As 2025 ends, farmers are still reeling from the shake up of markets and federal programs
Farmers across the central U.S. have navigated a myriad of challenges this year, including low crop prices and federal funding cuts.
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For Bears and Packers, wild-card game is a rare playoff matchup in NFL’s longest-running rivalry
The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card game and rare playoff matchup in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry.
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Juvenile suspect arrested after allegedly making threat to Danville school
The suspect was charged for two counts of Disorderly Conduct and Making a Terroristic Threat.
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Urbana school administrators figuring out how to utilize AI in classrooms
Students are already using AI. Urbana District 116 wants to teach them to use it responsibly with tools that respect student data privacy.
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Champaign and Urbana residents can get a hand with holiday tree disposal
Trees are required to be bare without lights, decorations, or garlands.
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What to know about the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer in Minneapolis
Protesters confronted federal officers Thursday in Minneapolis the day after a woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
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217 Today: WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jan. 8 – Jan. 11
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
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City of Champaign Township appoints Charlene Murray as new supervisor
The City of Champaign Township Board selected Strides Interim Executive Director Charlene Murray for the role. Champaign County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram also interviewed for the supervisor position.
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ICE agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown
In a statement, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said ICE agents were met by “rioters” during a targeted operation.
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Flu cases are on the rise in Champaign County, health officials say
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health district is urging residents to get vaccinated and protect themselves as the county is seeing an uptick in flu cases.
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217 Today: Five candidates seeking to represent central Illinois in Congress, including incumbent Nikki Budzinski
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Today’s headlines: The Trump administration says it’s withholding social safety net money from five states, including Illinois. US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois compares the US invasion of the Middle East to the recent actions taken in Venezuela. Pregnancy-related deaths in Illinois have become more prevalent over the past decade. In…
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 8 – Jan. 11
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, dancing, a screenwriting workshop, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
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Trump administration says it’s withholding social safety net money from 5 states over fraud concerns
Officials in the states say the administration is motivated by politics. The administration has not given details of the pause on funding or the fraud claims.
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Urbana Fire Department responded to especially high number of incidents last year, data shows
The Urbana Fire Department responded to nearly 6,700 incidents in 2025, the highest number over the last six years. More than half of last year’s responses were related to medical emergencies.
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Illinois Department of Human Services reports yearslong data breach
Even after the breach was discovered, the agency waited months to notify individuals and the media.
