Jesse Jackson to step down as head of civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH
Jackson is 81 and has remained active in civil rights in recent years despite health setbacks.
Coroner identifies the 3 men killed in a Greyhound bus crash near St. Louis
State police say the bus was traveling westbound along Interstate 70 in Madison County when it crashed into the semis just before 2 a.m.
Severe storms bring high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes through Central Illinois
The National Weather Service in Lincoln is advising people in Central Illinois to stay weather aware for high winds, heavy rain, possible tornado and heavy hail on Thursday. Tweets by NWSLincolnIL
Champaign police are finding new ways to engage with community youth
CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Police Department began gathering in coffee shops about six years ago for their “Coffee with a Cop” program. This month, they launched a new youth-geared program – “Ice Pops with Cops.” Their most recent “Coffee With A Cop” event was June 6th at the Starbucks on S. Neil St. in Champaign. …
Decatur’s Dennis Lab students to move to Garfield to avoid structural issues at home school
DECATUR — Kindergarten through 6th graders from Dennis Lab School in Decatur now know where they will attend school in the fall – Garfield Learning Academy. Decatur Public Schools announced last week that it would close both Dennis buildings for a year after engineers found they were not structurally sound. Students were already on summer…
Urbana schools equity audit finds identity-based bullying rampant
In a survey of about one-thousand students, about half said they had been the victim of hurtful comments. Over half thought bullying was a problem at school.
LGBTQ+ pride on display at Central Illinois parades, concerts, movies and more this June
Central Illinois pride month events begin with events in Danville and Monticello on Saturday, June 3.
Parents fuming over planned changes to Urbana elementary school
Move would likely cause school redistricting for many elementary school students URBANA — At a committee meeting of community members and school administrators, the district superintendent unveiled a possible plan to turn Wiley Elementary school into a sixth grade center. This plan didn’t appeal to many community members. Wiley is closing its doors starting this…
Pipelines that would store CO2 beneath Midwest states make some landowners nervous
Three companies are proposing pipelines across the Midwest that would carry carbon dioxide captured from ethanol plants to underground sequestration sites. The plan is to inject the CO2 deep into rock formations under Illinois and North Dakota, but some landowners are pushing back. This story is a part of a Harvest Public Media series…
Crisis centers statewide face critical service reductions
CHAMPAIGN – As dark gray storm clouds loomed over Champaign County the evening of April 20, dozens of protestors stood outside the Champaign County Courthouse. They wore ponchos and face masks, holding signs above their heads and screaming into megaphones with raspy voices. “People unite, take back the night!” Nessa Bolen, the event coordinator, cried…
Japan House celebrates long history
In 1964, Margaret Erlinger, the head of dance at the University of Illinois, was visiting Japan. There, she saw a man named Shozo Sato perform Kabuki and was enamored. After talking with Sato, Erlinger asked him if he’d want to come teach at the University of Illinois, and he said yes. Sato’s teachings at the university led…
Survivor service centers in crisis, leaders ask community for help
Officials from three survivor service agencies gathered Monday to ask the community for help before a decrease in federal funds forces them into a reduction of therapy services. Leaders from Rape Advocacy Counseling and Education Services (RACES), Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), announced their Survivor Service Fund…
2 million Illinois residents hit by reduction in SNAP benefits
CHAMPAIGN – Beginning this month, people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a sharp reduction in benefits. As the emergency allotments enacted by Congress at the start of pandemic expire, 16 million American households will now receive less monthly assistance. In Illinois, the change is expected to affect two…
Plans are back on the table for a carbon pipeline in Illinois
CHAMPAIGN – Plans have resumed for a carbon dioxide pipeline in Illinois after a brief delay. Heartland Greenway LLC refiled its application with the Illinois Commerce Commission last Friday after voluntarily withdrawing it at the end of January. The Omaha-based company is seeking a certificate of authority to construct a pipeline that would cross 13…
On Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, advocates spotlight ongoing racial disparities
Call for greater investment in Black-led treatment organizations.