District 87 is sponsoring a Summer Food Service Program which offers free lunch to anyone ages 18 under.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
$800,000 in federal funding coming to Connect Transit
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Connect Transit was bestowed one of 23 federal grants in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Bill. Spearheaded by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Il.), the money will go towards onboard communication systems and camera systems. “Everyone deserves a safe ride when they hop on the bus to get to work, run errands,…… MORE
Bloomington Bison’s Scott Alan passes away on Monday
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The first employee hired by the Bloomington Bison hockey franchise and longtime voice of the Indy Fuel has passed away. According to the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old Scott Mcilrath of Kokomo, Ind., died from multiple blunt injuries after a two-vehicle crash. He was known to most as Scott Alan,…… MORE
2 people dead after early morning shooting in Normal
Police say two people are dead after a Wednesday morning shooting in Normal.… MORE
Illinois House approves $53 billion budget
A $53.1 billion budget is on its way to the governor.… MORE
One dead after two-car crash in rural McLean County
An Indiana man is dead after a two-car crash in McLean County on Monday.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal YMCA offering sensory swimming
This weekend, the Bloomington-Normal YMCA is introducing sensory swim time.… MORE
Normal to rename aquatic center for former mayor
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Town of Normal announced its plans on Tuesday to rename the Fairview Aquatic Center. According to a press release from the town, they will rename the center to the Kent M. Karraker Aquatic Center in honor of the town’s former mayor. Normal Mayor Chris Koos shared the news with Karraker’s family…… MORE
Partnership providing veterans with free tickets to Bloomington shows
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington announced a new partnership on Friday that will be giving back to area veterans. The city’s Arts & Entertainment Department stated that it has partnered with the nonprofit organization Vet Tix to provide local and regional veterans with tickets to live events free of charge. The tickets would be for events…… MORE
Illinois hunters bag record number of turkeys
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The 2024 Illinois spring turkey season netted a statewide record of 17,208 turkeys harvested, according to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release. This is an increase from last year’s total of 16,123 turkeys and bests the previous record of 16,659 turkeys in 2006. The top five counties were Jo…… 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…