McLean County Health officials are reporting two additional COVID-related deaths since Friday.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Gov. Pritzker wraps up a European tour with a panel discussion with other U.S. governors
The governor’s wrapping up his European tour with a panel discussion with other U.S. governors. … MORE
Normal West FFA goes back-to-back as National Livestock Judging Champions
By RFD Radio NORMAL – It’s been quite the run for the Normal West FFA Livestock Judging Team. They’ve gone back-to-back years winning the prestigious American Royal in Kansas City. Lauren Mohr is a team member. “A lot of us have grown up around livestock and high quality livestock so we kind of get that…… MORE
Illinois gas prices continue to inch up
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have risen almost six cents in the past week, averaging $3.55 a gallon on Monday. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are nine cents higher than a month ago and a $1.36 more expensive compared to a year ago. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in…… MORE
Proposed union contract gives Bloomington cops 2.5% annual pay hikes
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Unionized Bloomington Police officers would receive 2.5% annual pay increases under terms of a proposed three-year contract that also gives bilingual officers annual bonuses. The city council will vote Monday night on a tentative deal costing Bloomington taxpayers almost $1.4 million dollars during the three years. “This ratification will match…… MORE
Key council vote Monday on $22.8 million Bloomington library addition
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Decades in the making, the Bloomington City Council is about to make a decision whether to proceed with funding a $22.8 million addition to the public library. The cost is $2 million less if leaders scrap plans for a new parking deck. “After over 20 years of discussions and we…… MORE
Hundreds march in downtown Bloomington demanding answers into what happened to Jelani Day
Hundreds of people gathered in the twin-cites on Friday to hold a demonstration and march for late Illinois State University student Jelani Day.… MORE
UPDATE: Man dead after shooting on Bloomington’s near east side
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A 30-year-old man is dead after a shooting Thursday night in Bloomington. Police were called around 9 p.m. to the 800 block of East Washington Street. Police say a man was lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center. The man was…… MORE
Bloomington native Kinzinger considering run for higher office
By HOI ABC and CNN CHANNAHON – U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger says he’s considering running for Illinois Governor or U.S. Senator next year, or even president in 2024. Kinzinger is 43 and weighing his political future after announcing last week he’s retiring from the House. However, Kinzinger is one of his party’s most vocal critics…… MORE
Man seriously wounded in shooting on Bloomington’s near east side
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say they are investigating a Thursday evening shooting on the city’s near east side that seriously wounded a man. A police lieutenant said the man is hospitalized with serious to life-threatening injuries after a shooting that was reported shortly before 9 p.m. in the 800 block of East…… 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…