Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Bloomington unveils Residential Development Dashboard for website

Bloomington unveils Residential Development Dashboard for website

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has a new addition to its website to keep residents in the loop about upcoming land developments. A news release from the Bloomington Communications and External Affairs Manager Katherine Murphy states that the new dashboard will provide real-time data of residential development going back from January of…MORE

Illinois State University protestors stand trial for May 3 trespassing arrest

Illinois State University protestors stand trial for May 3 trespassing arrest

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – Following the arrests of seven protestors at Illinois State University in May, all appeared in court today for a pre-trial hearing. Just after 1:30 p.m., the court began with the attorney of the seven protestors, Cheryl Weikel, taking the stand and asking for a continuance, citing a busy two weeks without…MORE

Normal police announce retirement of K-9 Thor

Normal police announce retirement of K-9 Thor

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Normal Police Department announced that its K-9 officer Thor will retire on Tuesday. According to the announcement on Facebook, Thor served the residents of McLean County for the last seven years. He worked with his handler, officer Shane Bachman, and was responsible for many arrests and apprehensions in the area. “We extend…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…