WMBD

WMBD WMBD News | CBS Channel 31 | Peoria/Bloomington This is WMBD on the World's Most Beautiful Drive at Peoria, Illinois."

With those words on February 14, 1927, the station began its history of broadcasting under those call letters. Enos Kahler was the speaker, the site was his own living room and the equipment consisted of a generator, transmitter, and microphone that he himself had built. From that early beginning WMBD occupied quarters on the second floor of what is now the downtown First National Bank Building an

d in the historic old Majestic Theatre - well-known in bygone vaudeville days. The building, with its many floors ranging from sub-basement to small loft rooms, was an interesting, intriguing setting for the stations. Live entertainment performances took place in the large studio there and included singers, a 16-piece band, a studio pipe organ, and two grand pianos. Weekly auditions were held for announcers, dramatists and comedians. Among the live presentations were Farmer Bill's specialties, the Saturday Night Barn Dances...and the reading of the Sunday funnies. Because of downtown development taking place in the 1970's, it became necessary for WMBD to move once again. After tremendous effort in transforming an empty warehouse-type structure to that of a viable broadcasting unit, WMBD moved to its present location at 3131 North University in June, 1977, still remaining Peoria's only commercial television station to actually have studios in the city itself. WMBD-TV's first sign-on was January 1, 1958; in the early 1960's it was the first local station to broadcast color television. It became the area's first stereo television station in September, 1988. In 1999 WMBD-TV and our sister station in Champaign WCIA-TV were purchased by the Nexstar Broadcasting Group based in Texas. In 2002 Nexstar and The Sinclair Broadcast Group entered into a Leased Management Agreement for WMBD to operate WYZZ-TV, the Fox affiliate for Central Illinois. Through the years, WMBD has been a stopping-off place for many of the great names in broadcasting. Some of those names are Jack Brickhouse, Jim Jensen, John Coleman, Vince Lloyd, Carol LeBeau, Sally Larvick, Bruce Asbury, Bob Starr, Bob Jamieson, Tom Kelly, Faith Daniels, Bob Buck, Mark Holtz, Jack Quinlan, Martin Savidge, and Susan Parks.

Trump’s speech on Tuesday evening isn’t technically considered a State of the Union address — that comes next year, afte...
03/03/2025

Trump’s speech on Tuesday evening isn’t technically considered a State of the Union address — that comes next year, after he’s been on the job for longer — but there’s no distinguishable difference for anyone watching at home.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loves a good spectacle, and it’s hard to top a speech to a joint session of Congress. The House chamber is packed with lawmakers, and the president’s arri…

The demonstrations are part of a growing backlash in North America and Europe to Musk’s disruptive role in Washington.ht...
03/03/2025

The demonstrations are part of a growing backlash in North America and Europe to Musk’s disruptive role in Washington.

https://trib.al/mVx5clS

BOSTON (AP) — Demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores across the U.S. Saturday to protest the automaker’s billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, and his push to slash government spending on behalf o…

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was unre...
03/03/2025

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was unrelated to the business, but was found to be inconsistent with its business ethics policy.

Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned after an internal investigation into his personal conduct. Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation …

Stephen Curry dunked!
03/03/2025

Stephen Curry dunked!

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Stephen Curry dunked! The Golden State Warriors star had the ball alone for a seemingly easy, uncontested layup against the 76ers, when — for the first time in six years — he in…

Grande wore a look from the Schiaparelli spring-summer 2025 collection. It was a perfect Glinda ode with no straps and a...
03/03/2025

Grande wore a look from the Schiaparelli spring-summer 2025 collection. It was a perfect Glinda ode with no straps and a structured skirt that fell into airy pleats.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ariana Grande did her Glinda proud in a pale pink stunner, and her “Wicked” bestie Cynthia Erivo did Elphaba proud in deep forest green on the Oscars carpet as high glam took over S…

Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds and evacuations were o...
03/03/2025

Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds and evacuations were ordered in some areas.

Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds and evacuations were ordered in some areas. The National Weather Service warned of increased fire d…

With less than a month until the consolidated election on April 1, the mayor of Bloomington candidates explained their p...
03/02/2025

With less than a month until the consolidated election on April 1, the mayor of Bloomington candidates explained their positions in front of a student panel.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — With less than a month until the consolidated election on April 1, the mayor of Bloomington candidates explained their positions in front of a student panel. The ca…

“We are not powerless,” Boitano said in opening the show. “As skaters, we learned to be resilient and to always find a p...
03/02/2025

“We are not powerless,” Boitano said in opening the show. “As skaters, we learned to be resilient and to always find a path forward that is positive.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — A star-studded group of some of the best U.S. figure skaters of the past and present took the ice Sunday in the nation’s capital to remember and raise money for the victims of the…

Traffic at a Pekin intersection will look a little different starting on Monday.
03/02/2025

Traffic at a Pekin intersection will look a little different starting on Monday.

PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — Traffic at a Pekin intersection will look a little different starting on Monday. A new stoplight, at the intersection of Stadium Drive and Court Street, will start flashi…

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a 4-step plan for Ukraine.
03/02/2025

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a 4-step plan for Ukraine.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a 4-step plan for Ukraine. “We are at a crossroads in history,” Starmer said. His remarks come just days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zele…

“Captain America: Brave New World” kept falling but still hovered above all others at a weak weekend box office.
03/02/2025

“Captain America: Brave New World” kept falling but still hovered above all others at a weak weekend box office.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Captain America: Brave New World” kept falling but still hovered above all others at a weak weekend box office. The latest Disney-Marvel offering brought in another $15 million …

Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation on Sunday, the Vatican said.
03/02/2025

Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation on Sunday, the Vatican said.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didn’t need any mechanical ventilation Sunday, the Vatican said. It was a sign that he had overcome the possible complications from a respi…

Crowds protesting Vice President JD Vance the day after an Oval Office blowout over Ukraine lined roadways Saturday near...
03/02/2025

Crowds protesting Vice President JD Vance the day after an Oval Office blowout over Ukraine lined roadways Saturday near a Vermont ski resort where he planned a weekend vacation with his family.

WAITSFIELD, Vt. (AP) — Crowds protesting Vice President JD Vance the day after an Oval Office blowout over Ukraine lined roadways Saturday near a Vermont ski resort where he planned a weekend vacat…

The London meeting has now taken on greater importance in defending the war-torn ally and boosting the continent’s defen...
03/02/2025

The London meeting has now taken on greater importance in defending the war-torn ally and boosting the continent’s defenses.

Britain hosted a summit of European leaders on Sunday to shore up support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after an astonishing Oval Office blowout with President Donald Trump that left …

A man is in the hospital after being shot early Sunday morning in Normal.
03/02/2025

A man is in the hospital after being shot early Sunday morning in Normal.

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — A man is in the hospital after being shot early Sunday morning in Normal. Officers with the Normal Police Department were called to the 600 block of South Linden Street …

The child had been hospitalized at the main referral facility in Kampala, the capital of the East African country, and d...
03/02/2025

The child had been hospitalized at the main referral facility in Kampala, the capital of the East African country, and died Tuesday, the WHO office in Uganda said in a brief statement.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A 4-year-old child became the second person to die of Ebola in Uganda, the World Health Organization said Saturday, in a setback for health officials who had hoped for a quic…

Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers reported having issues with services like Outlook on Saturday.
03/02/2025

Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers reported having issues with services like Outlook on Saturday.

Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers reported having issues with services like Outlook on Saturday. In a series of posts on the social platform X, the company said it was investigating the issue, w…

Local artists could win $500 for having their artwork chosen in Peoria's beautification competition.
03/02/2025

Local artists could win $500 for having their artwork chosen in Peoria's beautification competition.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Local artists could win $500 for having their artwork chosen in Peoria’s beautification competition. The Boxes and Beautification Program will feature art from loc…

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3131 N. University
Peoria, IL

Opening Hours

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

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Videos

In a matter of months, Mariah Cooley has gone from Miss Black Peoria USA to Miss Black Illinois USA. This gives her the opportunity to expand her platform to speak about the issues important to her, like gun violence prevention. READ https://trib.al/UkCbLzf

This week's Extra Effort Award Winner is a high school senior who is already a small business owner. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/O7G1tbx

In honor of Black History Month, WMBD anchor and reporter, Breanna Rittman, was invited to Sam J Stone B’nai B’rith to give a speech to the residents. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/l0uDhYd

Peoria’s Miss Juneteenth Alynceia Boyce and Miss Teen Juneteenth Ameana Monet came to WMBD News at 4 to share what has been rewarding about their experience during their reign and how they’re working to leave a legacy in the community. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/E8yMM39

ICYMI: This week's Extra Effort Award winner is Isabella Motteler who is helping build the sport of girls wrestling in her school and around central Illinois. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/eTSBSvG

Winter Weather Update
Winter Weather Update

Snow continue to move through the area this evening leading to deteriorating road conditions. Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates is live with an update.

Winter Weather Update
Winter Weather Update

Another round of winter weather is expected Friday night through Saturday night, join Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates for an update on the potential for ice and snow

February is the month to honor Black History and love. Keith Baker and Meta Mickens-Baker have a love story spanning over four decades. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/3EYIYKf

Countdown to the 2025 Daytona 500
Countdown to the 2025 Daytona 500

LIVE FROM DAYTONA: Join FOX8's Kevin Connolly, Danny Harnden and WFLA's JB Biunno as they interview NASCAR's biggest stars live from the Daytona 500 Media Day red carpet at Daytona International Speedway. https://bit.ly/4gU5ebf

Winter Storm Update
Winter Storm Update

Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates is live with an update on the timing, impacts and amounts with Wednesday's storm.

The Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is inviting you to soulfully sing, eat and be merry as they raise funds for local programming and scholarships. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/iuEcgTc

Meteorologist Nathan Kitchens has an update on Wednesday's snowy forecast.

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