Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
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Lt. Gov. Stratton goes on attack in Sun-Times, WBEZ, UChicago debate against U.S. Reps. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi
The Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and International House hosted the first live-broadcast debate of the biggest race on the March 17 ballot.
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Meet the women starting a ‘Promise Zone’ at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
A group of women want to help Champaign Unit 4 School District keep its promises to Black children.
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Sun-Times, WBEZ and UChicago to host first live-broadcast debate for Democratic Senate candidates
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton square off Monday night ahead of their marquee matchup in the March 17 primary election.
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Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here’s how to sign up.
Teens and parents should apply now at TeenSummit2.net.
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Illinois higher education board seeks 4.6% budget increase for next fiscal year
The request comes as Pritzker announces cuts to current year’s budget
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U.S. farmers are growing less wheat. New varieties could help revive the industry
From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops.
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217 Today: The nation’s wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back
In today’s deep dive, wheat isn’t grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. We’ll hear about an effort to hybridize wheat.
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School closings/delays/e-learning days for January 26, 2026
A list of school closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
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Central Illinois sees 4-14 inches of snow over the weekend
Snow will continue across central and southeast IL this morning, with periods of heavy snow near and south of I-70 in southeast IL. North winds gusting 20 to 30 mph will create blowing and drifting in open areas.
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PHOTOS: Central Illinois snowy weekend
If you want to share your pictures, send them to willnewsroom@illinois.edu
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Illinois native killed by a US Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says
Thirty-seven-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved getting in adventures with his dog. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer earlier this month.
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Closings/delays for January 25, 2026
A list of closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
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Wagler makes history as Illini Men’s basketball upsets Purdue while women’s team falls short to Nebraska
Freshman Guard Keaton Wagler helped the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team pull off an 88-82 upset against the Boilermakers Saturday. The women made a comeback attempt but failed catch up to Nebraska, losing 81-75.
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Republican Senate candidate Pamela Denise Long talks Greenland, ICE and abortion
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Republican Pamela Denise Long to discuss her campaign.
