Tuesday, May 31, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will sign into law a measure funneling $700 million annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes to improve their quality of care. The Champaign Public Library’s new director starts this week, replacing the current director, Donna Pittman. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on…
The American Rescue Plan promised $4 billion in debt relief to “socially disadvantaged farmers.” But a swarm of lawsuits from banks and white farmers alleging discrimination has put the aid on hold. Barbara Norman remembers exactly how she felt when she first opened the letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was a cold,…
URBANA – There were few disagreements in a debate between the Democratic newcomers hoping to represent the newly drawn 13th congressional district, which stretches from East St. Louis to Champaign. David Palmer, a former basketball player, and businessman, and Nikki Budzinski, a former aide to President Joe Biden and Governor J.B. Pritzker, debated on Thursday…
COLUMBIA – Mo. — Offshoots of the omicron coronavirus variant have driven a spike in cases in the U.S. Some scientists believe clues to how these subvariants emerge lie in wastewater, and tracking them down could help prevent the next dangerous strain of the virus. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s4780019/audio/2022/05/covidvariants-web-edit.mp3 Listen to this story here. Marc Johnson, a professor…
Friday, May 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: Democratic candidates for Illinois’ 13th district David Palmer and Nikki Budzinski met Thursday night for a debate ahead of the June 28th primary. Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth isn’t optimistic that any gun control legislation will pass the Senate this year, even after the school shooting in Texas this…
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Republican lawmakers in Washington have condemned the mass shooting in Texas but they’re defending gun rights. US Representative Rodney Davis issued a statement calling Tuesday’s shooting “pure evil,” but says taking guns away from law-abiding citizens won’t stop the violence. He proposes strengthening school security, investing in resource officers, and gun safety…
WASHINGTON — In the wake of the 27th school shooting of 2022, Democrats in Congress are asking for more than thoughts and prayers. After the death of 19 children in Uvalde, Texas, today’s discussions on Capitol Hill centered around the need for bipartisan action to curb gun violence. U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, whose 17th Congressional…
Thursday, May 26, 2022 Today’s headlines: After the school shooting in Texas, Democrats in Congress are once again calling on Republicans to help tighten gun control laws. Illinois Republican lawmakers in Washington have condemned the mass shooting in Texas, but they’re defending gun rights. While most students in Champaign Unit 4 schools are home for…
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 Today’s headlines: Starting next month, the Illinois Department of Public Health will scale back the way it contacts people about COVID-19 infection. The white gunman who killed 10 African Americans in a supermarket in Buffalo was motivated by hate according to police and a 180-page document he allegedly published online. Illinois’…
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker has signed the “Jelani Day” bill into law, amending the Missing Persons Identification Act in hopes of preventing a repeat of what the Day family experienced last year. When Jelani Day went missing, his body was not found for nearly two weeks. Once found, Day’s remains went unidentified for three…
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Attorney General is warning people to look out for baby formula scams as the shortages continue. A new analysis has found that crop insurance premium subsidies cost taxpayers nearly $40 billion over 20 years across states in the Mississippi River Basin. Beginning in July, all letters, photos…
URBANA — In 2018, when Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons took office, there were only 10 early voting locations in the county. This year, there will be 30. “I’m trying to do everything I can to increase the participation from voters in a midterm election.” That’s why we’ve been pushing vote by mail so much,…
CHAMPAIGN – Over the weekend, the Champaign County History Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary with several activities designed to engage and educate the community. The events ranged from an open house to lemonade shakeups to an appearance by the museum’s historic popcorn truck. The museum also debuted two history walks: one through the downtown Champaign…
PORTLAND, Maine — The scene seems straight out of a movie: A young couple stands solemnly before the judge. They’ve been married just a year, and they’re here – for the second time – to ask for a divorce. A month ago, the same judge gave them a hard time, then said no. He still…
Monday, May 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Prisoner Review Board will have its first parole hearing in months next week after state senators rejected two nominees to the board and a third resigned. Early voting is underway in Illinois until the June 28 primary. The Champaign County History Museum observed its 50th anniversary since…