By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The holiday season is upon us and the Normal Theater has released its holiday programming schedule. Theater Manager Adam Fox spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Kicking off on Black Friday with Home Alone, following up on Saturday afternoon with Miracle on 34th Street, and Sunday with The Muppet Christmas Carol,”…… MORE
By Neil Doyle SHIRLEY – No kids were injured but the bus driver suffered minor injuries after a car struck a Heyworth school bus Friday morning in Shirley. The McLean County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of 1155 East Rd. and 850 North. Authorities say a passenger car travelling…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a shooting that happened Friday morning in Bloomington. Officers were called around 6:45 a.m. to the 3000 block of Squall Way for a report of a shooting. When police arrived, evidence was located that a shooting had occured. BPD says no injuries were reported and no arrests…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The statewide unemployment rate was down and jobs were up last month in Illinois. October’s jobless rate came in at 6 percent, down from the adjusted 6.2 percent recorded in September, and significantly lower than the over 8 percent unemployment rate at this time last year. State department of employment…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The bane of many public school teachers and students – standardized testing – could be in for an overhaul, if Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala gets her way. Her solution: more tests – shorter and more frequent. “A quick assessment result three times a year allows teachers…… MORE
More than 40 McLean County residents are smiling more this holiday season.… MORE
The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and that means the Salvation Army needs bell ringers.… MORE
The man arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 5-year-old girl from Jackson Township in Ohio, is expected to be extradited back to the state sometime next week.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – If you’re looking for a COVID-19 test a local college is offering the service for free. Heartland Community College is using the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based COVID-19 test. The test, which was developed by the University of Illinois, is in use throughout colleges and universities in Illinois. Heartland Public Information Director…… MORE
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that throughout the next few months, many larger downstate and central Illinois Driver Services facilities will require appointments for behind-the-wheel road tests, REALIDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. According to a news release, vehicle services, such as renewing a license plate sticker…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…