Many communities around McLean County and central Illinois will be celebrating our freedom for Independence Day.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
GasBuddy: Independence Day weekend gas prices projected to be lower from a year ago
Some good news for summer road trippers this 4th of July weekend, as gas prices should be cheaper than a year ago, according to GasBuddy.… MORE
Increased traffic enforcement for Independence Day weekend
Drivers can expect to see increased police patrols through the Fourth of July holiday.… MORE
Illinois Tollway expects more than 9 million vehicles on the roads over the 4th of July weekend
The Illinois Tollway is gearing up for a busy 4th of July holiday weekend.… MORE
IBHE: U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action is disappointing
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) says Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a step backwards for racial equity at colleges and universities.… MORE
U of I looking at the wildfires through an economic lens
You can count the U.S. job market and economy among the things the Canadian wildfires affect.… MORE
Kitchen fire displaces four in Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington house fire displaced four near Rock Garden Court and Eddy Road Tuesday. According to a Bloomington Fire Department news release, firefighters responded to the fire at 4:36 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 4:42 p.m. Upon arrival, they saw smoke coming from the first floor of the home. The…… MORE
Midwest Food Bank sends relief to victims of tornados in the southern United States
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Midwest Food Bank announced it will send disaster relief to support the victims of a number of powerful tornadoes in the Southern United States Two semi tractor trailers carrying water and food boxes recently left the Midwest Food Bank’s Disaster Relief hub in Morton. One trailer left Saturday and was bound…… MORE
Air quality remains unhealthy Wednesday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires
According to the alert, smoke from wildfires in Canada is moving into Central Illinois and is pushing our air quality into unhealthy or worse categories.… MORE
Normal kicking off efforts for Vernon Avenue Project
On Tuesday, the Town of Normal held the first public input meeting for the Vernon Avenue Complete Streets Project.… 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…