Community Corner

🌱 Which unforgettable Bloomington moments did WGLT’s cameras capture in 2025?

And check out LCHD walk in Flu Clinic on the Bloomington Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey there, Bloomington! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which unforgettable Bloomington moments did WGLT’s cameras capture in 2025?
  • How does Bloomington’s diversity compare to other McLean County schools?
  • What big changes reshaped Bloomington’s downtown and neighborhoods in 2025?

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Bloomingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Periods of sun, with a high of 50 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, mist; breezy, temps: high: 50, low: 42.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 50 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Best photos of 2025: Documenting the community with WGLT (wglt.org) — From homelessness outreach and immigration protests to Holi Moli, manufacturing tours, and snowy family fun, WGLT’s 2025 photo coverage captured Bloomington-Normal’s toughest and most joyful moments. The gallery highlights everything from a tragic February killing that shook Bloomington to the growth of The Bridge shelter village and local celebrations across the seasons.
   

Find out what's happening in Bloomingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Enrollment Analysis: Black students comprised 13.7% of McLean County's districts student body in 2024-25 school year (mcleancountytimes.com) — Bloomington families can see how Black student enrollment compares across McLean County schools, with Black students making up 24.6% of Bloomington School District 87’s 4,699 students in 2024–25. Countywide, Black students account for 13.7% of 22,314 students, while Illinois has boosted overall K–12 funding for the current budget year.
   

3. Looking Back: Bloomington in 2025 (centralillinoisproud.com) — Major changes in Bloomington this year centered on downtown’s $13.1 million streetscape overhaul, new sewers and sidewalks, and a soon-to-open shelter for unhoused residents called The Bridge. Residents also saw WMBD open a local news bureau, Grove Street Bakery gain a new owner, and improvements from Miller Park Zoo’s new sign to nearing completion of I-55/74 work and big shows at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
   

4. Players said to be close to striking Bloomington Bison and other ECHL teams (25newsnow.com) — Bloomington hockey fans may see the Bison sidelined as ECHL players edge toward a possible strike that could start right after Christmas, affecting games at Grossinger Motors Arena. The players’ union says safety, travel, and pay haven’t kept pace, while the league touts salary cap increases, better housing, and upgraded equipment in its latest offer.
   

📸 Around Bloomington

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Bloomington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello All,
    We are new to Bloomington/Normal from South Texas. I want to keep up with events and news. What are some pages or sites that I need to follow? (Nextdoor Eagle Ridge)
  • We had a package delivered to a home on accident that has 5 pumpkins on their porch- if you brought this in n just put it in your christmas box stack please check.
    We are on Strawberry Rd but the address is marked properly on the box- thanks! (Nextdoor Hawthorne II)
  • Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Bloomington. Apply here.
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Bloomington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bloomington here.

Ok Bloomington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Bloomington