
‘Quite remarkable’: The Farm Aid benefit concert, which started in Champaign, celebrates 40 years
Farm Aid is a traveling benefit concert that has raised more than $80 million nationwide to help struggling family farms across the U.S. The first annual Farm Aid event was held 40 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1985, in what is now Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Local lawmakers address rising energy costs and social service cuts at a joint town hall in Champaign
A joint town hall meeting hosted by state legislators in Champaign focused on rising energy costs and recent cuts to social services. The meeting was hosted by Sen. Paul Faraci and Rep. Carol Ammons at the Illinois terminal in Champaign Thursday.

Two new sculptures join Urbana Parks’ permanent collection
The Urbana Park District recently acquired two marble sculptures for its permanent art display at Meadowbrook Park. Sculpted into a slab of swirling diverted petals, artist Jon Isherwood titled them “The Gifting Angel” and “After Giverny,” referencing impressionist artist Claude Monet’s waterlilies.

‘Predictor’ brings the story of Meg Crane, inventor of the home pregnancy test, to Station Theatre in Urbana
“Predictor,” a play about the inventor of the home pregnancy test, has its Illinois premiere at Station Theatre in Urbana, showing through Sept. 21. It is also set to premiere off Broadway in New York in December.

A 200-year-old a cappella tradition brings voices together in Urbana
Sacred Harp is a non-denominational a cappella musical event, where everyone, regardless of experience, can come together and sing. For over 200 years, the tradition has aimed to unite communities across the country.

Champaign’s El Grito festival kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with high energy — despite ICE fears
El Grito de Dolores was the call to arms marking the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. Now El Grito is held every year in Mexico City and all over the world, bringing Mexicans together to commemorate their history.

Childhood games bridge cultures at Coffee Across Cultures Hour on U of I campus
At the latest Coffee Across Cultures Hour event, students gathered in the Siebel Center for Design in Champaign to enjoy coffee, tea and pastries while exploring this month’s theme: childhood games.

Honorary street unveiled to celebrate Dean Clarence Shelley’s 50-year legacy at Illinois
Honorary Dean Clarence Shelley Way, unveiled Sept. 14, memorializes a man who spent 50 years working to foster a learning community where everyone, regardless of background, could strive for excellence.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk remembered on the University of Illinois South Quad
Many of the vigil attendees went to Kirk’s debate series at the U of I or other Illinois schools.

Young men share how crime has impacted them at community discussion
CHAMPAIGN— Champaign County officials, program leaders and youth met Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issues troubling young people. Panelists, including three young men who were

Champaign’s 9/11 memorial ceremony remembers first responders, encourages unity
At West Side Park, an American flag was raised to half-staff and “Amazing Grace” was played by two Champaign Fire Honor Guard members at a ceremony to commemorate the lives of first responders who were lost during the 9/11 attacks 24 years ago today.

BERTHA rocks ELLNORA guitar festival with ‘Grateful Drag’
In 2020, Melody Walker and her friend Caitlin Doyle decided they wanted to form an all-female Grateful Dead cover band. After a few male friends expressed interest in taking part in the group, they allowed it — as long as they dressed like women.

