A federal judge invoked images from the 1917 race riots in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Thursday at the end of a trial in a case challenging the constitutionality of the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
FBI threatens consequences for those making hoax threats online
By WMBD-TV SPIRNGFIELD – The Federal Bureau of Investigation Springfield Office is reminding everyone about the consequences of sending false threats against schools and other public buildings. According to a news release from the FBI, those who make hoax threats can face up to five years in federal prison, or face state or local charges.…… MORE
High court: Smell of burnt cannabis is not cause for warrantless vehicle search
State supreme court rules unanimously in case stemming from 2020 traffic stop By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News [email protected] Law enforcement officers in Illinois cannot rely on the smell of burnt cannabis alone to justify searching a vehicle without a warrant, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. The decision was unanimous, though Justice Lisa Holder White…… MORE
ISU president delivers State of the University address
Illinois State University President Dr. Aondover Tarhule gave his State of the University Address on Thursday.… MORE
Relive the Moments during ISU’s 2024 Homecoming
By WMBD-TV NORMAL -The Illinois State University Redbirds are “reliving treasured times” during their Homecoming Week. “When we thought about this year we thought about how Homecoming is all about making memories and revisiting those memories. So, we wanted to celebrate that,” Senior Director for ISU Alumni Engagement Stephanie Duquenne said. ISU encourages anyone sharing…… MORE
Bloomington’s library features bilingual exhibit for Hispanic Heritage Month
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – In honor of hispanic heritage month the Bloomington public library is displaying a photo exhibit “Celebrando en dos idiomas” or “Celebrating in Two Languages.” Latinos en BloNo founder Yolanda Alonso is the exhibitor. There are 20 portraits featured from various events of the Latino community within the Bloomington-Normal community. Alonso previously…… MORE
Jury deadlocks, mistrial declared in case of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan
A federal judge on Thursday declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked in their deliberations over whether former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza bribed longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via a no-work contract for the speaker’s political ally.… MORE
Peoria mom on trial for infant death lost rights for another child
About two years before Andrea Luncsford appeared in a Peoria County courtroom charged in connection with the death of her one-month-old son, she was in another Peoria County courtroom where a judge terminated her parental rights for another child.… MORE
Watterson Towers under boil order after water main break
A boil order is in effect for the residents of Watterson Tower after a water main break Wednesday night.… MORE
Unit 5 approves 2024-25 budget, presents plan to maintain facilities
The McLean County Unit 5 School Board approved its 2024-2025 budget on Tuesday.… 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…