Category Archives: Local News
Senator Plummer lampoons passage of 'Energy Omnibus Bill'
Republican State Senator Jason Plummer didn't hold back when criticizing the controversial 'Energy Omnibus Bill' that passed the Illinois Senate Thursday night and is now on the governor's desk. Plumm...
Oct 31, 2025 File photo: State Senator Jason Plummer speaks at Reagan Day Dinner in Salem.
State Senator Bryant not happy with confirmation of new DOC director
Republican State Senator Terry Bryant is not happy with the Senate on Thursday confirming Latoya Hughes as Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Bryant defined the department's operation...
Oct 31, 2025 Matt Turner / CC
Centralia Community Youth Center/WJBD Adopt a Family Returns
The Centralia Community Youth Center and WJBD Radio will team up this holiday season to once again offer the Adopt a Family program. Registration for families will be from Monday, November 3rd, to Fri...
Oct 31, 2025
Police Beat for Friday, October 31st, 2025
A 43-year-old Central City man has been returned to the Marion County Jail on a no bond Marion County misdemeanor warrant. Joseph Tate of Harrison Street was arrested in Clinton County.
Oct 31, 2025
'Drop in the bucket': Illinois measures to offset SNAP cuts will not alleviate problem
Advocates say devoting state funds to food pantries will not fill gap left by federal shutdown. By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY Capitol News Illinois mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary JB Pritzker...
Oct 30, 2025 Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks on Oct. 30 with food assistance advocates and
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients about the impact of a looming
federal cutoff in SNAP funding. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)
Tier 2 pension reform bill moves forward, but Pritzker says there's 'a lot more work' to do
Measure calls for enhanced benefits, but at a significant cost for both state and local governments By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Article summary A House pane...
Oct 30, 2025 Pat Devaney, secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO, testifies before a House
committee Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in favor of a bill to overhaul the state’s Tier 2
pension system. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Illinois school report card continues to show wide achievement gaps
First report under new scoring system shows higher proficiency rates, uneven performance By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Story summary: The 2025 school report c...
Oct 30, 2025 Students sit in a classroom. (Photo by Kenny Eliason, Unsplash)
Centralia High School Drama Club performing 'Murder on the Orient Express'
The Centralia High School Drama Club is performing 'Murder on the Orient Express' this weekend. Director Jami Jacobs says the mystery drama is based on the novel of the same name written by Agatha Chr...
Oct 30, 2025 Carsten Paulson plays Poirot in Centralia High School's production of Murder on the Orient Express. Photo by Pat Hodges.
Salem Township Hospital expanding services in several areas
Salem Township Hospital is working to expand services in several areas. Hospital CEO Jim Timpe told the board Wednesday afternoon that a new wound care program is being added. "We're going to be partn...
Oct 30, 2025
Salem Recreation Department holding Halloween Costume Contest
The Salem Recreation Department is holding its traditional Halloween Costume Contest on Friday evening at the Salem Community Theatre. Salem Recreation Director Jed Casburn says gift cards will be giv...
Oct 30, 2025 VadimVasenin / Depositphotos.com
