Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: State officials are advising people to stay off the roads as much as possible the next couple of days during the winter storm. Snow crews across Champaign County are working twelve-hour shifts to clear the roads. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker isn’t letting a snowstorm derail his push for tax…
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: A major winter storm could drop around a foot of snow on Champaign County and other parts of central Illinois from Tuesday into Thursday. Truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border — in either direction — are now required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine. Lawmakers in Springfield will consider legislation that would…
Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker intends to offer potential savings for voters in a new election-year budget. Illinois joined a growing number of states when it enacted a 2019 law to help military members and their spouses get professional licenses more quickly. The air in rural areas may be as…
URBANA — A new study suggests the notion of clean, country air might be misleading. Traditionally, air quality has been measured by the size of pollution particles or, more scientifically, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. Considered that way, urban air tends to be more polluted than rural air because the…
Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring after nearly 30 years. President Joe Biden pledged during his campaign that he intends to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court. A recent study finds that the teacher shortage in Illinois school districts has worsened. Illinois lawmakers will hold a…
URBANA – A study by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools finds that 88 percent of schools say they have a teacher shortage. Seventy-seven percent report the problem is getting worse. And more than 90 percent of Illinois districts expect it to get worse for the next two years. Champaign and Ford County…
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign teachers are willing to strike to protest Unit 4’s latest contract offer. That contract would extend the elementary school day by 50 minutes, starting in the fall of 2023. On Wednesday, about 700 Unit 4 teachers gathered at Jefferson Middle School in Champaign. 91 percent voted to authorize their union to strike….
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: Champaign teachers are willing to strike over Unit 4’s latest contract offer, which would extend the elementary school day by 50 minutes. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday $220 million for projects to improve transit systems and ports outside of the Chicago area. A new study suggests CBD, the non-psychoactive ingredient of…
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Senator Dick Durbin says the United States will not put up with a Russian attempt to invade Ukraine. Two Illinois companies have proposed pipelines that would store carbon deep underground in Illinois, which could help offset carbon emissions. Because of the forecasted wind chills and a lack of school…
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois men’s basketball team beat No. 10 Michigan State 56-55 Tuesday night in Champaign, despite the absence of Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo. Senior guard Trent Frazier led all scorers with 16 points and held star MSU freshman Max Christie to 1-8 shooting and just two points. Frazier also led Illinois in…
This story was updated Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. We will update as new weather information is posted. URBANA – The National Weather Service in Central Illinois has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The wind chill is the temperature it “feels like” outside when combined with wind. Wind chills in…
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker vetoed a bill that would have required school districts to give paid time off for COVID-related absences. But, the governor has agreed with teachers unions to introduce similar legislation. More than 350 Champaign teachers rallied Monday over contract negotiations, and they’ll vote Wednesday about authorizing…
CHAMPAIGN – More than 350 Champaign teachers rallied on Monday over contract negotiations, and they will vote on Wednesday about authorizing a strike. At issue — whether Unit 4 should extend the elementary school day. Contract negotiations between the Unit 4 School District and the Champaign Federation of Teachers have stalled in recent weeks. The…
Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 Today’s headlines: Two abortion clinics in the St. Louis Metro East have launched a regional logistics center to increase access and will offer travel and financial assistance to any patient that needs it. Illinois Secretary of State offices, including driver services facilities, will resume in-person services this week. Billions of dollars…
Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Some Illinois sheriffs are struggling as the state’s Department of Corrections continues its pause on inmate intakes from county jails due to the latest COVID surge. A Republican is entering the race for the newly drawn 13th Congressional District in Illinois. Attorney Jesse Reising announced his candidacy with a YouTube…