The Illinois State University football team was picked seventh in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll voted on by league coaches, media, and sports information directors. … MORE
Category Archives: WJBC Top Sports
Heartland baseball coach Chris Razo named ABCA national coach of the year
After leading the Heartland Community College baseball team to a national title this past season, head coach Chris Razo has been named the 2023 NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).… MORE
Heartland’s Sam Antonacci named NJCAA DII baseball Player of the Year
Heartland Community College infielder Sam Antonacci has been named the 2023 NJCAA Division II Baseball Player of the Year.… MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 25, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 75.5 degrees, 1.7 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.49 inches, 0.49 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 39 percent very short, 50 percent short, and 11 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
Former Illinois State AD lands new job in Utah
Former Illinois State University Athletic Director Kyle Brennan is returning to his roots after abruptly resigning.… MORE
12-year-old Cooper Burnette signed by ISU football through Team IMPACT
Illinois State football added to their program on Thursday with the signing of 12-year-old Cooper Burnette through Team IMPACT.… MORE
Bloomington teenager faces charges in early April shooting
A Bloomington teenager is facing charges in McLean County after investigators say he was involved in a shooting in early April.… MORE
ISU men’s basketball adds Jason Slay to coaching staff
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Ryan Pedon is adding to his coaching staff. Jason Slay comes to ISU after spending two seasons at the University of South Florida where he was an assistant coach with the Bulls. “Jason came very highly recommended to me early on in our search,”…… MORE
ISU’s Paige Robinson drafted by Dallas Wings
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Illinois State’s star guard and reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Paige Robinson was drafted by the Dallas Wings in the third round of the WNBA Draft Monday night. Robinson is the first-ever Redbird player to be drafted into the league. She amassed more than 2,000 points in four years at…… MORE
Central Catholic, Cornerstone Christian compete Thursday in IHSA boys basketball final four
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – After a win earlier this week in the IHSA Class 2A Super-Sectionals over Pontiac, the Central Catholic (25-11) boys basketball team will face the Rockridge Rockets (28-4) in the state semifinals Thursday in Champaign. The Saints are led by head coach Jason Welch who is in his 16th year at…… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
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.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
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…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
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…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
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…