Category Archives: WJBC's Top Stories
‘Our identity has been frozen in time’: How Native American advocates are influencing Springfield
Attendees of the 2025 Native American Summit perform a dance in the Illinois Capitol rotunda on March 12, 2025, in full Native regalia. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Bridgette Fox)By BRIDGETTE FOX&a...
May 12, 2025
McLean County Coroner Identifies man who drowned in Lake Bloomington
Lake Bloomington. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)HUDSON, Ill. (WMBD) - McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder identified a man who drowned in Lake Bloomington on Thursday.Ernest F. Lamke...
May 09, 2025
Miller Park Zoo to host event to raise awareness on endangered species
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The Miller Park Zoo will host a day of activities to help raise awareness about Endangered Species on May 17.The zoo will be hosting several activities in honor of Endangere...
May 09, 2025
Illinois state parks draw highest number of visitors in more than a decade
The state spent more than $70 million installing breakwaters at the Illinois State Beach Park near Zion to protect the park's beaches. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)By BEN SZALINSKICapi...
May 09, 2025
Longtime Chicago friend describes first American pope as ‘very dedicated’
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. (Credit: Simone Savoldi via Unsplash)By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – As the red...
May 08, 2025
Immigrant health care programs boosted hospital bottom lines, study suggests
Demonstrators outside the Illinois Statehouse rally for immigrant rights during the 15th annual Latino Unity Day on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock) By PETER HANCO...
May 08, 2025
Local reaction positive to the selection of a Chicago native as Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo. (Photo courtesy: Vatican News/X)PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - As news spread about the news that an American had been chosen to be the new pope, a first in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Chu...
May 08, 2025
Robert Prevost elected the first American pope in history, will take the name Leo XIV
Pope Leo. (Photo courtesy: Vatican News/X)By WMBD TV and AP UPDATE: Pope Leo XIV, the American Robert Prevost, said "Peace be with you" in his first words as pope, offering a message of peace and dial...
May 08, 2025
Central Illinois Airports enforcing Real ID policy
Carl Olson, CIRA Executive Director (left) and Melissa Beaver, Communication Director at CIRA (right) recently visited WJBC’s Afternoon Show. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - The Real ID deadline is here, ...
May 08, 2025
Bloomington Kiwanis hosts 15th annual Mother’s Day flower sale
Kiwanis volunteers helping out during the Mother’s Day Flower sale. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Kiwanis Club of Bloomington, Illinois)BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Mother's Day is just days away, and ...
May 08, 2025
