Latest news with #WMBDNews
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Emily's Hope founder to be featured in upcoming fentanyl special
Tuesday night, WMBD News will air a Nexstar special on Fentanyl. According to the founder of Emily's Hope, Angela Kennecke, she and other families were brought together for the upcoming Fentanyl the Next Generation: Breaking Fentanyl's Grip. Many of these families have lost someone to fentanyl overdose, including her. Angela Kennecke was a television anchor and investigative reporter for thirty years, but back in 2018, her 21-year-old daughter died from fentanyl poisoning. Since then, she has dedicated herself to ending the stigma around substance use disorder. Her non-profit, Emily's Hope, helps provide treatment, prevention, and educational resources surrounding drug addiction. 'I just knew that I had to speak out about it. That led me to all of this advocacy work. I never thought I'd still be talking about it seven years later. I thought I could solve it. I thought by just making it public and raising awareness, somehow I could end it.' Kennecke said. 'It's a complicated problem, and I'll continue to talk about it until kids aren't dying anymore.' She added. The non-profit also helps people seek treatment through scholarships. According to Kennecke, the organization's scholarships have provided half a million dollars to those in need. She said these funds have gone to 250 people so far. For those who have lost a child to drug overdose, she reminded them, 'You are not alone.' She said it's important for those dealing with grief to reach out; recommending support groups or talking to people who have been through the same thing. 'Nobody can really understand what you've been through like another parent.' She added. One of her goals is to erase the stigma of drug use. Kennecke stresses the importance of opening a dialogue early, especially for parents whose children are facing drug addiction. 'You have to let them know what substances do to your brain and your body.' She said. Kennecke continued, 'I think the days of looking at experimentation as a rite of passage are long gone, because I have spoken to too many parents whose child got a pill off a Snapchat or some other social media channel, and they find them dead in their rooms the next morning.' To hear more about her story, as well as the stories of families just like her, viewers can tune into WMBD from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. Fentanyl the Next Generation: Breaking Fentanyl's Grip will re-air on WYZZ Saturday at noon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senator Li Arellano, Jr concerned about pensions after State Budget Address
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Following Wednesday's State of the State and State Budget Address from Governor JB Pritzker, Republican Senator Li Arellano, Jr. visited WMBD News at 4 to share his thoughts. Arellano said his biggest concern when it comes to the budget is pensions. He continued to say the budget is not a true pension payment based on what actuaries recommend. 'When you think about Illinois; how do we get so deeply in debt when we have a constitution requirement to have a balanced budget? It's through not fully paying into the pensions. That's how we got here,' said Arellano. 'I don't want to pass debt onto my kids. I don't like that it was passed on to me. Under the constitution it really shouldn't be happening. So that's the part I'd really push back on.' Arellano also addressed the proposed rollback on healthcare for non-citizen. He then explained his previously release statement that said, 'More spending means more taxes, and what the Governor failed to mention in his speech—but included in his proposal—is a tax hike on Illinois job creators.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Honoring Black History: Catching up with Peoria's Juneteenth Queens
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Alynceia Boyce and Miss Teen Juneteenth Ameana Monet came to WMBD News at 4 to share what has been rewarding about their experience during their reign and how they're working to leave a legacy in the community. Monet is currently pursuing a healthcare career. 'I currently work at a nursing home. I enjoy seeing them and seeing that I can make their day by the little things that I do,' she said. 'Healthcare is really easy. You just have to have a passion for it.' Boyce runs a mentoring program called Sunflower Mentoring Services. The focus is to empower individuals through mentorship. 'Really focusing on finding our divine purpose in this world and learning to come together with other young women and embrace each other,' Boyce said. 2024 Miss Juneteenth Peoria Pageant Winners | Good Day Central Illinois Monet and Boyce hold the inaugural titles for Peoria's Miss Juneteenth pageants. They have found their reign to be gratifying as they look to inspire people in their community. 'I'm a community servant at heart,' said Boyce. 'Just being able to use the Miss Juneteenth platform to bring awareness and to encourage younger individuals and middle-aged women to run for Miss Juneteenth.' 'Being the age that I am, I just want to be a role model to everyone around me. It's also helped me gain my confidence,' said the teen queen. Applications for the 2025 Miss Juneteenth Pageant open on March 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
