
Her car was stolen and used in a homicide. Now she cannot get it back
Champaign resident Mary Melton, 64, lost her car and ability to get to work after the vehicle was stolen and involved in a homicide. She’s still fully liable for the car loan even though police say she won’t be getting the car back.

Emmy-nominated talk show host and University of Illinois alumnus Sean Evans selected as 2026 commencement speaker
Sean Evans graduated from U of I with a degree in broadcast journalism in 2008 and is the co-creator and host of the popular YouTube show “Hot Ones.”

Illinois officials say the state is mostly insulated from Trump’s election threats
Federal rhetoric about election intervention hasn’t yet translated into concrete action, election officials say.

AgTech Week brings pitch competition for startups, discussions on biomanufacturing to Champaign-Urbana
AgTech Week is a celebration of Champaign-Urbana’s ag tech industry.

Urbana City Council’s newest member says he’s focused on affordability, opportunities for youth
Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams appointed Verdell Jones III to fill a vacancy in Ward 4. Jones is a firefighter in Champaign and leads a nonprofit that uses sports to mentor young people.

217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Mar. 12 – Mar. 15
The Jupiter String Quartet, a pet supply sale, the Lucky Dog 5K, and of course, live music.

Knox College professor turns prairie, loss into poems in ‘Broken Hallelujah’
The poems in “Broken Hallelujah” are rooted in prairie life, but they are also shaped by grief — and the changing seasons of Kitchen’s life, from her mother’s death to entering her own era of becoming a grandmother.

The primary election is during U of I’s spring break. Some students are working to increase turnout
With the primary election on the horizon, some student organizations are trying to get the word out to students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign about the importance of turning up to vote.

Here’s where Illinois Republicans running for U.S. Senate stand on three key issues
Where do Republican candidates running for the U.S. Senate stand on three major issues in this race: ICE, America in the world, and Elections and Democracy?

Homelessness is a growing problem in Champaign County. A group of local organizations aims to help
The Champaign County Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless is creating a strategic plan to end homelessness, in partnership with the national nonprofit Homebase. Local officials say the goal is functional-zero homelessness, where homelessness is rare, brief and one-time.

Here’s where Illinois Democrats running for U.S. Senate stand on three key issues
Where do Democratic candidates running for the U.S. Senate stand on three major issues in this race: immigration, healthcare and Israel’s war in Gaza?

WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Mar. 12 – Mar. 15
A performance by the Jupiter String Quartet, a 5K where you can bring your dog, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.

217 Today: Knox College professor turns prairie, loss into poems in “Broken Hallelujah”
In western Illinois, there are gravel roads cut through open prairie, writer and Knox College professor Cyn Kitchen has been paying attention to seasons, to loss, and to faith.

Large hail and tornadoes cause major damage in Illinois on Tuesday
Tornado Watch for Champaign, DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Menard, Piatt, Sangamon and Vermilion Counties until Wednesday at 2am.

IPM News Voter Guide: Who is on the ballot for Illinois’ March 17 primary?
From Champaign County Executive to U.S. Senate and congressional races, several local and statewide competitions are on the March 17 ballot for voters in Central Illinois.

Multiple polling places in Champaign County will be closed for Primary Election Day
15 polling locations will be unavailable on Election Day in Champaign County due to a lack of election judges. Voters can visit any polling place to cast a ballot.

Illinois reparations commission publishes report on history of racial inequality
In nearly 300 pages, “Taking Account” outlines the policies and legal systems the state has used to exclude and harm African Americans since its founding.

Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg and Dusty May take top AP All-Big Ten honors
Michigan won three of the top four Associated Press Big Ten men’s basketball awards Tuesday, with Yaxel Lendeborg voted player
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