By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Saints are marching to 3-1 in the Illini Prairie Conference after a 42-28 win over Monticello in Week 4 of the high school football season. Colin Hayes was the catalyst for Central Catholic, as the junior quarterback was responsible for five touchdowns, two through the air and three on…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – First round voting to find the state’s best pork chop sandwich is underway in the Illinois High School Association’s and Illinois Pork Producers Association’s (IPPA) Pork and Pigskins Championship. 58 contenders will look to advance out of the first round into the Savory 16. Voting is currently open online here.…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Normal West Wildcats defense has shutout another offense this season, as West pulled off a 21-4 win over Normal Community. West went up early with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Jayden Mangruem to Matthew Marsaglia. Mangruem threw a second touchdown to Marsaglia late in the first to give…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Week 2 of the High School Football season featured blowouts for many local area teams, including intercity foes Normal West and Bloomington. Wildcats quarterback Jayden Mangruem led Normal West’s scoring effort with three touchdowns as the Cats shutout the Purple Raiders 46-0. West’s defense forced a safety late in the…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The High School Football Extravaganza on WJBC, sponsored by CEFCU, not a bank, better, featured the Normal Community West Wildcats blanking Champaign Central 42-0. Wildcats Jayden Mangruem led the way with 68 yards through the air, also tallying 3 passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The defense stifled the Champaign Central Maroons…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Illinois State women’s basketball program is mourning the loss of former Redbird player Simone Goods, who passed away on Saturday after a courageous battle with cancer. “I know I speak for our entire woman’s basketball program, and all of Redbird Nation when I say that I am beyond heartbroken…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Illinois State have dropped their non-conference schedules for the upcoming season. Following an NCAA tournament appearance, head coach Kristen Gillespie unveiled the women’s schedule for the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Champions, knowing that tougher competition better prepares her players. “We’re facing some…… MORE
By RFD Radio BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois High School Association and Illinois Pork Producers Association are teaming up again this fall to find the state’s best concession stand pork chop sandwich. It’s called the Pork and Pigskins Championship and last year’s winner was Normal Community High School. The IHSA’s Tracie Henry says they received a…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Illinois State University women’s basketball has announced its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. The Redbirds will host Indianapolis in an exhibition game on Nov. 1 before opening the season on the road for the second-straight season at Dayton on Nov. 10. ISU will return to Redbird Arena for its…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Illinois State University on Tuesday announced a contract extension for Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan. According to a news release, the extension runs until June 30, 2027, and includes a yearly salary of $242,892 as well as the eligibility of a bonus for academic and athletic success, not to exceed…… MORE
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…