Michele Steinbacher on Muck Rack

Michele Steinbacher

Verified
(She/Her)
Normal
As seen in: WGLT-FM (Normal, IL), Pantagraph, NPR Illinois, Northern Public Radio, WSIU-TV (Carbondale, IL), WVIK-FM (Rock Island, IL), Illinois Newsroom, Tri States Public Radio, WCBU Reports
Covers:  General Assignments including local government and education; as well as a variety of news features

Get in touch with Michele

Contact Michele, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack

Actions

Share this page

Michele Steinbacher’s Biography

Read Full Bio →

I'm a veteran journalist who has worked in the Midwest for more than 20 years. I have experience in both print and broadcast.
I've also worked in academic research, education, nonprofit publishing, and bookselling.

Michele Steinbacher’s Journalist Portfolio

See all →
Recent NCHS grad wins national 4-H award for work addressing food insecurity and healthy habits

Recent NCHS grad wins national 4-H award for work addressing food insecurity and healthy habits

Avani Rai, 18, from Bloomington, is a longtime advocate of fighting hunger. Rai is one of four U.S. teens bei…

View article →
McLean County Fair-goers endure blazing temperatures for sake of annual get-together

McLean County Fair-goers endure blazing temperatures for sake of annual get-together

The annual McLean County Fair is a real come-together event - attracting urban and country residents, young a…

View article →
Global comedy export Vir Das will bring Mumbai, universal laughs, to ISU's Indian Cultural Dinner

Global comedy export Vir Das will bring Mumbai, universal laughs, to ISU's Indian Cultural Dinner

Emmy-nominated Vir Das - who's been called India's biggest comedy export - headlines the Indian Cultural Dinn…

View article →
Prairie Cities Soccer League moves spring and fall seasons to Eastview church fields and reconsid...

Prairie Cities Soccer League moves spring and fall seasons to Eastview church fields and reconsid...

The future home of the Prairie Cities Soccer League once again is up in the air. When spring season kicks off…

View article →
State's Bilingual Teacher of the Year Ricky King says NCHS students navigating 2 worlds inspire h...

State's Bilingual Teacher of the Year Ricky King says NCHS students navigating 2 worlds inspire h...

Normal Community High School's Ricky King says he was blindsided by the news he's Illinois' new Bilingual Tea…

View article →
Heyworth educator broadening dual credit programs is among Teacher of the Year finalists

Heyworth educator broadening dual credit programs is among Teacher of the Year finalists

A Heyworth educator who colleagues call a student favorite and a real innovator could be Illinois' next Teach…

View article →

Articles

To fight the rise in senior scams, BBB leader invites Central Illinois communities to share stories

|
By Michele Steinbacher Verified
| NPR Illinois Verified
Reports of scammers targeting older adults is on the rise, so an area nonprofit wants to boost protection efforts. The Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois [BBB] has seen a more than 70% increase in new scam reports year-to-date. That’s roughly 100,000 as of October — compared with 58,000 at this point last year. “Scammers are relentless,” said, Jessica Tharp, who leads the Peoria-based nonprofit.
Open in Who Shared View Duplicates (7) Issue with article?

Bloomington council OKs doubling water rates over next 3 years to update aging system

|
By Michele Steinbacher Verified
| WGLT-FM (Normal, IL) Verified
Bloomington water rates will go up 33% this May - and again in 2025 and 2026 - after Monday's city council vote, paving the way for an overhaul of the city's aging water supply system. City Manager Tim Gleason said the decision didn't come out of the blue. Bloomington has been focused on preserving the quality of the water supply for several years, culminating with a water infrastructure master plan and rate study. "Water is definitely our most important resource.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Normal council gets peek at Uptown parking study, future of EV charging stations Original

|
By Michele Steinbacher Verified
| WGLT-FM (Normal, IL) Verified
Normal leaders have started preliminary talks about the future of Uptown parking, and how to meet charging needs for electric vehicles. On Monday, before its regular council meeting, the Normal Town Council gathered for a two-hour work session to discuss the topics. City Manager Pam Reece said the purpose was for council members to provide town staff direction on how to do more research on both subjects, not to make any decisions. "We're just seeking council opinions, frankly," she said.
Open in Who Shared View Duplicates (2) Issue with article?
See all 265 articles
 •  Privacy  •  Terms  •  Security and Legal  •   •   •   • 

© 2026 Muck Rack

SOC 2® Certified