The Phil Luciano Show – Weekdays, 3pm-6pm
The Phil Luciano Show is WMBD Radio’s new afternoon show that airs weekdays from 3 – 6pm.
Longtime journalist and media personality Phil Luciano shares his intriguing stories and unique observations about Central Illinois for a new radio program bringing local news to the forefront each and every day.
The Phil Luciano Show Column
DOGE targets federal Peoria offices
PEORIA - The Department of Government Efficiency has targeted three local offices of federal agencies: the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Trustee Program and the Federal Drug Administration. The Peoria offices are listed among 748 "lease terminations" on the DOGE website. Howev...
Mar 06, 2025
Long before "WKRP," Peoria hosted a failed and frenzied turkey drop
Decades before the hilariously failed "WKRP in Cincinnati" turkey drop, Peoria saw a similar promotion explode in a frenzy of howling spectators and flying feathers. And, presumably, nervous turkeys The poultry pandemonium erupted the day before Thanksgiving 1905 at Szold &...
Nov 22, 2024
Peoria City Officials push for Boyd Gaming's Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino to relocate to land-based operation
By: Phil Luciano Peoria city officials are trying to convince Boyd Gaming to abandon their Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria and build a land-based operation in Peoria. That effort, confirmed by WMBD Radio via a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the city of Peoria, has tri...
Sep 09, 2024
Tragic Story of 8-Year-Old Girl Who Died After Emergency Landing Finds Silver Linings
By: Phil Luciano Sometimes, coroners cry. Jamie Harwood freely admits to occasional tears. But for the eight-year coroner of Peoria County, no recent case has hit as hard as that of Sydney Weston. He says it's a particular challenge to share death information with the parents of children. ...
Aug 29, 2024
Eying new tower, Peoria airport first peeks underground
By: Phil Luciano As the director of the Peoria airport, Gene Olson spends a lot of time gazing skyward. Lately, though, he has been peering down - way down. "It's like a honeycomb under there," Olson says. The shafts were 5 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with one 2.5 miles long. So,...
Aug 26, 2024
