Nearly one year after Mattoon’s water crisis, the city has seen no signs of algal blooms returning
Algal blooms overwhelmed Mattoon’s water system in July 2025, leading to five days of do not drink orders.
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Urbana Park District seeks community input to create future goals
The Urbana Park District is asking residents to fill out a survey and participate in focus groups to help guide the creation of their 2027-2031 Strategic Plan.
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First climate monitoring station in Coles County begins collecting climate and weather data
The latest climate monitoring station in Illinois is in Coles County, and researchers with Prairie Research Institute have plans to expand the network even more.
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Dangerous humidity is increasing in the Midwest and South, putting farmworkers at risk
Extreme heat combined with high humidity is becoming more common as the climate warms, making it harder for people to cool their bodies.
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Fish and mussels returned to these rivers after decades of cleanup. But new threats loom
Some rivers are success stories where wildlife is bouncing back from heavy pollution. But environmental groups say progress hasn’t happened across the board and backsliding remains possible.
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Trump administration blocks wind farm development in Illinois and across the nation
The Trump administration now has what amounts to a moratorium on new wind farm projects, according to renewable energy advocates.
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As people protest data centers across the Heartland, lawmakers rush to regulate development
Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.
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Central Illinois dragonfly enthusiasts can take part in unique learning opportunity
The program is geared towards children in grades 6-10, but can be adjusted for other grade levels.
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Champaign County carbon sequestration task force submits final recommendations
The Champaign County Carbon Sequestration Activities Task Force wrapped up its work Wednesday night, submitting final recommendations to the county.
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The drought is over in Champaign County. Are more likely in the future?
The drought in Champaign County that began last fall finally ended in April.
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Box turtles are back for the summer. Here’s how to help them survive another year
The creatures are particularly vulnerable this time of year to getting hit by cars or plucked from the wild by curious observers as they trek to their summer stomping grounds.
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How do data centers benefit the places where they’re built? Local mayors give mixed reviews
From taxes and community investment to water and energy depletion, data centers are a polarizing force.
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These citizen scientists track frog calls to monitor ecosystem health
Volunteers with FrogWatch USA track frog calls during mating season to collect data about ecosystem health.
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Illinois lawmakers debate data center regulations in response to growing energy and water use concerns
State lawmakers in Springfield are debating how to regulate data centers as proposals for new facilities spark concerns over their impact on utility costs and water reservoirs.
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Champaign County Board approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Board was previously considering a nine month moratorium on data centers.
