Good morning, Bloomington.

The Bloomington Salvation Army is collecting fans—either actual fans or monetary donations to buy them—to help residents in need beat the summer heat.

Painted Tree Boutiques will open its new location next week at 1500 E.

Empire St., Suite B2 in Bloomington—store hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

A man from Normal was released from custody and now faces meth possession charges—he is also accused of having two controlled substances to treat anxiety and ADHD.

Historic photos from the 1940s show Memorial Day celebrations in Bloomington-Normal as preserved by the McLean County Museum of History.

The museum is digitizing these images (from the Pantagraph Negative Collection) so locals can view the town’s history.

The Bloomington-Normal area's jobless rate fell to 2.8% in April, tying with Champaign-Urbana for the lowest in Illinois.

The region lost 2,300 jobs from April 2024 as major cuts in manufacturing and financial activities were partly offset by gains in private education, health services, mining, construction, retail, and wholesale trade + information.

Three McLean County educators shared lessons from their long teaching careers as the school year ended.

Music teacher Edd Powers of Tri-Valley Elementary said he stayed passionate about working with students, school nurse Susy Marcum of Grove Elementary looked forward to a slower pace while still teaching college courses, and science teacher Laura Bach of Bloomington High stressed science’s impact on daily life — marking a heartfelt farewell to active classroom work.

Memorial Day Parade

9 AM - 12 PM — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — Free entry — Celebrate Memorial Day with a vibrant parade from Front Street to Miller Park Zoo.

Sixtiesmania

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $44.00+ — Experience a vibrant musical journey through the iconic hits of the '60s with an electrifying tribute band.

The Big Run

5:30-9:30 p.m. — Bloomington-Normal Spine Clinic — Free entry — Celebrate Global Running Day with a fun 3.1-mile run and good friends.

Tri-Shark Classic Triathlon and Duathlon

1-5 p.m. — Comlara Park — Registration required — Experience the premier Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon event in Bloomington-Normal with a flat, fast course.

Tailgates N’ Tallboys Country Music Festival

All day — McLean County Fairgrounds — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with country music and community spirit.

AJ Croce Presents CROCE PLAYS CROCE

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $38.00+ — Experience a musical journey through the songs of A.J. Croce and the legacy of his father, Jim Croce.

Baby Animal Days

10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Rader Family Farms — Entry fee required — Celebrate summer with adorable baby animals and fun attractions for the whole family.

FREE Lunchtime Concerts

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. — Withers Park — Free entry — Enjoy quality musical entertainment during your lunch hour with various local acts performing weekly.

Color Splash Open Skate

2:00 – 3:30 PM — Bloomington Ice Center — Free entry — Skate in a vibrant atmosphere filled with music and colorful surprises.