Good morning, Normal.

The St. Jude Bloomington-Normal to Peoria Run marks 40 years of raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its clinic network.

The run begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Von Maur in Normal (lunch is provided) and community members are invited to join.

WJBC is partnering with Country Financial Representative Melissa Isenburg to launch a Back to School Shoe Drive that will provide local kids with new gym shoes.

Donors may drop off new shoes or funds at Melissa’s office at 2203 Eastland Drive, the Cumulus Media building at 236 Greenwood Avenue, and at Denny’s Doughnuts and Bakery on Thursday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. between August 7 and September 4—each donation will help kids start school with proper footwear.

A new report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that Illinois residents need to earn $29.81 per hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, with rates of $20.77 in Bloomington-Normal and $19.29 in Peoria.

Local groups like BNCLT help low-income renters while lawmakers consider banning junk fees and easing zoning rules — the report warns many people are rent burdened — to ease the tough housing market.

A senior at Normal Community High School attended Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. in July to learn about federal policymaking.

She became the first Bloomington-Normal student in over a decade to join the program and served as the director for the National Institutes of Health—drafting a bill to improve transparency when artificial intelligence is used in medical care.

Canadian wildfires have brought unhealthy air quality to Bloomington-Normal today as reported by the National Weather Service—Thursday night's performance of Hamlet at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival was canceled and the Illinois EPA declared today an Air Pollution Action Day for the state.

Hovey Avenue between Franklin and Hester was closed on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for emergency tree removal — only local traffic was allowed.

Lt. Jon Albee, a McLean County Sheriff's lieutenant, has launched his campaign to replace retiring Sheriff Matt Lane next year—he says his work in several divisions has given him the skills needed to lead the department.

He is the only candidate so far and plans to build on current efforts to improve staffing and mental health services at the jail.

Emmett Isabel Osorio Live Concert

11 PM — Uptown Circle — Free entry — Experience heartfelt music dedicated to empowerment and memories in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Corn Crib Pro Rodeo

7-9 p.m. — The Corn Crib — Family-friendly fun — Experience thrilling bull riding and bronc riding at this inaugural rodeo event in Normal, IL.