight Talk | Victory for MIA/POW families
It took the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker to give Peoria Airports Director Gene Olson and his board a dose of decency and moral direction, but the battle over the MIA/POW flag is just that, over. The flag…
Editorial | Bad news for journalism in Peoria and the country
OpEd | Public funding for religiously based organizations has no place in a liberal democracy
BY EMILY R. GILL, Caterpillar Professor of Political Science Emerita, Bradley University In recent years, many religious individuals and organizations in the United States have displayed increasing concern about their ability to exercise their religious beliefs freely. Some of this…
The Watch | Observers of local government
At opposite ends of the room — and the issue — two county board members snorted like bulls prepared to charge. They yelled. They pounded their fists on the table. They locked horns verbally, if not physically. You think watching…
Nature Rambles | Silent Autumn
As summer wanes, a September harvest moon rises over the eastern horizon on a beautiful Friday the 13th. The winds have turned, and come from the northwest, bringing in cool breezes. During this time of year, under these conditions, birders…
Real Talk | Post fear of prior trauma
How does trauma impact our lives? How do we get over fear that events that harmed us in the past now play on the anxiety over our future? With my daily interactions with people, there is so much pain that…
Inland Art | Jonathan Higgins
Arts Beat | October 2019
Oct. 5: 7th Annual Fox Fall Fest. 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fox Pub and Café. 692-3693. Oct. 8: USAF Band of Mid-America in concert. 7 p.m. Five Points Washington. 444-8222. Oct. 11: Harlan, Meister, & Mitts. 7 p.m. at the Hungry…
Art Inc. | Dia de los Muertos: Love Never Dies
Dive into a dynamic cultural experience at The Romain Arts & Culture Center (formerly known as Greeley School) with a very special tribute to the life of Glen Barton! This inaugural evening of cocktails, authentic Mexican cuisine, silent & live…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Raksha-Bandhan: A potential world festival
I am an optimist. I sincerely believe that if every human felt a bond with another, we may be able to overcome greed, lust for power, and insecurities and end all wars and resultant carnages. The more things we have…
Faith in Place | “Equity is important”
On Oct. 29, during the Illinois legislature’s “Veto Session,” Faith in Place and Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition will bring citizen lobbyists to Springfield from all over the state. These concerned citizens will talk with legislators and petition the governor for…
West Peoria News | Marijuana survey
With a new Illinois recreational cannabis law taking effect Jan. 1, city leaders want to know what you think of the legalization of cannabis. Go to City Hall 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 to learn how this could affect our community…
Serendipity | Dance preparations
Something about October stirs up countless memories and nostalgic feelings. The season is changing dramatically and beautifully, and pictures of couples enjoying Homecoming and other fall events pop up on Facebook. Sometimes memories are accompanied by smiles or laughter, or…
Labor Roundup | October 2019
Union-backed anti-racism demo links white supremacy, Trump. The Teachers, Service Employees, the AFL-CIO and Labor’s Council for Latin American Advancement all backed hundreds of protesters outside the White House after mass murders in El Paso and Dayton. Demonstrators vowed to…
Bill Knight | Market forces, climate change, lawsuits drive closure of coal fired power plants
It was a slap in the face but no shock when Texas-based Vistra Energy announced its closing of somewhat modernized coal-burning power plants near Canton, Coffeen, Havana and Hennepin, Ill., to meet terms of a deal negotiated with the state,…
New fungus a global threat
Peoria judge welcomes immigrants
For a number of years, Judge James Shadid has conducted naturalization ceremonies in Peoria swearing in new citizens. These immigrants have come from dozens of countries around the world. With the current turmoil, uncertainty and misinformation about immigration, Judge Shadid’s…