Lauren Warnecke
Deputy News DirectorLauren Warnecke is the Deputy News Director at WCBU and WGLT. She joined WGLT as a correspondent in 2020 with a focus on arts and culture and became a full-time staff member in 2023. She became Deputy News Director at both stations in 2025.
You can reach Lauren at lewarne@ilstu.edu and 309-438-7869.
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The move comes months after the Illinois Gaming Board approved Boyd Gaming's plans to redevelop the Par-A-Dice Casino at its existing East Peoria location after Peoria’s attempt to lure the gambling operation across the river. The updated ordinance says video gaming machines in hotels and motels are "disfavored and detrimental" to East Peoria. -
Council members voted unanimously to approve a five-year contract adding 10 Flock license plate readers in East Peoria, despite opposition in and outside the council chambers. -
The city council on Tuesday night weighs a decision to add 10 more cameras to the 15 it already has. Opponents from Central Illinois anti-Flock groups hope to press council members by demonstrating in Levee Park before the meeting. The village of Creve Coeur has its own decisions to make. -
Jonathan Ross, a native of Greater Peoria, is named among several Trump administration officials in a civil lawsuit alleging the ICE agent is responsible for carrying out a conspiracy to unlawfully target ethnic communities and their allies. -
Former chief of police Dale King agreed to return to the department following departures of its two top officers. The Illinois State Police is investigating former chief Justin Egan, who resigned last month. -
The History Channel show sifting through collectors' homes and garages is coming to Illinois and in search of places to film. -
The Cincinnati based Americana duo which once called Bloomington-Normal home has a three city tour in Central Illinois next week -
Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi Hoos said 41-year-old David L. King was strangled to death prior to being severely mutilated. -
Peoria Police are testing a first responder drone, allowing officers to assess a scene remotely. In the pilot program's first days, police used the drone in place of a high speed chase involving a stolen ambulance. -
A Peoria man found dead inside an East Bluff residence Monday suffered fatal injuries that prompted a homicide investigation, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
