Now that the Mueller Report is complete, it is time for Congress to begin debating and solving the country’s most pressing problems. More to follow further in this column. It seems the House of Representatives under the control of the…
Straight Talk | Solve the mystery on West Ann for $5,000
People are still talking about the tragic death of four year old Jeremiah Ward. The little boy was shot and killed by a vengeful gang member or drug dealer in the parking lot of the Lincoln Terrace Apartments, 2825 West…
Bill Knight | Two new Americana CDs
Pope John XXIII is remembered as saying, “I never met a pessimist who managed to do something good,” a phrase that comes to mind after hearing two new Americana CDs with a sympathetic ear that was charmed, then disappointed. (Full…
Editorial | Vaccinations and the Anti-Vaxxers
“Vaccine refusal is like a big pile of tinder waiting for a lightning strike.” Dispute resolution is foundational to civil society. Whether that means speed limits on the roads, individual gun rights or mandatory vaccinations –– individual versus societal rights…
Letter to the Editor | What does Pro-Life mean to you?
If it only means saving embryos and fetuses then we need to have a talk; a real, no holds, honest to God, talk. Reducing the number of abortions is simpler if you are really ready to be Pro-Life. But here’s…
Letter to the Editor | My abortion story
Growing up in Peoria in the 1970s, nearly every Black girl I knew at Manual was pregnant. Somehow the White girls in my college track courses were not; well that is another story. My high school counselor offered to give…
Letter to the Editor | Don’t boycott Alabama because of legislators’ misogyny
In response to this question: How am I supposed to encourage people to see the lynching memorial/museum and boycott Alabama at the same time? People should not boycott Alabama. Boycotting will only hurt people here who are already hurting. The…
OpEd | Clean energy can’t wait
BY JOYCE BLUMENSHINE The Clean Energy Jobs Act needs your support. This state legislation will likely come back to the Illinois House and Senate this fall and is essential for efforts to expand solar and wind energy and new jobs.…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Sewa
Sewa is selfless service performed without expecting anything in return. It is an act performed by humans as a basic property of being a human, not guided by the expectation of joy dependent on desire fulfillment. As a human, we…
The Lion’s Den | Soundtracks to the Struggles
Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted…
Nature Rambles | Migrating Goatsuckers
As May turns to June, bird migration in Illinois winds down and most resident species have taken up housekeeping. They have established nesting territories, and started raising young. During this time, they sing less often and even the most strident…
Real Talk | Silence — the true murderer of humanity
How often do we just sit back and watch things occur without speaking up? Whether that is in the form of allowing verbal bullying to occur or mentally removing oneself from a situation but physically being present. That does not…
Inland Art | Robert Rowe
Designer, photographer and now hand-made book artist and printmaker Robert Rowe came to Bradley University from Marshall University in Huntington, W. Va., in 2000. During his 20 years in Huntington, Robert served as the head of graphic design and photography…
Art Inc. | Summer Arts Camp
ART Inc. is pleased to announce its 2019 Summer Arts Camp and class schedule, which includes filmmaking, visual arts, coding, drama and dance. The five-week camp runs July 1 to Aug. 2, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.…
Arts Beat | June 2019
June 1: Heartland Festival Orchestra presents “A Triple Shot of Tchaikovsky.” 7:30 p.m. Five Points Washington. 444-8222. June 1: Black Velvet. 9 p.m. MD’s Sports Bar & Grill. 691-2025. June 1: The Golden Fleece. 10 p.m. Kenny’s Westside Pub. 676-1693.…
Serendipity | Brinley Mae
Nearly seven years ago we excitedly welcomed our sixth grandchild, Brinley Mae, into our family. Just like the lyrics from the 1974 hit song, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” she “came to the world in the usual way.” That word “usual”…
Environmental News Briefs
Antibiotic use expands to citrus Antibiotic resistance in humans has been linked to overuse with livestock, but now the EPA is defying objections from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to allow…
Senator: Graduated, progressive tax is a fair tax
State Sen. Dave Koehler told an audience at East Bluff Community Center that legislation to change the state income tax from a flat rate of 4.95 percent to a graduated tax with higher rates on higher wage earners will mean,…
West Peoria plans for July Fourth
June means plans are in full swing for the 49th celebration of the West Peoria July Fourth parade and flag raising. The parade starts at 10 a.m. July Fourth and wends its way through West Peoria. This event is well…
Labor Roundup | June 2019
Four-fifths of voters want U.S.-made rebuilding of infrastructure, but not Donald Trump’s Mexican Wall, according to a poll from the Alliance for American Manufacturing. Only 34 percent of voters (7 percent of Democrats, 22 percent of independents and 69 percent…
No. 1 in nation for “Draconian,” mandatory drug sentencing
Once again, Peoria tops a nationwide list –– this time for harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. Many in the judicial system contend these disproportionally harsh sentences do not make society safer but only serve to feed mass incarceration. Federal…
Banking on the arts
Most people didn’t hear about some big news this spring. It was good news but wasn’t a surprise, say local arts advocates. But the absence of reporting on it seems to some like the heavy-equipment industry making unexpected gains but…