Changes appear to be coming for how wind and solar arrays are sited in Illinois
The new law would preempt local ordinances more restrictive than the new state standards.
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
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…
Local farm turns Christmas trees into tasty snacks for goats
WHITE HEATH – On a gray overcast day in late December, 40 goats and a few sheep await a green, tasty snack in a pasture in White Heath. Mitch Gardner runs Goats on the Go Champaign-Urbana. He lays a Christmas tree on its side at his farm along I-72 near the Piatt and Champaign County…
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…
Western NY death toll rises to 28 from cold, storm chaos
The storm that walloped much of the country is now blamed for at least 49 deaths, with rescue and recovery efforts continuing Monday.
Frigid monster storm across US claims at least 34 lives
The National Weather Service says about 60% of the U.S. population has faced some sort of winter weather advisory or warning.
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
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…
How to prep for holiday driving in the midst of arctic cold and blizzard predictions
A major snowstorm is coming to the Midwest and Great Plains during some of the busiest days for travel this year. Here’s how to stay safe while driving, especially on rural roads. A massive snowstorm is going to hit many Midwestern and Great Plains states during some of the busiest days for holiday travel. “This…
A federal bill with bipartisan support could bring 20x more money to Illinois conservation efforts
NORMAL — That manatees still swim along Florida’s coast, grizzly bears still roam the west and bald eagles still fly in North American skies is due, in large part, to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 — once described by the Supreme Court as “the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species enacted…
Researchers are using a geologist’s version of an MRI to map the Mahomet Aquifer
During several days last week, a helicopter hauling a huge antenna flew at low altitudes over rural Champaign County. The antenna sent electromagnetic waves into the ground about 100 feet below, where they bounced off of underground rock and sediment formations, and were picked up by sensors mounted on the antenna’s frame. In this way…
Economy | Environment | Health
Tax credits, prison reform pass in veto session
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers last week passed significant legislation dealing with electric vehicle manufacturing incentives and the availability of hygiene products for prisoners in the state’s correctional system. But some weightier issues, including a possible assault weapons ban, will wait until a lame duck session scheduled for early January. Last week, lawmakers wrapped up a…
Bobcats made a big comeback in the Midwest. But not everyone is happy they can be hunted again
For 44 years, Illinois banned bobcat hunting. That changed in 2016, when the state started a lottery for permits to hunt the predators. And every year since Illinois has hosted a bobcat hunting season. So far, the state has hosted six hunting seasons and hunters have nabbed more than 1,600 bobcats. Stan McTaggart with Illinois…
Pipeline project raises concerns
A CO2 pipeline project that would stretch 1,300 miles has raised agriculture and environmental concerns across Illinois. McDonough County farmer Steve Hess is familiar with pipelines. Hess has one carrying natural gas on his property and says he believes it has been positive for the community. Hess said, “We’ve talked about it (the natural gas…