People interested in food safety are optimistic the federal Food and Drug Administration will finally get a handle on what goes into our food.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Festival of Joy returns to downtown Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The 15th annual Festival of Joy transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India. Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods. A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or…… MORE
Bloomington-Normal NAACP rallying for more people to vote
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Community members packed inside the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington for “Hear Our Voices – A Rally For Democracy.” The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the NAACP hosted the event to encourage Black people to vote. Guests heard from speakers like Brian Peterson with Omega Psi Phi, and other leaders in the…… MORE
Unit 5 Bus Drivers and First Student at impasse in contract negotiations
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The clock is ticking for a national bus company to get a deal done that impacts bus drivers and bus monitors in Unit 5. At the latest school board meeting, Steven Dean, vice-president for the union representing the bus drivers and bus monitors, gave an update on their contract negotiations with First…… MORE
ISU selected as partner for Central Illinois regional simulation training hub by DCFS
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has selected Illinois State University as one of four regional training hubs when the university’s Child Protection Training Academy opens in early November.… MORE
BEER Nuts reopening company store in Bloomington
BEER Nuts Brand Snacks announced over the weekend that its company store will be reopening next month.… MORE
Children’s Discovery Museum holds its Day of Play in Uptown Normal
Uptown Normal transformed into a giant playground on Saturday to encourage kids to play outdoors.… MORE
Purple Raiders stay undefeated after dismantling Normal West in Week 4
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The Bloomington Purple Raiders are a secret no more. Having a chip on their shoulders heading into this rivalry matchup against Normal West, BHS hadn’t beaten their rivals since 2012. The Purple Raiders came into the matchup undefeated at 3-0, while the Wildcats were entering the game at 2-1. Bloomington…… MORE
University of Illinois Springfield Professor: Watch out for political polling as Pres. election inches closer
Cut through the noise when you listen, watch, or read news. That is the advice of a University of Illinois Springfield professor who directs a graduate program in public affairs reporting.… MORE
Speaker of Illinois House: “I think there’s racism in America”
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), the first Black person to occupy that office, touched on race when he participated in a question-and-answer at the City Club of Chicago.… 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…