Hospitals have a fast-acting drug to help stroke victims — if they seek treatment in time

Hospitals have a fast-acting drug to help stroke victims — if they seek treatment in time

More hospitals are turning to a drug called TNKase — a brand name for tenecteplase — to break up the blood clots that threaten stroke victims. It’s a less expensive and much faster acting drug than previous treatments. But patients get the benefit only  if they seek treatment quickly, within the first hours after a stroke occurs.

Memorial services Friday remembered police officers killed on duty in Champaign, Champaign County
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Memorial services Friday remembered police officers killed on duty in Champaign, Champaign County

At the Police and Fire Memorial in Champaign’s West Side Park, a ceremony remembered the three Champaign police officers — Christopher Oberheim, Robert Tatman and Thomas Dodsworth — who were killed on duty over the years.

The Rantoul Village Board once again rejects a proposed cannabis growing facility.

The Rantoul Village Board once again rejects a proposed cannabis growing facility.

Once again, the Rantoul Village Board has voted against allowing a cannabis business to open in their town. The village board rejected a proposal Tuesday night to allow applications to open a cannabis growing facility in Rantoul, with Mayor Chuck Smith breaking a 3-3 tie vote.

Economic growth in Illinois continued to slow down in April, according to the Flash Index.

Economic growth in Illinois continued to slow down in April, according to the Flash Index.

The latest University of Illinois Flash Index shows the state’s economic growth rate continuing its year-long, near-steady decline. The Index fell from 103.1 in March, to 102.9 in April. It had been as high as 106.1 in March 2022. Any Flash Index reading above 100 indicates a growing economy in Illinois.

After promising to run the former Champaign County Nursing Home for at least ten years, its owner has filed plans to close it after five.

After promising to run the former Champaign County Nursing Home for at least ten years, its owner has filed plans to close it after five.

The owner of the former Champaign County Nursing Home has filed plans with state regulators to close the facility in two months, despite an agreement with the county to operate it as a nursing home for at least another five years.

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski says she’s found ways to work across the aisle in her first 100 days

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski says she’s found ways to work across the aisle in her first 100 days

As she reaches her 100th day in office, Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has been touring her congressional district, talking about her achievements so far.
The Springfield Democrat told Jim Meadows that one of her goals was to find ways to work constructively with members of the other party.

Striking faculty return to class Friday at EIU, will vote next week on a tentative contract

Striking faculty return to class Friday at EIU, will vote next week on a tentative contract

As of 8 AM Friday, class is back in session at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. A week-long strike by the union representing faculty and support staff is on hold, while members consider the administration’s contract proposal. A ratification vote is expected sometime next week, although a date has not been set.

Flash Index: Illinois’ economic growth continues its slow decline in March.

Flash Index: Illinois’ economic growth continues its slow decline in March.

After an increase to 103.4 in February, the Flash Index for March dropped back to its January level of 103.1. Except for that one-month increase, the Flash Index has been declining since a peak of 106.1 in March of 2022. (Any reading on the Flash Index above 100 indicates economic growth.)