On a new episode of WGLT's McHistory series: It has been many decades since Downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers in the community. There was a time, though, when there were four large department stores downtown. One of them was My Store.

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Andy Goveia was one of more than 550 K-12 teachers across the country to enter the contest held by KI Furniture.

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Fall weather is hanging on in Bloomington-Normal, but there’s no denying that the holidays are here. WGLT's list of more than 40 seasonal shows, things to do and places to shop is not exhaustive but is aimed at filling your December calendars and hearts with the spirit of the season.

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Illinois public universities have reached their highest enrollment levels in 10 years, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education [IBHE] that reports nearly 190,000 students are enrolled across the state for the Fall 2025 semester. Illinois State University’s student body increased by 2.1%, an enrollment record for a fourth consecutive year. ISU announced the figures in September, including a 448-student increase, for a total of 21,994 students. Deputy Governor for Education Martin Torres said Gov. JB Pritzker’s state budgets have delivered the largest investment in higher education in a generation.

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On today's episode, the governor's office discusses a 10-year high for Illinois' public universities, a junior high classroom in Normal is getting a makeover after winning a nationwide contest, the latest McHistory takes us back to the time when downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers and a preview of all the things to do during the holiday season in Bloomington-Normal.

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Starved Rock State Park is home to bluffs, canyons and waterfalls among a number of trails. Tourists and visitors consider the wildlife and activities along the Illinois River to be wonderful for sightseeing and adventure. For Dave Glacinski, it is his home away from home. The Central Illinois native and Lexington resident volunteers at least once a week. In August, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources named Glacinski among the 2025 outstanding volunteers of the year, for his work at the state park about an hour north of Bloomington-Normal.

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A big chunk of the counselors and social workers in McLean County just got trained in a rising therapy model that can help people overcome anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It's called Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR.

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Parkside Junior High School seventh-grader Edder Diaz, who died in a fire earlier this month, was remembered fondly Saturday in a way his friends and family say the young athlete would have loved — with a smiling crowd cheering on runners.

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