When there’s something new at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, it oftentimes is something old. … MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Speedy trials on again as Illinois Supreme Court relaxes social distancing rules
Speedy trials are back in Illinois after the state’s highest court issued two new orders on Wednesday.… MORE
Last weekend’s storms cause record numbers into McLean County dispatch
The numbers are in from dispatch calls in McLean County after thunderstorms last weekend.… MORE
Expiration dates extended for driver’s licenses and ID cards
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Expiration dates for Illinois driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional five months — from Aug. 1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022. “Extending expiration dates until January 1, 2022, means people with an expired driver’s license or ID card do not need to rush into a Driver…… MORE
Bloomington man sentenced to 80 years in prison for predatory criminal sexual assault
A Bloomington man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison on eight counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13.… MORE
MCHD reports two new COVID-related deaths; nine new cases
In the past week, the McLean County Health Department reports two COVID-related deaths.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal residents face hefty price tag from weekend storms
Homeowners in the Twin Cities are looking at hefty price tags and long wait times to repair the flood damage from last weekend’s thunderstorms.… MORE
McLean County issues disaster declaration after weekend flooding
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre has issued a disaster declaration after severe storms over the weekend caused countywide damage. “The purpose of the declaration, which remains in effect for seven days, is to assist in getting an appropriate and accurate assessment of damage totals across the county,” said McIntyre.…… MORE
Final WJBC interview for retiring ISU president
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A career that spanned five decades is coming to a close. Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz retire Wednesday as the university’s 19th president. “This has been a great experience working for the university and I’m going to miss the people. But I’ve been at this for 50…… MORE
Prison sentence handed down for Bloomington hotel hold-up
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man, arrested for a hotel robbery last year, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in McLean County Court. Court documents say Jarrod Williams, 42, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery earlier this month. The charge alleged Williams took an undisclosed amount of cash on January 7 of 2020 from…… 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…