WCBU Reports
WCBU Reports
WCBU Reports airs weekdays with an occasional in-depth local news story from the WCBU Peoria Public Radio newsroom. WCBU Reports is also available wherever you get your podcasts.Social links:
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It's eagle nesting season in Illinois. One nesting pair calls a Illinois state park home
The bald eagle used to be a rare sight in Illinois. Now, there are more than 3,000 that spend the winter here. IPR's Jess Savage reports.
04:30
Illinois lawmakers consider removing the 2-year foreign language requirement for high school
Two Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill that would remove the two-year foreign language requirement for high school. The requirement was signed into law in 2021 but does not go into effect until 2028. High school students will need to have completed the requirement to graduate. State Rep. T…
04:30
Q&A: Peoria City Manager Urich discusses plans for PNC Bank Building, end of battle over casino location
Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich spoke with WCBU reporter Joe Deacon about a range of topics, including the planned redevelopment and the end of Peoria’s quest for a land-based casino.
10:44
Q&A with Patrick Urich about redevelopment plans in downtown
The City of Peoria is getting closer to unveiling redevelopment plans for the downtown block anchored by PNC Bank Building. City Manager Patrick Urich says they received proposals from three developers, and they've been in talks with the one of them about the desired vision for the three properties…
04:30
Rep. Sorensen sees no end in sight to partial government shutdown
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth day, is the only way to force Republicans to the negotiating table. WCBU's Lauren Warnecke spoke with Sorensen.
07:23
Ranked choice voting stalled in Illinois, waiting for clarity from the courts
Several Illinois municipalities are trying to implement ranked choice voting, but confusion about Illinois election law has slowed the implementation process. Several lawmakers are trying to change that. WCBU state capitol correspondent Evan Holden reports.
04:30
Despite concerns, LaHood doesn't break with administration over vaccinations
In an interview with WCBU and WGLT, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood is expressing some concerns about vaccine policy but is not breaking with the Trump administration’s broader approach, emphasizing the importance of vaccines while also calling for transparency and public trust.
04:53
Q&A: Pastor Brian Russell eager to bring new ministry to East Bluff in former St. Bernard’s church
The former Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church in Peoria’s East Bluff neighborhood soon will be home to a new ministry. Centerpoint Community Church Pastor Brian Russell hopes to carry Saint Bernard’s spiritual legacy forward.
04:29
OSF, ImpactLife help provide blood services to Eureka-Goodfield EMS
Eureka-Goodfield EMS will be the first service in Illinois to offer a pre-hospital blood transfusion program. Two ambulances will now carry two units of O-positive red blood cells and two units of plasma. Dr. Matthew Jackson, medical director of pre-hospital and EMS at OSF HealthCare, tells student…
04:30
OSF adds 'Victoria' to OB-GYN team, pushing emergency preparedness in mobile maternal care
OSF HealthCare has added a new member to its OB-GYN training team. “Victoria” is a high-tech birthing simulator that can replicate a variety of birth emergencies, including rare, high-risk complications. An addition to the mobile maternity care unit, “Victoria” provides advanced practice providers …
04:30