WCBU Newscasts - 7:04am 8-14-2026

From the WCBO Newsroom, I'm Rich Drager. Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen says he and his colleagues in Washington should do more to manage the rising costs hitting American households. Sorensen met with Peoria area officials for a roundtable looking at affordability issues such as gas prices, utility expenses, health care needs, and housing. What we have to do as elected leaders, whether it's Republicans and Democrats, state senators and representatives and federal representatives, is making sure that we're keeping money in people's pockets. Sorensen says many of these affordability issues are especially tough on seniors living on fixed incomes. He says agencies like Peoria Township and Taswood Community Services need more assistance in helping families make ends meet. A potentially dangerous intersection in downtown Pekin will be turned into a four-way stop. City Council has approved placing two new stop signs on South 4th Street at the St. Mary Street Crossing. Concerned residents told the Traffic Safety Committee, eastbound drivers on St. Mary often have a difficult time seeing traffic on southbound fourth. They say a two-story building on the northwest corner causes a blind spot. Committee members recommended the new stop signs after inspecting the intersection and seeing the high volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed new legislation aimed at closing gaps in women's health care and protecting survivors of domestic violence. Isabella Nieto reports. One bill expands protection orders to include digital harassment like location tracking, messaging, and non-consensual, digitally altered sexual images. It also removes barriers for survivors seeking orders of protection by allowing virtual hearings and making it easier to extend those orders. Here's J.B. Pritzker. Orders of protection are one of the most important tools available to survivors seeking safety and stability. And this legislation helps ensure those protections meet the needs of survivors. in the modern world. J.B. Pritzker also signed a bill that expands options for health care professionals to complete training on perimenopause and menopause. That was Isabella Nietta reporting. I'm Rich Drager. The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years. This is open in your face. How are there no answers? Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police. Did police ever call you? Not once. Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series on the Embedded podcast from NPR.