Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker could decide whether 43 people in Pontiac prison will have their aggravated battery sentences commuted. Illinois legislators are relaxing their chambers’ masking rules with the continued decline in COVID-19 cases. Two Champaign County residents affected by the Peoples Gas methane leak have filed a class…
CENTRALIA, Ill. — It was supposed to be a fun weekend getaway to celebrate Mandi Miller’s 30th birthday. She and her husband, Austin Elkins, chose an Airbnb on Lake Centralia in Illinois that was dog-friendly, a must for the suburban St. Louis couple. Just moments after arriving on an unseasonably warm September day, their beloved…
For more than 30 years, the radio talk show Focus 580 was a mainstay of the WILL-AM program schedule, during a time when national daytime programming for public radio was scarce. The weekday program featuring host David Inge kept its listeners in touch with their local community and with the world.
CHAMPAIGN — A new business in Champaign County specializes in providing mental health support during and after pregnancy. The Village started in the era of remote therapy and the founders plan to keep it that way. “Our population actually works very well with virtual, because if you’re not feeling well, you’re at home with a…
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: The 2022 campaign season started Monday as candidates lined up to turn in petitions to get their names on the June 28 primary election ballot. Candidates for elected office across the state lined up at the Illinois State Board of Elections to submit nominating petitions as the filing period began. Among…
Monday, March 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: One Illinois Democratic operative feels vindicated after the federal corruption case filed last week against her former boss -Michael Madigan. A research team at the University of Illinois finds that most oncology dietitians don’t receive enough food insecurity training to help their patients. At the end of last year,…
URBANA – Ripple effects from the war in Ukraine will likely be felt in all corners of the globe — especially when it comes to the food supply. The conflict is exacerbating already-existing supply chain disruptions and sky-high food prices. Not to mention, Ukraine and Russia provide nearly 30 percent of the world’s wheat and…
CHAMPAIGN — Two things needed to happen for the Illini men to win a share of the Big Ten men’s basketball championship yesterday. Last-place Nebraska needed to beat first-place Wisconsin, in Madison, without its best player, Bryce McGowens. Then, Illinois needed to beat the league’s hottest team, 24th-ranked Iowa. Both happened. But not before the…
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois men’s basketball team overcame a crafty Penn State defense for a 60-55 win Thursday night in Champaign. First year Penn State coach Micah Shrewsberry dedicated his defenders to shutting down Illinois’ inside-out game, preventing top scorers Kofi Cockburn and Alfonso Plummer from getting shots. That left Da’Monte Williams open. “I’ve coached…
Friday, March 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Democrats are struggling with their messaging after the federal indictment of their longtime leader Michael Madigan. The top infectious disease expert at the Champaign Urbana Public Health District says the governor’s recent decision to lift the mask mandate does not mean people should stop wearing masks. The University…
As Ukraine continues to fight against Russian forces, experts warned of potential fallout for the U.S. agriculture industry. On Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine, and Russian troops stormed into the country. Reportedly, tens of thousands have died, and about half a million people have fled their homes, according to…
CHAMPAIGN — A network of legal aid groups across Illinois is hoping to expand, and is asking for more state money to do so. Tanya D. Woods is one of the nonprofit leaders behind Illinois Access to Justice. She says the places that are called food deserts due to a lack of grocery stores are…
Thursday, March 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan potentially faces decades in prison if he’s convicted of alleged racketeering. Illinois Democrats say they’re focused on the future following the indictment of former speaker of the House Michael Madigan. Elsewhere, a network of legal aid groups across Illinois is hoping to expand…
WASHINGTON — The White House is unveiling a new roadmap for the COVID-19 pandemic, one that envisions life going back to normal after two years of crisis, providing for people to get tested and treat the disease, while staying vigilant for new variants and outbreaks. “We are no longer going to let COVID-19 dictate how…
URBANA — Illinois schools are signing up for a new state tutoring initiative to help the students who struggled most in remote school. By this summer, the state plans to send tutors out three times a week to 48 school districts across Illinois. School districts in Danville, Decatur, Rantoul and Urbana are among those eligible…