Scammers try to take advantage of tornado damage, Illinois lawmakers look to stop them
After natural disasters, scammers take the opportunity to pressure people who are devastated by the storm into paying for work that is not covered by insurance — or the scammers never return to start the repairs.
Asking for help is a sign of strength: How one Urbana nursery is redefining family crisis
Hundreds of families are served each year at Crisis Nursery — the only 24-hour, 365-day emergency child care facility in Champaign County. The organization also runs programs aimed at supporting child and family well-being.
More rain expected tonight but rest of week looking dry after severe storms
Many places in Central Illinois are cleaning up after two rounds of severe storms Monday.
UPDATED: FBI confirms it’s in Champaign-Urbana, but ICE is not
Federal agents are planning to be in Champaign-Urbana this week — but not for immigration enforcement.
Animal activists celebrate their first global ‘Sanctuary Day’
The Farm Micro Sanctuary in Indiana is one of more than a dozen farm animal shelters in the Midwest.
Trump and top officials were likely targets at media dinner, Justice Dept. head says
WASHINGTON — The accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and
Grad student and teacher win the 2026 Christie Clinic Marathon, thousands travel to Champaign to compete in annual race
More than 5,000 runners from across the country and around the world took part in the Christie Clinic Race Weekend.
Illinois lawmakers debate data center regulations in response to growing energy and water use concerns
State lawmakers in Springfield are debating how to regulate data centers as proposals for new facilities spark concerns over their impact on utility costs and water reservoirs.
About 1 in 4 eligible Champaign County voters cast ballots in this year’s primary election
This year’s voter turnout was on par with past midterm primary elections. This year, about a third of voters cast ballots by mail — up from about a fifth in the most recent midterm primary election in 2022.
Champaign County Board approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Board was previously considering a nine month moratorium on data centers.
Champaign-Urbana street closures to begin soon ahead of Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
The 5K run/walk takes place Friday. The Marathon takes place on Saturday.
‘To just be a big brother’: Fighting Illini Men’s Gymnastics team supports 9-year-old Owen en route to NCAA Championship
The Besch family reached out to Team Impact. This organization was founded in 2011 and is built on making sure kids develop socially and never feel alone.
Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar on working with Illinois Democrats, immigration, and Pritzker’s relationship with federal government
Del Mar recently appeared on the 21st Show and discussed how he found similarities with Darren Bailey despite being from two different parts of the state, Democrats in Illinois, immigration policies, and Governor Pritzker’s relationship with President Trump.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor signs 2026 climate action plan— without fossil fuels divestment
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. signed the Illinois Climate Action Plan Wednesday, but it’s missing a key provision students have been advocating for.
Urbana testing out new road design on part of Lincoln Avenue to improve pedestrian safety
The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that includes a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.
Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage
The secretary of state adjusted hiring requirements as schools and transportation providers worked to grow the workforce.
Urbana residents will soon be opted in to an electric aggregation program. Here’s what you need to know
Urbana residents have been automatically opted in to an electrical aggregation program, unless they’ve already opted out.
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