A woman and her three dogs escaped unharmed after their home in Normal caught fire on Saturday.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Belvidere Stellantis plant to reopen as part of $5B investment with $334M from feds
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Dodge, plans to reopen a shuttered plant in Illinois after receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the Biden Administration.… MORE
US Rep. Sorensen says President Joe Biden should not run for reelection
In an emailed statement after President Joe Biden held court for more than an hour in a televised news conference, a Rockford Democrat is calling on him to drop out of the race for the White House.… MORE
American Red Cross of Illinois stressing blood donations amid historic heat
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The American Red Cross of Illinois stresses the ever-present demand for all blood types at its central Illinois locations and surrounding areas. Jayce Eustice, communications manager with the nonprofit, said this month, blood and platelet donors are critically needed to support lifesaving transfusions this summer. “Donors of all blood types are in demand,…… MORE
McLean County lucky recipient of Lowe’s Hometowns grant program
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – Normal-based YouthBuild McLean County is one of 100 community projects receiving grant money from Lowe’s Hometowns. According to a YouthBuild news release, the grant money will go towards a new outdoor learning space including a sports court and gardening beds. YouthBuild helps kids aged 16-24 who have not graduated high…… MORE
Bloomington unveils Residential Development Dashboard for website
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has a new addition to its website to keep residents in the loop about upcoming land developments. A news release from the Bloomington Communications and External Affairs Manager Katherine Murphy states that the new dashboard will provide real-time data of residential development going back from January of…… MORE
Panel of Senators hear about Chicago transit issues
A panel of senators is hearing plenty about transit.… MORE
Traffic stop in Normal leads to drug and gun arrest
A traffic stop in Normal last week led to the arrest of a man for drug and weapon charges.… MORE
Former GOP state lawmaker, candidate for governor sentenced to 42 months in prison
Former Republican State Sen. Sam McCann on Tuesday was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $700,000 in campaign funds and attempting to conceal his theft with false reports to state election authorities.… MORE
Illinois State University protestors stand trial for May 3 trespassing arrest
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – Following the arrests of seven protestors at Illinois State University in May, all appeared in court today for a pre-trial hearing. Just after 1:30 p.m., the court began with the attorney of the seven protestors, Cheryl Weikel, taking the stand and asking for a continuance, citing a busy two weeks without…… 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…