Urbana Middle School to stay remote this week
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Urbana Middle School to stay remote this week

URBANA, Jan. 11 — Urbana Middle School will stay with remote instruction for the rest of this week. Absences among staff at Urbana Middle School pushed the school to go virtual this week. District 116 Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum says she doesn’t expect other Urbana schools to go virtual. “Even before Thanksgiving, we have been doing…

Urbana school district sets five-day quarantine policy. Unit 4 sticks with ten.
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Urbana school district sets five-day quarantine policy. Unit 4 sticks with ten.

Students and staff at Urbana public schools only need to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19. District 116 made the change on Monday, after federal, state and local public health agencies all greenlighted the new quarantine guidance. District 116 Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum said students and staff who are still sick with a…

A family stands in front of a brick house.
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Despite CDC changes, Illinois students still quarantine for 10 days — for now

CHAMPAIGN — The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has halved the number of days of isolation recommended for those sick with COVID-19. Illinois school districts have not made that change – yet. The difference has caused enough confusion among parents that the Champaign Unit 4 School District superintendent had to email out a…

Carle delays non-emergency procedures amid record COVID-19 wave

Carle delays non-emergency procedures amid record COVID-19 wave

URBANA – As COVID-19 hospitalizations reach a pandemic high, Carle Health has decided to delay non-emergency procedures. This time, Carle is not rationing supplies — but staff energy. “As opposed to last year this time, we have most supplies needed but limited availability of our already stretched-thin staff to respond to the growing exposures and…

A street and University of Illinois campus buildings at night. Red lines show where car tail lights passed by.

Car crashes increased in 2021. On Urbana roads, pedestrians are most at risk

URBANA — In 2021, more than 1,300 people died in car crashes in Illinois. That’s the highest number since 2005. The roadside assistance group AAA is encouraging drivers to adopt safer behaviors in the new year. “When we call a crash an accident, it implies that these tragedies are beyond human influence, and that is…

Two women board a blue, low-floor bus at the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District headquarters.
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One disabled Champaign-Urbana bus rider complained to the DOJ. Now other riders get an accessible website and bus stop upgrades

URBANA – The U.S. Department of Justice combed through the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District website – and found a few things that needed to change to better serve low-vision riders. One rider’s Americans With Disabilities Act complaint about the website sparked the DOJ’s interest. Although the department couldn’t replicate her claim, they did find other…

Champaign’s way out of gun violence starts with $3.2 million in pandemic relief

Champaign’s way out of gun violence starts with $3.2 million in pandemic relief

CHAMPAIGN — Champaign has a new plan to stop the recent spike in shootings. The Champaign City Council approved the plan unanimously on Tuesday night after hearing two hours of testimonies about gun violence in the city. Samantha Carter lives in Garden Hills, one of the most affected neighborhoods. “I would like to share with…

Energy secretary promotes infrastructure law at University of Illinois biofuel lab
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Energy secretary promotes infrastructure law at University of Illinois biofuel lab

URBANA – U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm stopped in Urbana on Thursday as part of her two-day tour of Illinois energy facilities. She listened carefully as researchers at the university’s Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory described how they turn sugar cane into fuel. “What today is about is seeing what the opportunities are and building…

Rep. Rodney Davis walks a fine line on infrastructure, Jan. 6 as he prepares for reelection

Rep. Rodney Davis walks a fine line on infrastructure, Jan. 6 as he prepares for reelection

CHAMPAIGN – Republican Congressman Rodney Davis says infrastructure is a top priority, but he voted no on President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law. He says Jan. 6 rioters should face charges for breaking the law, but he is not willing to criticize Republicans who encourage their beliefs. These are some of the fine lines Davis walks…

Champaign’s standardized test results show student stress, learning gaps
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Champaign’s standardized test results show student stress, learning gaps

CHAMPAIGN — The first pandemic-era standardized test results are out. Student achievement dropped all over Illinois, including in local school districts. Champaign Unit 4 fifth grade teacher Kim Tate sees pandemic stress as one reason behind the test score decline. “There’s that element of, ‘I have other priorities and concerns and even trauma.’ Because I…

U of I chancellor offers optimism as pandemic continues

U of I chancellor offers optimism as pandemic continues

URBANA – Coronavirus transmission remains high. Gun violence is up. Despite these worrying indicators, University of Illinois Urbana Chancellor Robert Jones said on Thursday he sees causes for optimism. “I know there are a few of you asking, ‘Jones, did you once again accidentally put your rose-colored glasses this morning?’” Jones joked. Thursday marked the…

Teens are remodeling this house to give themselves, and future tenants, a stable future
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Teens are remodeling this house to give themselves, and future tenants, a stable future

CHAMPAIGN – For two years, the Housing Authority of Champaign County’s YouthBuild program has helped young people finish their high school diplomas, while renovating public housing properties. The program managers also see the training program as a youth violence prevention initiative. “It’s a safe place where they can come in and talk, and we provide…

C-U schools are considering metal detectors to deter violence. This researcher says that won’t help
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C-U schools are considering metal detectors to deter violence. This researcher says that won’t help

URBANA — School districts in Champaign and Urbana are considering installing metal detectors in response to a rise in youth violence. But a social science researcher says metal detectors are not as effective as more long-term violence prevention. Jun Sung Hong is a professor at the School of Social Work at Wayne State University and…

The Urbana school district has appointed its first ever student ambassadors. Here are their top issues
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The Urbana school district has appointed its first ever student ambassadors. Here are their top issues

URBANA — More teachers in hallways between classes. Inclusion of Latin American history in dual language programs. Fewer weapons in schools. These are some of the top issues of the first ever student representatives on the Urbana District 116 Board of Education. The three students took their official oaths of office on Tuesday evening. The…

Kids aged 5 to 11 can get COVID shots. These Champaign kids were ready
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Kids aged 5 to 11 can get COVID shots. These Champaign kids were ready

CHAMPAIGN – Going maskless in school. Visiting a grandparent in India. Protecting a baby sister. These are some of the reasons Champaign-Urbana kids got vaccinated against COVID-19 on Wednesday in one of the county’s first clinics for the newly eligible, 5-11 age group. “Now that I know it doesn’t hurt too much, I’m actually looking…