Articles

Donations Needed: Journalism Diversity Fund

The Peoria NAACP has established a special account to fund coverage of diversity issues by central Illinois writers. The goal is to increase coverage of often-untold stories that cut through stereotypes and more accurately depict history, explain institutional racism and…

“Native Americans Speak”

President Donald Trump is calling for the largest rollback in protected public lands in the history of this country, and a coalition of Native Tribes and conservation groups is spearheading resistance. Working with that resistance is Clayton Daughenbaugh, a speaker…

Unlearning bias

Polk

It lasted just minutes, but it reverberated around the country as yet another example of racism in America. Closely following the unfolding story were long-time NAACP members Jean and Sam Polk. They watched national TV coverage and read newspapers ––…

Ag studies: good, bad, scary

Glancing at area farm fields, one recalls the Rodgers and Hammerstein lyric “the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye,” and new research from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Studies (ACES) strengthens the notion…

Economic cost of losing newspapers

Not too many years ago, there were 112 members of the Peoria Newspaper Guild representing employees at the Journal Star including reporters, photographers and workers in circulation. That number has plummeted and now there are only 29 Newspaper Guild members…

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense

As gun violence across America continues, groups are forming to protest and strategize. Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense has a chapter in Peoria that meets monthly the second Monday of each month 6 to 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian…

Heard on the Bus

Eddie Russell Jr. was shot 16 times by Peoria Police “They knew he was mental but went ahead and shot him sixteen times. Then those policemen got metals.” “No way!” “Yes, ma’am.” Stop Requested

Commencement Speech: Civility & Community Under Siege

Ray LaHood

(Excerpted from the commencement address Ray LaHood delivered to the graduating class at Illinois Central College May 19.) It is a great privilege to deliver a few remarks this morning. By the way, you might be interested to know that…

Elder Fraud

Frank and Suzanne are fiscally cautious and savvy, yet they somehow managed to fall victim to a young man with a track record of scamming seniors in central Illinois over home repair work. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s web site…

New Book: Former coach looks back

Time can offer perspective – if you have the time. When Gary Dreibelbis was Bradley University’s forensics director, he was on the road for 20 weekends a year – busy Friday afternoons and evenings, all day Saturdays, and getting back…