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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 6

MIOpera and BACH stage Handel's Semele in Normal on Saturday

Plus, Normal West and Heyworth host playoff football games tonight.

The Daily Normal team1 story10 sources3 min read

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ArtsTop story

MIOpera and BACH bring Handel's 'Semele' to Normal on Saturday

Semele plays twice this weekend, in Normal and Urbana

WhenWhereTickets
Sat., Nov. 7, 7 p.m.Normal First United Methodist$10-$25
Sun., Nov. 8, 4 p.m.Wesley United Methodist, Urbana$10-$25

Sources: Smile Politely, WGLT

If you've been curious about opera, this weekend is your shot. is teaming up with the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana, or , for Handel's Semele, a 1744 "musical drama" based on an ancient Greek myth. It's the first time the two groups have worked together, and it's part of BACH's 30th season. It plays Saturday in Normal and Sunday in Urbana.

  • Normal venue: 211 N. School St.
  • Urbana venue: 1203 W. Green St.
  • Reception: you can stay after the show
  • Rehearsal: two weeks, with music already prepared

“Semele is very human — a lot like us.”

Tracy Koch, MIOpera artistic director

In the story, Princess Semele is supposed to marry a prince, but she's in love with the god Jupiter. Koch says the prince is played by a , a man who sings in a mezzo-soprano range. About 50 people are part of the show.

Semele brings about 50 people to two stages

About 50
people in the show
2
performances, in Normal and Urbana
30th
season for BACH
$10-$25
ticket price at both shows

Sources: Smile Politely, WGLT

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News Notes

Friday football

Normal West and Heyworth host second-round IHSA playoff games Friday with history on the line. The Wildcats face Pekin in Class 6A, while the unbeaten Hornets take on Fisher. The Pantagraph

Round of 16

Normal Community (10-0) faces Kenwood (7-3) in the Class 7A round of 16. The Ironmen beat Edwardsville by two touchdowns in the first round, the only time they were held under 40 points all season. Shaw Local

Normal Community comes in unbeaten while Kenwood has three losses

10Wins7
0Losses3

Source: Shaw Local

Housing

Mayor Chris Koos expects new zoning rules by the end of the year to help with the housing shortage. He's heard "a lot of chatter" about granny flats, but no active demand. WGLT

HCC grant

Heartland Community College received a nearly $100,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board to expand its mental health services. The money will also fund programming and resources for students who are parents. Central Illinois Proud

Library plan

Normal Public Library has started a strategic plan that will map out the library's next five years, 2027 through 2032. It will use focus groups, a survey and community discussions. WEEK 25 News Now

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle.

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Quoted

Writers live twice.

— Natalie Goldberg

Things to Do

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Friday, Nov. 6

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Around the Block

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— A neighbor, Redbird Estates
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The Wrap

Autumn has one more party in it. Village Festi-Fall at Normandy Village is free, open to all ages and set for Sunday, Nov. 8. Co-owner Julie Hile says, "We're not finished with autumn yet," and the forecast agrees with a clear sky and a high of 62. Fall, take a bow.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Bloomington voters back data center pause, grocery tax repeal

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Every source in this edition10 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  3. Smile Politelysmilepolitely.com
  4. WGLTwglt.org
  5. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  6. Shaw Localshawlocal.com
  7. WGLTwglt.org
  8. Central Illinois Proudcentralillinoisproud.com
  9. WEEK 25 News Now25newsnow.com
  10. Normal events calendardailynormalnews.com

Past issues

  1. Thurs., Nov. 5Bloomington voters back data center pause, grocery tax repeal
  2. Wed., Nov. 4Normal hires PJ Hoerr for $863,729 Children's Discovery Museum expansion
  3. Tues., Nov. 3McLean County's proposed budget expects a 20-year-low tax rate
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Daily Normalto me · Fri., Nov. 66:00 a.m.

MIOpera and BACH stage Handel's Semele in Normal on Saturday

Plus, Normal West and Heyworth host playoff football games tonight.

The TLDR

  1. MIOpera and BACH stage Handel's Semele Saturday in Normal
  2. Normal West and Heyworth host playoff football tonight
  3. Mayor Koos on granny flats: lots of chatter, no active demand
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Normal’s other editions

All the news
ElectionBloomington voters favor a data center moratorium and a grocery tax repealIf you're wondering how Tuesday's ballot questions landed: Bloomington voters favored repealing the city's 1% grocery tax and imposing a moratorium on large-scale data centers, according to unofficial returns. Both are advisory, so the outcome only expresses voter intent and doesn't require elected officials to act.Thursday’s editionRead EducationHeartland Community College wins a $99,778 grant for student mental healthIf you're a Heartland student, more support is coming. The college announced Wednesday it was awarded a grant to support student mental health, and the state grant will expand resources, including crisis counseling outside regular hours.Thursday’s editionRead Town CouncilNormal hires PJ Hoerr to build the Children's Discovery Museum's water play expansionIf your kids love the water table, good news: the Children's Discovery Museum is getting more room for it. The Normal Town Council Monday night unanimously approved a contract with Central Illinois-based PJ Hoerr to enclose the space beneath the museum's existing balcony.Wednesday’s editionRead

Around Normal

From www.cities929.com, Central Illinois Proud and WEEK 25 News Now, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. www.cities929.com3 hours ago

    Public Workshops Planned for McLean County Regional Comprehensive Plan

    The McLean County Regional Planning Commission is inviting residents to participate in the next round of public workshops for its Regional Comprehensive Plan 2045. The plan will help guide the county’s growth and development over the next 20 years. While the first round of public input focused on establishing a community vision, the upcoming workshops

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    Three Bloomington-Normal areas — Downtown Bloomington, Uptown Normal, and Northwest Normal — have been approved for federal Opportunity Zone designations beginning in January 2027. The U.S. Department of the Treasury approved the three census tracts as part of 240 Illinois locations announced November 5 by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and

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    PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Plenty of playoff action in prep sports across Central Illinois with the girls volleyball Sectional Finals taking place. Washington advanced to Super Sectionals after defeating Joliet Catholic in straight sets. Illini Bluffs won a showdown against Tremont in straight sets with Illinois State commit Emerson Eeten and Add Woertz leading the

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