The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal traditionally works with young children, but a new program will see the club working with teens to prepare them to take leadership roles as adults.… MORE
Redbirds can’t handle late Shocker run
The Illinois State women’s basketball team was within two points of Wichita State nearly halfway through the third quarter, but the Shockers (8-10, 3-4 MVC) took advantage of the Redbirds’ (4-14, 1-6 MVC) miscues and pulled away for a 67-45 victory in Missouri Valley Conference action Sunday inside Charles Koch Arena.… MORE
Farmers cautiously optimistic about Trump administration
Farmers in Illinois are hoping that the new presidential administration will bring an economic boost to the agricultural industry and are speaking out on why the Trump administration makes them more optimistic about their future.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal home sales see modest increase
Bloomington-Normal overcame a steep drop in new home construction in 2016 to see modest year-to-year gains in home sales.… MORE
Illinois, Indiana uncover hunting license fraud
A joint effort between Illinois and Indiana wildlife authorities has uncovered more than 250 cases of hunting license fraud from 2015 to 2016, which resulted in thousands of dollars in fines.… MORE
Sports On Air
WJBC 1230 AM 2:00 p.m. – Basketball (womens) – Illinois State at Wichita State Listen live here 4:00 p.m. – Football – Pittsburgh at New England wjbc.com 4:00 p.m. – Hockey – Youngstown at Bloomington Thunder Listen live here… MORE
Second effort: Middle period push helps Thunder past U17s
By WJBC Staff PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The Bloomington Thunder have excelled in second periods this season, and it was the middle frame that paved the way to victory on Saturday night. Sean Harrison and Ethan Somoza both netted goals in the second period, and Mitchell Mattson posted what proved to be the game-winning tally in…… MORE
Redbirds remain undefeated in MVC
Deontae Hawkins netted 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, and DJ Clayton scored a career-high 15 points with seven rebounds, as the Illinois State men’s basketball team topped Drake, 72-58, Saturday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena in front of 8,123 fans – including Doug Collins – who was honored at halftime for his recent induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.… MORE
IWU rally falls short at Carroll
Illinois Wesleyan stormed back from 15 points down in the final 5:26 and had a chance to tie before Carroll prevailed, 67-63, in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game at Van Male Gymnasium.
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Locals take part in Women’s March on Washington
Less than 24 hours after being sworn into office, President Donald Trump heard the voices of thousands of Americans protesting.… 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…