On Deck

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, August 7, 2020. Our top story is about how Peoria appears to have strong opinions on the Columbus statue in upper Bradley Park. Earlier this week, the park district held a forum on the monument's future. You'll also hear from four incoming Dunlap High School seniors, who started a petition, asking the board to reconsider its decision for a full return to school.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, August 6, 2020. Our top story is about how as COVID-19 testing has seen a sharp increase in demand in recent weeks, one of the Midwest's largest coronavirus testing labs is staying busy. You'll also hear how "fast fashion" has taken its toll on the environment and certain Illinois clothing and textile stores are stepping up and doing business in a more ecofriendly way.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Our top story is about how Tri-County registered voters are receiving vote-by-mail applications this month. You'll also hear about how the Illinois High School Association adjusted to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by moving some of the higher risk fall sports to the spring season.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Our top story is about how Governor J.B. Pritzker launched a new campaign encouraging Illinoisans to wear face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. You'll also hear about food insecurity and Asian carp - two longstanding issues in Peoria and Central Illinois. A group believes it has discovered a path to use one problem to solve the other.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, August 3, 2020. Our top story is about how the recently opened Market on the Hill Cooperative is finding success addressing food insecurity in rural Logan County. You'll also hear about controversial statues in Peoria and Springfield, Illinois. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, July 31, 2020. Our top story is about how Governor J.B. Pritzker came to Peoria Thursday to deliveer the message that west central Illinois is just three days away from implementing new COVID-19 restrictions if trends don't revierse. You'll also hear from Peoria Area Association of Realtors president Kendra Sipes, who says the market is showing a positive trend.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, July 30, 2020. Our top story is about how the COVID-19 pandemic is leading to more and more people dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. You'll also hear how the Peoria Riverfront Museum is preparing to adapt its largest student outreach initiative to the new COVID-19 reality.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Our top story is about how Illinois Central College is launching a new equity initiative aimed at helping low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students earn a credential. You'll also hear how one Peoria medical clinic is working under a membership-based payment model called "direct primary care."

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Our top story is about the first round of cabins opened at Wildlife Prairie Park. You'll also hear why a one-size-fits-all approach won't work for Peoria County's 18 school districts.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, July 27, 2020. Our top story is about the newly-ordained Louis Tylka, who is in line to succeed Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Peoria Diocese when he retires in March 2022. You'll also hear how helping people deal with trauma can help address violence in communities like Peoria.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, July 24, 2020. Our top story is about a Peoria-based nursing home operator that accepted $20 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program — about 200 times the average amount. You'll also hear what challenges Illinois' international students face, even after the Trump administration rescinded a rule requiring them to take in-person classes this fall.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, July 23, 2020. Our top story is about an Elmwood native who saw a gap in Black history education and started his own teaching effort. You'll also hear from a USDA chemist at the Peoria Ag Lab who's developing biobased plastics out of plant material.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Our top story is about how to get kids comfortable wearing masks before they return to the classroom this fall. You'll also hear Republican Congressman Darin LaHood explain what he would like to see from the next round of COVID-19 relief.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Our top story is about how the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center recently reopened its pool and gym areas, three months after closing to the public amid COVID-19. You'll also hear Illinois Central College president Sheila Quirk-Bailey talk about the college's efforts to give students options to meet their learning style, as they look to reopen in the fall.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, July 20, 2020. Our top story is about another health crisis overshadowed by COVID-19: substance use disorder. You'll also hear Walldogs Project Manager Jay Allen discuss why his group travels across the state and country creating art for small towns, like Washington.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, July 17, 2020. Our top story is about the reopening plan of a Central Illinois college. You'll also hear former U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Obama and former Republican Congressman from Illinois, Ray LaHood talk about public transportation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, July 16, 2020. Our top story is about how Peoria Charter Coach issued a second round of layoffs. You'll also hear Nailah Brown of the Bradley University Black Student Alliance weigh in on the university's plan to improve diversity and inclusion on campus. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Our top story is about how SNAP recipients can now use their benefits to order groceries online. You'll also hear how the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is rebranding the region's tourism efforts, in an attempt to pique the interests of both natives and newcomers. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Our top story is about how the Pekin City Council approved a $500,000 TIF Redevelopment Agreement to help DCX-CHOL, a military and aerospace manufacturer expand and create new jobs. You'll also hear how COVID-19 is affecting individuals experiencing homelessness in the Peoria area. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, July 13, 2020. Our top story is about how hot summer days are driving restaurant goers inside, but seating capacity is still limited. You'll also hear WCBU's Tim Shelley speak with Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator, Monica Hendrickson about the Peoria healthcare system's capacity to handle the rise in COVID-19 cases in the Tri-County area.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, July 10, 2020. Our top story is about how a new report from the University of Illinois' Institute for Government and Public Affairs recommends the state's Department of Corrections expands COVID-19 testing inside state prisons. You'll also hear a portion of this week's Out & About. Host Jenn Gordon talks with Beth Johnson of the Peoria Historical Society about new History Walking Tours being offered throughout the summer.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, July 9, 2020. Our top story is about a new police resource center in Peoria's East Bluff neighborhood. You'll also hear from newspaper deliveryman, Geoff Landrum. He delivers the Peoria Journal Star and other local publications to Peoria Heights and surrounding neighborhoods. WCBU's Steve Tarter talks with Landrum about times when race has affected his job.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Our top story is about how Governor J.B. Pritzker put a stay on evictions during the COVID-19 shutdown, and  how some advocates are worried about what will happen when the stay is lifted.  You'll also hear about how the same officers of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees were elected to serve another year. That includes Peoria Public Schools Board President, Doug Shaw.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Our top story is about how the Heartland Health Services COVID-19 testing sites in Pekin and the East Bluff are now appointment-based. You'll also hear about a new method to assess COVID-19 numbers. WCBU's Tim Shelley talks to Adee Athiyaman, a researcher from Western Illinois University's Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, July 6, 2020. Our top story is about how the Libertarian Party of Greater Peoria is running a slate of nine candidates for state and county offices. You'll also hear how the city of Peoria is taking steps to convert Fulton Plaza into a two way street. WCBU's Tim Shelley speaks with city urban planners Sara Maillacheruvu and Josh Naven to bring you details.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, July 2, 2020. Our top story is about the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season. You'll hear from Jason Mott, General Manager of the Peoria Chiefs. You'll also hear about a new initiative to address the issues of Asian carp in the Illinois river. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Our top story is about the City of Peoria Firework Ordinance. You'll hear from Division Chief of Fire Prevention for the Peoria Fire Department, Stanley Taylor. You'll also hear Pekin Outreach Initiative founder, Lynne Johnson. She talks about the opening of a new day shelter for the population experiencing homelessness in Pekin.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Our top story is about how amidst the COVD-19 pandemic, area police officers working within the community are encouraged to wear masks, but they're not mandatory. You'll also hear Janelle Clark of Serenity Assisted Living in East Peoria, talk about how its residents are now able to safely connect with their loved ones again for the first time since March, 2020.

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Monday, June 29, 2020. Our top story is about how the Illinois Attorney General's office is reviewing whether the Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners' June 16 meeting notice violated the state's Open Meetings Act. You'll also hear Kendra Sipes of the Peoria Area Association of Realtors, break down how the home sales season is being affected by COVID-19. 

WCBU's On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, June 26, 2020. Our top story is about how Central Illinois could experience the remnants of a North African dust storm this weekend. You'll also hear some of Out & About host, Jenn Gordon's conversation with Leigh Ann Brown of the Morton Chamber of Commerce. They discuss tonight's Fourth Friday event in Morton.