
Yes, there’s pesticide on your fruits and veggies. Here’s what scientists say you should do
Hundreds of pesticides are legal, but that doesn’t mean that their impacts on health are fully understood. Cleaning produce before eating it reduces your exposure.

Can the WPBL be a long-term success? Yes – if people are patient, experts say
Since Aug.1, the Women’s Pro Baseball League has been playing its inaugural season in Springfield. It’s the fifth league of its kind in U.S. history. Its players hope there is no need for a sixth.

Dolly Parton, one of country music’s most singular performers, has died at age 80
The artist’s death was confirmed in a statement from her representatives, as well as in a video posted to social media from her nephew Bryan Seaver.

University of Illinois classes begin ‘with great energy’
Classes began Monday at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

America @ 250: Callie McFarland asks what America wants to be when it grows up
Callie McFarland has lived in Monticello since 2004. She’s a mother of two, a farmer’s wife and a small business owner. Since 2008, she’s been the director of community and economic development for the city of Monticello.

Data center energy consumption raises concerns about long-term costs and reliability
Illinois is home to more than 240 data centers.

New Champaign Unit 4 Superintendent on the decision to become an educator, how to support students and families
Geovanny Ponce arrived as Unit 4 superintendent in July. He grew up in Honduras and specializes in turning around low-performing schools.

Former Sangamon County deputy convicted of murder dies while in custody
State parole board denied a medical release for Sean Grayson just three weeks ago.

This large Chicago high school rarely suspends its students
Schools in Illinois suspend Black students at much higher rates than white students. Kenwood Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side stands out for bucking that trend.

Teen arrested for robbery in Campustown
Four teenagers are accused of committing aggravated robbery in Champaign’s Campustown Tuesday.

Pritzker signs disaster proclamation to aid Illinois communities in storm cleanup efforts
The relief will be available to 15 counties after recent severe and record-breaking storms.

This Springfield high school has one of the highest rates of suspensions for Black students in Illinois
There were fewer than 500 Black students at Lanphier High School in the 2024-2025 school year, but they received almost four times that number of in-school and out-of-school suspensions.

Champaign Unit 4 School District would like to build a fourth middle school. It needs approval from voters
The school board is putting the question to voters in a ballot referendum – do they support the school district selling bonds to build and rebuild its middle schools?

Flood Watch issued for Central Illinois
The Flood Watch begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday and will continue until 1 a.m. Thursday.

Can purple corn replace some synthetic food dyes? Midwest scientists see potential
Shades of red extracted from an ancient corn variety held up to heat and other conditions typical of food processing and storage. Researchers are exploring whether this natural dye alternative could open new markets for Midwest farmers.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 20 – 23
Dance lessons for people with Parkinson’s, live music, a sale for dumpster-reclaimed items and more are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.

Rantoul teen found dead after flooding accident in rural Champaign County
The county coroner’s office said the body of Elias A. Smith, 17 was found Monday in a flooded drainage ditch in Condit Township, west of Rantoul.

As Urbana District 116 students return to school, parents reflect on outgoing superintendent
Monday was the first day of school in Urbana District 116. It also marked the beginning of Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum’s last year in charge.


