Broadway in Peoria presenting “Nannie” at Civic Center Theatre; “Sweeney Todd” at Peoria Players Theatre; Dorann and The Soul Mystics and The Nikbeats at the Contemporary Art Center for “Live at the Five Spot.” Peoria Symphony presents “Encanto: In Concert” and Five Points Washington hosts Lee Greenwood. Classes, lectures, auditions and more
Bill Knight What are you prepared to do?
2025 might be the year challenges are too dire to just sit on sidelines. Many journalists hope to do journalism as long as we can. How hard or easy will that be during the next administration?
The dream of Lincoln, and our future
Young Tawin Wattanakit explores the role of civics, civility, and collaboration within a functioning government by imagining a moment in the past and using it to inspire the future
Tribute to Don Jackson: Fairness was the fight of his life
Publicly or privately, the area civil rights icon was a voice to be reckoned with, and he fought for fairness amongst us all. Pam Adams tells his story
Inland Art: Reflective solidarity
John, Nita Tuccillo complement their creations with their own distinct styles married together
ArtsPartners announces award recipients
Community Foundation of Central Illinois, Kidder Music honored; Humanities Center in Elmwood earns Arts Dollars
Nature Rambles: Here we go again with a ‘new’ president …
Don’t despair when climate change takes back seat in next administration; stay positive, be critical, active, kind
Overserved: Help for the holidays
Who can we hold accountable for when we ‘celebrate’ the season by stuffing our faces?
Muppets Inc. takes Riverfront Museum
‘Jim Henson Imagination Unlimited’ captures the spirit of the entire life
of the iconic Muppeteer pioneer
Labor roundup: Rivian workers organizing with UAW
Issues include safety, sustainability; Letter Carriers reach tentative deal with USPS; NLRB declares Campustown Starbucks broke law
Straight Talk: ’Tis the season for all to be jolly
Good to see plans for two new amphitheaters and our iconic Scottish Rite; congrats to Generals Hal Fritz and Dan McDonough; now sing!
Peoria Academy Journalism Club: College tuition — why must we pay so much?
Increase in tuition for certain majors, but not others like the new hierarchy at Illinois State University can be disruptive to the delicate balance of education
Bill Knight: Government, please get to work on a new Farm Bill now
The bill’s temporary extension expired Sept. 30; its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ends Dec. 20. (Merry Christmas!); if nothing’s done, U.S. agriculture will revert to a pricing model from before the first Farm Bill, in 1933.
Xavier Jackson: Honest to Abe . . .
Have we deliberately chosen a dark path for our nation? Floodlights of history are shining, America. Brace yourselves
West Peoria News: Neighborhood cheer lighting up our lives
Check out the Christmas Tree at City Hall and look for Boy Scouts Troop 11 as they carol through the city streets Dec. 16th and 18th, weather permitting
STAFFING INFECTIONS: Manpower shortages, fiscal woes crippling nursing homes as corporations profit
For months, greater Peoria has seen headlines about Petersen Health Care, 830 W. Trailcreek Dr. in Peoria, which has faced foreclosures and bankruptcy due to hundreds of millions of dollars of unpaid debt. Petersen’s holdings include nursing homes in Iowa,…
Area nursing home facilities cited for alleged violations
Illinois Department of Public Health’s 2nd Quarterly Report showed 13 facilities cited for violations, with fines totaling $143,600.
Paul Gordon: Hang on, his presidency might be OK this time around
But to boycott, or not to boycott during a second Trump term: That is a question between us Americans and his powers that be
The Watch: Peoria County reviews plans for jail improvement
Options range from complete rebuild to upgrades/maintenance; City Council authorizes deal with GFL to build Landfill #3; Sanitary District reviewing treatment facility business; plus updates on ICC, Dunlap Dist. 323, Springdale Cemetery
The Watch: Dunlap 323 addresses affiliations with new training facility builders
Vantage Architectural and construction management company Estes share common ownership, so the district will have two separate contracts
The Watch: Peoria City Council gets finance report, talks tobacco shop
Revenues were slightly down, but on pace for year-end with sales tax and state income tax strong.
Arts Alerts: 22 Veteran Artist gallery at Peoria Library; Wizards of Winter and Civic Chorale playing at Five Points
Peoria Ballet’s “Nutcracker” returns to Civic Center Theater; Community Children’s Theatre presents “Anastasia” at Peoria Players; and Peoria Historical Society will host open-house tours of the John C. Flanagan house and Pettengill Morron house; plus watch Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase