Good morning, Normal.

Letter carriers in Bloomington-Normal will collect non-perishable food and sanitary items on Saturday, May 10 during the 32nd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive + branch 522 will lead collection on city routes to support the Midwest Food Bank.

Local letter carriers will lead the Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 10 in Bloomington-Normal as they collect nonperishable food + sanitary items from mailboxes for the Midwest Food Bank, marking the event's 32nd year.

Bloomington Fire Department is mourning firefighter Kyle Walder (31) who died after an off-duty SCUBA diving accident in Kentucky on May 4, and they are awaiting funeral arrangements.

Parker Swaar, an 8th grader at Illini Central Middle School, was hit in the head by a shot put at the Jim Newell Memorial track meet last weekend and had surgery Monday to repair his skull fracture before being moved between hospitals (first to a hospital in Lincoln then to one in Springfield) while the school district reviews safety steps (local schools have also raised funds to help his family).

A Bloomington firefighter died in a scuba diving accident in Kentucky on Tuesday, the department said.

Rivian executives lowered their 2025 electric vehicle delivery forecast to between 40,000 and 46,000 units because rising tariffs are increasing production costs at its Normal facility.

They also raised projected expenditures by $100 million to help cover the extra costs—company leaders said the changes come as global trade challenges persist.

Normal West High School will hold its graduation at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington—seniors will celebrate their achievements at the ceremony.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said most residents do not need to wait in line for a REAL ID as federal rules require a passport, REAL ID, or other approved ID to board planes or enter secure federal buildings starting today.

He added his office will extend REAL ID Saturdays and the Supercenter program through the end of May so that those who need an ID have more options—citizens under 18 are exempt.

The Town of Normal extended its moratorium on short-term rentals until July 1 during Monday’s meeting to give officials more time to study new land-use bills and address past complaints.

Some public commenters also questioned the process used to hire new Illinois Art Station staff—136 applicants led to revised staffing aimed at boosting work with public schools.

Monarch Butterfly Paint Nite

6:30-8:30 p.m. — BloNo Pizza Co. — Cost of supplies included — Unleash your inner artist while enjoying pizza and drinks in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Family Paint Party

6:30-8:30 p.m. — BloNo Pizza Co. — Cost of participation — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of creativity with guided painting and delicious food.

Paint Nite: Moonshine Mountains

6:30-8:30 p.m. — BloNo Pizza Co. — $45 per person — Unleash your creativity while enjoying pizza and painting your masterpiece.