
Most American prairies are gone. These people are working to bring them back
From a field on an Illinois university campus, to rare, untouched land in Texas, here are some efforts to replant once-abundant prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains.

U of I Springfield faculty strike continues
A key issue remains salary. The administration is proposing a 1% increase effective March 16, 2026.

Waymo begins testing in Chicago as bill seeks to legalize autonomous vehicles
For the last year, legislators in Springfield have been trying to work through a variety of issues raised by skeptics of the autonomous vehicles, known as AVs.

Temperatures to warm up later this week with chance of rain returning
Temperatures are expected to warm up again by Wednesday with a chance of rain on Friday.

Soon after massive honeybee deaths, Trump moves to close the nation’s premier bee lab
When beekeepers saw widespread honeybee die-offs last year, researchers at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center stepped in to help. The Trump administration now plans to close the facility.

Illinois pursues abortion coverage for people with little or no insurance
Federal law requires the insurers to segregate that money and use it only for abortion care. Illinois’ bill would allow the state to exert greater authority over the funds.

University of Illinois Springfield faculty go on strike
Union voices concerns over inadequate pay after months of negotiations

United Airlines pushes back start date for new Willard Airport flights, citing FAA restrictions
United’s four new daily flights to and from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport will now launch starting June 1. The airline originally planned to have the service kickoff on April 30.

Players, fans in Indianapolis and C-U mourn after Illinois’ historic basketball season comes to an end
Fans and players alike reckoned with the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team’s loss to UConn Saturday night in Indianapolis, bringing the team’s historic season to an end.

UConn reaches 3rd national title game in 4 seasons, beating Illinois 71-62 behind Mullins and Reed
UConn will face Arizona or Michigan on Monday night.

Gallery: Illinois Men’s Basketball makes it to the Final Four in NCAA tournament
Illinois men’s basketball fans made their way to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday as the team participates in the Final Four semifinal for the first time in 21 years.

WATCH: Illini travel to Indiana for the Final Four against UConn
A blog of videos from Illinois Student Newsroom members Elissa Eaton and Cooper O’Kelly.

Illini look to advance to NCAA National Championship for the first time in 21 years
The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team takes on UConn this weekend for the NCAA Final Four National Semifinals. IPM’s Steve Morck and Kimberly Schofield talk about the team’s success this season.

Why the Illinois men’s basketball team’s European recruitment strategy has paid off
“The Balkan Bloc,” a group of six players from Southeast Europe, have helped Illinois punch its ticket to the Final Four. They come from a region with a long history of basketball culture.

Catholic Diocese of Peoria sees increased attendance amid reorganization of the church
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has seen a recent jump in attendance in its parishes. Bishop Louis Tylka said the number of

Attorney General Pam Bondi out at DOJ
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is Trump’s former personal attorney, will step in to serve as acting attorney general, the president said.

State Police vehicle fleet will take 18 years to replace as costs rise, ISP director says
ISP has more than 1,000 vehicles that need to be replaced for age and mileage.

University of Illinois police prepare for Saturday’s Final Four game
Few incidents occurred last weekend when Illinois beat Iowa to move onto the Final Four, according to the University of Illinois Police Department.
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