A new monkey exhibit is just weeks away from opening at Miller Park Zoo.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
McLean County Coroner identifies fatal crash victim
By Neil Doyle HUDSON – A man from Normal has been identified as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash in Hudson. Warren Welch, 72, died in the single motorcycle accident, according to McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder. The accident happened around 3:40 p.m. at 24032 Ron Smith Memorial Highway. Preliminary autopsy results indicate Welch died…… MORE
Town of Normal names Mike Matejka Citizen of the Year
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Mike Matejka has been named the 2021 Citizen of the Year in the Town of Normal. Mayor Chris Koos made the announcement Tuesday night during the town’s appreciation reception. Matejka moved to Bloomington-Normal to attend Illinois State University. Since then, Matejka has served as a community leader, volunteer, and social…… MORE
Illinois attorney general going after predatory lenders in the student loan business
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – General Raoul goes to Washington! Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday to support legislation to help people escape predatory student loans. “Failing to hold these predatory institutions accountable does nothing but line the pockets of the shareholders at the expense of taxpayers,” Raoul told…… MORE
IDPH reports first human case of West Nile virus
By Neil Doyle SPRINGFIELD – State health officials are reporting the first human case of West Nile virus this year. The Illinois Department of Public Health says a Cook County resident in his 80s who became ill back in mid-June tested positive for the virus. “While we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we must…… MORE
Back 2 School Alliance backpack drive is next week
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Back 2 School Alliance is getting ready to distribute backpacks and school supplies to students in the Twin-Cities. Since 1999, the organization has provided supplies for kids in Bloomington-Normal schools who qualify for free or reduced lunches. 33% of kids in Bloomington-Normal schools qualify for free or reduced lunches…… MORE
ISU President: More students are submitting their vaccine information
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Classes at Illinois State University start in less than two weeks and some students have started making their way back to campus. ISU students and staff are required to input their vaccine information online. Those who are unvaccinated will be required to participate in weekly on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing. The…… MORE
Motorcyclist killed in crash north of Twin-Cities
A man died Tuesday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed in Hudson.… MORE
School administrators recommend mandatory mask-wearing in Bloomington District 87
Elected leaders in Bloomington School District 87 will meet in special session Wednesday to consider administrators’ plan to start the school year with a mask requirement.… MORE
Former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich files lawsuit over not being allowed to run for elected office
A lawsuit was filed this week by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.… 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…