Bloomington’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department hasn’t been held out of conversations the city has been having regarding budget cuts.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Barickman: Higher education next pressure point in budget deadlock
There’s been little movement in recent weeks toward ending the state budget stalemate, but state Sen. Jason Barickman said higher education could be next pressure point that forces the legislative leaders to the table.… MORE
Durbin: Political donors push GOP to reject climate change
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he expects Republican opposition to President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, and said the party’s political donors are to blame.… MORE
Normal approves land trade with ISU
The Normal Town Council has approved a land trade with Illinois State University which will allow 608 S. Main St. to become the new fire department headquarters.… MORE
Climate change could impact state’s borders
If climate change has the expected impact on Illinois agriculture, one group says the ramifications will be felt far beyond the state’s borders.… MORE
Mitsubishi puts up strong July sales numbers
Mitsubishi Motors continues to put up strong sales numbers.… MORE
Late-night shuttle bus driver pleads guilty to DUI
A late-night shuttle bus driver will serve prison time on weekends for aggravated DUI.… MORE
Salary of state superintendent raises concerns
Public employees earn public salaries. Everybody is okay with that, yet in the case of Tony Smith, Illinois’ state school superintendent, lawmakers are figuratively flogging him in the public square over his compensation.… MORE
Sen. Brady pushes enterprise zone extension to aid Mitsubishi site
The state tax incentive program that helped Bloomington-Normal land Mitsubishi Motors three decades ago is about to expire just as the plant announces plans to stop production.… MORE
Durbin defends Planned Parenthood amid effort to pull funding
Efforts to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood are misguided, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).… 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…