Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
The Black, gay actor claimed two men assaulted him, spouted slurs and tossed a noose around his neck. Smollett was on the television drama “Empire,” which filmed in Chicago.
Chapter Four: Fallout-The Past is Never Dead
Nobel Laureate William Faulkner once wrote that “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Nowhere are Faulkner’s words more true today than in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. This week’s chapter of Fallout considers the long durability of injustice and violence and asks what it might take to…
‘My client is the speaker’: Jury hears wiretapped calls of Madigan co-defendant, longtime friend
Prosecutors paint picture of Mike McClain’s extreme loyalty to ex-Illinois House speaker CHICAGO – By early 2019, Mike McClain had been a fixture around the Statehouse in Springfield for the better part of 50 years, first as a Democratic lawmaker in the 1970s and then for decades as a high-profile contract lobbyist. And though he…
Illinois launches push to combat distracted driving
Brenda Protz lost her 14-year-old daughter in November 2019 in a distracted-driving crash. Jenna and a friend were riding home from a football game with Jenna’s paternal grandparents when their car was struck by a distracted driver. Jenna and the others in her car died; the other driver survived. “Jenna’s life was cut short,” said…
The Harris-Trump debate becomes the 2024 election’s latest landmark event
Listen to the debate Tuesday at 8pm on WILL AM 580, FM 90.9, and Illinois Soul FM 101.1 or watch the debate on WILL-TV.
Health officials recall eggs after a salmonella outbreak that includes Illinois
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 65 people in nine states, including Illinois, were infected by a strain of salmonella.
‘We all failed you’: Heartbreak at funeral for Israeli-American hostage in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli-American family that became an international symbol in the struggle to free hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza laid their son to rest on Monday after the discovery of his body and those of five others brought a fresh outpouring of grief. Tens of thousands of people thronged a Jerusalem cemetery to pay…
What’s Your Story? Urbana Free Library seeks visual artists for new program starting this fall
URBANA – The Urbana Free Library is looking for local artists to share their work and knowledge for the Artist-in-Residence Program. Three artists will have each have one month to share their work and guide the public through creating visual artwork, which can be anything from painting to collages to yarn work. Morning Edition host…
‘Midwestern Nice’ and ‘Fun Dad’ posts abound after Tim Walz is named VP pick
Walz’s Midwestern-dad humor has endeared Harris supporters to the Minnesota governor and father of two, whose national visibility has been on the rise since Harris took over the Democratic ticket.
Democrats are rallying around Harris as she vows to ‘earn and win’ party nomination for president
Democrats face the task of rearranging the top of their ticket before the party’s nominating convention begins Aug. 19.
What we know about the 20-year-old man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump
Law enforcement officials were working Sunday to learn more about Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to determine what drove him to open fire on the rally from a nearby rooftop, killing one spectator, before he was shot dead by the Secret Service.
Five Cities Baroque Festival is back for second season in central Illinois
DECATUR- Singers and musicians from across central Illinois are collaborating to celebrate Baroque music this June at the Five Cities Baroque Festival. Performances will be held throughout Champaign and Decatur starting this Sunday, June 16th through Saturday, June 22nd. Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield spoke with the festival’s founding director, Nate Widelitz, about bringing 17th…
Protest for Palestine at UIUC leads to two arrests; negotiations reach peaceful resolution
UPDATED at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. A long day of protests at the Alma Mater in Urbana ended late Friday night, after pro-Palestinian students and officials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reached a peaceful resolution. Earlier in the day, U of I police arrested two people protesting in support of…
C-U Schools Foundation honors late UIUC Professor for his contribution to local communities
Patterson was one of several alumni from Champaign or Urbana public schools to be honored.