
Five years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some takeaways.
Social distancing, sanitation, and remote work became part of our everyday lives when the COVID-19 Pandemic began in 2020. Five years later, its impacts are still being felt.

The new independent film festival, Savoy Lumière, will highlight talent from across the U.S. and C-U
The Chambana Film Society will hold a new independent film festival at the Savoy 16 theater from May 29 through June 2. The first annual Savoy Lumière will include screenings of independent films, foreign films, shorts and documentaries, several of which were filmed in Central Illinois.

Danville National Cemetery provides a space for veterans and their loved ones to reflect on Memorial Day
Located in the lush heart of Vermilion County, Danville National Cemetery held one of over 130 Memorial Day ceremonies organized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday, May 26.

Photography book by Phillip Kalantzis Cope features the avant-garde architecture of Champaign-Urbana
Inspired by conversations with architect Jeffrey Poss, Phillip Kalantzis Cope’s new book captures the legacy of mid-century architecture in Champaign-Urbana.

This Memorial Day, a U of I professor will honor the life of his relative who went missing during WWII
Over a decade ago, as part of his political science research at the University of Illinois, Scott Althaus dove deep into the data on World War II casualties. The project was focused on studying the information Americans receive about ongoing wars overseas that involve American forces.

Art as hope: Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center takes on beautification project
The walls of the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center are covered with new art, created by the residents in partnership with local muralist Leslie Kimble.

America’s favorite pollinator species is experiencing its biggest loss in history. What’s the buzz?
As the nation’s primary pollinator, the European honeybee is responsible for adding around $15 billion to crop values in the U.S. But nationally, the bees are facing the highest death rate ever recorded, alarming beekeepers and researchers.

Reflections on the life and legacy of Shozo Sato, who founded the University of Illinois’ Japan House
Shozo Sato, founder of Japan House and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, passed away on May 4 at age 91. Sato dedicated his life to fostering cross-cultural understanding through art and education.

Champaign’s police review board aims to improve policing, but some fear it lacks power to make change
The Citizen Review Subcommittee was created after years of issues involving police misconduct. It’s supposed to improve community-police relations and ensure fair policing practices, but some worry its structure makes it impossible to achieve its goals.

Undermined from the start? A look at the early challenges faced by Champaign’s police civilian review board
The issues with Champaign’s Civilian Review Subcommittee can be traced to obstacles created by officials during the decades-long push for civilian oversight of police in Champaign.

Republicans have Medicaid in their crosshairs and Illinois residents who depend on it are worried
Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of low-income people and those with disabilities. But the Trump administration wants to cut $1.5 trillion dollars in federal spending, which policy experts say won’t be possible without steep cuts to Medicaid.

More than just a garden: how the Red Oak Rain Garden manages floods and inspires students
Average rainfall in the Champaign-Urbana area has risen in the past century, according to the Illinois State Climatologist, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources considers flooding to be Illinois’ most prominent natural disaster.