WCBU, Peoria Public Radio

WCBU, Peoria Public Radio WCBU, Peoria Public Radio, is part of the NPR Network and is a joint operation of Bradley University and Illinois State University.

Public Media for Peoria from Bradley University

Washington City Council began its discussion about possibly adapting a 1% local grocery tax Monday. An ordinance must be...
03/04/2025

Washington City Council began its discussion about possibly adapting a 1% local grocery tax Monday. An ordinance must be approved and a certified copy of the ordinance sent to the Illinois Department of Revenue by Oct. 1 for a local grocery tax to go into effect Jan. 1.

One person is dead after a shooting Monday night in Peoria.
03/04/2025

One person is dead after a shooting Monday night in Peoria.

A legal opinion regarding a possible conflict of interest involving Washington Mayor Gary Manier and the foundation that...
03/04/2025

A legal opinion regarding a possible conflict of interest involving Washington Mayor Gary Manier and the foundation that's proposing to build a $12 million amphitheater in the city will not be released to the public.

After 24 years as a city council member and three mayoral runs, Chuck Grayeb has conceded the 2025 primary election for ...
03/04/2025

After 24 years as a city council member and three mayoral runs, Chuck Grayeb has conceded the 2025 primary election for Peoria’s mayor.

A Peoria cardiologist breaks down the potential benefits of GLP-1 medications on heart health. It was one of the America...
03/03/2025

A Peoria cardiologist breaks down the potential benefits of GLP-1 medications on heart health. It was one of the American College of Cardiology's top five trends in 2025.

A Peoria-area cannabis law lawyer and business consultant wants to bring a locally-owned dispensary to downtown Pekin.
03/03/2025

A Peoria-area cannabis law lawyer and business consultant wants to bring a locally-owned dispensary to downtown Pekin.

The activation process for traffic lights installed in one of Pekin's major intersections begins Monday. The lights at C...
03/03/2025

The activation process for traffic lights installed in one of Pekin's major intersections begins Monday. The lights at Court Street and Stadium Drive will flash yellow on Court and red on Court and East Shore Drive from Monday through March 12, when the lights will be fully operational.

A new statue at Bradley University honors the first African American man to become an astronaut.
03/01/2025

A new statue at Bradley University honors the first African American man to become an astronaut.

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl shared an optimistic vision for the city’s next few years Friday, albeit while speaking at a...
02/28/2025

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl shared an optimistic vision for the city’s next few years Friday, albeit while speaking at a venue with an uncertain future. Kahl delivered his annual State of the City address from the banquet room at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, steps away from the riverboat gambling attraction that parent Boyd Gaming is looking to replace.

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl shared an optimistic vision for the city’s next few years Friday, albeit while speaking at a venue with an uncertain future. Kahl delivered his annual State of the City address from the banquet room at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, steps away from the riverboat gambling ...

Peoria’s minor league baseball team enters the 2025 season with some upgrades to its downtown ballpark.
02/28/2025

Peoria’s minor league baseball team enters the 2025 season with some upgrades to its downtown ballpark.

A court filing shows Carle Health Methodist Hospital, formerly UnityPoint, admits to a medical mistake prompting a lawsu...
02/28/2025

A court filing shows Carle Health Methodist Hospital, formerly UnityPoint, admits to a medical mistake prompting a lawsuit originally filed in 2021.

WTVP PBS, WCBU, Peoria Public Radio and part of the NPR Network, the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria and the NA...
02/27/2025

WTVP PBS, WCBU, Peoria Public Radio and part of the NPR Network, the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria and the NAACP Peoria are proud to present the 2025 Peoria Mayoral General Debate on March 19.

The candidates competing to fill a Peoria City Council seat vacant for the first time in more than a decade are making s...
02/27/2025

The candidates competing to fill a Peoria City Council seat vacant for the first time in more than a decade are making some tweaks to their platform.

Tazewell County's budget process received a shot in the arm Wednesday.
02/27/2025

Tazewell County's budget process received a shot in the arm Wednesday.

On this episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois speaks with local author, human ...
02/27/2025

On this episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois speaks with local author, human rights activist and educator Joe Chianakas about his upcoming horror novel Darkness Calls, set for release on March 4.

Gov. JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration this week of continuing to withhold nearly $1.9 billion from Illinois ...
02/27/2025

Gov. JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration this week of continuing to withhold nearly $1.9 billion from Illinois state agencies, nonprofits and small businesses, despite the fact that an order to freeze those funds was rescinded after a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the freeze.

Leadership at a Peoria-area area community college say there’s more to consider before committing to pursuing four-year ...
02/26/2025

Leadership at a Peoria-area area community college say there’s more to consider before committing to pursuing four-year programs.

Longtime Peoria City Council member Chuck Grayeb isn’t ready to give up on his third attempt to become the city’s mayor ...
02/26/2025

Longtime Peoria City Council member Chuck Grayeb isn’t ready to give up on his third attempt to become the city’s mayor after unofficial results from Tuesday's primary election have him in third place by 127 votes.

Address

1501 W. Bradley Avenue
Peoria, IL
61625

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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(309) 438-2255

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Videos

Congrats on 60, IAC!
Congrats on 60, IAC!

WCBU's Jody Holtz and Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright, executive director of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois want to give a big shout out to the Illinois Arts Council as they ring in 60 years of supporting the arts in our state. A big thanks to them and PNC Financial Services for supporting WCBU's arts and culture program, Out and About! #iac60 #illinoisartscouncil

The NPR App is your hometown news source. Here's how to find local stories, ‪NPR‬ shows and podcasts, music streams, the WCBU radio streams, and more. All in the NPR App. Download on the App Store or Google Play: NPR.org/App

This holiday season, your gift to WCBU and the NPR Network can be twice as nice! Several organizations around Greater Peoria are happy to match employee or retiree contributions to nonprofits like WCBU – and those gifts go right to work to provide news and programming all year long. More at WCBU.org/matching

Funding a more informed public is paramount to our community and world. Make a difference with a donation on #GivingTuesday at WCBU.org. In return, we’ll keep the facts coming and continue to bring forward the best of humanity in an open, curious and thoughtful way so that you always have a trusted source for news, arts, culture and so much more.

Every week more than 25 million American listeners tune in to their local radio station, just like WCBU, to discover, learn, and enjoy music selections that are – in many cases – only available through public radio. On Public Radio Music Day, we celebrate Classical, Highway 309, Tiny Desk and ALL of the ways public radio music unities communities and sparks joy. Learn more about our music programs at WCBU.org.

46th State Senate Forum
46th State Senate Forum

Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler and Republican challenger Sally Owens are running for a district that includes parts of Bloomington-Normal and Peoria.

In her latest monthly interview with WCBU, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali discusses the city's purchase of the PNC Bank Building in downtown Peoria and the termination of the Cure Violence program. Both parts of the interview are available now on WCBU Reports. Stream it at WCBU.org, the NPR App or wherever you get your podcasts.

On the latest episode of Mother's War On Violence, host Yolanda Wallace speaks to Abigail Larrison, the founder of the Community House not-for-profit on Peoria's Center Bluff.

WCBU Day Sponsors Joseph and Connie Romanus
WCBU Day Sponsors Joseph and Connie Romanus

Today’s programming is made possible in part by WCBU Day Sponsors Joseph and Connie Romanus in memory of Bruce and Judy Lamb on the anniversary of their marriage. They gave their children the love of family and the importance of helping others.

WCBU Day Sponsor Mike Rucker
WCBU Day Sponsor Mike Rucker

Today’s programming is made possible in part by WCBU Day Sponsor Mike Rucker inviting area children to participate in the annual Science Treasure Hunt. The top prize is a $500 science shopping spree.

Kathleen Brumbaugh
Kathleen Brumbaugh

Today’s programming is made possible in part by WCBU Day Sponsor Kathleen Brumbaugh in memory of her mother Frieda Mae, her original source for reliable information. Kathleen thanks WCBU and NPR for providing news that doesn't require secondary fact-checking.

The future of public media is to be determined...by you! #PublicMediaGivingDays is your chance to support everything you love about WCBU and the NPR Network, like the stories that connect and inform us, the programming that brings you joy, and the difference it makes in a community to keep news free and accessible to ALL. Every dollar helps and powers this public service! Contribute at WCBU.org

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WCBU is a joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University. WCBU covers nearly 1 million residents of central Illinois, operating 24 hours a day with news programs from NPR, the BBC and Public Radio International; and entertainment programs such as Ask Me Another, Car Talk and others.

WCBU2 is the station's HD service, offering classical music throughout the day. WCBU2 can be heard using HD radio receivers, or online at www.peoriapublicradio.org. WCBU also operates a Radio Information Service (RIS) providing readings of local, state and national publications to hundreds of people in the coverage area who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print handicapped.

WCBU is supported by the financial contributions of approximately 3,000 station members; underwriting from our corporate sponsors; and federal, state and city grants.

Peoria Public Radio loves a good discussion, but here are a few ground rules you need to know about if you’re going to comment on our Facebook posts. We welcome civil debate, and we know some issues require blunt talk. The following will not be allowed: