Meet huitlacoche, a gnarly corn fungus that’s now gracing plates in the Midwest
A corn infection that farmers dread is also a culinary delicacy in Mexico. Now, farmers, chefs and a secretive vegetable broker are bringing it to one Midwest city.
This 12-foot grass could help farmers earn some extra revenue — and keep their soil healthy
Giant miscanthus is a perennial grass that can be used for energy, building materials and animal bedding. Researchers say it can be planted alongside corn and soybeans and harvested in the winter, offering farmers a way to diversify their income.
Champaign County 2026 Midterm Election results
With the polls closed, IPM News is tracking results for races in Champaign County and across East Central Illinois.
Blue tsunami raises Democrats’ already massive advantages in the Illinois General Assembly
With Democratic blowouts in favor of Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Comptroller-elect Margaret Croke and all other statewide officeholders, Illinois Republicans find themselves in their bleakest position in recent memory.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois November 5-8
Theatrical performances, a painting class, and an early holiday event are all happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Incumbent Aaron Ammons leads in Champaign County clerk’s race
Champaign County’s incumbent clerk, Democrat Aaron Ammons, holds a lead with 53% of the vote over his opponent, Republican Alan Anderson. Incoming mail-in votes could shift that margin.
Illinois 2026 Midterm Election statewide results
The polls are now closed. IPM News and NPR are tracking results for key races in Illinois including governor, U.S. Senate, and several congressional districts.
Will Champaign and Mahomet be able to build new middle schools? Here’s what the preliminary results say
Preliminary results show voter support for bonds for new middle schools in Champaign and Mahomet.
U.S. Rep. LaHood beats Democratic challenger Paul Nolley in Illinois’ 16th District
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood won re-election for a seventh term in Washington, fending off a challenge from a political newcomer who benefitted from Republican unrest but could not overcome a political map that heavily favors the incumbent.
Democrat Juliana Stratton takes reins from Dick Durbin in decisive U.S. Senate victory
Juliana Stratton’s fiery anti-President Trump messaging helped her deliver a resounding victory over Republican Don Tracy in the open U.S. Senate seat to replace Sen. Dick Durbin.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker beats Darren Bailey for 3rd term, leaving one question: Will he run for president?
For the second time in four years, it was a quick election night in the Illinois governor race, which the Associated Press called for Pritzker within a few minutes.
Department of Justice staff monitoring some polling places in Champaign County
Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons confirmed to IPM News that DOJ staff are on site at several polling places in Champaign County, including the Bennett Administrative Center in Urbana.
A Farm Bill needs rural and urban support. That bipartisan coalition is on shaky footing
Food and farm programs historically persist through the farm bill. Packaging multiple cross-party issues into one bill ensures rural and urban legislators come together to pass it. But that coalition has been fracturing over past farm bill cycles, creating uncertainty on the farm and in grocery stores.
19-year-old killed in Halloween mass shooting near IWU is identified, as police continue to search for who and why
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder identified 19-year-old Giana Dettloff, a college student from Carol Stream, as the person shot and killed in the incident.
Free school lunch is no longer on the menu for many kids. It’s one of many strains on cafeterias
Schools in the U.S. serve almost 30 million lunches every day. But rising food costs, regulations and cuts to food assistance mean school kitchens have to do more with less.
Illinois opens up season with win, breezing by FDU
As fans stood cheering for the former Final Four team, the Illini started off on a 19-point scoring run.
Will fourth time be the charm for Mahomet-Seymour school district bond referendum to pass?
Mahomet-Seymour is asking voters to approve bonds for a new junior high. This time the referendum would not raise taxes.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood hammers down on economic struggles and skyrocketing cost of living on 21st Show
As Congresswoman Lauren Underwood seek another term representing Illinois’ 14th district, she emphasized the rising costs of gas, food, and healthcare among other necessities and weighed in on the economic repercussions of the Iran War and President Trump’s tariffs.
