Daily
Bloomington
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Rivian said during Thursday’s earnings call that R2 production resumed in Normal after tornado damage on April 17 — starting with one shift last week and planning an expansion to two shifts by year-end to meet spring delivery goals. WGLT
- ➤ LaGondola Spaghetti House will close its downtown location on Saturday, May 2 after 42 years of service, citing safety concerns & shifting operations to a Vernon Avenue site near the Hampton Inn & Suites where employees will continue working starting Monday. 25 News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ McLean County is hosting stops of the Red Carpet Corridor Festival this weekend as events celebrate 100 years of Route 66 across 15 Illinois communities. The Pantagraph
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Central Catholic’s head girls basketball coach, Debbie Coffman (Coach K), retired on April 29 after 28 years of leading the team with an unblemished record and multiple awards; the school will soon begin its search for a new coach. WJBC
- ➤ Dwight Township High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 22 (Kresl Gymnasium) as graduates, families, and staff prepare to celebrate this important milestone. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at Jim McDonald Field, where the 2026 graduates will celebrate their achievements. The Pantagraph
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington crews have filled just under 400 trucks of debris after severe storms earlier this month and are expected to finish cleanup today + public works director Mose Rickey said drivers should avoid parking near brush piles to help expedite work, with regular brush pickup to resume afterward. WJBC
- ➤ Fox Creek Road in southwest will start an ($18M) overhaul on May 7 that will widen it to five lanes, replace its bridge, and add a multi-use trail and traffic signals at Danbury and Beich. Construction is staged to keep business and park access open and will conclude late fall. WGLT
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The Steepwater Band Live
8-11 p.m. — Jazz UpFront — Ticket info not specified — Experience the talented sounds of The Steepwater Band as they bring their rock tunes to Bloomington.
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FILTER Live in Bloomington
7-10 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — Tickets required — Experience a night of electrifying performances with FILTER and special guests.
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Tropidelic Live Performance
7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — Ticket info varies — Enjoy a lively performance by Tropidelic with special guests The Quasi Kings & The Palmer Squares.
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Nonpoint Concert
7-9 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the Outta Control Tour with Nonpoint and special guests Soil and Sumo Cyco.
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ANBERLIN: 20th Anniversary of NTFP
7-8:30 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate 20 years of ANBERLIN with special guests Emery and Watashi Wa.
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Off Season Scrimmage
9:10-10:10 p.m. — Bloomington Ice Center — Free entry — Enjoy an exciting off-season ice hockey scrimmage showcasing local talent.
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