Sen. J.D. Vance has both arms in the air. He waves at an audience while standing in front of a U.S. flag.

217 Today: RNC attendees react to Trump’s vice presidential pick

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Today’s headlines: Lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are citing a recent Supreme Court ruling in a bid to dismiss a majority of his criminal case. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says political violence is unacceptable. Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone is developing a pastor ride-along program. Republicans in…

217 Today: Milwaukee residents and visitors share mixed reactions on political tensions ahead of RNC

217 Today: Milwaukee residents and visitors share mixed reactions on political tensions ahead of RNC

Monday, July 15, 2024 Today’s headlines: The National Weather Service has a high heat advisory until 8 p.m. tonight for counties across central and southeast Illinois. Central Illinoisans are expressing concerns for the future following a failed assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. Illinois Republicans say they’re rallying around the former president even more…

217 Today: Illinois’ Trump delegates head to Milwaukee at a time of upheaval in the state Republican party

217 Today: Illinois’ Trump delegates head to Milwaukee at a time of upheaval in the state Republican party

Friday, July 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Macon County is the latest Illinois county to detect the presence of West Nile virus. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to back President Joe Biden’s candidacy. A suburban Chicago congressman is the second member of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation to call for President Joe Biden to end his…

217 Today: Balloons Over Vermilion soars through central Illinois this weekend

217 Today: Balloons Over Vermilion soars through central Illinois this weekend

Thursday, July 11, 2024 Today’s headlines:  A University of Illinois student is being charged with a felony for her involvement in an on-campus demonstration for Palestine in April. A political scientist at the University of Illinois says polls show a majority of Democratic voters are worried about President Biden’s age. However, many are still ready to…

217 Today: Central Illinois social service agencies outline struggle to combat rise in rural homelessness

217 Today: Central Illinois social service agencies outline struggle to combat rise in rural homelessness

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Champaign Police Department is working to reduce speeding on the roads, as part of a statewide effort this month. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is renewing support for President Joe Biden’s re-election bid while not ruling out his own potential White House run. Southern Illinois University scientists have created an edible…

217 Today: Domestic violence survivors in Illinois are in prison for abusers’ crimes

217 Today: Domestic violence survivors in Illinois are in prison for abusers’ crimes

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 Today’s headlines: Champaign will see heavy rainfall and windy weather Tuesday night as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl make their way to Indianapolis. The public will have a chance to weigh in on the future of Metra, Pace and the CTA in Chicago at a series of hearings starting today. Steve Serio, one…

217 Today: Urbana activists want more police oversight. But local laws hold the civilian review board hostage

217 Today: Urbana activists want more police oversight. But local laws hold the civilian review board hostage

Monday, July 8, 2024 Today’s headlines: Peaches in deep southern Illinois will have a bounce-back year this summer. There is an abundance of invasive fish in Illinois waters, including a species of carp. The Chicago Coalition for Family Building is working to make costly infertility treatments more affordable. Climate scientists say extreme weather is happening…

A baseball player wears an eye mask while swinging at bat at a ball.

217 Today: Baseball tournament for the visually impaired comes to Savoy

Friday, July 5, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Champaign County Freedom Celebration parade was canceled yesterday due to weather conditions.   The Illinois Department of Public Health has added nearly 150 zip codes to its list of high-risk areas for lead exposure for children. Highland Park held its first parade, following a mass shooting two years ago….

217 Today: A ‘silver tsunami’ is hitting rural America as small business owners retire without replacements

217 Today: A ‘silver tsunami’ is hitting rural America as small business owners retire without replacements

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 Today’s headlines: Champaign’s annual Fourth of July Parade will have a new addition this year. The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission was awarded $380,000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation to plan for the impacts of climate change on local transportation systems. The University of Illinois has helped secure a $51 million federal…

217 Today: A study finds the bird flu could survive pasteurization

217 Today: A study finds the bird flu could survive pasteurization

Tuesday, July 2, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois reactions to the U-S Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity – predictably – fell along party lines. Western Illinois University is letting go of three dozen faculty members. Governor J.B. Pritzker is defending the state’s decision to close aging prisons in Lincoln and Joliet. Petersen Health Care’s nearly…

A lash tech puts fake lashes on a mannequin head to practice.

217 Today: For-profit cosmetology graduates rarely earn more than high school grads

Monday, July 1, 2024 Today’s headlines: One local health care organization is being recognized for its inclusive and supportive care for LGBTQ+ patients. Independence Day fireworks started early this weekend and continue in the week ahead. Top Illinois Democrats are reaffirming their support for President Joe Biden after his lackluster debate performance against Republican Donald Trump….

217 Today: Students at Illinois’ for-profits colleges often leave worse off than when they started

217 Today: Students at Illinois’ for-profits colleges often leave worse off than when they started

Friday, June 28, 2024 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois blasted former president Donald Trump following last night’s debate on CNN. Independence Day celebrations are starting early this weekend with firework displays and events around central Illinois. Two Illinois lawmakers say they weren’t involved in the opening of two state-run migrant shelters on Chicago’s South…

217 Today: Illinois teachers paddle & learn about watersheds on the Rock River

217 Today: Illinois teachers paddle & learn about watersheds on the Rock River

Thursday, June 27, 2024 Today’s headlines: A U.S. Supreme Court decision could poke holes in parts of the federal bribery case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Summer Olympics are fast approaching and one University of Illinois athlete is gearing up to compete. Starting Monday, undocumented immigrants in Illinois can get standard driver’s licenses….

A green sign with the words "Knox County Mary Davis Home."

217 Today: Mary Davis Home moves toward compliance with new state standards

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Today’s headlines: People across central Illinois are cleaning up from yesterday’s high winds and heavy rains. An organization that helps out-of-state women get abortion care in Illinois is waiting to see how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a federal law that requires hospitals to accept Medicare for emergency abortions. Illinois House…

217 Today: Drunk driving costs the U.S. billions in medical expenses and lives lost. One school uses a simulation to raise awareness

217 Today: Drunk driving costs the U.S. billions in medical expenses and lives lost. One school uses a simulation to raise awareness

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 Today’s headlines: Despite community members speaking out against it, the Urbana City Council voted to increase its police force by four last night. Champaign-Urbana is home to around 6,000 Congolese people – to celebrate their presence, one Congolese man is starting a new annual African festival. Illinois’ state climatologist says there’s…