MURRAY, KY – The sun was setting on the courthouse square in the rural college town of Murray, Kentucky, after another sweltering July day. The town bills itself as the “friendliest small town in America,” but recent controversy around the removal of a Confederate monument have complicated that image. The city of Murray had unanimously…
URBANA – Illinois Newsroom held a complex and sometimes spirited discussion over the history and future of police and policing in Central Illinois. The following people participated in a 90-minute discussion on Facebook live event on July 23 to discuss their views and visions for the future.: Tatianna Ammons, community activist & Champaign County Board…
URBANA – A new statewide effort aims to provide vulnerable young people in Illinois with summer jobs. The COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program provides $9.3 million to fund summer jobs for 2,400 young adults with a focus on low-income youth living in high-poverty communities. State and local officials spoke at a press conference Monday, held…
RANTOUL – As hundreds of migrant farmworkers arrive in central Illinois to work on detasseling — a process needed to create hybrid seed corn — local organizations are stepping up to provide services to the workers and their families. Martha Gonzalez, executive director of the Rantoul Multicultural Community Center, says the child care they offer…
CHAMPAIGN – The largest bars in Champaign’s Campustown area will be closed on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, in an attempt to avoid spreading the coronavirus during Greek Reunion. In fact, local officials say the more people stay away from Greek Reunion this year, the better. Greek Reunion brings students back to the University of…
This embed shows the total number of murders – including non-negligent manslaughter – reported annually by the Chicago police. This chart is current as of July 8, 2020 and will not be updated.
CHAMPAIGN – Prepare for highway lane closures and a lot more orange construction signs in Champaign. Starting Wednesday, construction crews will begin rebuilding the 56-year-old U-S 150 bridge over I-57. It is part of an Illinois capital program that will lead to the reconstruction of the entire I-57 and I-74 interchange. The Illinois Department of…
CHAMPAIGN – Durante el fin de semana, la familia y los amigos de Joel Quintas se reunieron al aire libre en Champaign para recordarlo y para dar gracias a Dios por su vida.
CHAMPAIGN – Over the weekend, family and friends of Joel Quintas gathered outside in Champaign to remember him and thank God for his life.
CHAMPAIGN – Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Champaign Sunday to march and rally for all Black lives, especially those in the LGBTQ community. The group Champaign All Black Lives Matter, along with the UP Center, organized the event, which started and finished at West Side Park. Organizer Enddy Almonord says Sunday’s event emphasized the…
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we sought answers — regarding the state’s moving into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan today — from Julie Pryde, administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public…
URBANA – With libraries allowed to reopen under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, both the Champaign Public Library and the Urbana Free Library open their doors to the public today after nearly four months of being closed. “We’re excited to reopen,” says Amanda Standerfer, Director of Development and Promotion at the Urbana Free…
CHAMPAIGN – Many state and local parks that remained open during Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan have seen high volumes of visitors anxious to get outside in recent weeks. As Illinois enters Phase 4 Friday, all outdoor recreation at parks can return, but some precautions will remain in place. Champaign Park District basketball…
CHAMPAIGN – The United Way of Champaign County, a local funder, is stepping up its efforts to provide grant funding and support to organizations across the community, as needs have grown due to job layoffs and other hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group has raised more than a million dollars, together with the…
CHAMPAIGN – The National Weather Service Central Illinois office said on Wednesday afternoon that our area can expect snow into Thursday morning. However, rain will dominate southeast Illinois with freezing rain and sleet will be possible near I-70 Wednesday night which will lower snow accumulations there. Farther north snow will become lighter overnight and taper…