Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 Today’s headlines: The COVID-19 death rate is 22 times higher for the unvaccinated across Illinois, according to a WBEZ analysis. A group of moderate GOP candidates running as a slate hope to make 2022 a Republican wave year in Illinois. Catalytic converters keep disappearing from Champaign-Urbana cars, but because many scrap metal…
CHAMPAIGN — Catalytic converters keep disappearing from Champaign-Urbana cars. The University of Illinois Police Department has already reported seven catalytic converter thefts in 2022. Why someone would steal them, though, is a bit of a mystery for local law enforcement. The metals in the devices are precious, for sure. Palladium, for example, fluctuated in value last…
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois men’s basketball team took 4th-ranked Purdue to double-overtime before succumbing 96-88 on Monday afternoon. Sasha Stefanovic drained 5-8 three-pointers for a team-high 22 points. 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey connected on nine shots in the paint to add 20 for the visitors. The nationally-televised game was billed as a battle of big…
This post was updated Saturday at 11:15 a.m. It will be updated as the National Weather Service updates its forecasts. URBANA – Meteorologists are predicting Central Illinois will receive measurable snowfall on Friday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until Saturday at noon…
URBANA — Janice Walker is no stranger to gun violence. Walker said she knew many friends and neighbors who were shot and killed when she lived in both Chicago and Champaign. The most painful was when she found out that her brother had been shot and killed after breaking up a fight outside of his…
Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: Candidates for county and state offices and judge seats in Illinois can start collecting signatures for the June primary. The state shortened the time to circulate petitions from 90 to 60 days because of the delay in approving new legislative maps. Tens of thousands of Illinoisans are eligible for…
It’s no secret that some underage students at the University of Illinois like to drink at nearby Campustown bars, and that those under 21 have ample opportunity to violate the law at Campustown bars. But throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Champaign Police Department has made it even easier for minors to get away with underage…
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ record-breaking COVID-19 surge is showing no signs of easing. The University of Illinois is expecting another surge of COVID-19 cases as students return to Champaign-Urbana. Police in Urbana say two teenagers are under arrest in the killing of a ride-share driver. In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about…
URBANA — The University of Illinois is expecting a surge of COVID-19 cases as students return to Champaign-Urbana for the spring semester. The goal now is to prevent those who have caught COVID from spreading the virus further, according to epidemiology assistant professor Rebecca Smith. “We really encourage people to be cautious over the next…
Despite a growing need for mental health services in the community, the director of the Counseling Center at the University of Illinois says the resources remain underfunded and understaffed. “I think mental health services everywhere are underfunded,” said Center director Carla McCowan. “How many staff members do you need before you meet demands? What’s that…
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 Today’s headlines: The latest COVID-19 surge caused by omicron is due, in part, to people following outdated advice on rapid testing and large gatherings over the holidays, according to medical expert Dr. Sadiya Khan. Urbana Middle School will stay remote for the rest of this week. Illinois Democrats are predicting action…
LINCOLN, Neb. — Fighting Illini men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood said last night’s game at Nebraska was one he’d been concerned about since the Big Ten conference schedule was published. Illinois prevailed 81-71 Tuesday night in Lincoln, but it took some late heroics by their reserve center “Maybe the coming out party for Omar Payne,”…
URBANA, Jan. 11 — Urbana Middle School will stay with remote instruction for the rest of this week. Absences among staff at Urbana Middle School pushed the school to go virtual this week. District 116 Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum says she doesn’t expect other Urbana schools to go virtual. “Even before Thanksgiving, we have been doing…
Students and staff at Urbana public schools only need to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19. District 116 made the change on Monday, after federal, state and local public health agencies all greenlighted the new quarantine guidance. District 116 Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum said students and staff who are still sick with a…
Since 2019, at least 63 Champaign-Urbana restaurants have failed and 19 have been temporarily closed down by public health officials under a new restaurant inspection system launched that year. On average, health inspectors failed 14 restaurants of 324 restaurants inspected each quarter between 2008 and 2017, according to an earlier analysis of public health department…