Two new laws update sex education in Illinois schools.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Gov. Pritzker warning of stricter measures of COVID-19 numbers don’t improve
Gov. JB Pritzker is warning that significantly stricter measures could be put back into place if COVID-19 numbers don’t improve.… MORE
Central Illinois under a heat advisory through Wednesday
By Neil Doyle LINCOLN – A heat advisory will go into effect at 1 p.m. Tuesday for all of central Illinois with heat indices around 105 degrees. The advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The National Weather Service is reminding people to take precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke this week. [4:05…… MORE
Warmer and drier week for Illinois crops
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 22, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 74.9 degrees, 1.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.38 inches, 0.33 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 5 percent very short, 31 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and…… MORE
New disaster assistance for residents and businesses in Livingston County and McLean County
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – On Monday, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the state’s request for assisting residents and businesses financially hurt from recent severe weather. The new disaster assistance is meant to boost flood recovery efforts in Ford County as well as surrounding counties, including Livingston County and McLean County. According to a…… MORE
Child abuse cases on the rise in Central Illinois; DCFS reports over 25K investigations
Child abuse cases are rising across Central Illinois, as the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reports over 25,000 investigations.… MORE
Midwest Food Bank sending semi loads to New York and Haiti
The Midwest Food Bank is sending a semi load of food boxes and hygiene kits to help with Hurricane Henri and disasters in Haiti and New York.… MORE
MCHD reports 151 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday
Since the weekend, the McLean County Health Department is reporting 151 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
IDOT launching massive construction project on I-57 and I-74
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is kicking off Champaign’s new highway interchange project.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker hopefully more will get vaccinated after FDA approves the Pfizer vaccine
Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s hopeful more people will get vaccinated against COVID-19 now that the Food and Drug Association (FDA) has approved the Pfizer shot.… 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…