Hot and humid weather returns to Central Illinois this week

URBANA – Meteorologists are warning that dangerous heat will return to Central Illinois this week. The National Weather Service in Central Illinois says daily afternoon highs will be in the 90s by midweek. Combined with high humidity, the heat index, or what it will feel like outside, will range from 100 to 110 degrees. Forecasters […]
Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ has died at 89

Relatives say Sunday that Nichelle Nichols, who broke ground for Black women acting on television as the beautiful, no-nonsense communications officer Lt. Nyota Uhura on the original “Star Trek” TV series, has died at the age of 89. Her role in the 1966-69 series as Lt. Uhura earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with […]
Chicago teen fatally shot outside Decatur graduation party

DECATUR — A 14-year-old girl from Chicago has been killed outside a graduation party in Decatur. Three more people were injured early Sunday. The Macon County coroner identified the victim as T’Earra Moore. People were leaving the party around 2 a.m. when shots were fired in the parking lot. The girl was struck and later […]
State Rep. Lisa Hernandez becomes Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino woman chair.

The vote for state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez as the Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino chairwoman was unanimous and uneventful Saturday morning – the drama had occurred in the days prior in a power struggle of some of the state’s most prominent Democrats. Hernandez was backed Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” […]
Bill Russell, who led the Boston Celtics to eleven NBA titles in 13 years, has died at age 88.

BOSTON (AP) — The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday in Mercer Island, Washington. The statement did not give the cause of death, but Russell was not well enough to present the NBA Finals MVP trophy in June due to a long […]