708e6e06-b5e8-4f2e-b33b-1b884c134e77-0 2

Hear Today's WMOK News Check Below

Touch Listen in Browse or the Play Button in the Soundcloud Player Below:

Hello Metropolis, Massac County and Beyond!

8:05 PM

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (CDT)

Sunset in Metropolis, IL

5:58 AM
Thursday, July 30, 2026 (CDT)
Sunrise in Metropolis, IL

Listen Now – WMOK Live Stream

Traffic:

Get a live view of I-24 and Brookport Bridge Traffic via Waze

WMOK Text Line:

Text us at 618-524-9209

Is there a news topic you’ve been wondering about? Click below to text us your questions, thoughts and comments.

CLICK TO TEXT NEWS

Listen at 920AM on your radio or streaming worldwide at 920wmok.com

In from the National Weather Service:

WMOK (Massac County, IL) — Massac County can expect bright, sunny skies today with highs reaching near 87 degrees and a light north wind. Clear and mild conditions will continue into the evening, with temperatures dropping to around 67 degrees.

Sunny weather persists into Thursday with highs again near 87 degrees under a light easterly breeze. Nighttime will bring partly cloudy skies with low temperatures hovering around 67 degrees.

By Friday, expect partly sunny skies with highs near 88 degrees. A slight 20 percent chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms develops in the afternoon and carries into the evening hours.

School Supply Lists and Teacher Wish Lists Needed for Upcoming School Year

WMOK – MASSAC COUNTY, IL — As a new school year approaches, Massac County Unit 1 and Joppa-Maple Grove schools are encouraged to submit their classroom supply lists to WMOK. Lists will be added to the dedicated School & Sports News section on 920wmok.com to help local families prepare.

Submissions can be sent directly to WMOK:

Text Line: 618-524-9209
Email: wmoknews@gmail.com

In addition to supply lists, local teachers are invited to send links to their classroom Amazon Wish Lists. Sharing these links allows listening families across Metropolis, Joppa, Unionville, and all throughout Massac County to directly support teachers and their students heading into the classroom.

Nighttime Mobile Work Zone Scheduled for Interstate 24 in McCracken County

WMOK –

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) schedules overnight mobile maintenance operations along Interstate 24 in McCracken County for July 28 and July 29, weather permitting.

Crews use a slow-moving mobile caravan in the left lane to spray roadside vegetation along the interior guardrails and the interstate cable barrier.

Maintenance Details

Location: Interstate 24 (Mile Markers 0 to 17, both directions)
Schedule: July 28 and July 29, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. nightly
Impact: Mobile left-lane closures

Work crews plan to begin operations on eastbound I-24 before moving to the westbound lanes.

Driver Safety Advisory

Motorists traveling through McCracken County during these hours should exercise extra caution, reduce speed, and watch for advance signage and arrow trucks. When passing the slow-moving work caravan, drivers should remain alert and give crews plenty of room to operate safely.

How the Golconda Police Chief Termination Unfolded (Updating)

Current Status: Golconda Mayor Gail Barger unexpectedly relieved Police Chief Steve Walker of his duties, leaving interim coverage to the Pope County Sheriff’s Department.
Key Findings: Records obtained via FOIA revealed five grounds for termination, including investigation delays, improper profiling, and refusal of duties.

Stay tuned as this story develops. For complete coverage and ongoing updates, follow How the Golconda Police Chief Termination Unfolded at 920WMOK.com.

Follow the community conversations on the WMOK Facebook Page

Coming Up in Metropolis and Massac County

Metropolis and Massac County Community Events

We are in the process of adding events to the WMOK Community Events listing for July and August.

Have a local event?

Send details to the WMOK Text Line at 618-524-9209, email wmoknews@frontier.com, message our Facebook, or mail 339 Fairgrounds Road.

Wednesday, July 29

Day: Wednesday | Event: SMART Recovery | Time: 4:30 PM | Location: MCDAC Office

Wednesday | Event: School Supply Drive | Time: 5:00 PM | Location: Community Center

Harrah’s Metropolis to Host Back to School Supply Giveaway at Metropolis Community Center

METROPOLIS, IL — Local families gearing up for the upcoming school year will have an opportunity to pick up free supplies and access health resources later this week in Metropolis.

Harrah’s Metropolis, along with local partners including the Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition, will host the annual Back to School Supply Giveaway & More on Wednesday, July 29, at the Metropolis Community Center.

The event is set to kick off in two phases:

4:00 PM: Dental Safari and Massac Memorial Hospital will be on-site providing health resources and services.
5:00 PM: The official school supply giveaway begins.

Organizers expressed gratitude to all of the local businesses and organizations that donated supplies, time, and volunteer efforts to help support area students for the upcoming school year.

For more local community news, listeners can tune in at 920AM on their radio or stream worldwide at 920wmok.com.

5-7pm Trinity Food Pantry at 6th and Metropolis streets is open, specializing in Fresh Produce, with bread/meat/eggs when available. Clothing is available as well

Thursday, July 30

Thursday | Event: Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families Meeting | Time: 4:00 PM | Location: MCDAC Office

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

Friday, July 31

Nifty Needles at the Metropolis Public Library

Looking to wrap up your week with some creative company? The Nifty Needles group meets this afternoon at the Metropolis Public Library! Whether you are a master of the crochet hook or just casting on your first knitting project, all skill levels are welcome to join in.

When: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Where: Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis Street
What: A social hour for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and more
The Vibe: A craft session—short, sweet, and social!

It is the perfect chance to “just breathe” after a long week, swap patterns, and enjoy some yarn therapy. Grab your current project and head downtown to join the fun.

Friday | Event: AA | Time: 7:00 PM | Location: Metropolis Library

Important Dates for Your Calendar

August 10: Teacher In-Service (Massac Unit 1 & Joppa-Maple Grove)
August 11: Teacher In-Service (Massac Unit 1 & Joppa-Maple Grove)
August 12: First Day of School (Massac Unit 1: 2pm Dismissal; Joppa-Maple Grove: First day back)
September 7: No School — Labor Day (Massac Unit 1)

School Registration Information

Massac Unit 1: Online re-registration for students returning in Grades 1 through 12 is available now through the Alma portal. For further details and to get your students registered, visit the official Massac Unit 1 registration page.
Joppa-Maple Grove: Existing students should log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal to complete registration. If you are new to the district or need assistance with your portal account, please reach out to the school office at mbaughman@joppa38.com.

Harrah’s Metropolis to Host Back to School Supply Giveaway at Metropolis Community Center

METROPOLIS, IL — Local families gearing up for the upcoming school year will have an opportunity to pick up free supplies and access health resources later this week in Metropolis.

The event is set to kick off in two phases:

4:00 PM: Dental Safari and Massac Memorial Hospital will be on-site providing health resources and services.
5:00 PM: The official school supply giveaway begins.

Organizers expressed gratitude to all of the local businesses and organizations that donated supplies, time, and volunteer efforts to help support area students for the upcoming school year.

Massac County Youth Soccer Registration Now Open for Fall Season

METROPOLIS, Ill. — Registration is officially underway for the Massac Youth Soccer League’s upcoming fall season, offering local youth the chance to develop athletic skills and teamwork.

The league is open to children ranging from age group U6 (4 and 5-year-olds) up to U12 (10 and 11-year-olds). Organizers clarified that the U12 division will also include 6th-grade students, even if they have already turned 12 years old.

Key dates for the upcoming season include:

Registration Deadline: Friday, August 21st
First Practice: Monday, August 24th
First Game: Saturday, September 12th
Last Game: Saturday, October 31st

Parents and guardians interested in signing up their young athletes can register online through the Massac County Youth Soccer League Portal.

Final Pre-K and Kindergarten Screenings Announced for Metropolis Elementary School

METROPOLIS, IL — Metropolis Elementary School has announced details for its upcoming final Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten screenings ahead of the new school year.

The required screenings are mandatory for all incoming Pre-K and Kindergarten students who were not previously screened during the Spring 2026 session.

Final Screening Date and Time

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Metropolis Elementary School
Duration: Approximately 1 hour per child

To reserve a screening slot, parents and guardians must schedule an appointment in advance by calling Kristin Rousseau at 618-524-9376, ext. 101.

What to Bring to the Appointment

Parents attending the screening with their child are required to bring the following documentation:

State-issued birth certificate
Proof of residency
Up-to-date immunization records
Completed school physical

In-Person Registration Information

School officials remind families that attending a screening does not replace the registration process. Kindergarten students must also complete in-person registration prior to starting classes.

In-person registration is scheduled for Monday, August 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Metropolis Elementary School for all new or returning K–6 students who are unable to complete registration online.

Feelin’ Good Summer Concert Series Finale Features Wildflower Honey and The Hot Biscuits

WMOK (Massac County, IL) —

WMOK – METROPOLIS, IL — The City National Bank of Metropolis and the Greater Metropolis Convention & Visitors Bureau are coming together to host a special event to wrap up the beloved seasonal music showcase with a grand finale at Washington Park.

The event, titled “Wildflower Honey and The Hot Biscuits at CNB’s Feelin’ Good Summer Concerts at the Gazebo!” is set for Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Local residents, music lovers, and families are invited to gather around the park gazebo for two entertaining hours of live music, celebrating the end of the summer concert series. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the evening’s performance in the heart of Metropolis.

1st Pope County Historical Society Family History Day - Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Museum, 112 N. Columbus Ave. in Golconda

The Pope County Historical Society is hosting its 1st Family History Day on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the museum located at 112 N. Columbus Ave. in Golconda. This free community event is open to everyone—attendees do not need to have Pope County ancestry to benefit from the resources and presentations available throughout the day.

Event Highlights & Sales

To help support the ongoing operating expenses of the organization, the Society will have a variety of items available for purchase:

Genealogy & History Materials: A large collection of donated genealogy books, history books, and magazines.
Media & Refreshments: DVDs, CDs, and fresh baked goods.

Schedule of Events

Morning Session

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | “What is Evidence/Using Common Genealogical Websites”
- Professional Genealogist Rick Allen will present on what constitutes valid genealogical evidence and demonstrate how to navigate key research websites to uncover ancestral roots.

Mid-Day

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break
- Attendees are encouraged to support local Golconda restaurants for lunch.

Afternoon Session

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Afternoon Activities
- Guided Museum Tours: Explore local history with special guided tours of the facility.
- Individual Genealogy Consultations: Attendees facing research “brick walls” can take advantage of a free 30-minute consultation with Rick Allen. Consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a slot, email a description of the research problem to rick@backstorybloodhound.com.
- Pope Pioneer Program: Learn about the process to have early ancestors officially certified as a Pope Pioneer.

WMOK Coffee Break

WMOK's Coffee Break Program:

Coffee Break Archive

Upcoming Coffee Break Programs:

Metropolis Police Chief Harry Masse

Metropolis Mayor Gregg Jeffords

We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to

618-524-9209

Coffee Break - WMOK's Community Affairs Program - Jun 30, 2026 456 views

Echoes of the Past: Remembering Metropolis's History of Sacrifice and the Loss of Marshal "Dump" Oakes Jun 30, 2026 46 views

We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to

618-524-9209

Job and Career Listings

Send your Job and Career Listings to WMOK Text the information to 618-524-9209

WMOK Obtains Official Termination Notice for Former Golconda Police Chief Steve Walker

WMOK has obtained the official termination notice for former Golconda Police Chief Steve Walker. Read the five specific grounds cited by Mayor Gail Barger.

Jul 24, 2026 2.31K views

WMOK Seeks Public Records Following Sudden Relief of Golconda Police Chief - RE: City of Golconda Police Chief Relieved of his Duties

WMOK Seeks Public Records Following Sudden Relief of Golconda Police Chief GOLCONDA, IL - Following Wednesday's sudden announcement by Mayor Gail Barger that Golconda Police Chief Steve Walker has been relieved of his duties effective immediately, WMOK has taken formal steps to seek transparency and official documentat...

Jul 23, 2026 1.54K views

How the Golconda Police Chief Termination Unfolded (Updating)

WMOK News - Metropolis, IL - The shakeup in Golconda's city leadership has left Southern Illinois residents with questions over the past week. What began as a sudden announcement from City Hall has quickly developed into an unfolding story of public record requests and allegations involving local law enforcement leader...

Jul 28, 2026 700 views

Traffic Stop Leads to Suspension Charge for Out-of-State Driver

METROPOLIS, IL - An out-of-state driver was taken into custody following a traffic stop in Metropolis earlier this month. According to an arrest summary from the Metropolis Police Department, 34-year-old Joseph Campbell of Mobile, Alabama, was arrested on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Officers cited Campbell for speeding, no...

Jul 28, 2026 404 views

Massac County High School Class of 1989 Plans Summer Reunion

The Massac County High School Class of 1989 is officially gearing up for a summer celebration. A "Save the Date" announcement has been issued for the upcoming class reunion, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The event will be held at the Elks Lodge in Metropolis, offering classmates...

Jul 22, 2026 298 views