Daily
Bloomington
Thursday, September 11th, 2025
Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 11th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The 59th annual Morton Pumpkin Festival kicked off today in Morton with pumpkins, pumpkin-spiced food and carnival rides. The event will run until Sept. 13 with a Pumpkin Fest parade at 10:30 a.m.—drawing families and community members together. Central Illinois Proud
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The McLean County Museum of History will present the 'Mourning in McLean' exhibit & host several programs this fall that focus on the topic of death. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Retired broadcaster Steve Vogel has released his new 'tell-a-lot' book titled Broadcast Live, 71 True Stories, Including Some I'd Just as Soon Forget—he shares personal and celebrity adjacent stories from his long career—and will host signings Saturday, Sept. 13 at Emerald & Amethyst in Lexington and Sunday, Sept. 14 at Barnes & Noble in Bloomington. WGLT
- ➤ Miller Park Zoo brings back the Arts for Conservation event—more than 20 local artists will sell goods to support local art and animal conservation. The Pantagraph
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Twelve students were named to the PhiThetaKappa honor society by Heartland Community College's Alpha Omega Xi chapter for the fall semester—recognizing their academic achievements. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Universities across Illinois saw enrollment increases this fall—UI Urbana-Champaign reached over 60,000 students with 9,207 freshmen while NIU, Illinois State, and SIUE posted gains of 4.3%, 2%, and 7.7% respectively. A Collinsville man was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to making a pipe bomb that threatened lives near a Southern Illinois school. Cities 92.9
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Bloomington Police Department has entered a 12-year, $13M contract with Axon to consolidate equipment and provide reliable services — the deal is expected to improve police operations. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Bloomington city council met Monday to discuss the housing crisis while many community members raised concerns about the Opticos report—Mayor Dan Brady said the report would only serve as a blueprint and not change existing homeowner associations. He added that the city will work to make the permitting process smoother even though national economic factors and building costs remain out of local control. Central Illinois Proud
- ➤ Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said residents should not worry about zoning changes because the text amendments are limited and accessory dwelling units will have minimal impact—he added that an Axon contract saving $11 million and ongoing talks with Normal and McLean County over shared sales tax funds will help secure fiscal stability. WGLT
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The Four C Notes Tribute Concert
7:00 – 8:30 PM — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $29.00+ — Experience the Midwest’s only tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with classic hits.
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Electric Vehicle Car Show
Corn Belt Energy’s Electric Vehicle Car Show is rolling in September 12th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at State Farm Corporate South parking lot in Bloomington. See the hottest electric cars, jaw-dropping hybrids, and the latest in emission-free rides up close and all for free! It’s a night for the whole family with delicious food trucks, face painting, games, prizes, and giveaways. Register now at cornbeltenergy.com and score a free Kona Ice just for signing up.
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Leonid & Friends Tribute to Chicago
7-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $25.00+ — Experience an incredible tribute as Leonid & Friends captures the essence of Chicago's legendary sound.
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Top of the World - A Tribute to the Carpenters
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the heartfelt sounds of the Carpenters tribute live in Bloomington.
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Ballet 5:8 - La Llorona
3:00 – 4:30 PM — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $17.00+ — Experience a poignant ballet that explores maternal pain and healing through stunning artistry.
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Illinois District Barbershop Harmony Society Fall Convention
2:30 PM - 11:00 PM — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — Passes available for purchase — Enjoy a weekend filled with barbershop harmony and musical performances.
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Oracle Sisters Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting sound of Oracle Sisters with their dreamy melodies and new album release.
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A.J. Croce Presents CROCE PLAYS CROCE
7:30-9 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $38.00+ — Experience a musical odyssey with A.J. Croce as he performs timeless songs and stories from his father's legacy.
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