The Town of Normal and three retired police officers may wind up asking the state’s highest court to reconsider its decision ordering a trial alleging malicious prosecution in a decades-old murder case.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Sen. Durbin unhappy about the lack of bipartisanship towards Jan. 6 investigation
The last-minute deal to reimburse police and the National Guard for their help after Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C., is just the latest example of threats of cutting pay and / or services in federal government, only to see an eleventh-hour solution.… MORE
Senate GOP reacts to a financial audit of IDES
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Once again, Illinois Republican lawmakers are calling out the Pritzker administration. This time it’s over unemployment money going to people who do not have it coming, and in some cases are not even alive. Reacting to a financial audit showing about $150 million the Illinois Department of Employment Security…… MORE
City brings back mask policy
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Following the latest CDC guidance, the City of Bloomington is reinstituting a mask policy. “The only change is the return of masks when employees are moving through hallways and to other buildings,” said City Manager Tim Gleason. “When people are in their own work spaces, they can remove their masks.” Residents…… MORE
COVID testing site in McLean County to remain open
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The COVID-19 testing site at the McLean County Fairgrounds was scheduled to close July 31 due to a decrease in testing. However, due to an increase in COVID cases surrounding the Delta variant, the Illinois Department of Public Health has decided that community-based testing sites will remain open. Testing will continue,…… MORE
MCHD reports first cases of West Nile Virus
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The first cases of West Nile virus have been identified in McLean County. A mosquito pool collected in the 61705 zip code area and a dead bird found in the 61761 area tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to a news release Thursday. McLean County is one of 18 counties…… MORE
Smithsonian curator: Our relationship with history is complex
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “I don’t think we should throw away history just because we don’t like it,” says Aaron Bryant. “And that’s what it’s come down to.” Bryant, a curator at the National African American Museum of History and Culture at the Smithsonian, shared his expertise with an Illinois House task force…… MORE
Under your car is a jackpot for thieves
By Dave Dahl BLOOMINGTON – A certain auto part is in high demand – it’s the catalytic converter, which allows your car to run on unleaded fuel. It’s valuable, because it contains precious metals. Heather Paul of State Farm Insurance says claims tripled in 2020, compared to 2019. And in Illinois alone, claims for the…… MORE
ISU to require face coverings in all public indoor spaces
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – In accordance with the new CDC guidance this week, Illinois State University will require face coverings in all public indoor spaces, even for people who are fully vaccinated. ISU issued the directive Wednesday as McLean County is currently designated as having “substantial” transmission by the CDC. Illinois State continues to keep health and safety…… MORE
MCHD reports 130 new cases of coronavirus, 1 additional death
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department recommends that the public follow the latest CDC guidance for masking in public indoor settings to help control the spread of the virus. According to the CDC Data Tracker, McLean County is currently experiencing substantial community transmission based on the 7-day moving average of new…… 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…