Category Archives: Local News
1st Operation Midway Blitz-related trial ends in acquittal after other cases fell apart
Judge grants voluntary dismissal of separate case over immigration agents' use of force Article Summary A federal jury in Chicago on Thursday found Juan Espinoza Martinez not guilty in a murder-for-hi...
Jan 23, 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory
Bovino signals to immigration agents as he leaves the Chicago’s Dirksen Federal
Courthouse on Oct. 28. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Center for Prevention of Abuse receives significant grant to help human trafficking victims
PEORIA, Ill. - Peoria's Center for Prevention of Abuse announced on Thursday that it has received nearly $2 million to expand its programs and services. The center has been given $1,993,790 by the How...
Jan 23, 2026 (Center for Prevention of Abuse Facebook)
Peoria Fire: Illegal open burn damages S. Peoria garage
PEORIA, Ill. - Peoria firefighters were called Thursday afternoon to a garage fire in the area of W. Howett and S. Blaine. Battalion Chief Josh Maroney said an "unattended illegal open burn" caused $5...
Jan 23, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Peoria International Airport breaks annual passenger record in 2025
PEORIA, Ill. - Peoria International Airport is bringing a lot of momentum into 2026 after a record setting year. The airport announced at a ceremony in the Main Terminal on Thursday morning that 812,3...
Jan 22, 2026 (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Peoria Public Schools to close Friday in anticipation of frigid temperatures
PEORIA, Ill. - The cold temperatures will cause a three-day weekend at Peoria Public Schools. The district announced Thursday that the forecasted cold and severe wind chills for Friday will close scho...
Jan 22, 2026 1470 WMBD/Kristina Leahy
Illinois to withhold nearly $500M in spending, citing federal uncertainty
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker's office identified nearly $500 million in spending the state can hold in reserve for the current fiscal year amid federal funding uncertainty. The governor had direct...
Jan 22, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference at a farm in Central Illinois on Oct. 29, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Dangerous cold to arrive this weekend in central Illinois
PEORIA, Ill. - A dangerous arctic blast will blanket central Illinois this weekend. 25 News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Brian Walder says the worst of the cold is expected to arrive Friday morning...
Jan 22, 2026 (National Weather Service)
Victim in rural Chillicothe house fire identified
PEORIA, Ill. - The victim in a fatal fire in rural Chillicothe has been identified. The fire occurred Tuesday afternoon in the area of Galena and Rome Roads. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says 6...
Jan 21, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Beatification of Fulton Sheen could come in 2026
PEORIA, Ill. - The process to immortalize a Catholic leader from central Illinois could begin later this year. The Vatican is expected to soon announce a day for the beatification of Fulton Sheen, the...
Jan 21, 2026 Archbishop Fulton Sheen (right) is hugging Pope John Paul II in this 1979 photo. (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation)
Driver who led police pursuit from East Peoria to Springfield dies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The driver that led multiple police agencies on a chase from central Illinois to Springfield has died. The chase began Tuesday morning when East Peoria Police officers attempted a ...
Jan 21, 2026 (Illinois State Police)
