The 9-year-old boy being charged in the deaths of five in an April fire appeared in court Monday for his arraignment.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
New Illinois law requires residents to upgrade smoke alarms
A new Illinois law that requires residents to upgrade smoke detectors will go into effect in 2023.… MORE
Business group expects another five-year infrastructure plan for Illinois down the road
The recent slew of tax and fee increases for infrastructure programs likely won’t be the last Illinois taxpayers see.… MORE
ISU homecoming tree lighting ceremony cancelled
Illinois State University’s homecoming tree lighting ceremony Monday night in Uptown Normal has been cancelled.… MORE
Small brewers in Illinois are waiting to find out if a tax cut for the industry will be extended
A key tax break for small brewers in Illinois is set to expire at the end of the year.… MORE
Gun owners plan rally for start of fall legislative session
Gun owners from around the state plan to remind Illinois lawmakers about their opposition to a measure that would require those seeking a Firearm Owners Identification card to submit fingerprints on the first day of the fall legislative session. … MORE
Connect Transit GM explains why proposed downtown transfer center sites remain a mystery
It will be several months before the public finds out possible locations for the transit system’s new Downtown Bloomington transfer center.… MORE
Normal, Bloomington councils to discuss cannabis sales Monday night
Monday is a key day in Normal and Bloomington in determining if either community will allow businesses to sell marijuana for recreational use.… MORE
Dietz apologizes for previous email; talks with Black Homecoming Committee in progress
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz has apologized after learning more information about the school’s Black Homecoming Committee event that was cancelled.… MORE
INBA requests U of I policy change for reporting sexual misconduct
The Illinois News Broadcasters Association is backing a public radio station and is asking for the University of Illinois to change its policy for reporting instances of sexual assault or misconduct.… 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…