More Illinois Democrats – including Pritzker – endorse Harris for president
Gov. JB Pritzker added his name to the growing list of influential Democrats endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president following
Rural student “didn’t see any changes” after Illinois LGBTQ+ history law passed
Common textbooks from companies like McGraw Hill have long included information on Asian American, African American and Native American history — but not LGBTQ+ history. That can make it challenging for teachers to comply with Illinois inclusive history requirements.
High schoolers in rural, western Illinois learn the history of why their town is white
“My students want to ask about lynchings in the area,” said Cuba High School history teacher Joe Brewer. “It’s difficult for folks to talk about still, but those are the exact questions my students want to address.”
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.
Illinois lawmakers race to support and criticize Biden for dropping out of presidential race
Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago in August.
President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns
Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would’ve made his nomination mostly a formality. Now that he’s dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. What happens after that is unclear.
Most Illinois jails restrain people in chairs. This county ‘violently shocked’ them, too.
A few years ago, Coles County Jail promised to stop using electrified “stun cuffs” to shock people restrained in chairs. How much has changed? Warning:
After years of controversy, state pauses CO2 pipeline construction, for now
New law also lays out safety requirements for future carbon sequestration projects.
Illinois deputy charged with murder shot woman in face after ordering her to move pot of water
Sonya Massey was killed at her home in Springfield after Grayson and another Sangamon County deputy responded to her 911 call early July 6.
Comedian Bob Newhart, deadpan master of sitcoms and telephone monologues, dies at 94
The accountant-turned-comedian gained fame with a smash album and became one of the most popular TV stars of his time. Newhart was a Chicago psychologist in “The Bob Newhart Show” in the 1970s and a Vermont innkeeper on “Newhart” in the 1980s.
Sangamon County deputy indicted for murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey
John Milhiser said the footage will be released to the public Monday, July 22. “Nothing has been redacted, except for the blurring of certain images, which was done out of respect for Ms. Massey and her family.”
John Deere ends support of ‘social or cultural awareness’ events, distances from inclusion efforts
Deere’s move arrives just weeks after rural retailer Tractor Supply ended an array of its corporate diversity and climate efforts. While the companies’ responses differed, both arrive amid a wider backdrop of conservative backlash that has been targeting companies across industries.
At the RNC: Illinois Rep. Mary Miller takes questions from reporters
MILWAUKEE – On Tuesday morning at the Republican National Convention, Representative Miller briefly addressed reporter’s questions about Donald Trump, immigration, and crime. Because Miller rarely
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jul. 18 – Jul. 21
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Suburban native, far-right conservative talk show host Charlie Kirk speaks at RNC
The 30-year-old Wheeling High School grad founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting conservative values on high school and college campuses.
On the streets of the RNC in Milwaukee: thumbs up for VP pick JD Vance
Trump’s team has less than four months to strengthen Vance’s profile.
Storms continue in East Central Illinois overnight
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin until 1 AM CDT
Trump announces Vance as VP pick
He says on his Truth Social Network that, “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment
Trump had been accused of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back. The judge’s ruling can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court.
Illinois Republicans ready to ‘rock this’ RNC as Trump assassination attempt unites GOP
Donald Trump’s defiant response to the shooting has provided “a shot of adrenaline in our arm” for his already fervent followers, Illinois delegate Aaron Del Mar said as the GOP gets ready to kick off the Republican National Convention on Monday.
On the streets of the RNC in Milwaukee: disagreement on how to reduce political tensions
MILWAUKEE – Nearly 2,500 delegates are gathering in Milwaukee this week for a roll call vote to select the Republican presidential nominee. It comes as Americans
Peaches are bountiful again after last year’s poor crop. But it’s more mixed in one Midwest state
The peach crop across the U.S. is much better this summer than it was last year when cold temperatures affected crops in Georgia and South Carolina. Yet in southern Illinois, while some orchards are getting a bumper crop, others are having yet another year of low production.
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.
Trump is wounded but ‘fine’ after apparent assassination attempt; suspect had bomb-making materials
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting. His aides said he was in “great spirits” and doing well.
Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as assassination attempt, AP sources say
Trump’s campaign said in a statement that the former president was “fine” after a shooting at his rally in Butler. A local prosecutor says the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead.
Illinois leaders react to Trump rushed off stage after shots fired
Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.
Illinois’ Trump delegates head to Milwaukee at a time of upheaval in the state Republican party
Illinois Republicans prepare to celebrate Trump’s nomination as recent infighting has mired the state party.
Biden is holding a rare solo news conference to try to show he’s up for this campaign
President Biden’s first formal solo news conference of the year is being closely watched to see how he handles curveballs. Many in his own party want him to step back from his reelection bid.
University of Illinois student charged with mob action for pro-Palestine encampment
Yafa Issa is the first University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student to be charged for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus at the end of the 2024 school year.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jul. 11 – Jul. 14
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Pritzker ‘all in’ for Biden following visit to White House last week
Governor says he will speak as surrogate in Indiana, Ohio later this week.
Hurricane Beryl’s remnants to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding to Illinois
Meteorologists in Illinois are closely tracking Hurricane Beryl, as the storm’s remnants are forecasted to sweep through the state from late Tuesday into Wednesday. Beryl
Urbana activists want more police oversight. But local laws hold the civilian review board hostage
This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of Invisible Institute, a
Beryl weakens to tropical storm after sweeping into Texas as Cat 1 hurricane; may pass over Illinois
From NWS Lincoln: Tomorrow into Wednesday, the remnants of Hurricane Beryl are forecast to bring a swath of heavy rainfall to some part of central or southeast Illinois. The highest chance (around 20%) for more than 3 inches of rain is south of a Litchfield to Danville line. This would result in localized flooding of poor drainage, urban areas, and could cause some streams and creeks to overflow their banks.
Farm fertilizer runoff is impacting drinking water in the Midwest, not just the Gulf’s ‘dead zone’
Worsening local effects on health and recreation in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin are spurring action on problems that also cause the Gulf of Mexico’s
Illinois switching to ACT exams for state assessments
High school students to start new exams in spring 2025.
$51 million awarded to Champaign-Piatt-Macon biomanufacturing tech hub project
A year-long campaign to promote biomanufacturing in central Illinois has paid off for the University of Illinois and its partners. The U-S Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration has awarded an approximately $51 million grant to a consortium led by the University of Illinois, to establish the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (or iFAB) tech hub in Champaign, Piatt and Macon Counties.
Baseball tournament for the visually impaired comes to Savoy
SAVOY – This weekend, three Midwestern teams are coming to Savoy for the Beep Baseball Tournament. This event provides an adaptive version of the sport
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jul. 04 – Jul. 07
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
IDPH: Dozens of Central Illinois zip codes now at ‘high risk’; children need to be tested for lead
Starting this year, several communities in Central Illinois will begin mandatory lead testing for children. On Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that
Timberwolves welcome Terrence Shannon Jr. after his trying final year at Illinois
The Timberwolves took Shannon out of Illinois with the 27th pick in the first round of the draft last week after making a trade to obtain the eighth pick and get Rob Dillingham from Kentucky.
Here’s where you can see July 4th fireworks in Central Illinois – 2024
A list of local fireworks displays June 30-July 8.
How supporting caregivers could make a difference in dementia
Patients and their caregivers are often left to navigate the confusing world of dementia by themselves, but Medicare is launching a new program to change that.
Pritzker signs election bill to increase party power in primary elections
Measures also include reforms to electoral college electors and voter registration data.
What to know about the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump’s 2020 election interference case
In remarks Monday evening, Biden said the court has done a “terrible disservice” to the American people, who he says deserve to know the outcome of the case before they head to the polls.
Struggling with falling demand for farm equipment, Deere & Co. announces nearly 600 layoffs
In its most recent quarter, Deere reported a more than 15% decline in revenue, the third straight quarter of year-over-year sales declines. Deere shares slipped 1.6% in morning trading and are down about 7.5% this year.
Supreme Court sends Trump immunity case back to lower court, dimming chance of trial before election
The justices have ordered lower courts to figure out how to apply the decision to Trump’s case rather than do it themselves. The outcome means additional delay before the Republican ex-president could face trial. Trump has denied doing anything wrong.
Supreme Court makes it harder to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction, charge Trump faces
Special counsel Jack Smith has said the charges faced by Trump would not be affected. The charge was enacted in 2002 in response to the financial scandal that brought down Enron Corp.
The Supreme Court weakens federal regulators, overturning decades-old Chevron decision
The heart of the Chevron decision says federal agencies should be allowed to fill in the details when laws are ambiguous. Opponents of the decision argued it gave power that should be wielded by judges to government experts.
A halting Biden tries to confront Trump at debate but stirs Democratic panic about his candidacy
Biden’s uneven performance crystallized the concerns of many Americans that at, age 81, he is too old to serve as president. Meanwhile, the 78-year-old Trump’s rhetoric offered Americans an unwelcome reminder of the bombast he launched daily during his tumultuous four years in office, as he struggles to win over skeptical voters.
FACT FOCUS: Here’s a look at some of the false claims made during Biden and Trump’s first debate
Trump once again falsely asserted that the U.S. had the greatest economy in history during his presidency and spread misleading claims about migrant crime. Biden overstated it when he asserted that Trump encouraged people to drink bleach to address COVID-19.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jun. 27 – Jun. 30
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Biden and Trump will debate tonight. Follow NPR for live coverage
President Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to take the stage at 9 p.m. ET Thursday for the first presidential debate of the 2024 general election.
The Supreme Court rejects a nationwide opioid settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
The agreement provided that the Connecticut-based company would emerge from bankruptcy as a different entity, with its profits used for treatment and prevention. The high court had put the settlement on hold last summer, after the Biden administration objected.
Watch: Alton sinkhole, estimated 100 feet wide, collapses in the middle of park
Security camera footage shows the sudden collapse engulfing bleachers and a light pole in the middle of the soccer field.
The Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho for now in a limited ruling
The Biden administration had argued doctors must be allowed to provide emergency abortions when a pregnant patient’s health is at serious risk. But Idaho said its law does allow abortions to save the life of a pregnant woman and federal law doesn’t require wider exceptions.
Supreme Court blocks enforcement of EPA’s ‘good neighbor’ rule on downwind pollution
Three energy-producing states — Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia — challenged the rule, along with the steel industry and other groups, calling it costly and ineffective. The rule is on hold in a dozen other states because of the court challenges.
Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger endorses Biden, whose campaign wants to flip anti-Trump Republicans
The former Illinois congressman calls Trump “a direct threat to every fundamental American value.” Trump has dismissed Kinzinger’s efforts to rally fellow Republicans against him.
Quantum technology companies set for big tax incentives under new law
Economic development package also expands film, EV industry tax breaks.
Illinois man rejects deal to plead guilty to 7 murder charges in shooting at 2022 July Fourth parade
The attack killed seven people and wounded more than 40. Family members of people killed said they hoped Wednesday would bring some closure ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Instead, they plan to refocus on a trial, which is set for February.