Daily
Bloomington
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Home Sweet Home is preparing to open The Bridge shelter village in a few months in Bloomington—this low-barrier facility will have 48 cabins, a community building, and a bathhouse to serve up to 56 unsheltered adults. The shelter will prioritize residents with mental, substance use, or health challenges and provide on-site partner services to help them transition to stable housing. WGLT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Seedling Theatre’s Grace Irvin said that 'Cinder-Elfa' will run from today until November 23—bringing a new production to our local stage. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Vintage Pantagraph Christmas ads trace local holiday traditions by showing items like cedar hope chests—priced from $9.75 in 1940—and Beer Nuts gift packs—listed at $5.49 in 1983. The Pantagraph
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington High School has banned cell phones and headphones in classrooms to reduce distractions and boost student engagement. Teachers reported that the policy has led to fewer late assignments and more direct interaction between students and staff. 25 News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters to visit new check stations for chronic wasting disease—an effort to better monitor local wildlife health. The Pantagraph
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ District 87 is planning a $60.2M property tax levy—if a new 1% sales tax is approved, the tax rate will drop to $4.90 per $100 EAV—this measure may lower taxes for residents. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Normal firefighters and town leaders are debating if they will add more staff and keep the College Avenue station open after the new station opens soon. A union study shows that closing the station could slow down response in busy areas—town officials say current coverage meets standards and more staff will only be added if needed. WGLT
- ➤ The McLean County Unit 5 Board of Education will vote on a $165.8 million property tax levy on Dec. 17. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Ameren Illinois received ICC approval to raise gas delivery rates but the request was cut by $55.8 million to $73 million—balancing utility needs with customer costs after an 11-month review. Central Illinois Proud
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Manufactured homes offer a budget-friendly housing option in Bloomington-Normal but face a long-standing stigma—tough financing rules and rising lot rents add challenges for local residents seeking homeownership. WGLT
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Pantagraph's Holiday Spectacular
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $19.00+ — Celebrate the festive season with an entertaining holiday spectacular showcasing local talents.
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Jane Lynch - A Swingin' Little Christmas
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $42.00+ — Classic holiday tunes and hilarious banter come together for a delightful night of music and comedy.
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Home for the Holidays Bake Sale
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Ace Hardware of Normal — Support a great cause — Enjoy delicious baked goods and help benefit HSCI this holiday season.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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