Urbana community grocery store location finalized on Lincoln Avenue
HeartStrong Grocery CEO Angela Bradley has signed a lease with Urbana to build the grocery store at the intersection of Bradley and Lincoln avenues.
Champaign first responders complete joint school shooting response training
Police and firefighters trained on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at St. Thomas More High School in Northwest Champaign.
A new heritage trail aims to honor Champaign-Urbana’s Asian community
In Champaign County, 12.5% of the population identifies as Asian.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 16 – July 19
Take your family to a farm play date, solve a disco murder mystery hear a country music star and more in Central Illinois this weekend.
Urbana City Council signs off on housing development on West Main Street
The council voted 4-1 to allow the 32-unit apartment building to be built along Boneyard Creek following significant debate among residents.
Silos are disappearing from the farm landscape. One woman wants to track them down before they do
For 150 years, silos have been a fixture of the Corn Belt, but efforts to preserve them have been haphazard.
Hot rotisserie chicken soon could be among the foods eligible under federal food benefits
Congressional lawmakers are looking to add rotisserie chicken to the list of foods people can purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Currently, the program excludes hot and pre-prepared foods.
Tornadoes are breaking records in new Midwest states this year as Tornado Alley moves east
The majority of tornadoes this year have blasted through states in the Midwest and Southeast, including Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa. Tornado activity has been increasing east of the Great Plains in recent decades.
America @ 250: Father Johndamaseni Zilimu asks how we become peacemakers
Father Johndamaseni Zilimu is pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Champaign. Father John was born in Tanzania and moved to the U.S. in 2000. He received his doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2014.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after brief illness; Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks publicly after weeks of mystery about his health
Sen. Lindsey Graham likely died after aorta rupture, medical examiner says.
UPDATE: Ammonses deny wrongdoing following indictment by federal grand jury for alleged wire fraud, obstruction of justice
A federal grand jury alleges the Urbana state representative created a scheme to “defraud the State of Illinois” and enrich herself and her family members. The Ammonses reject the allegations and say the legal process will show they are innocent.
In the fight to save prairies, some Great Plains ranchers embrace a new landscape – with goats
These ranchers tried to protect grassland from trees and shrubs in all the traditional ways. It didn’t work. So they brought in hungry goats that turned woody plants into a cash stream.
Republicans call for more transparency, accountability after ‘disgraceful week’ for House Democrats
After one House Democrat was indicted this week and another resigned amid an ethics investigation last week, House Republicans are calling for transparency and accountability.
Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore grants for underserved farmers
A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.
A potent weedkiller can drift for miles, killing crops and trees. EPA’s new rules may not stop it
New federal rules for dicamba aim to help cotton and soybean farmers control weeds. But the herbicide, which can kill other crops and trees, remains controversial.
Urbana City Council delays vote on West Main Street housing project, amends minimum parking requirements
The city council once again heard from public commenters on both sides of the debate surrounding the redevelopment project, setting the stage for a possible vote next Monday.
Trump reduced tariffs on farm machinery. But prices could still increase
The Trump administration lowered tariffs on farm equipment last month. But with economic pressures on farmers, equipment dealers and manufacturers, the move may not bring much relief.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 9 – July 12
Win prizes at a night of drag comedy bingo, see a documentary screening about an Illinois-based rock band or try more local events this weekend in Central Illinois.
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