Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Heavy rain causes flooding in Bloomington-Normal

Heavy rain causes flooding in Bloomington-Normal

By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms dumped between four and seven inches of rain in parts of McLean County Friday night. Streets were flooded across Bloomington-Normal and rural parts of the county. The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a flood warning for McLean, northern DeWitt, northern…MORE

Pipe find tells Indians’ story

Pipe find tells Indians’ story

The discovery of two-thousand-year-old tobacco pipes in western Illinois and in Ohio tells an important story: a story of regional diversity among Indians, says Tom Emerson, retired director of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey.MORE

Illinois Farm Buerau backing “home to market” bill

Illinois Farm Buerau backing “home to market” bill

The food you whip up at home could be sold more easily, under a proposal awaiting the governor’s action. The Illinois Farm Buerau is backing a “home to market” bill, says the bureau’s director of food systems development, Raghela Scavuzzo.MORE

Davis recognizes retiring ISU President Larry Dietz

Davis recognizes retiring ISU President Larry Dietz

  By Neil Doyle WASHINGTON – A Central Illinois Congressman recognized Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz on the house floor this week. Dietz is retiring at the end of the month after serving as ISU’s 19th president for seven years. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) spoke on the House floor. Watch my remarks recognizing…MORE

Flash flood watch through Saturday morning

Flash flood watch through Saturday morning

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Plenty of rain is expected as we head into the weekend. The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a flash flood watch until 7 a.m. Saturday. The NWS says periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the weekend. Some of these storms could be severe, especially…MORE

McLean County Board to consider approval of massive wind farm

McLean County Board to consider approval of massive wind farm

  By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Dozens of wind energy turbines will be sprouting up on more McLean County farmland if elected leaders approve the project. A Chicago-based energy firm is applying for a special use permit to build up to 64 turbines over 14,000 acres in Bellflower and West Townships, southeast of Bloomington-Normal. The wind…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…