The WMOK News Check
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Good Morning, Metropolis and Massac County!
It’s Tuesday, December 23, and the countdown to Christmas continues!
Start your morning informed by tuning in to the WMOK News Check. We’re bringing you the local headlines, the “Yellow Sheet” updates, and the WMOK Morning Show.
🎙 How to Listen:
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On your dial: 920 AM
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Streaming worldwide: 920wmok.com
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On your phone: Text the word “NEWS” to 618-524-9209 to get the News Check delivered straight to your device!
What’s Happening Today (Tuesday, Dec 23)
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Last-Minute Shopping & Holiday Spirit: Be sure to check out the local shops in Metropolis for finishing up your gift list!
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Christmas Lights: If you’re looking for evening plans, the Massac County Christmas Light Trail is in full swing from 5 PM – 9 PM through December 31st.
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Holiday Prep: With just two days until Christmas, today is a great day to finalize the details or drop off any last-minute donations to local food pantries.
Today’s Special Observances
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Festivus: For the Seinfeld fans out there—it’s “a Festivus for the rest of us!” Time to get the aluminum pole out of the crawlspace.
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National Roots Day: A perfect time to look into your family history or share some old stories with the relatives arriving for the holidays.
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National Pfeffernüsse Day: Celebrate by grabbing some of these tiny, spiced ginger cookies—perfect with a morning cup of coffee!
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National Christmas Movie Marathon Day: The perfect excuse to keep the Hallmark channel or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on loop while you wrap gifts.
**Attention Massac County Residents!**
**Important Info:**WMOK News: The New Illinois Laws – Part 14 – A Safety Net for Parents: New Leave Mandated for Families with NICU Babies
Continuing our series on new laws impacting Illinois families, we turn our attention to the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act (HB 2978). This new law, effective June 1, 2026, provides critical, job-protected time off for employees whose newborns require extended hospitalization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
This legislation recognizes the immense stress and financial pressure facing parents during this unpredictable time, ensuring they can be present for their child without sacrificing their job security.
Key Requirements of the New NICU Leave Act
The Act applies to all Illinois employers with 16 or more employees and is specifically designed to provide time off in addition to standard family and medical leave.
1. Leave Provided Based on Employer Size
The duration of the job-protected leave is tiered based on the size of the company:
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Smaller Employers (16 to 50 employees): Must provide up to 10 days of unpaid, job-protected leave.
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Larger Employers (51 or more employees): Must provide up to 20 days of unpaid, job-protected leave.
The leave must be provided for the maximum number of days specified or the actual length of time the child was a patient in the NICU, whichever is less.
2. Leave is Job-Protected and Follows FMLA
While the leave is unpaid, it comes with strong protections:
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FMLA First: Employees who are eligible for the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must exhaust their FMLA time first.
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NICU Leave is Extra: The new NICU leave is granted upon the completion of and in addition to any leave taken under FMLA, providing a crucial safety net for parents whose child’s NICU stay exceeds the standard 12 weeks of FMLA.
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Job Guarantee: Upon returning from NICU leave, the employee must be reinstated to their former position or a substantially equivalent position with no loss of benefits accrued prior to taking leave.
3. Flexible Use and PTO Prohibition
The law offers flexibility to the employee while setting new limits for the employer:
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Flexible Use: Leave can be taken continuously or intermittently (e.g., shorter shifts to attend medical meetings).
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PTO Prohibition: Employers cannot require the employee to use their existing paid time off (vacation, sick time, etc.) instead of the unpaid NICU leave.
The Massac County Christmas Light Trail
The centerpiece of our holiday celebrations this month is the Massac County Christmas Light Trail!
What it is: This is a county-wide celebration where local residents and businesses light up their homes and storefronts for all to enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to experience the festive spirit from the warmth of your car.
When to See It: The trail is running every night through December 31st, with participants encouraged to keep their dazzling displays on until at least 9:00 PM each evening.
Find the Map: You can find the official map and the curated festive playlist to enhance your drive by visiting the Massac County Christmas Light Trail Facebook page. There are QR codes and clickable links available there!
Cast Your Vote: Don’t forget, voting is currently underway to select the Massac County Christmas Light Trail Grand Champion! Check the organizers’ social media for details on how to weigh in and pick your favorite.
WMOK Community Events Listing
Save The Date
1-1-26, 11-1pm
American Legion (321 Market St.),
Free for all former Allied/Honeywell/DOE workers plus 1 guest
RSVP to Nuclear Care Partners 618-744-0077 by December 29th, 2025
Nuclear Care Partners will be serving a traditional New Year’s Day lunch–buffet style, to serve former Allied/Honeywell workers in the area.
Come to meet the team, mingle with other former atomic workers!
Former Allied/Honeywell workers may be entitled to up to $400,000 in compensation and no-cost medical benefits through the DOL’s EEOICPA.
Must Be 18yrs old to enter & play
WMOK's Coffee Break Program:
We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to
618-524-9209
Send your Job and Career Listings to WMOK
Text the information to 618-524-9209
Links to Local Employers:
Massac Memorial Hospital
MMH is hiring! Join a team that puts patients first and supports the health of our community every day. Compassion. Excellance. Local Care. Apply today at www.massachealth.org/careers or by scanning the QR code.
Rural Health, Inc.
Metropolis Big John
Shawnee Community College
City of Metropolis
Southern Seven Health Department
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