WCBU Reports

After several years of relative dormancy, the state's public-private business attraction agency is coming back with a new strategy to lure certain out-of state companies to the Land of Lincoln.

In 2021, Bradley University’s game design program ranked 9th in the world as one of the best schools to study game design, according to the Princeton Review. It also was crowned as the highest ranked game design program in Illinois.

On today’s episode, the director of market development for the Illinois Soybean Association Andrew Larson explains what's top of mind for soybean farmers throughout Greater Peoria from the Russian war in Ukraine to this week's weather forecast. And you’ll hear Ethan Ham, professor of game design and department chair of Interactive Media at Bradley University talk about Bradley's growing game design program, with WCBU's Jody Holtz. Plus, Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals speaks with WCBU’s Tim Shelley about the new "Be in Illinois" marketing campaign aimed at corporate decision-makers.

We’re in the season of the year that Janice Powers looks forward to every year: spring.

Peoria's South Side could be rid of two major eyesores by the year's end.

Two members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Initiative chapter at Bradley University point to the benefits of an active retirement as advocated by Harvard professor Arthur Books in his new book, “From Strength to Strength.”

Disruptions to the worldwide flow of grain and oilseed commodities, fertilizers and energy supplies resulting from the Russian siege of Ukraine may continue to contribute to an increase in food, fuel and fiber prices for a long time to come.

Pekin mayor Mark Luft is running for re-election in the new 93rd district for the House of Representatives. Luft is an incumbent of less than two years in the current 91st district. He will be facing a primary opponent who does not believe that he is conservative enough to represent the newly-drawn district. WCBU Statehouse reporter Maggie Strahan spoke with Luft about his voting record, his legislative priorities, and his re-election campaign as he angles to stay in Springfield for another term.

On today’s episode, Collin Waters, the director of exports and logistics for the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and the Illinois Corn Growers Association talks to WCBU correspondent Tim Alexander about the impacts Russia's invasion of Ukraine have on global corn and agricultural markets. And WCBU’s Steve Tarter speaks with John Amdall and Gary Nelson - members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University - about how they've continued to find new ways to grow in retirement. Plus, during Out and About, host Jenn Gordon of Arts Partners of Central Illinois is joined by Executive Director Wendy Thomasson and Artistic Director Ian Thatcher of the Peoria Ballet to talk about their spring production of “Coppelia.”

On today’s episode, you’ll hear WCBU Statehouse reporter Maggie Strahan speak with Pekin mayor Mark Luft, who is running for re-election in the new 93rd district for the House of Representatives. And in another installment of WCBU's history series Postmark Peoria, ardent gardener, lifelong Peoria resident, and author Janice Powers tells WCBU correspondent Steve Tarter about her recently published book "More Than Flowers, An Illustrated Garden Memoir." Plus, WCBU's Tim Shelley sits down with Peoria Community Development Director Joe Dulin to learn more about the demolition of the former McKinley and Harrison schools on Peoria’s south side.