The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the core of a major flyway for migrating birds and one of the most visited refuges in the U.S. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts saved it from being drained 100 years ago, but the next century brings new challenges.

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Fueled by interest rate cuts and rising consumer confidence, home sales in the Peoria market seem to be turning a corner.

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This year's inductees for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame include an archer with an incredible resume tucked into his quiver.

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On election day, you may take just a few minutes to go to your nearest polling place, make sure your registration is in order and cast your ballot. A handful of students from a Bradley University government class will be spending their entire day there to make that process go smoothly.

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WCBU Reports airs weekdays with an in-depth local news story from the WCBU Peoria Public Radio newsroom. New features are available every weekday by 5 a.m.

WCBU Reports is also available wherever you get your podcasts.

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Sandwiched between Roanoke and Benson a little less than an hour outside Peoria, there's a white farmhouse sitting on almost an acre of land. That's the new home of Down River Farm and its owner, first generation farmer Evan Barry.

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A $6 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used to continue the health department's Lead Safe Program that provides inspections and lead removal for Peoria homes built prior to 1978, when the federal ban on lead paint went into effect.

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A broad coalition of city, county and state organizations are working on a new approach to juvenile justice.

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Imagine today’s Major League Baseball stars picking up offseason side jobs as theater actors. It may sound strange now, but it happened relatively often in the sports “deadball” era.

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