Phil Luciano

1 month ago | wmbdradio.com | Phil Luciano

PEORIA – The Department of Government Efficiency has targeted three local offices of federal agencies: the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Trustee Program and the Federal Drug Administration. The Peoria offices are listed among 748 “lease terminations” on the DOGE website. However, the site does not explain whether those offices will relocate, consolidate or terminate. Nor does it specify each office’s staffing numbers or if any employees will lose their jobs.

Nov 22, 2024 | wmbdradio.com | Phil Luciano

Decades before the hilariously failed “WKRP in Cincinnati” turkey drop,  Peoria saw a similar promotion explode in a frenzy of howling spectators  and flying feathers. And, presumably, nervous turkeysThe poultry pandemonium erupted the day before Thanksgiving 1905 at Szold & Sons, the landmark department store on Garden Street near Adams Street.

Aug 28, 2024 | wmbdradio.com | Phil Luciano |Caleb Kelch

By: Phil LucianoSometimes, coroners cry. Jamie Harwood freely admits to occasional tears. But for the eight-year coroner of Peoria County, no recent case has hit as hard as that of Sydney Weston. He says it’s a particular challenge to share death information with the parents of children. “Oftentimes, I’m in tears with them,” Harwood says.

Aug 26, 2024 | wmbdradio.com | Phil Luciano |Caleb Kelch

By: Phil LucianoAs the director of the Peoria airport, Gene Olson spends a lot of time gazing skyward. Lately, though, he has been peering down – way down. At Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, preliminary work is underway for the construction of a new air traffic control tower. The project, including a base building below the tower, will cost $60 million, or triple the original estimate in 2016, Olson says.

Oct 27, 2023 | peoriamagazine.com | Phil Luciano

When newspapers were king 82 years ago, there was no indication of the war horror to come Ihave a weird guilty pleasure: Reading old newspapers. I bet not too many of you do likewise. After all, it’s hard to find much use for old newspapers, to say nothing of old newspapermen, something I’m still trying to figure out. Anyway, there’s a throwback appeal to poring over weathered newspapers, especially those that arrived before I did.