When Caterpillar announced it was moving its headquarters from Deerfield to Texas, the news surprised no one. It was expected. After all, the new CEO, Jimmy Umpleby, had no loyalty or affection for Peoria or Deerfield. The Indiana native became…
Author Archive for Roger Monroe
Straight Talk | Redneck radio? How? Peoria, then and now
by Roger Monroe • • 4 Comments
When I started in radio as a part-time announcer, there were only a handful of stations in Peoria. They included WMBD, 1470, the first to go on the air; the “Mighty 1290, WIRL; WAAP, 1350, which later became WXCL; Clear…
Straight Talk | These tragic child deaths need more investigating
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
For the second time, the Peoria area lost another child to physical and mental abuse. For the second time, I fear the deaths will die from lack of attention and meaningful response. While 35-year-old Leslie Jett will die as an…
Straight Talk | Primarily, interesting manuevering; but school names?
by Roger Monroe • • 1 Comment
With the filing for the June primary completed by the 5 pm Monday, March 14, deadline, political observers noted some surprises. The biggest was news that Andrew Rand did not seek re-election to the Peoria County Board. Rand represents District…
Straight Talk | Hear about Johns Hopkins COVID study?
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
It was shocking to learn the country’s major news networks and newspapers failed to report results of the Johns Hopkins University meta-analysis coronavirus study regarding the effects of the ordered lockdowns. Of course, if the national media doesn’t cover the…
Straight Talk | Journal Star’s Saturday strategy a reason newspapers fading out
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
It came as a surprise when the once great Peoria Journal Star newspaper announced it was eliminating home and business delivery of its Saturday edition. Time was when the Saturday paper was the most popular of the week, though it’s…
Straight Talk | Strange announcement: Unity Point negotiating with Carle Health
by Roger Monroe • • 3 Comments
In a letter to employees and a news release to the media, Unity Point Health CEO and President Clay Holderman, announced that the Iowa-based health system had entered into discussions with officials at Carle Health that could see Peoria’s Methodist…
Straight Talk | Giving thanks
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
As the year comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who’ve made it possible for our program, “Breakfast with Roger and Friends,” to become the fastest growing morning show on Peoria radio. Royce…
Straight Talk | Peoria County Auditor: To be or not to be?
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
By a vote of 15 to 2, the Peoria County Board Thursday evening, Oct. 14, approved its 2022 budget. That budget was controversial to some because it reduced the operating budget for the office of County Auditor Jessica Thomas by…
Straight Talk | Honoring Tami Lane
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
Hollywood could not have created a better setting for the ceremony honoring Peoria’s Academy Award winner Tami Lane. City of Peoria and Peoria Public School officials, along with family and friends, gathered Thursday, Sept. 9, near the entrance to Hines…