Headlines
Ex-Chiddix Jr. High teacher faces grooming charges in court
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Brandon Knapp, a former Chiddix Junior High School teacher, appeared in court Thursday morning. Knapp was arrested in April on allegations of grooming against him while he was a teacher. He had been on leave since January. Knapp has been in custody since his arrest and appeared in ...
A few moments ago
UPDATE: More details regarding Washington bank robbery released
WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - More details were released regarding a late Thursday afternoon bank robbery in Washington. Washington's Police Chief Jeff Stevens issued a news release giving more details and the Woodford County Sheriff's Office released an image and the name of one of the alleged bank robbers. Willie B. Fran...
14m ago
Detention centers, exoneree restitution, foster care protections among final bills to pass
By NIKOEL HYTREK & JENNA SCHWEIKERT Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary As lawmakers put their final touches on the budget, they passed dozens of other bills in a late-night session that are now heading to the governor. Among those bills are protections for kids in foster case, limit...
Jun 04, 2026
Normal to celebrate Route 66 centennial with retro picnic
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - The town of Normal announced that it will be holding a special event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 on Sunday. A 1950s-themed roadside picnic will take place at One Normal Plaza from noon to 4 p.m. on June 7, according to Cathy Oloffson, a town of Normal spokesperson. The picnic wi...
Jun 04, 2026
Miller Park Zoo appoints a new director
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The Miller Park Zoo announced that it has hired a new zoo director. Paul Bouseman will take up the role of zoo director starting on June 15, according to Thom Rakestraw, a spokesperson for the city of Bloomington's Parks and Recreation Department. He will be taking over for Jay Pra...
Jun 03, 2026
U.S. attorney acknowledges speech to 'Broadview 6' grand jury as calls for his resignation mount
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary In an exceptionally rare move Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros published a "special report" containing the transcript of a nearly four-minute speech he gave to a grand jury in October that would go on to indict the &...
Jun 03, 2026
Illinois' 'swipe fee' law on the brink after another delay, adverse court ruling
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary The legislative and judicial branches dealt a pair of blows to a state law banning "swipe fees" being applied to the tax and tip portion of a debit or credit card transaction. Lawmakers delayed the ban for another year, ...
Jun 03, 2026
Bloomington building demolished; new parking lot to open downtown
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Demolition of the building on Front and Center Street has been completed, and it has been turned into a surface parking lot. The demolition of the building started at the end of October last year, and is one of many changing spaces in downtown Bloomington. The lot is not yet open f...
Jun 03, 2026
