Daily
Normal
Saturday, November 1st, 2025
Good morning, Normal. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 1st of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Not in Our Town Bloomington-Normal has fought hate for 30 years and began fighting bullying in schools in 2014. The group holds rallies and events — methods they use to help the town show respect for everyone — and it continues to work for a more united community. Central Illinois Proud
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Local business owners Ryan Fiala (from Fiala Brothers Brewery and Beer Hall) and Aaron from Theo’s Microcreamery appeared on WJBC’s Afternoon Show to discuss a possible food and beverage tax increase that may fund a new Uptown Underpass. They explained that the potential tax change could affect their operations and are watching how the proposal develops. WJBC
- ➤ Growmark donated nearly $25,000 from corporate art sales to three Twin City nonprofits—$10,000 to Home Sweet Home Ministries, $5,000 to the Threshold to Hope art program and $5,000 to Illinois Art Station, with $5,000 set aside for its Giving Tuesday event on Dec. 2. The company recently moved its offices to 1705 Towanda Ave in Bloomington and auctioned 13 art pieces by local Twin City artists from its former building. WGLT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Taichi Fukumura leads the Illinois Symphony concert 'Hero’s Journey' on Nov. 8 at ISU’s Center for Performing Arts in Normal. The show features works by Beethoven, Bartók and Rózsa and will take listeners on a music journey—showing American values and debuting violinist Blake Pouliot—before the season unfolds. WGLT
- ➤ Today, McLean County Museum of History will celebrate Día de Muertos with a video display—inviting local visitors to experience this cultural event. The museum will host the event to honor a rich tradition. The Pantagraph
- ➤ McLean County Museum of History is hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration today from 3 to 7 p.m. at 200 N. Main St. & community partners join the event to honor cultural traditions. The Pantagraph
- ➤ The McLean County Arts Center received a grant from the State of Illinois to create a community mural featuring self portraits — the center will work with local artists to plan and install the project in the coming months. The Pantagraph
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington-based Heartland Head Start renewed a five-year federal grant worth $4.4 million (securing funding until January 30th, 2026) and will not be affected if a government shutdown extends into November. WGLT
- ➤ Illinois State University will begin a two-year construction project Monday to update the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts — temporary sidewalk closures on the southeast quad and South School Street will redirect traffic to Fell Avenue and College Avenue. Central Illinois Proud
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, the Illinois National Guard is holding a full-uniform training exercise on Constitution Trail in West Bloomington starting at 9:30 a.m. with ISU Police and local groups notified to ease concerns, and Guard members—both soldiers and civilian workers—face delayed pay due to the government shutdown. WGLT
-
2025 Pumpkin Smash
10 AM – 2 PM — Rader Family Farms — Check website for costs — Smash pumpkins and learn about environmental impact through fun activities.
-
City of Bloomington Turkey Trot
9-11 a.m. — Miller Park — Free entry — A family-friendly event featuring runs and walks to kick off Thanksgiving Day.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Normal
Welcome to the Daily Normal, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Normal, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Normal, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Normal.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Normal and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Normal
A free Normal community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailynormalnews.com/sitemap