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.

Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil...
01/26/2025

Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil walking on a tarmac with their hands and feet restrained.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday said that his government wouldn’t accept flights carrying migrants deported from the United States until the Trump administ…

An American flag and a state flag were stolen and another was left upside down at Jubilee College State Park, according ...
01/26/2025

An American flag and a state flag were stolen and another was left upside down at Jubilee College State Park, according to park officials.

BRIMFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — An American flag and a state flag were stolen and another was left upside down at Jubilee College State Park, according to park officials. Saturday afternoon, in a po…

There’s a paternity mystery to be solved in Louisiana.
01/26/2025

There’s a paternity mystery to be solved in Louisiana.

“It really proves that life… uh… finds a way.”

The European Union rejected the election in Belarus on Sunday as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions.
01/26/2025

The European Union rejected the election in Belarus on Sunday as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union rejected the election in Belarus on Sunday as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions. Belarus held an orchestrated vote virtually guaranteed to give 70-year-ol…

The latest report from the U.S. Mint shows that pennies accounted for more than half of the 5.9 billion circulating coin...
01/26/2025

The latest report from the U.S. Mint shows that pennies accounted for more than half of the 5.9 billion circulating coin shipments from the Federal Reserve Bank in 2024.

It costs more than three pennies to produce one penny — so why haven’t we ditched it yet?

Mendez admitted that since 2008 he had been offering gifts and thousands of dollars in bribes to officers in exchange fo...
01/26/2025

Mendez admitted that since 2008 he had been offering gifts and thousands of dollars in bribes to officers in exchange for having his clients’ cases dismissed.

A private investigator embroiled in a corruption scandal that rocked New Mexico’s law enforcement community for over a decade was the first to plead guilty to a slew of federal charges that include…

Some moderates, leery of eroding a constitutional right that’s existed for more than 150 years, are pushing back, arguin...
01/26/2025

Some moderates, leery of eroding a constitutional right that’s existed for more than 150 years, are pushing back, arguing that Trump lacks the authority to eliminate that right unilaterally.

President Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship is dividing House Republicans, highlighting internal differences on the thorny topic of immigration just as the GOP is making gains with Hispanic…

The release of four female Israeli soldiers from Hamas captivity on Saturday came at a heavy cost for Israel.
01/26/2025

The release of four female Israeli soldiers from Hamas captivity on Saturday came at a heavy cost for Israel.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The release of four female Israeli soldiers from Hamas captivity on Saturday came at a heavy cost for Israel. Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners, 120 of them servi…

Watch as Dunlap takes on Pekin in Saturday’s high school basketball matchup.
01/26/2025

Watch as Dunlap takes on Pekin in Saturday’s high school basketball matchup.

DUNLAP, Ill. (WMBD) — Watch as Dunlap takes on Pekin in Saturday’s high school basketball matchup.

Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental agency have announced another round of electric vehicle rebates.
01/26/2025

Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental agency have announced another round of electric vehicle rebates.

CHICAGO, Ill. (WMBD) — Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Environmental agency have announced another round of electric vehicle rebates. The Illinois General Assembly approved up to $14 million t…

More than 150 fishermen and kids came out to the annual Lake Camelot Ice Fishing Tournament.
01/26/2025

More than 150 fishermen and kids came out to the annual Lake Camelot Ice Fishing Tournament.

LAME CAMELOT, Ill. (WMBD) — More than 150 fishermen and kids came out to the annual Lake Camelot Ice Fishing Tournament. The tournament took a break in 2020 due to bad weather for ice fishing…

Fears about immigration raids in local schools continue to keep hundreds of children at home.
01/25/2025

Fears about immigration raids in local schools continue to keep hundreds of children at home.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Fears about immigration raids in local schools continue to keep hundreds of children at home. On average, 200 students whose second language is English stayed home from …

A local tattoo shop raised money for a national nonprofit organization in honor of its late owner.
01/25/2025

A local tattoo shop raised money for a national nonprofit organization in honor of its late owner.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A local tattoo shop raised money for a national nonprofit organization in honor of its late owner. There was a line out the door at Freedom Ink in downtown Peoria for th…

The top law enforcement officer in McLean County said he will not seize children from schools regarding their immigratio...
01/25/2025

The top law enforcement officer in McLean County said he will not seize children from schools regarding their immigration status.

MCLEAN COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) — The top law enforcement officer in McLean County said he will not seize children from schools regarding their immigration status. And that sentiment was backed up…

Pekin City Council is working to create a balanced budget for next year.
01/25/2025

Pekin City Council is working to create a balanced budget for next year.

PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — Pekin City Council is working to create a balanced budget for next year. City council members met for a special meeting today at Pekin City Hall to discuss the fiscal yea…

Watch as Dunlap hosts Richwoods in Saturday's high school basketball matchup.
01/25/2025

Watch as Dunlap hosts Richwoods in Saturday's high school basketball matchup.

DUNLAP, Ill. (WMBD) — Watch as Dunlap hosts Richwoods in Saturdays high school basketball matchup.

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards on Saturday continued efforts to break up ice and free a freighter that has been trap...
01/25/2025

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards on Saturday continued efforts to break up ice and free a freighter that has been trapped in a frozen Lake Erie for days, officials said.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards on Saturday continued efforts to break up ice and free a freighter that has been trapped in a frozen Lake Erie for days, officials said. The …

WATCH LIVE: Dunlap VS. Pekin in today's high school basketball game.
01/25/2025

WATCH LIVE: Dunlap VS. Pekin in today's high school basketball game.

Dunlap VS. Pekin 1-25-2025 Dunlap VS. Richwoods 1-25-2025

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3131 N. University
Peoria, IL

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

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Videos

RIBBON CUTTING FOR HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING
RIBBON CUTTING FOR HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING

After more than two years and some $20 million spent on design and construction, Peoria County will hold a ribbon cutting for the new building which will house the health department, coroner's office and other departments.

WATCH LIVE: Washington educator honored with national award
WATCH LIVE: Washington educator honored with national award

The Milken Educator Award – and $25,000 cash prize -- will be given out during an assembly on Friday morning. Neither the teacher nor the school administration at Lincoln Grade School know who is getting the high honor.

This week's Extra Effort Award Winner is Ian Akers who is more than just an athlete at Notre Dame. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/pcCL6rz

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will be bringing some Disney magic to the stage with their upcoming performance of Encanto in Concert Live to Film. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/3I9r1et

The Rotary Club of Peoria North will be holding its second annual Mardi Gras party this February. Ashley Schreck, the president of the club, stopped by WMBD This Morning to talk about the event. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/EpChqAB

LIVE, local political analysis: Do Americans want more states / territories?
LIVE, local political analysis: Do Americans want more states / territories?

We asked, you answered - now Nexstar's local political reporters discuss the results and what they're seeing. Read more on the latest Emerson College / Nexstar poll through the link below. https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5082879-poll-do-americans-want-more-states-are-we-on-the-right-track-now/

This week's Extra Effort award winner is Kenzie Knowles, a 4-sport varsity athlete who is also a 4.0 student at Dee-Mack High School. READ MORE HERE: https://trib.al/c7uy3SI

Three social service organizations aim to break the ceiling on accessible healthcare in Normal. WMBD’s Alex Berger has more on CIProud.com.

Winter Weather Update
Winter Weather Update

Snow is starting to move into the area. Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates has one final update before things start ramping up.

Snow update for Sunday
Snow update for Sunday

Another update on how Sunday looks and snowfall amounts

Winter Storm Update
Winter Storm Update

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for Central Illinois. Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates is live with an updated forecast.

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