Police are probing a shots fired incident that happened over the weekend on Bloomington’s west side.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Illinois Wesleyan renovating softball field ahead of 2025 Division III National Championships
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The school year has culminated at Illinois Wesleyan University, but the athletic department is gearing up for a busy summer. Renovations are set to begin at the Titan’s softball field, Inspiration Field, as the school prepares to host the 2025 Softball National Championships. “Phase one of two of the renovations…… MORE
Another dry week across Illinois
There were 6.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 18, 2023. … MORE
Fire damages storage shed on Main Street in Normal
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Firefighters made quick work of a storage shed fire Tuesday afternoon adjacent to the Baba Restaurant on North Main Street in Normal. According to a news release, fire crews were called around 2 p.m. to 1501 N. Main Street after multiple callers reported smoke in the area of Main Street…… MORE
Illinois gas prices seeing minor increases in latest gas report
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices across Illinois are up almost 6 cents over the past week, averaging $4.02 a gallon. Costs at the pump have jumped up about 10 cents over last month, but are $1.50 per gallon lower compared to this time last year. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station…… MORE
Emancipation Proclamation on display at presidential museum in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – What better time than Juneteenth to begin a two-week showing of a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation? The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is the place to see it. The copy was a gift to the state in 1937 and is one of about two dozen surviving copies. Library and museum…… MORE
Bloomington firearm safe giveaway has a humidity problem
The Bloomington police gun safe giveaway is encountering humidity problems.… MORE
New state law lets law enforcement use drones as a public safety tool
Law enforcement in Illinois will now be able to use drones as a public safety tool.… MORE
Drought conditions worsening in Illinois
The latest U.S. drought monitor puts 65 percent of the state in at least a moderate drought, and 15 percent of Illinois is in a severe drought.… 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
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…