After a historic tornado tore through five states last Friday, leaving 74 dead, the Midwest Food Bank is preparing to send disaster relief to those in need.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Bloomington apartment fire displaces four residents
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington fire crews responded to an apartment fire Monday morning that left a woman and three children displaced. The department responded to a structure fire on Holton Drive at 11:26 a.m. after a neighbor reported the smell and presence smoke, according to BFD Facebook post. Authorities say no injuries were…… MORE
Opening of new Bloomington-Normal YMCA delayed
Construction continues on the new Bloomington-Normal YMCA; however, those wanting to work out at the new facility will have to wait a while longer.… MORE
Local health officials report four additional COVID-related deaths; 287 new cases since Friday
Four more McLean County residents have died from COVID-complications.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker tours tornado-ravaged Metro East
Gov. JB Pritzker, in another trip to the tornado-ravaged Metro East, said he has declared Madison County and others affected by Friday’s storms a disaster area. He is optimistic of help from the federal government.… MORE
FBI lead task force offering a reward in ISU graduate student’s death
The task force, led by the FBI and local law enforcement, is offering a reward for anyone with information about the death of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.… MORE
Illinois gas prices inch down over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have fallen six cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.43 a gallon. Accoridng to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are five cents lower than a month ago, but still $1.27 higher than last year. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at…… MORE
Dozens of guns stolen from Bloomington store, second break-in also reported
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – More than two dozen guns are missing after a Sunday morning burglary in Bloomington. Bloomington Police say 25 guns were stolen from ‘Smiley’s Sports Shop’ just after 5:30 a.m.. That includes 24 pistols and one rifle. Those guns were not locked up well enough, according to police. They also say…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker provides an update on the tornado damage in Edwardsville
By Dave Dahl EDWARDSVILLE – Gov. JB Pritzker joined Edwardsville officials Saturday evening, a day after a tornado hit the Amazon warehouse there, killing six people. “We’re continuing to search the site for evidence of life,” said Edwardsville fire chief James Whiteford, “and will continue recovery operations until all personnel are accounted for. At this…… MORE
Free Bloomington-Normal Christmas Concert scheduled at the BCPA
By Jake Fogal The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts is inviting Bloomington-Normal residents to it’s annual community Christmas concert. “The BCPA is the perfect performance space for this free holiday concert,” said City of Bloomington’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Marketing Manager, Thom Rakestraw. The concert is slated for December 16, at 7:00 p.m.…… 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…