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🌱 How Normal’s new kratom ban and e-bike rules could affect you
Normal, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Normal! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Normal’s new kratom ban and e-bike rules could affect you
- How Normal’s new kratom ban could affect what local shops sell
- How will ISU’s tight new state budget affect Normal’s campus?
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 60 degrees.
- Thursday: Warm with sun and some clouds, temps: high: 86, low: 64. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Breezy; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 84 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Normal mayor addresses fire department planning, kratom and E-bike enforcement (wglt.org) — Normal Mayor Chris Koos is working with firefighters and town staff on long-term planning for staffing and a possible fourth fire station, while also preparing to enforce a new kratom sales ban starting July 15. He’s also welcoming long-awaited statewide e-bike rules, saying Normal will emphasize education, complaint-based enforcement, and getting high-powered bikes off sidewalks and obeying traffic laws. 
• Normal Town Council prohibits kratom sales within city limits (centralillinoisproud.com) — Normal’s town council has voted to ban the sale of kratom within town limits, following a similar move by Bloomington and other nearby communities. Officials say the unregulated substance poses health risks, though residents can still legally use kratom purchased elsewhere. State-level regulations have not yet been adopted, leaving local rules to fill the gap.
• ISU looks to 'weather the storm' as state funding bump lags behind inflation (wglt.org) — State funding for Illinois State University in Normal will rise only slightly next year, with a $2.5 million bump that falls far short of what campus leaders requested. ISU’s finance chief says the university can manage for now but warns that 1% annual increases lag far behind inflation and growing costs, even as ISU pursues efficiencies and a new sustainability hub.
📸 Around Normal
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Normal
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Paint Nite Brand Creative Events →
Cadillac Jack's, 1507 S Main St, Bloomington
7:00 pm
Wednesday June 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Night Owl Lap Swim →
Normal, IL Calendar, 100 S. Maple (off E College Ave), Normal
6:45 pm -
Night Owl Lap Swim
Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department Anderson Aquatic Center - 100 S. Maple (off E College Ave) Normal
6:45 pm -
The Iron Giant
Normal Theater - 209 W North St Normal IL 61761
7:00 pm -
Early Bird Lap Swim →
Normal, IL Calendar, 800 North Main Street, Normal
6:30 am -
Early Bird Lap Swim
Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department Karraker Aquatic Center at Fairview Park - 800 North Main Street
6:30 am -
Anderson Aquatic Center Toddler Time Hours →
Normal, IL Calendar Normal, IL 61761
9:00 am -
Normal LIVE for Kids! @ Connie Link Amphitheatre with Tater Tots Rock! →
Normal, IL Calendar, 621 S. Linden Street, Normal
10:00 am
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
📣 Normal 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
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Wiggle and Learn: Vermicomposting Summer Library Program at El Paso Public Library
Ecology Action Center IL
6:00 pm -
Night Owl Lap Swim
Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department Anderson Aquatic Center - 100 S. Maple (off E College Ave) Normal
6:45 pm -
The Iron Giant
Normal Theater - 209 W North St Normal IL 61761
7:00 pm -
Early Bird Lap Swim
Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department Karraker Aquatic Center at Fairview Park - 800 North Main Street
6:30 am
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Estes Express Lines, Inc. posted a job opening for Dock Worker (PT 5 AM Start) in Normal. Apply here.
- Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for General Merchandise Clerk in Normal. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Normal here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bloomington
- Local rescues help dogs find homes at Operation Pawsitive Impact in Bloomington (centralillinoisproud.com)
- How Downtown's new luxury apartments could ease the squeeze for lower-cost options (wglt.org)
- Friends of Constitution Trail enhance trail with tree planting (wjbc.com)
El Paso
- Pope Leo Calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen 'a Light of Faith' Who Touched Millions With the Gospel (thegoodnewsroom.org)
Ok Normal! 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: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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