Amid a push from the Biden administration for U.S. agriculture to help slow climate change, a new study shows farmers in the Corn Belt are dropping the ball on adopting a climate-friendly practice. A mountain of research shows the benefits of planting cover crops — from sequestering carbon from the environment to keeping waterways…
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Public Health are warning residents to be on the lookout for toxic blue-green algae for those planning summer activities in Illinois’ lakes and streams. The algae has already been detected in the Illinois River at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam. According to the press release, summer…
This is a severe weather blog for June 27, 2021. It will be updated throughout the afternoon. Updated at 5:58 p.m. Updated at 5:00 p.m. Updated at 12:15 p.m. For the third straight day, the National Weather Service in Central Illinois is predicting strong to severe thunderstorms for the Champaign-Urbana area and surrounding communities. Storms…
This is a severe weather blog for June 26, 2021. It will be updated throughout the afternoon. Updated at 6:52 p.m. Updated at 6:42 p.m. The National Weather Service extended the Tornado Watch until 9:00 PM CDT for Vermilion, Champaign, Moultrie and Douglas Counties. Updated at 6:25 p.m. Updated at 6:05 p.m. Updated at 5:56…
Updated Friday at 10:50 p.m. Updated Friday at 10:22 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:56 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:52 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:32 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:21 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:18 p.m. Updated Friday at 8:00 p.m. There are no reports of major damage or injuries after a brief tornado in Central…
OAKWOOD — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy announced on Tuesday they were suing Dynegy Midwest Generation over the disposal of coal ash at the shuttered Vermilion Power Station. That coal ash has been in retention ponds near the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. Later that day, Raoul…
Below are posts as the Illinois Newsroom followed the developing weather situation early Saturday morning. Updated Saturday at 4:24 a.m. After heavy rain and winds passed through Central Illinois early Saturday morning, but the National Weather Service says more severe storms are in the forecast for the weekend. The main severe weather concerns will be…
URBANA – The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Heat Advisory tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for central and southern Illinois. Heat indices are expected to peak at 104 degrees tomorrow in Champaign. According to the National Weather Service, The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature…
TOLONO — Lin Warfel puts farmland owners in central Illinois into two categories: Those with a deep connection and desire to preserve their land, and those obsessed with short-term money. The 80-year-old still owns the land that’s been in his family since his great-grandfather arrived in Champaign County in the 1800’s. After farming it…
CHAMPAIGN – After lying dormant for 17 years, billions of Cicadas – big insects with big wings are awakening in far eastern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other states. Illinois Newsroom’s Reginald Hardwick talked with Katie Dana, the scientific specialist in entomology at the Illinois Natural Science Survey. She says this year’s insect invasion is just a…
SAVOY – The University of Illinois’ new solar farm outside of Savoy is entering its final phase of construction. But the facility has already been producing electricity for more than three months. Solar Farm 2.0, located along Curtis Road between First Street and the Canadian National tracks, became operations on January 29. It covers 54…
URBANA — A new study upholds what many already thought to be true: communities of color breathe dirtier air than white communities, and the issue is systemic. An already-existing mountain of evidence shows that people of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution. A team of researchers from across the country, led by University of…
UPDATE: Gov. JB Pritzker signed SB 2515, creating the Mahomet Aquifer Council, on Friday, August 13. Original article: URBANA – A bill to create a permanent advisory council to study the Mahomet Aquifer is moving through the Illinois General Assembly. The bill (SB2515) passed the Illinois Senate on a vote of 56-0 last week and now…
URBANA — 80 years from now, Illinois’ climate may be unrecognizable. Summers could get a lot hotter, with temperatures reaching up to 114 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. The state could see up to 150% more rainfall per year than it does currently, with more storms dumping more rain more frequently. Snow days would mostly…
CHAMPAIGN — Proponents of nuclear power in Illinois are rallying together in hopes of preventing the decommissioning of two nuclear power plants — the Byron and Dresden Generating Stations. Exelon announced late last year that it plans to retire the two plants in the fall due to financial concerns. Both stations are licensed to operate…