Student group hopes to make belted kingfisher U of I’s official mascot
Students have been pushing since 2019 for the blue and orange bird to be U of I’s official mascot.
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217 Today: From ‘Grinchmas’ to chestnut roasts, these rural towns make the holidays central to their economy
In today’s deep dive, some rural towns are known for their holiday festivities. Tourist dollars are a big part of their local economy but getting people to town each year means new events.
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Wagler powers No. 20 Illinois past Missouri 91-48 for biggest blowout in Braggin’ Rights rivalry
The largest previous margin of victory in the series, which has been played 45 times since 1980, was Illinois’ 82-50 blowout in 2005, when it was coming off a Final Four run.
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More than a holiday tradition: Reindeer are a way of life at the Hardy ranch in Rantoul
Around the holidays, reindeer become a familiar sight: on cards, in movies and pulling Santa’s sleigh. But here in central Illinois, reindeer aren’t a myth or a cartoon. They’re livestock, cared for year-round.
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MTD pursues plan to expand bus service following passage of state transit funding bill
Funding from the state transit bill will enable the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District to continue planning new bus routes and improve frequencies for existing service.
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Ag sector alarm bells are going off
There are big warning signs in agriculture right now. And many experts are warning an aid package announced by the Trump administration is not likely to go very far or come soon enough.
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217 Today: Ag sector alarm bells are going off
In today’s deep dive, will a new aid package for farmers go far enough? In a year when tariffs have affected sales of Illinois soybeans, there are major warning signs.
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Building issues force Urbana cafe to close temporarily
In a statement posted to Facebook, Courier Cafe said there is an issue with the brick facade on the south side of the building.
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Wrong way crash kills pedestrian and injures police officer, search for driver continues
Officers said a red Buick Verano was speeding the wrong way on Mathews Avenue when it hit a University of Illinois police squad car on Green Street.
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As state regulators warn of impending energy shortfalls, capacity prices rise again
State-driven resource planning process will begin in 2026.
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Justice Department begins releasing long-awaited files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation
Trump had long opposed the files’ release but did a U-turn after political pressure from fellow Republicans.
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217 Today: More than a holiday tradition, reindeer are a way of life at the Hardy ranch in Rantoul
In today’s deep dive, what’s the best part of meeting reindeer in real life? According to 10-year-old Bear Taylor — the reindeer kisses.
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Justice Department sues for access to Illinois voter rolls
Illinois among at least 19 states being sued for voter data.
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Illinois Education officials brace for lean fiscal year ahead
For the current fiscal year, spending on elementary and secondary education is expected to total just under $11.2 billion, or about 20% of the state’s entire $55.1 billion General Revenue Fund Budget.
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RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people
The pivot to the topic of transgender minors comes one day after Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a package of health care bills that do not extend subsidies for people who buy health insurance in Affordable Care Act plans.
