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Illinois State opens its season today at Saint Mary's in California as coach Ryan Pedon says the goal is to end a 28-season NCAA Tournament drought; the Redbirds bring nine newcomers and three returning starters, including seniors Jonny Kinziger and Chase Walker who could reach the program's top 10 scorers.

The McLean County Chamber will hold its annual Agriculture Awards Dinner Thursday, Nov.

19 at Funk Farms Trust, with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $60 and include dinner and beverages, and recipients include Dale Kauffman, Adalyn Solomonson, Adam McVey, and Jeff Hake.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce and GROWMARK will host the Agriculture Awards Dinner on Thursday, Nov.

19 at Funk Farms Trust to honor leaders with awards for conservation, agribusiness, and young farmers.

The Normal Police Department launched an anonymous community survey for its CALEA accreditation that runs from Nov.

1 through Dec. 1; paper copies are available at the police station, The ARC, and Normal Public Library (309-454-9532).

Asphalt binder work on Hershey Road begins today and will continue through Friday, weather permitting; the road will remain open, but drivers should expect periodic intersection closures + brief delays.

Rivian raised its annual delivery forecast after record production at the Normal plant and said deliveries will climb this year, even as the company reported substantial losses and declined to provide more details about local operations.

Illinois State opens the season at 7 p.m. Monday against Chicago State at CEFCU Arena.

Coach Kristen Gillespie, entering her 10th season, said she is cautiously optimistic after adding eight newcomers and aims for an MVC title and an NCAA bid in 2027.

State Farm plans to add about 3,000 claims jobs nationwide in 2027, and many of those hires are expected in Bloomington-Normal (local totals and the hiring timeline are still to be determined).