After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range
|

After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range

ByFarrah Anderson

This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public…

C-U’s Restaurant Week features cuisines from around the globe

C-U’s Restaurant Week features cuisines from around the globe

ByIPM News

The 8th annual Restaurant Week is underway in Champaign-Urbana. This year’s event highlights 50 local restaurants, showcasing cuisines from all over the world.  The event is put on by Experience Champaign-Urbana, a tourism marketing organization. Terri Reifsteck, the organization’s VP of marketing, said that the event is meant to boost local restaurants during a time…

New details emerge in University of Illinois police investigation of Akul Dhawan’s death, including alcohol consumption and police timeline
|

New details emerge in University of Illinois police investigation of Akul Dhawan’s death, including alcohol consumption and police timeline

ByEmily Hays

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Department says they acted immediately on the information they had at the time, some of which they learned after his death was inaccurate.

Champaign hired Police Chief Timothy Tyler despite disciplinary past and allegations of misconduct
| |

Champaign hired Police Chief Timothy Tyler despite disciplinary past and allegations of misconduct

ByFarrah Anderson

This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public Media. This investigation was…

Champaign County is short 300 nursing home beds. Health officials want input on how to help
|

Champaign County is short 300 nursing home beds. Health officials want input on how to help

ByFarrah Anderson

National data shows that beds are disappearing while the need for senior care is growing. This problem will only multiply because of the rapid projected growth of U.S. residents ages 65 and older — from 56 million in 2020 to 81 million by 2040.

A composite image shows 7 headshots, some photos and some drawings, as well as one drawing of a blaster, representing some of the contributors to the "Pride of the Illini" project.
|

“Pride of the Illini” showcases LGBTQ+ stories and art at UIUC

ByOwen Henderson

URBANA — Before graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in winter 2023, Lindsay Peters created a senior project that combined her passions for sound editing and LGBTQ+ community advocacy. Peters wanted to combat the underrepresentation of the queer community in media, so she recorded and produced a series of original songs, poems and short…

Illinois enacts statewide ban on vaping and e-cigarette use in public

Illinois enacts statewide ban on vaping and e-cigarette use in public

ByIPM News

As of January 1, 2024, Illinoisans are no longer able to vape or use e-cigarettes in public places, workplaces, and near any entrances, windows, or ventilation areas. This is part of the updated Smoke-Free Illinois Act (SFIA), aimed at protecting the public from the effects of secondhand smoke and vapor. Under this act, an electronic…

He used education to escape a violent childhood. Today, he wants to help kids in similar situations
|

He used education to escape a violent childhood. Today, he wants to help kids in similar situations

ByMadison Holcomb

This story includes details of violence some may find disturbing. Shamar Betts can still recall in vivid detail the moment he discovered the dead body of his friend Corsean. It was 2014. Betts was 13 years old at the time.  They were hanging out near their middle school on the South Side of Chicago when…

Black ministers and scholars discuss the state of the Black Church in Central Illinois
| |

Black ministers and scholars discuss the state of the Black Church in Central Illinois

ByIPM News

More than 200 people came to The Virginia Theatre to learn the history and current role of the Black Church in Central Illinois. The event showcased a panel of Black church and community leaders discussing the evolving role of pastors, the diminishing influence of predominantly Black churches, and the overall journey and significance of the Black Church through the years.

Palestinian UIUC student reflects on the loss of her family in Gaza
|

Palestinian UIUC student reflects on the loss of her family in Gaza

ByNour Longhi

Palestinian Americans are grieving the loss of tens of thousands of people in Gaza, including their own family members and loved ones.  One young woman in Champaign, who attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, shared her story with the student newsroom at Illinois Public Media. She asked that we not use her name out…

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Dec. 21 – Dec. 24
|

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Dec. 21 – Dec. 24

ByIPM News

Screening of “Die Hard” at The Virginia Theatre        Date & Time: Thursday, December 21st,  7:00 p.m.        Location: The Virginia Theatre, Champaign        Details: Enjoy the Rewind 92.5 Film Series with a screening of “Die Hard.” Winter Solstice Celebration at the Gallery Art Bar        Date…

Kimberlie Kranich reflects on her influential role in educational and community programming at Illinois Public Media
| |

Kimberlie Kranich reflects on her influential role in educational and community programming at Illinois Public Media

ByKimberly Schofield

For nearly 26 years, Kimberlie Kranich has worked to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment during her career with Illinois Public Media.