Urbana superintendent questions researchers’ ranking of district test scores
New national data by Stanford researchers presents Urbana as one of the lowest-performing school districts in Illinois.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 21 – May 24
Jazz in the Park, musicals for children and adults, and architectural tours are all happening in central IL this weekend.
Public health officials address hantavirus questions on 21st Show
Two local public health officials discussed how people can get exposed to Hantavirus and what protective measures are helpful on the 21st Show.
NPR trims jobs in newsroom overhaul as it confronts era without public funding
The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom.
House passage of E15 bill praised in corn states, but its future is uncertain in the Senate
The House passed a bill to allow the year-round sale of E15 – a priority in farm states – following infighting among Republicans.
Thunderstorms to continue today
Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be drier with sunshine.
How the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision could impact Illinois and explaining Dick Durbin’s ‘John Lewis Voting Rights Act’
WNIJ’s Peter Medlin talked with Northern Illinois University professor Scot Schraufnagel about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to cut key parts of the Voting Rights Act and a bill Senator Dick Durbin has introduced multiple times to restore the Voting Rights Act.
UPDATE: Test results show case in Winnebago County was not Hantavirus
The resident is no longer considered a potential case of Hantavirus and no further public health action is needed.
Federal drug discount expansion proposal may cost Illinois millions, agency head says
Memo details how expanding 340B program would impact private health plans and state employee insurance
How one program is working to bring Corn Belt farmers together for conservation agriculture
Corn Belt farmers are in the midst of multiple crises.
With U of I’s spring semester over, Champaign-Urbana MTD to reduce fixed-route bus service over the summer
Starting Saturday, there will be reduced frequencies on bus routes around town, according to an announcement from the MTD. The transit agency reduces service during the University of Illinois summer break.
Box turtles are back for the summer. Here’s how to help them survive another year
The creatures are particularly vulnerable this time of year to getting hit by cars or plucked from the wild by curious observers as they trek to their summer stomping grounds.
Senate Democrats introduce bills to regulate artificial intelligence
The eight-bill package tackles consumer protection, education, and transparency.
It’s a hard time to be a farmer. Many can struggle, but help is available
Farmers have one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. of any occupation, and in rural communities, suicide rates tend to be higher than in urban areas. Mental health initiatives, like the statewide Farm Family Resource Center, aim to help.
Champaign considers increase in stormwater utility fee, seeks funding for road maintenance
Champaign’s draft capital improvements plan discusses various road and infrastructure projects. Officials discussed concerns with the adoption of electric vehicles, noting the change is reducing local gas tax revenue for road improvements.
Historic Urbana home that played host to local music closes its doors
The closing of “The Mirror” venue came earlier than expected, after damage to the flooring below the living room made it unsafe to host events.
These seed banks preserve crucial corn and soy varieties. A federal plan may put them at risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing moving the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center and the National Soybean Germplasm Collection from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, where they’ve both been housed for decades.
People with mental illness are stuck in Illinois jails awaiting treatment. A task force seeks solutions
Hundreds of people found unfit to stand trial in Illinois wait months in county jails for a psychiatric bed. Despite an amendment intended to help defendants access treatment more quickly, wait times have increased over the past three years.
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