Law enforcement in Illinois will now be able to use drones as a public safety tool.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Drought conditions worsening in Illinois
The latest U.S. drought monitor puts 65 percent of the state in at least a moderate drought, and 15 percent of Illinois is in a severe drought.… MORE
Former Illinois State AD lands new job in Utah
Former Illinois State University Athletic Director Kyle Brennan is returning to his roots after abruptly resigning.… MORE
Illinois man convicted for attempting to sex traffic a minor
By WMBD-TV METAMORA – A Metamora man was found guilty of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor Thursday. According to a Department of Justice news release, 49-year-old Dana Curtin was found guilty after a three-day trial. Presented evidence showed that Curtin had spoken to an individual he believed to be an adult…… MORE
IDNR reminds the public that live red swamp crayfish are invasive and illegal
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is warning the public about the invasive red swamp crayfish.… MORE
Reports looks at how students decide to attend an out of state college
A recent report looks at the reasons why students choose to go out of state for college.… MORE
Jobs up, state unemployment rate down last month
The jobless rate fell slightly in May to 4.1 percent. 2,500 jobs were added as well.… MORE
Pekin police investigate reckless homicide after two dead in hit and run
By WMBD-TV PEKIN – A reckless driver has left two people dead in Pekin. According to Pekin police, two people were found near Caroline and North 2nd Streets early Thursday morning. A woman was pronounced dead on the scene. A 46-year-old man was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.…… MORE
“Make Music Normal” returns to Uptown Normal
The town’s annual “Make Music Normal” festival is back in Uptown Normal Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24.… MORE
Rossi returns to federal court Thursday
Former Reditus Lab CEO Aaron Rossi made an appearance in Federal Court in Peoria Thursday.… 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…