WCBU Reports

Since the time of the first President of the United States to today, executive power has steadily grown to address crises, a changing electorate and evolving interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. Generally speaking, the Central Illinois congressional candidates this year agree the House and Senate roll over too much for the president.

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Foreign policy may not be the top issue for voters in Central Illinois this election cycle, but the war in Iran — or conflict, depending on who is talking — undeniably takes up some of the oxygen in Central Illinois congressional races. Plus, the issue relates closely to what else is top of mind for voters which is their pocketbooks.

The 16th and 17th District candidates for Congress are well aware residents are not fond of the war. All four say they want an end to the fighting as soon as possible.

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In Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood and the Democratic challenger Paul Nolley, and in the 17th District, incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen and challenger Republican Dillan Vancil, hear it every day: high gasoline prices, high diesel prices, high cost of fertilizer for farmers.

There's not a lot of support for President Donald Trump's approach to tariffs on either side of the congressional races — even the Republicans are creating some distance because of the disproportionate effect blanket tariffs have had on farmers.

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The major party candidates for Congress in Central Illinois have significantly different views of how to deal with looming financial crises over the federal budget deficit, national debt, and Social Security. Charlie Schlenker reports.

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Bradley University celebrates homecoming this weekend, placing a greater emphasis on the three-day event to welcome alumni and supporters back to campus. Highlighting this year's festivities is an inaugural "yard party" Saturday, along with a ribbon-cutting for the new Zaleski Outdoor Recreation Complex. Bradley vice president for advancement Jane Walsh tells reporter Joe Deacon why the university is taking a new approach to homecoming.

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After 50 years in broadcasting on radio and television, Chuck Collins retired in late 2025. But the former WMBD and WEEK meteorologist is still busy, including teaching this October at Bradley University's Osher Life Long Learning Institute.

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Tazewell County will be asking voters in November to support a referendum on a 1% school facility tax. Morton District 709 Superintendent Joe Sander explains more of what the tax means to residents across Tazewell County, if approved.

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Recreational basketball leagues were common in Peoria for many years. But after COVID, many of them went away. Now a new adult men's basketball league in Peoria is getting ready to debut. 

The 10-team Peoria Basketball League will play Sundays at Peoria Academy, starting Oct. 4. Former Woodruff High and Lincoln College player Jay Wallace is the league's co-founder and CEO. He says the league is about more than just basketball. Wallace tells reporter Joe Deacon what inspired them to start a new league. 

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Gov. JB Pritzker is for the first time revealing publicly that he’s lost 80 pounds with the help of a GLP-1 weight loss medication, with plans to lose more. The governor laid bare his previously undisclosed medical history in an hour-long interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, admitting the “food noise” is gone, with daily exercise and the injections fueling weight loss he didn’t think was possible.

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From their current home at the former Greeley school in downtown Peoria to planning for their newest endeavor on Peoria's South Side, Nikki and Jonathan Romain continue their impact on the youth of Peoria through their nonprofit ART INC. 

In the midst of expansion and rebranding what programs and opportunities they offer, they are looking to grow. Thanks in part to some funding from the state of Illinois, the Romains are planning to further their impact with the addition of what they call a creative maker space on Peoria's South Side.

Co-founder Nikki Romain says the journey has been eye opening but rewarding.

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