WMBD

WMBD WMBD News | CBS Channel 31 | Peoria/Bloomington This is WMBD on the World's Most Beautiful Drive at Peoria, Illinois."

With those words on February 14, 1927, the station began its history of broadcasting under those call letters. Enos Kahler was the speaker, the site was his own living room and the equipment consisted of a generator, transmitter, and microphone that he himself had built. From that early beginning WMBD occupied quarters on the second floor of what is now the downtown First National Bank Building an

d in the historic old Majestic Theatre - well-known in bygone vaudeville days. The building, with its many floors ranging from sub-basement to small loft rooms, was an interesting, intriguing setting for the stations. Live entertainment performances took place in the large studio there and included singers, a 16-piece band, a studio pipe organ, and two grand pianos. Weekly auditions were held for announcers, dramatists and comedians. Among the live presentations were Farmer Bill's specialties, the Saturday Night Barn Dances...and the reading of the Sunday funnies. Because of downtown development taking place in the 1970's, it became necessary for WMBD to move once again. After tremendous effort in transforming an empty warehouse-type structure to that of a viable broadcasting unit, WMBD moved to its present location at 3131 North University in June, 1977, still remaining Peoria's only commercial television station to actually have studios in the city itself. WMBD-TV's first sign-on was January 1, 1958; in the early 1960's it was the first local station to broadcast color television. It became the area's first stereo television station in September, 1988. In 1999 WMBD-TV and our sister station in Champaign WCIA-TV were purchased by the Nexstar Broadcasting Group based in Texas. In 2002 Nexstar and The Sinclair Broadcast Group entered into a Leased Management Agreement for WMBD to operate WYZZ-TV, the Fox affiliate for Central Illinois. Through the years, WMBD has been a stopping-off place for many of the great names in broadcasting. Some of those names are Jack Brickhouse, Jim Jensen, John Coleman, Vince Lloyd, Carol LeBeau, Sally Larvick, Bruce Asbury, Bob Starr, Bob Jamieson, Tom Kelly, Faith Daniels, Bob Buck, Mark Holtz, Jack Quinlan, Martin Savidge, and Susan Parks.

Peoria intersection set to close for seven weeks Link in comments
21/08/2026

Peoria intersection set to close for seven weeks Link in comments

A charter plane carrying eight people crashed Thursday near a remote radar site in western Alaska, a federal official sa...
21/08/2026

A charter plane carrying eight people crashed Thursday near a remote radar site in western Alaska, a federal official said.

Two pilots and six passengers were aboard the aircraft, the NTSB says.

High school football season kicks off Friday around central Illinois which means stadium lights will be shining brightly...
21/08/2026

High school football season kicks off Friday around central Illinois which means stadium lights will be shining brightly at are high schools. And players can’t wait to see them on again. Full story in the comments.

After plenty of heavy rain we’re getting a much needed stretch of nice weather.
21/08/2026

After plenty of heavy rain we’re getting a much needed stretch of nice weather.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – After plenty of heavy rain we’re getting a much needed stretch of nice weather. This day in weather history take us back to the eclipse on August 21, 2017. Chief M…

The retreat of glaciers is revealing more than melting ice: It’s uncovering the remains of people who disappeared in the...
21/08/2026

The retreat of glaciers is revealing more than melting ice: It’s uncovering the remains of people who disappeared in the Swiss Alps decades ago. Full story in the comments.

Another cold front is expected to pass through central Illinois Friday night into early Saturday. While not everyone is ...
21/08/2026

Another cold front is expected to pass through central Illinois Friday night into early Saturday. While not everyone is expected to see rain, a few storms may be strong to severe.

PEORIA, ILL. (WMBD) — Another cold front is expected to pass through central Illinois Friday night into early Saturday. While not everyone is expected to see rain, a few storms may be strong …

Americans’ drinking remains at historically low levels with a survey released Thursday reporting the lowest levels of al...
21/08/2026

Americans’ drinking remains at historically low levels with a survey released Thursday reporting the lowest levels of alcohol consumption among Americans in its history, dating back to 1939.

Americans’ drinking remains at historically low levels with a survey released Thursday reporting the lowest levels of alcohol consumption among Americans in its history, dating back to 1939.

Heavy rainfall and flooding across Central Illinois have left some farmers with saturated fields and crop damage just we...
21/08/2026

Heavy rainfall and flooding across Central Illinois have left some farmers with saturated fields and crop damage just weeks before harvest. Full story in the comments.

The Trump administration is ending summertime smog restrictions on gasoline early this year in a bid to offer relief for...
21/08/2026

The Trump administration is ending summertime smog restrictions on gasoline early this year in a bid to offer relief for high prices at the pump.

The Trump administration is ending summertime smog restrictions on gasoline early this year in a bid to offer relief for high prices at the pump.

Issues this week that led to primary and middle students missing their bus or not even knowing what bus route they were ...
21/08/2026

Issues this week that led to primary and middle students missing their bus or not even knowing what bus route they were on were caused by software glitches, according to Pekin Public School District 108 officials.

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3131 N. University

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Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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