Good morning, Bloomington.

The Town of Normal, Ryburn Place and the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the Route 66 Centennial Parking Lot Party at Sprague's Super Service in Normal on Sept.

5 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features live music, dancing, food, shopping, giveaways + a mural unveiling.

The Pantagraph let go its Central Illinois executive editor on (Aug.

19) as cost cuts reduced local staff, while local Cumulus Media radio stations shut down their news departments. Both moves continue a trend of shrinking local journalism.

Rivian is challenging a government assessment that values its seven Normal properties at $527M versus its appraisal of $115M for a 4.5M sqft plant; the company’s appeal will go before the Property Tax Appeals Board and could cut Unit 5 schools’ revenue by millions.

Bloomington-Normal tourism officials said Route 66 centennial celebrations boosted out-of-town visits by 3% compared to last year, reflecting growing momentum supported by new data tools and regional partnerships.

Leaders noted that these efforts are setting the stage for future local tourism growth.

Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council named Tyler Cravens as its new president and CEO effective September 14.

Cravens, serving as interim CEO since March (and formerly COO at the McLean County Chamber), will work to expand local economic opportunities.

Tyler Cravens, who served as interim CEO since March, was named the permanent head of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.

He worked as chief operating officer at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and now joins local boards to boost economic opportunity.

At the Normal Township board meeting, YWCA McLean County presented a proposal for a childcare scholarship fund to support families amid rising costs and provider closures.

The nonprofit seeks local government help to boost state subsidies that have fallen short of demand.