WVLI News Update

WVLI Podcast Network
WVLI Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Daily News

Stay informed with "WVLI News Update", the podcast that reports on local news stories with expert analysis and engaging commentary.  Join Rob West, as he explores the political, economic, and social factors shaping the Kankakee area. Listen everyday, at your convenience, for all your local news. Subscribe to WVLI News Update podcast, or listen at wvli927.com and click On-Air.  New episodes drop every morning! It’s all part of the new WVLI Podcast Network.

  1. 4h ago

    US 231 Reopens, AI Scam Warnings, and Suicide Prevention Month - Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

    In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, top regional news stories cover the reopening of US 231 in Jasper County following a multi-day closure due to a cooking oil spill, key guidance from pediatric psychologist Dr. Bakht Siddiqui for Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, and new findings published in The Lancet suggesting that 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modifications. Additional news coverage includes first-degree murder charges filed against a Frankfort woman, registration opening for the 13th Annual Scarecrow Contest at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais, findings from a Cleveland Clinic survey regarding men's health trends on social media, and a tribute to long-serving Momence Fire Protection District Engineer Robert "Bob" Stetson. The update also features fire safety advisories from the Rensselaer Volunteer Fire Department, weekly astronomy insights in Night Sky News with Madeleine Shepley, information regarding Clove Alliance's expanded Paxton office, warnings about AI-driven investment scams, and a summary of Chicago sports action. Listen to the full episode for complete coverage and detailed reporting on each of these stories. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    US 231 Reopens, AI Scam Warnings, and Suicide Prevention Month - Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

  2. 4d ago

    Fatal Lockport Shooting, Peotone Travel Center Robbed, and Regatta Returns - Friday, September 4th, 2026

    In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, key news headlines and holiday weekend updates across Kankakee County, Will County, and surrounding areas in Illinois and Indiana are covered in detail. The report begins with an ongoing heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service, bringing heat index values near 105 degrees ahead of expected relief by Sunday. Regional travel updates highlight a minor drop in Labor Day weekend gas prices across Illinois and Indiana, along with coverage of Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s decision to extend the state’s gas tax holiday. Crime coverage includes a Peotone Police investigation into a fast-paced smash-and-grab robbery at the Peotone Travel Center involving sledgehammers and gaming machines, a burglary at a Kankakee School District 111 storage unit at Meadowview Shopping Center where wheelchairs and equipment were stolen, and residential burglaries in Bourbonnais. Additionally, the Will County Coroner has identified 31-year-old Michelle Robinson as the bystander killed in a Lockport shooting. Community news previews the return of the Kankakee River Regatta, Fridays After 5 in Bourbonnais, and ShoeFest at Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, along with traffic safety warnings from the Illinois State Police and the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department regarding Labor Day roadway patrols. Additional coverage details USDA emergency disaster loans announced by Governor JB Pritzker for farmers impacted by severe March storms. The update concludes with a complete regional sports recap covering the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Fighting Illini football's season-opening victory, Chicago Fire FC, NASCAR playoff kickoffs, and the upcoming Chicago Bears season opener. Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete reporting. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Fatal Lockport Shooting, Peotone Travel Center Robbed, and Regatta Returns - Friday, September 4th, 2026

  3. 5d ago

    Bradley Mattel Waterpark Updates, Watseka Honors Local Leaders, and Bears Survey Hammond Relocation - Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

    Stay informed with the latest regional news, weather, and sports coverage on this episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West. High temperatures and excessive heat advisories continue across Illinois, with heat index values projected to reach as high as 110 degrees. Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, gas prices see an uptick across Illinois and Indiana as Indiana prepares to re-implement its state gas tax. In local community updates, the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual awards dinner, recognizing local educator Phil Wilkey as Citizen of the Year alongside Lifetime Achievement Award winners Tony and Dalia Lashus. In Kankakee, city police investigate a residential burglary on South 4th Avenue and search for a masked suspect seen with a knife on South Schuyler Avenue. Meanwhile, state health officials report the first West Nile virus fatality of the year in Illinois. Additional coverage includes event and fundraising updates from the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, a Chicago Bears survey gauging fan feedback on a potential relocation to Hammond, Indiana, and the upcoming retirement of Bourbonnais Village Administrator Mike Van Mill. Bradley Mayor Mike Watson also provides a progress update on the $90 million Mattel-branded waterpark planned near I-57. Finally, get a full sports wrap-up featuring MLB scores, Chicago Fire FC, University of Illinois football, and the Chicago Bears. Listen to the full episode for all the details on these local headlines and complete regional reporting. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Bradley Mattel Waterpark Updates, Watseka Honors Local Leaders, and Bears Survey Hammond Relocation - Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

  4. 6d ago

    Illinois Record Hailstone Confirmed in Kankakee, Halloween Candy Recall, and Heat Advisories - Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

    In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West provides essential local news, weather alerts, and safety information for Kankakee and the surrounding Illinois areas. Coverage begins with an active National Weather Service heat advisory, high temperature forecasts, and key advice on recognizing heat-related illnesses from Riverside Medical Center emergency preparedness coordinator Jay Kindle. Dr. Jennifer Kempke of Bradley Animal Hospital also shares crucial tips on protecting pets during extreme heat. Reporter Jake LaMore details the National Weather Service's official confirmation of a new Illinois state-record hailstone found in Kankakee, measuring 6.6 inches in diameter. Additional stories include a multi-state recall on Halloween candy due to undeclared allergens, regional gas price reductions leading into the weekend, local road closures for the Kankakee River Regatta, and a Crime Stoppers update from Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski regarding a distraction burglary in rural Grant Park. The episode wraps up with scores and updates for the White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Chicago Fire FC, and the Chicago Bears. Listen to the full episode for all the details, official statements, and complete local reporting. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Illinois Record Hailstone Confirmed in Kankakee, Halloween Candy Recall, and Heat Advisories - Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

  5. Sep 1

    Illinois Heat Advisory, Wilmington Sex Arrests, and $500K Veteran Donation - Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

    In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers critical developments across Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Extreme heat conditions hit the region with heat index values reaching up to 105 degrees, prompting heat advisories from the National Weather Service. In state news, Indiana Governor Mike Braun announces an official investigation into Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) following extended power outages and damage from severe storms, while FEMA establishes local relief centers. Regional law enforcement updates include grooming and delinquency charges against a Wilmington man in Grundy County, criminal sexual assault charges filed in Will County, a burglary investigation in Grant Park involving fake ComEd workers, and an active manhunt in Fairbury for a home invasion suspect. Additional coverage highlights positive local developments, including a $40,000 city-approved upgrade to the Kankakee Amtrak depot waiting room and a record-breaking $500,000 donation awarded to veteran non-profit Project Headspace and Timing. The update concludes with scores and upcoming schedules for the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Chicago Fire, and the Chicago Bears. Listen to the full episode for all the details and in-depth reporting on these stories. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Illinois Heat Advisory, Wilmington Sex Arrests, and $500K Veteran Donation - Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

  6. Aug 31

    Grant Park Fires, Manteno Leadership Party Launch, and 20-Year Court Sentencing - Monday, August 31st, 2026

    In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers key local, regional, and national developments. The broadcast opens with details on two weekend fires addressed by the Grant Park Fire Protection District on Saturday afternoon: a garage fire on Esson Farm Road and a home fire on Lake Matonga Trail. In local political news, three Manteno residents—Eric Peterson, Jacob Carlile, and Eric Urbanowski—announced the formation of the Leadership Party to run for Village Trustee in the April 2027 consolidated election. Legal coverage includes the 20-year prison sentence issued to Donovan DeWayne Burbridge in Will County circuit court following an attempted first-degree murder conviction tied to an attack at the Joliet River Valley Juvenile Detention Center. The update also details a police investigation into a non-credible social media threat involving Grant Park Community School District 6, a train-semi collision at a crossing in St. Anne, and major food safety announcements, including a recall of Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine White Rice and an ongoing nationwide Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. Additionally, astronomy professor Madeline Shepley outlines stargazing opportunities regarding the red supergiant Mu Cephei and the third quarter moon in this week's Notable Night Sky segment, followed by a regional sports summary covering the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Fire FC, the conclusion of the Chicago Sky season, NASCAR at Daytona, and the Chicago Bears' preseason finale. Listen to the full episode for all the details and comprehensive coverage of these stories. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Grant Park Fires, Manteno Leadership Party Launch, and 20-Year Court Sentencing - Monday, August 31st, 2026

  7. Aug 28

    Critical Peotone Crash, West Nile Warning, and the Chicago Bears' Future in Illinois - Friday, August 28th, 2026

    In this edition of the WVLI News Update hosted by Rob West, top regional news and community events across Illinois and Indiana are covered in detail. The report opens with coverage of a severe crash at the intersection of Center and Bar Roads near Peotone that sent two people to the hospital, including one victim airlifted in critical condition. Kankakee County Health Department Administrator John Bevis provides key insights into local West Nile Virus monitoring, positive mosquito sample testing, and preventive guidelines for residents. Additional coverage details an early-morning residential fire in Keener Township, Indiana, where occupants escaped without injury, as well as statements from Governor JB Pritzker addressing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's remarks on the Chicago Bears' stadium plans. The episode also details declining gas prices across Illinois and Indiana heading into Labor Day weekend, alongside activity guides for the Will County Fair, the Watseka Family Fest, and local community weekend events hosted across Kankakee County. The update concludes with a sports roundup covering the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, NASCAR, and Chicago Bears preseason football. Listen to the full episode for all the details and complete reporting. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Critical Peotone Crash, West Nile Warning, and the Chicago Bears' Future in Illinois - Friday, August 28th, 2026

  8. Aug 27

    Watseka Meth Arrest, Nettie Davis School Demolition, and Bourbonnais Open House - Thursday, August 27th, 2026

    This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key local headlines across Illinois, including the confirmation of the state's first human case of West Nile Virus in Piatt County alongside additional probable cases in Northern Illinois. The update also features details on a mobile food pantry pop-up in Bourbonnais, daily event schedules for the 123rd Will County Fair, an arrest in Watseka following a narcotics investigation, and an upcoming open house regarding the Bourbonnais Career Center Road subarea development plan. Listeners will also hear health guidance on optimal napping durations from sleep experts, updates on the approved FEMA-funded demolition of the Nettie Davis school building in Watseka, kickoff details for the Watseka Family Fest, and viewing times for tonight's partial lunar eclipse. The report concludes with a complete local sports rundown covering the White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, and upcoming weekend games for Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, and the Chicago Bears. Listen to the full episode for all the details. Have a news tip to share? Send us a text! Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network: This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling) Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits) The voices you trust, beyond the dial.

    Watseka Meth Arrest, Nettie Davis School Demolition, and Bourbonnais Open House - Thursday, August 27th, 2026
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Stay informed with "WVLI News Update", the podcast that reports on local news stories with expert analysis and engaging commentary.  Join Rob West, as he explores the political, economic, and social factors shaping the Kankakee area. Listen everyday, at your convenience, for all your local news. Subscribe to WVLI News Update podcast, or listen at wvli927.com and click On-Air.  New episodes drop every morning! It’s all part of the new WVLI Podcast Network.

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