WVLI News Update

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, Rob West covers key local and regional headlines impacting Kankakee County and surrounding areas. Fire crews respond to an industrial blaze at the IKO Shingle Manufacturing plant on Kankakee's south side, where firefighters successfully contained a high-pressure oil leak and brought the incinerator fire under control. In regional news, Indiana Governor Mike Braun requests an expedited major disaster declaration following severe storms causing an estimated $5 billion in damages across 54 counties.

The Bradley Village Board approves substantial municipal contracts for roof repairs and sewer maintenance, hires lobbying representation for state grant funding, and honors seven first responders for life-saving CPR efforts. Additional coverage includes police updates on a fatal shooting in rural Lowell, Indiana, fight investigations in Pembroke Township and Kankakee, a voter registration phishing scam warning from County Clerk Dan Hendrickson, and a recap of Chicago sports. Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete on-scene audio reports.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, key coverage includes the guilty verdict in the Xandria Harris murder trial following the December 2021 shooting of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and Officer Tyler Bailey. The update highlights community reactions outside the courthouse, official statements from Bradley Police Chief Don Barber, and key arguments from the defense. Additional stories cover a police search for missing Kankakee resident Evelyn Alexander, award recipients at the 37th annual Manteno Historical Society banquet, an investigation into a fatal shooting in Lake County, Indiana, and utility outage criticisms from Indiana Governor Mike Braun regarding NIPSCO. Listeners will also get details on updates to the upcoming Kankakee River Valley Regatta, a Beecher agricultural fire, a night sky forecast featuring Saturn and a partial lunar eclipse, and local sports scores covering Chicago teams. Listen to the full episode for all the details and full reports.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update hosted by Rob West, the trial of Xandria Harris is expected to move to jury deliberations today following rebuttal testimony from Kankakee County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski. Kankakee County Auditor Colton Ekhoff reports over $2.6 million spent on storm damage recovery through July, while Olivet Nazarene University prepares to welcome more than 2,300 students for move-in weekend.

This episode also details an active police investigation into a fatal shooting on South Elm in Kankakee, local ballot appointments in Iroquois County, record Illinois employment statistics, a counterfeiting and weapons arrest in Rensselaer, Indiana, and rising regional gas prices reported by AAA. Additional coverage includes upcoming community events from Visit Kankakee County and regional sports updates covering the White Sox, Cardinals, Cubs, Chicago Fire FC, and Bears preseason action. Listen to the full episode for complete coverage and in-depth details on all of these stories.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update hosted by Rob West, primary coverage focuses on day nine of testimony in the Xandria Harris murder trial in Kankakee County Circuit Court. Reporter Jake LaMore outlines Harris taking the stand in her own defense, detailing allegations of long-term abuse and her account of the fatal shooting night, followed by cross-examination from State's Attorney Jim Rowe regarding key inconsistencies in her actions.

Additional regional reporting includes the arrest of a Paxton woman accused of skimming over $21,000 from a school booster club account, progress on NIPSCO storm restoration in Northwest Indiana, and clarification from Kankakee County Clerk Dan Hendrickson on vote-by-mail applications and signature verification. The update also covers Kankakee's plan to relicense the river hydroelectric dam, county insurance updates following March tornado damage, Governor JB Pritzker's backing of Illinois Tollway rate increases, a health study on coffee consumption, and regional sports updates. Listen to the full episode for all the details and comprehensive reporting.

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Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, defense attorneys present their case in the murder trial of Xandria Harris in Kankakee County Circuit Court. Testimony from psychiatric and substance abuse specialists outlines mental health diagnoses, domestic trauma assessments, and evaluations of battered women's syndrome relating to the December 2021 shooting death of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and the severe wounding of Officer Tyler Bailey.

The update also covers severe storm cleanup and flood recovery across Indiana, where state officials urge residents to document property damage by dialing 211 to assist emergency managers in determining scope and securing potential state or federal relief. Additional reporting includes NIPSCO power restoration progress, Paxton's state of emergency declaration, French Consul General Charlotte Montel's visit to Bourbonnais, vote-by-mail voter notices from Kankakee County Clerk Dan Hendrickson, a Crime Stoppers request regarding a Manteno hardware store burglary, and regional sports scores for the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and Bears.

Listen to the full episode for complete details, interviews, and comprehensive reporting on these stories.

Episode artwork photo by: Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette.

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Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers critical legal, civic, and community developments across Kankakee County and Northwest Indiana.

Coverage opens with week two of testimony in the Xandria Harris murder trial, detailing defense motions, witness testimonies from dispatchers and family members, and key proceedings surrounding the December 2021 shooting of Bradley police officers.

In local government news, the Bourbonnais Police Department moves within one officer of full staffing following the swearing-in of Patrolman Joshua Reel, while a lack of quorum completely halts the Manteno Village Board meeting. Additionally, the Kankakee City Council advances an ordinance regarding conditional use for transitional housing and approves a liquor license for a new banquet hall located at the former Sully's Restaurant site.

Further reporting includes NIPSCO's power restoration challenges in Northwest Indiana following a gunfire incident in Gary, a weapon-related arrest outside a Bourbonnais bar, and a special tribute by the Bourbonnais Village Board honoring the late K9 Officer Knight. The episode concludes with a roundup of local sports results and upcoming game schedules.

Listen to the full episode for complete coverage and in-depth details on all of these stories.

Episode artwork photo by: Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette. 

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, primary coverage focuses on the second full week of testimony in the Xandria Harris murder trial regarding the 2021 Bradley hotel shooting that killed Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and critically injured Sergeant Tyler Bailey. The broadcast details emotional court testimonies from medical experts, officer Tyler Bailey, and details surrounding the bodycam footage shown to the jury.

Additional stories include important back-to-school traffic safety reminders from Kankakee County Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski, details on a federal child pornography indictment following a search warrant executed in Diamond, Illinois, and news on severe flash flooding in Indiana that claimed seven lives. Finally, astronomy professor Madeleine Shepley outlines upcoming celestial events from the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet Nazarene University, followed by a comprehensive local sports recap covering the White Sox, Cubs, Sky, Fire FC, NASCAR, and Chicago Bears preseason action. Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete coverage.

Artwork photo by: Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local headlines cover critical courtroom proceedings, law enforcement investigations, statewide emergency declarations, and community events across Kankakee County and the surrounding region.

Key Stories Covered in This Episode

• Xandria Harris Murder Trial: Day-by-day courtroom reporting detailing testimony from former officer Tyler Bailey, medical experts, and forensic pathologists, alongside bodycam footage presented to jurors.
• Local Law Enforcement Updates:
  • Kankakee City Police report the arrest of two individuals for robbery and battery following an altercation on West Court Street.
  • An investigation is underway following a overnight break-in and machine damage at a gaming cafe on East Court Street.
  • A Will County man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison following a conviction for transporting a minor.
• Severe Weather & Infrastructure:
  • Indiana Governor Mike Braun issues a 30-day statewide disaster emergency order following severe storm damage.
  • Updates on regional power restoration efforts by NIPSCO and ComEd.
  • Kankakee County Board updates regarding removal permits for the old State Line Bridge and planning for Highway 23 (Guertin Street) in St. Anne.
• Community Events & Local Happenings:
  • Planetarium shows at Olivet Nazarene University.
  • The 6th Annual Bourbonnais Food Truck Fest at The Grove.
  • 815 Day self-guided tours at the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee.
  • Music Under the Oaks at Cobb Park featuring the Irish Ramblers.
• Regional Sports Update:
  • Latest scores and schedules for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, NASCAR, and the Chicago Bears preseason opener.

Photo in episode artwork provided by Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette. 

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, comprehensive reporting covers regional storm recovery, county government financial updates, ongoing high-profile court proceedings, and key community headlines across Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

Key stories covered in this episode:

• Severe Weather & Power Restoration: Indiana Governor Mike Braun indicates plans for a statewide emergency declaration following widespread storm damage. The National Weather Service confirms five tornadoes in Northern Illinois, including an EF2 running from Monee to St. John, with straight-line winds nearing 100 mph. Power restoration efforts continue across NIPSCO and ComEd service areas.
• Traffic & Public Safety: A semi rollover shut down the southbound lanes of I-57 near Clifton. In Rensselaer, police arrested a 33-year-old woman for neglect of a dependent after a child was found walking alone along a roadway.
• Kankakee County Government & Public Health: Sheriff Mike Downey reports an increased per-diem rate for housing US Marshals federal prisoners, projected to bring an additional $1 million to the county annually. Meanwhile, Kankakee County Animal Control reports an uptick in bat exposure cases and three positive rabies tests.
• Courtroom Coverage: Testimony continues in the murder trial of Xandria Harris, with state police presenting firearm evidence that was admitted by the judge despite defense objections.
• State & Local Community News: The 2026 Illinois State Fair opens in Springfield with the unveiling of the butter cow. In Bourbonnais, a secret mobile food pantry pop-up was canceled due to power outages. Additionally, a winning ticket for the $1 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Illinois.
• Regional Sports: Highlights include victories for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals, along with updates on Chicago Sky, Chicago Fire FC, and the start of the NFL preseason.

Listen to the full episode for all the details, official statements, and complete reporting.

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, storm restoration efforts continue across Illinois and Northwest Indiana following severe weather, leaving thousands without power and impacting local gas stations. In local government news, the Kankakee County Board approves a local agency agreement for widening and resurfacing County Road 17, along with a new three-year contract for county highway employees.

Coverage also includes updates from the second day of testimony in the Xandria Harris murder trial, the temporary shutdown of the St. Anne Dollar General due to HVAC issues, and the official renaming of the Illinois State Armory after former Governor Jim Edgar. Additionally, an arrest has been made following an alleged arson at a Kankakee U-Haul facility, and the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak tonight. Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete local sports scores.

Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete local reporting.

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial.