Students at the University of Illinois reflect on their voting experiences in Champaign-Urbana
The Illinois Student Newsroom at IPM checked in with voters at polling locations on campus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Some worry ‘Middle Eastern North African’ census designation will be misused if Trump wins
The category of Middle Eastern North African, or MENA, was added to the U.S. Census earlier this year. It’s a change the MENA community had been trying to achieve since 1997. But with a potential Trump presidency on the horizon, some are concerned that the census might become a tool to fuel xenophobia and target the MENA community.
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The U of I Counseling Center has this advice for handling stress leading up to Election Day
When it comes to advice for managing stress during election season, validate your feelings by allowing yourself to feel what you feel and find safety and support within your community. Also, recognize what’s within and beyond your control — and set boundaries.
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Paws for a cause: Champaign County Humane Society hosts annual Fur Ball to support local animals
The Fur Ball, a fundraiser held by the Champaign County Humane Society, will take place Friday night at the I-Hotel and Illinois Conference Center in Champaign. The funds from the event will go directly toward the care of about 200 pets. These funds will help support adoption services and urgent medical needs.
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Cicadas impacted some apple harvests in Central Illinois, but Curtis Orchard was spared
This summer, three broods of cicadas emerged at the same time in parts of Illinois. Cicadas lay their eggs in the bark of small trees, which can damage or stunt their growth. The volume of cicadas varied from town to town.
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New gender-affirming closet opens on the University of Illinois campus
A new gender-affirming closet on the University of Illinois campus opened Monday at the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. The Q-Closet will be filled with a variety of secondhand clothing, shoes and accessories for students to select from during the center’s hours of operation. Soon, the closet will also have brand-new makeup products. Priscilla Martinez…
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NPR kicks off its fourth annual College Podcast Challenge for student storytellers
NPR is kicking off its fourth annual College Podcast Challenge. The contest gives students an opportunity to share their stories with the NPR audience and beyond, and compete for a $5,000 cash prize. The NPR Student Podcast Challenge began six years ago, with submissions open to grades 4 through 12, and more recently, opened up…
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Illinois is the nation’s leading pumpkin producer. Here’s why
With fall in full swing, pumpkin sales are up. But in Illinois, the production of pumpkin products is a year-round effort. Illinois is the nation’s largest pumpkin-producing state, and produces nearly all the nation’s canned pumpkins. Mohammed Babadoost, a plant pathology professor at the College of Aces, said the significance of pumpkins in Illinois is…
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Station Theatre’s ‘The Minutes’ explores local politics and historical truths in dark comedy
The Station Theatre in Urbana is set to open its newest production tonight. “The Minutes” focuses on power structures within a small town council. It is the latest installment in Station Theatre’s 52nd season, “The Hopeful and Broken Pieces of the American Dream.” The show centers on a nervous new councilman and his growing suspicion…
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Arcola swept up in Broom Palace fever ahead of building’s opening
At first glance, Main Street in Arcola doesn’t appear to be much different from the several other small town main streets that can be found east-central Illinois. It’s still a brick road lined with two-story brick facades. There will soon be one major difference: The Arcola Broom Palace. “We decided that perhaps a palace, similar…
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Climate scientist Jim Angel on recent Illinois weather patterns — and what’s in store for winter
The climate in the Midwest is ever-changing — and that’s what makes it fascinating, says Jim Angel. Angel is a climate scientist with the Illinois State Water Survey. He served as Illinois State Climatologist for more than two decades until 2018, and has been studying climate extremes in Illinois and the Midwest for almost 40…
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Captain Rat & the Blind Rivets continue to find joy in touring: ‘You almost can’t stop playing live’
Local band Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets has been entertaining crowds for over four decades with their repertoire of 1950s and 1960s pop rock standards and zany on-stage props. This 40-plus year reality was thrown into question after both longtime drummer Jeff Evans and founding member Mark Rubel passed away within months of each…
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Robert Gao, an Urbana teen, has received the nation’s highest honor for youth poets
Prior to high school and as a freshman, Robert Gao was really into math. He dabbled in math competitions, like the AMC and Math Counts. It made sense because Gao comes from a family of doctors: His father is an internal medicine physician, and his sister and brother-in-law are both medical residents. When the COVID-19…
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An art exhibit outside of Illini Union raises awareness of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas
A display outside of the Illini Union on the University of Illinois Urbana campus Monday featured artwork calling for awareness of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas one year ago. The exhibit was first shown during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago earlier this year. The Israeli American Council, a non-profit organization, organized it. Since then,…
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Amid issues with the Champaign County auditor, voters will decide if the office should be eliminated
This election, Champaign County residents are voting on whether to eliminate the elected position of county auditor. If the referendum passes, the results of the auditor election will effectively be overridden, and the county will begin the process of hiring for the position, according to local officials. “Regardless of who wins the election, [if the…
