Abigail Bottar
Previously, Abigail worked at Ideastream Public Media in Northeast Ohio. Her reporting on the East Palestine train derailment appeared nationally and internationally, including on the BBC, NPR, MSNBC and Vox's "Today Explained." She started in public radio as a news intern at WKSU and graduated from Kent State University with a degree in political science.
You can reach her at abottar@illinois.edu.

State Rep. Carol Ammons, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons plead not guilty to federal charges
State Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, are facing counts of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

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.

Nearly one year after Mattoon’s water crisis, the city has seen no signs of algal blooms returning
Algal blooms overwhelmed Mattoon’s water system in July 2025, leading to five days of do not drink orders.

Network of climate stations provide critical data, enable real-time decisions during severe weather
The Illinois Climate Network collects data that helps experts and communities make real time decisions during severe weather events.

U of I’s historic round barns set for renovations following $10M alum gift
The historic round barns on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus are being renovated thanks to a $10 million donation from Leah Wightman,

Effingham tornado flattens family-owned Corvette museum, downs trees, power lines
A tornado that tore through Effingham Wednesday night flattened the Mid America Motorworks museum.