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We've reached the time of year for the City of Peoria's annual budget process. City council members this week began discussions on the recommended $348 million spending plan. It includes using around $10 million in fund-balance to bridge the gap with anticipated revenue. In her latest regular interview with WCBU, Mayor Rita Ali tells reporter Joe Deacon what she sees as Peoria's budget priorities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birth to Five Illinois helps families with children ages birth to 5 get equal treatment. Its Peoria County council manager spoke to WCBU about the group and how social media helps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tazewell County Veterans Assistance Commission is hiring more staff and offering help with employment. They've expanded the staff from one full-time employee and one part-time employee to six full-time veteran service officers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A state prison in Lincoln is setting a new standard for juvenile corrections. Monarch Youth Center uses a trauma-informed approach that incarcerated youths say is changing their lives for the better. WCBU's Lauren Warnecke reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A journalism professor who has roots in Pekin and Peoria says journalists must do more than cover the news; they must actively build community for local news outlets to survive in a challenging world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of high school students from Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford in Peoria County was among 10 finalists in this year’s NPR Student Podcast Challenge. In its 8th year, the contest had more than 1,500 entries from 42 states across both the high school and middle school categories for 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Peoria City Council members were unmoved by a protest and public comments urging them to rethink Flock police cameras. In an interview with WCBU after the meeting, East Peoria Police Chief David Catton said the technology is a critical tool for his department. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.