WJBC Interviews

Happy Tolkien Reading Day! This week on Off the Cuff History, Host Sean Copeland talks to Dr. Karen Coats about famed 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings' author J.R.R. Tolkien, and his influence on the fantasy genre post-WWII.  Dr. Coats is a Professor of English at Illinois State University and is also the author of 'Bloomsbury Introduction to Children's and Youth Adult Literature.  She also happens to consider herself a hobbit occasionally.

Bloomington Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen recaps Monday's city council meeting.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood discusses tariffs and the federal spending bill he voted against.

Dr. Julie Webber, Youth Politics expert at Illinois State University and author of "Beyond Columbine: School Violence and the Virtual" came on Saturday's edition of Light, Live and Local to discuss recent youth protests and their implications.

Students from the ISU Dept of Ag brought home a pair of third-place finishes at the National Landscape Competition. They visited with WJBC's Marc Strauss.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis discusses the $1.3 trillion spending bill the U.S. House approved Thursday plus increasing concerns about a potential trade war with China.

Talked about deleting Facebook, garage doors, and computers for college students.  deantechtalk.com for more info.

District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly and Director of Safety and Security Brian Evans discuss school safety and the district's planned renovations.

Principal Bryan Kendall and two members of the school's Alt Action group student group tell WJBC's Marc Strauss about their community projects.

Chad Ritchie from the Ritchie Law Office explains the benefits of using a TODI (Transfer on Death Instrument) to transfer ownership of your home when you die.

Retired Illinois State University professor Bob Bradley recaps Tuesday's election results.

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady discusses the primary election results.

U.S. Se. Dick Durbin discusses President Trump's proposal to combat the opioid epidemic, a potential government shutdown and the Russia investigation.

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage discusses President Trump's proposal to fight the opioid epidemic, the status of McLean County Jail construction and an increase in underage drinking parties.

Unit 5 Superintedent Mark Daniel discusses gun violence walkouts led by students at Normal Community and Normal West high schools and the district's early warning designation by the Illinois State Board of Education.

This week on Off the Cuff History, Host Sean Copeland talks to Michael VanCalbergh a former lecturerer from Rutgers University, in Newark, NJ on the history and role of comics, its alleged ties to criminality and communism, how the two big companies emerged (DC and Marvel), and the impact of Underground comix and their diverse followings. Mr. VanCalbergh is also half of the comedy etymology podcast duo "Words for Dinner" which is available for download on iTunes.

State Rep. Jeanne Ives discusses her challenge to Governor Bruce Rauner with WJBC's Greg Halbleib.

In this month's McLean County Ag History segment Don Meyer discusses the origins and evolution of soil conservation.

Former Illinois Republican Party chairman Pat Brady previews Tuesday's primary election.

Tony Andracki covers sports for NBCSports.com/Chicago and is product of The Vidette, the Illinois State University campus newspaper. He recently visited with WJBC's Marc Strauss about the Chicago Cubs and his assignment during the Olympics.

Congressman Rodney Davis discusses his proposal to curb opioid abuse and the national school walkout.

Bloomington interim city manager Steve Rasmussen recaps Monday's city council meeting.

Illinois State University Assistant Chair - Management and Quantitative Methods at its College of Business, discusses the creativity that's needed to become an entrepreneur.

Off the Cuff History this week talks with Dr. Martin Quirk, Professor of History at Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL about the Presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump and their similarities both in backgrounds as well as policy. In addition we also explore the TV and film culture of the 1980s and how nostalgia plays a big role in the collective memory of the public as well as making a case for our own cognitive dissonance today through big blockbuster films in comparison to the big blockbusters of the 80s.

Marty McCormack and Brian FitzGerald from Switchback joined WJBC's Marc Strauss on the Midday Show about their upcoming appearance at the BCPA.

Did you know that poor oral health can trigger a stroke or a heart attack? Dr. Mike Milligan from Eastland Dental Center tells WJBC's Marc Strauss about that and offers other tips.

Meet new WJBC Program Director Greg Martin as he and Kevin square off in an epic duel of 'Name that Tune.'

Episode 185

Head groundskeeper Andy Ommen explains for WJBC's Marc Strauss how a bad hop in his son's baseball game 15 years ago resulted in an award for the Bloomington PONY Baseball Complex.

Adam Andrzejewski, founder of Open the Books, discussed his latest report on pay spikes in Illinois.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin discusses North Korea, guns, trade and his endorsement of gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker.

State Sen. Bill Brady discusses various gun control proposals and a measure to limit youth tackle football in Illinois.

Rick Ringer, Director of the Organizational Leadership Institute at Illinois State University's College of Business, explains what to do with jerks in the workplace.

State Sen. Jason Barickman discusses the gun control debate and the governor's race.

WJBC's Scott Laughlin interviews Don Gorske who has consumed almost 30,000 McDonald's Big Macs since 1972.

Don Gorske of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin claims to have eaten nearly 30,000 Big Macs.

State Rep. Dan Brady discusses gun control measures introduced in the wake of the Florida school shooting and Gov. Rauner's proposes pension cost shift to schools.

Estate planning attorney Chad Ritchie talks about the special circumstances surrounding inheriting retirement accounts such as IRA's and 401k's.

Bloomington interim city manager Steve Rasmussen recaps Monday's city council meeting.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood discusses gun control in the wake of the recent Florida school shooting.

Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel discusses the possibility of arming teachers and Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to shift pension costs to school districts.

Off the Cuff History Host Sean Copeland talks with Rep. Litesa Wallace of the 67th district of Illinois about Harold Washington and his influence on African Americans in Politics today. Rep. Litesa Wallace also speaks to the goals of her campaign with State Senator Daniel Biss in the Governor's race.

Off the Cuff History this week talks with Dr. Roger Biles, Professor Emeritus at Illinois State University about Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and his uphill struggle to change the social and political structures in Chicago during the 1970s and early 1980s. Biles has researched extensively on the topic and will be releasing his book, Mayor Harold Washington: Champion of Race and Reform in Chicago in May 2018.

Illinois State University Police Chief Aaron Woodruff offers his reaction to the suggestion that teachers be armed to protect themselves and their students.

The Illinois State University Department of Agriculture showcases its Hoof n' Horn Club on the WJBC Ag Hour

Two of the original members of the band Carbon Leaf perform on WJBC's Midday Show with host Marc Strauss

Segment# 184 Sam's Club is taking on Amazon with free shipping if you are a Plus member. Trying something new at home……43" TV/Monitor as my main screen. Update on my usage and how this is working. Apple March event - new iPads?? HomePod is now leaving rings on your wood furniture CR says others are better, like Google HomeMax and Sonos iOS 11.2.6 - get the update, it fixes the Indian Character bug Metal iPhone case Samsung S9 and S9+, announcing on 2/25 or 2/27 Animojis….with a different name Looks about the same as the S8 Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard by Google, $350 https://www.popsci.com/levis-connected-jacket-seems-both-cool-and-weird#page-2

District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly discusses school safety and a state pension proposal. He is joined by two students; state champion wrestler Savion Haywood and Nathanial Parson who will be marching with the prestigious Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps.

This week's Off the Cuff History, Host Sean Copeland talks to Dr. Toure Reed about the "Black Experience" as seen through thecritiques of white liberal elitism and racism in Jordan Peele's oscar nominated film "Get Out" and Donald Glover's Emmy award-winning "Atlanta." Both also illustrate attitudes and movements within the african american community regarding homosexuality, transgender issues, and critiques of police interaction and unfortunate brutality.

Dave "DJ" Janssen visited with WJBC's Marc Strauss about the hazards and highlights of being a TV news photographer.