
Kankakee Podcast
A podcast about the people and places of Kankakee County, IL.
Episodes
342 episodes
Cleaning Up and Leveling Up: How Jen Norton Built “All You Need Cleaning Services”
In this episode of Kankakee Podcast, Drew Raisor sits down with Jen Norton, owner of All You Need Cleaning Services, to talk about her inspiring journey from 22 years as a 911 dispatcher to running her own thriving cleaning business in...
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19:34

Baker & Taylor Closure, Nicor Gas Rate Debate, Kankakee Police Promotion, Sunrise Center Event, Riverfront Park Plans
In this week’s episode of Kankakee Podcast News, Drew Raisor covers the top local stories from around Kankakee County. Baker & Taylor has closed its Momence distribution center, leaving hundreds unemployed as officials work to assi...
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6:56

#222: Supporting Life at Every Stage: Our Aging Services’ Mission of Compassion
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Drew Raisor sits down with Leslee Schafer and Megan Turner, the compassionate founders of Our Aging Services. Together, they’re on a mission to guide both seniors and families of individuals with special...
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28:07

St. Anne Pumpkin Fest, McCarty Racing Title, Fortitude Shelter Plan, Animal Shelter Needs, ComEd Rates
In this week’s episode of Kankakee Podcast News, Drew Raisor shares the top stories from around the county. Bourbonnais driver Austin McCarty captured his second straight Pro Late Model championship at Kankakee County Speedway in a sea...
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6:37

#221: Turning Struggles Into Strength: Hollie Erickson’s Journey with Bedford
In this episode of Kankakee Podcast, Drew sits down with Hollie to talk about her inspiring journey of resilience, faith, and transformation. From facing unexpected challenges in life to discovering strength through fitness and her rel...
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26:29

Manteno Oktoberfest, Bradley Clerk Resigns, District 111 Appointment, BBCHS Budget, Momence Cold Case
In this week’s episode of Kankakee Podcast News, Drew Raisor covers the latest stories from around the county. Manteno’s 27th annual Oktoberfest kicked off at Heritage Park, bringing live music, food, and family fun through the weekend...
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6:34

#220: Hair, Hustle, and Heart: Adelynn McBurnie’s Journey Behind the Chair
In this episode of Kankakee Podcast, Drew sits down with Adelynn McBurnie — one of Kankakee County’s most sought-after hairstylists. From her early start in cosmetology school at just 16, to building a loyal clientele and finding her h...
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23:37

Scarecrow Festival Returns, Faith Baptist Radio Tower Approved, Bourbonnais Shots Fired, Let’s Ketchup Family Fest, and BBCHS Board Appointment
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor takes you through the latest headlines from around the county. The 12th annual Scarecrow Festival kicks off at Perry Farm Park with more than 120 scarecrows, vendors, and a new Fall ...
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6:21

#219: “From Ski Slopes to Pantyhose: Stories from Yarn Factory Listeners”
This episode of the Kankakee Podcast takes you inside September’s Yarn Factory Listeners, hosted by Bill Yohnka. Hear heartfelt, hilarious, and unforgettable stories from local voices:David Butz recalls a wild ski...
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1:02:12

#218: Faith, Family, and Overcoming Childhood Cancer - Joy & Brady Gott
In this heartfelt episode of Kankakee Podcast, Drew sits down with Brady and Joy, a couple who moved their family of nine to Kankakee just two years ago. What began as a season of new beginnings quickly turned into a life-altering jour...
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38:00

Herscher DUI Crash, Regatta Returns, Kankakee Fitness Court, Harris Trial Date, Schneider Runs for County Board
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor covers the top headlines from around the area. In Herscher, a man faces multiple charges after crashing his pickup truck into a home while driving under the influence with a blood-al...
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7:00

#217: The Musical Everyone Makes Fun of… Until They See It
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Andrew McBurnie sits down with Sharla Ronchetto, director with the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association, to talk about their upcoming production of Urinetown the Musical. With a title that often raises ey...
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21:25

Herscher Labor Day, Catholic Schools Security, Bus Garage Opens, Voices of the Past, Crestlane Shooting Arrests
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor brings you the latest from around the region. River Valley Metro unveils a $9 million bus maintenance garage in Bourbonnais, funded through the Rebuild Illinois program and designed ...
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7:31

Jaffe Drugs Delays, Sztuba Promoted, Manteno Pavilion Vote, Bourbonnais 150th Celebration, And More...
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor highlights the top stories shaping the community. Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School earns recognition as the top-ranked high school in Kankakee County in the latest U.S. News...
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7:35

#216: Stories From August's Yarn Factory Listeners
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Bill Yonka welcomes a lively cast of storytellers for a special night of community tales at The Venu Lounge in Kankakee. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 216
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1:06:21

Regatta Returns, National Night Out, Manteno Liquor Vote, IHOP Closure, Armour Road Project Complete
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor covers the latest headlines from around the county. A single-vehicle crash in Herscher claims the life of a local man. The Kankakee River Valley Regatta makes its long-awaited return...
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8:22

#215: Beyond Belts: Duane Brumitt on Teaching Life Skills Through Martial Arts
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Drew Raiser sits down with local martial arts instructor and Tri-Star Martial Arts Academy co-founder Duane Brumitt for an inspiring conversation about disci...
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Season 1
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Episode 115
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41:21

Manteno Robbery, ComEd Relief, Bond Sale, Gotion Lawsuit, NYC Deli Expansion
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor covers the top stories making headlines across the county. A nearly $10 million bond sale advances through the Kankakee City Council, aiming to support road repairs and emergency ser...
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7:02

#214: Jeff Cross on Refereeing, TikTok, Community, and Graveyard Caretaking
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, Drew Raiser sits down with Jeff Cross—local caretaker, social media creator, referee, and member of the Ordinary Dads group—for a lively and wide-ranging conversation about life in and around Kankakee. J...
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Season 1
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Episode 214
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1:58:36

Deputy Injured in Stop, ComEd Scandal Sentencing, Airport Lockdown & National Night Out
This week on Kankakee Podcast News, Drew Raisor covers a busy week across the county. A Kankakee County Sheriff’s deputy is injured during a traffic stop gone wrong in Bourbonnais. Anne Pramaggiore, former CEO of ComEd, is sentenced in...
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7:36

#213: James LeRoy, Glue Man Vintage, Vintage Threads, Local Music
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Drew Raiser takes us inside Glue Man Vintage, a colorful and eclectic vintage shop in Kankakee County run by James Leroy, his former coworker an...
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Season 1
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Episode 213
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34:27

Stolen Car Chase, Manteno Tensions, ‘Good Trouble’ Rally Unites Kankakee, and More
On this week’s Kankakee Podcast News, guest host Andrew McBurnie brings you the top stories for Friday, July 25th, 2025. Highlights include the impactful Bike Against Violence ride through city streets, the Kankakee City Council’s appr...
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11:09

#212: Truck'A'Junk: Stories From Kankakee’s Young Entrepreneurs
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Drew Raisor sits down with Spencer Boudreau and Jacob Beck - the energetic duo behind Truck'A'Junk, Kankakee County’s up-and-coming junk removal service. Th...
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Season 1
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Episode 212
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26:51

Mall Makeover, West Nile Warning, Microburst Damage & JUMP Funding Loss
On this week’s Kankakee Podcast News, host Drew Raisor dives into Bradley’s $6.5 million plan to redevelop Northfield Square Mall, the first confirmed case of West Nile virus in Kankakee County, and major storm damage at 315 Sports Par...
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8:02

#211: Stories From April’s Yarn Factory Listeners
In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Bill Yonka welcomes a vibrant lineup of local storytellers as they share personal tales that connect, inspire, and resonate with the Kankakee community. Recorded in front of a live audience, July's ...
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Season 1
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Episode 211
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2:04:08
