Good morning, Bloomington.

Home Sweet Home Ministries is asking for turkey donations and volunteer help for their Big Give event, which will pack Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need and mark their 108th anniversary on Thanksgiving Day+.

They partner with Midwest Food Bank and ask donors to bring turkeys, non-perishable foods, or purchase a turkey card at Hyvee+.

Home Sweet Home Ministries said its homeless shelter village, The Bridge, will not open in December because a key electrical switchgear is delayed until the end of December—without power the cabins cannot be occupied.

Officials plan to inspect the facility—allowing residents to move in by the second week of January.

Hacienda Leon offers free kids’ meals to families with valid SNAP cards amid the government shutdown—free meals are available at locations in Bloomington, Normal, and Lincoln and include a choice of taco, enchilada, or burrito with beans and rice or chicken nuggets and fries, limited to one per child.

Families will enjoy Breakfast With Santa at Miller Park Zoo on Dec.

6, with sessions at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Miller Park Pavilion (1020 S. Morris Ave.) offering a continental breakfast, photo time with Santa and a zoo walk, while pre-registration (required) and admission fees of $20 for zoo members and $25 for others apply.

Bloomington Salvation Army launched its Red Kettle Campaign today with a $1M goal to raise funds for local community support.

The nonprofit expects the drive to run through the holiday season – a key effort to help those in need.

A video explains how local residents can support The Salvation Army during the holiday season by following steps for donating and volunteering.

The guide offers clear instructions to help those in need get involved.

A mobile home fire in Bloomington displaced a family of five (a mother and her children) who now need temporary shelter while local emergency crews attend the scene.

Unscramblerer.com released a list of the most mispronounced words of 2025 based on Google searches and found Illinois speakers struggled with saying Yuengling - while across America, gyro topped the search counts.

The study showed that the uneven match between English spelling and sound has made many words hard to pronounce.

Immigration challenges are on stage in So You Think You Can Stay, which premieres this weekend at The Normal Theater in Uptown Normal—located at 209 N Street.

Directed by Alejandra Luna, the play features five contestants from around the world and will have shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with general admission at $10 and student tickets at $5.

Fiala Brothers Brewery and Beer Hall in Uptown Normal hosted Craft Beer Thursday—released as a podcast on The Rich Eisen Show on Nov 12.

Owners Ryan and Steve Fiala shared local craft beer insights during the event.

Cultural leaders from Bloomington-Normal returned from a statewide arts and humanities conference on November 12 and pledged to work together to strengthen local cultural programs — they plan to use new local partnerships and budget adjustments to address funding gaps.

Their coordinated efforts are expected to sustain community events despite recent federal cuts.

Central Illinois job postings now offer many career opportunities for local job seekers—these openings include roles in various fields that support the growing local economy.

A study to improve safety on Veterans Parkway was presented at a virtual open house that outlined three proposals adding one to four minutes to travel time from Ireland Grove Road to Shepard Road.

Transportation planners said the options—ranging from intersection improvements to lane adjustments—could reduce crashes while enhancing pedestrian access as the study continues through August.

The Illinois Department of Public Health warned parents on Wednesday about ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after two Illinois babies got sick and one was confirmed with infant botulism amid 15 suspected cases in 12 states — parents are urged to toss unopened formula, save a portion from recent feedings for testing, and clean any items that touched the product while seeking care if symptoms appear.

Hayes Carll Concert

8:00 – 9:30 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — 18+ Event — Experience the soulful tunes of Hayes Carll live in Bloomington.

Big Daddy Weave: Let It Begin Tour

7-9 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $26.00+ — Experience an uplifting night of music with Big Daddy Weave and friends as they perform inspiring hits and favorites.

Theresa Caputo Live Experience

7-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $55.00+ — Don't miss the 'Long Island Medium' star LIVE in an engaging performance.

Blippi: Join The Band Tour

6-7:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $36.50+ — Experience a fun musical adventure with Blippi and friends exploring sounds, rhythms, and instruments.

Sevendust Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — The Castle Theatre — $43 — Experience Sevendust's heavy grooves and soulful vocals on their Southside Double-Wide Tour.

City of Bloomington Turkey Trot

9-11 AM — Miller Park — Free registration — Celebrate Thanksgiving with a community fun run and support a local food drive.

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

2-3:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $44.00+ — Experience breathtaking circus acts combined with seasonal music in this enchanting holiday show.

2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship

Dec 3-6 — Shirk Center — Visit NCAA DIII Championship site for details — Witness the crowning of the national champion in women's volleyball.

The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $19.00+ — Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of festive entertainment at The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular.

NPC Mid-American Winter Classic

10 AM – 10 PM — Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center — Ticketed event — Experience thrilling amateur bodybuilding competitions featuring various divisions.