A Piatt County zoning board votes against a wind farm, but the county board will have the final say.
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A Piatt County zoning board votes against a wind farm, but the county board will have the final say.

Both supporters and opponents were watching Thursday night, as the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 against recommending a zoning permit for the Goose Creek wind turbine project proposed by Apex Clean Energy. The proposal now goes to the Piatt County Board, which does not have to follow the zoning board’s ruling.

How the rhetoric around gas stoves got so heated — and what it does (and doesn’t) mean for Illinois

How the rhetoric around gas stoves got so heated — and what it does (and doesn’t) mean for Illinois

NORMAL — A recent study that tied the use of gas stoves in homes to rates of childhood asthma — especially in Illinois — inadvertently brought gas stoves to the forefront of the culture wars, adding a new layer to ongoing public discourse on climate change, business interests, and public and environmental health concerns. Researchers…

The Supreme Court could end protections for some wetlands, threatening water and wildlife

The Supreme Court could end protections for some wetlands, threatening water and wildlife

The Environmental Protection Agency recently released new rules regarding the Waters of the United States that decide which bodies of water fall under federal protection. But a case the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on soon throws those rules into question and could mean less protection for wetlands. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s60/audio/2023/01/0126sackettf-hvst.mp3 Listen to this story…

Plans for a CO2 pipeline in Illinois are on hold
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Plans for a CO2 pipeline in Illinois are on hold

CHAMPAIGN – Plans for a carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois have been temporarily halted. Navigator Heartland Greenway LLC has voluntarily withdrawn its Application for a Certificate of Authority to construct the pipeline that would cross through 13 Illinois counties. Navigator said it plans to refile a new application with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) next…

Midwest states court indoor hog and poultry production, despite the millions of gallons of manure
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Midwest states court indoor hog and poultry production, despite the millions of gallons of manure

Legislation and programs in states like Missouri and Nebraska are paving the way to welcome large livestock operations by limiting local control over the facilities. Some rural residents worry about the potential pollution and decreased quality of life that will bring. CLARKSBURG, Mo. — In Cooper County, Missouri, CAFOs are a controversial topic. Susan Williams…

Weather Service confirms 7 tornado touchdowns on Tuesday in Central Illinois
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Weather Service confirms 7 tornado touchdowns on Tuesday in Central Illinois

URBANA – The National Weather Service confirms there were seven tornado touchdowns in Central Illinois on Tuesday. Meteorologists say there were three touchdowns in Macon County, two more in Sangamon County, one in Logan County, and one southeast of Gibson City in Ford County. After surveying all of the damage sites, it was determined that a…

Deep freeze breaks pipes, flooding homes, schools and business across Central Illinois
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Deep freeze breaks pipes, flooding homes, schools and business across Central Illinois

URBANA – After a week in the deep freeze, crews are responding to dozens of broken pipes across Central Illinois.  The city of Decatur says services like meter checks are being delayed because of more than 15 water main breaks since last week’s cold snap. A Winter Storm plunged temperatures below freezing for several days…

18 die as monster storm brings rain, snow, cold across the US
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18 die as monster storm brings rain, snow, cold across the US

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A frigid winter storm killed at least 18 people as it swept across the country, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses and leaving millions of people on edge about the possibility of Christmas Eve blackouts. The storm unleashed its full fury on Buffalo, New York, with hurricane-force…

Winter Storm Warning continues until Saturday morning for most of Central Illinois
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Winter Storm Warning continues until Saturday morning for most of Central Illinois

Illinois Public Media is tracking a winter storm system. Forecasters expect it to bring blowing snow and dangerously cold temperatures to Central Illinois on December 22 and 23. This story will be updated with posts from Chambana Weather meteorologist Andrew Pritchard and the National Weather Service. Closings and cancellations are being updated here. Updated Friday…