U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump’s federal cuts. Now they’re hurting for help
The Natural Resources Conservation Service lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationwide in 2025 after the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government. Many were local experts that help farmers with soil and water conservation efforts.
Illinois kicks off the season with a win against UAB
The entire stadium was lit by a new, large, bright video scoreboard.
PHOTOS: Fighting Illini Football beats UAB, debuts largest video scoreboard in college football
In an evening game on September 3, 2026, the Fighting Illini football team defeated the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers.
IPM’s 2026 Midterm Election candidate interviews
One-on-one in-depth conversations with congressional, gubernatorial, senate, and local government candidates from the 21st Show and IPM News ahead of the November mid-terms
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois September 3 – 6
Listen to Sam Rink and Lyric Roy talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Heat wave continues in Central Illinois ahead of Labor Day weekend
The National Weather Service said conditions are dangerously hot, and that it could feel like 105 degrees.
Millions of older Americans don’t have enough to eat, as food prices rise beyond fixed incomes
Inflation in food prices can hit even harder for people in their 60s and older as they also juggle fixed incomes, health problems and changes in federal law.
Gloria Steinem, trailblazing journalist and activist, dies at 92
Starting in the 1960s, at a time when women were largely limited to domestic roles, Steinem challenged gender stereotypes and championed feminist ideals like equality, sisterhood and reproductive freedom.
New Rantoul mural honoring Tuskegee Airmen bridges history and community through art
A new mural unveiled this week honors the lives of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-Black flying squadron for the U.S. Army Air Corps. The artwork is the newest stop on the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail.
Judge orders federal logging project halted in Shawnee National Forest
Ruling finds Biden administration’s approval violated Endangered Species Act.
Champaign County officials say they can’t ban data centers. But residents want tighter restrictions
A ban on large data center development could expose the county to a lawsuit from a developer, according to Champaign County officials. A proposed ordinance offers guardrails for new centers, but some feel it’s not strict enough.
Bad weather has kept these Urbana children out of school. A new bus stop shelter is in the works
In Ivanhoe Estates, weather is the most common reason children miss school. A partnership between parents there, CU Early, Urbana School District 116 and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture is working on a simple solution – a covered bus stop.
El mal tiempo ha impedido que estos niños de Urbana vayan a la escuela. Se está planeando una nueva parada de autobús
En Ivanhoe Estates, las condiciones meteorológicas son la razón más frecuente por la que los niños faltan a la escuela. Una colaboración está trabajando en una solución sencilla: una parada de autobús cubierta.
NASA’s newest space telescope has launched — and a Champaign-Urbana native helped build it
Over the next five years, NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to reveal more information on the expansion of the universe, dark matter and distant planets.
America @ 250: Diane Lathrop asks what went wrong, and how we keep it from happening again.
Mattoon resident Diane Lathrop was born and raised in east-central Illinois. She was valedictorian of the Mattoon Senior High School class of 1971. She attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and, in 2023, retired after more than 40 years in the financial services industry.
GOP congressional candidate Jeff Wilson on tariffs, energy production, and healthcare
Jeff Wilson, a Republican and former member of the Champaign County Board, is making a bid to flip Illinois’ 13th congressional district. He makes his case on The 21st Show.
American ranchers are irked by Trump’s efforts to bring down beef prices: ‘This is a mistake’
The Trump administration has tried to lower beef prices for months, but demand, drought and a parasite have foiled its efforts.
Champaign County Clerk candidates disagree on Trump’s SAVE Act, decline to discuss federal charges
Champaign County’s incumbent clerk, Democrat Aaron Ammons, faces a challenge from Republican Alan Anderson. During a candidate forum hosted by IPM, the two discussed election administration and local challenges. They declined to comment on allegations against Ammons in a federal indictment.
Squeezed by a tough economy, many farmers are relying on decades-old machinery
More farmers are opting to repair old tractors, combines and other machinery instead of buying new upgrades. A tough farm economy and historically-high equipment prices are at least partly to blame.
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski discusses her record, makes case for third term
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski sat down with the 21st Show’s Brian Mackey to discuss her accomplishments so far and her position on many current issues while seeking another tern.
Illinois attorney general joins suit against Postal Service over mail voting rules
The case follows Supreme Court ruling allowing Trump administration to proceed with restrictions.
8 taken to hospital after house explosion west of Bloomington
The house was burned to the ground in the explosion and resulting fire, according to a WGLT reporter at the scene.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts upcoming season celebrates community
The 2026-2027 season at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts includes musical collaborations, an illusionist, circus acts and more.
Yes, there’s pesticide on your fruits and veggies. Here’s what scientists say you should do
Hundreds of pesticides are legal, but that doesn’t mean that their impacts on health are fully understood. Cleaning produce before eating it reduces your exposure.
Urbana City Council’s Ward 6 seat open after incumbent member steps down
Southeast Urbana’s incumbent council member Grace Wilken resigned earlier this week. Residents of Ward 6 can apply by September 11 to be appointed to Wilken’s former seat.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 27 – 30
Back-to-school events, a family resource fair, museum exhibitions, live music and more are coming to central Illinois this weekend.
Can the WPBL be a long-term success? Yes – if people are patient, experts say
Since Aug.1, the Women’s Pro Baseball League has been playing its inaugural season in Springfield. It’s the fifth league of its kind in U.S. history. Its players hope there is no need for a sixth.
Dolly Parton, one of country music’s most singular performers, has died at age 80
The artist’s death was confirmed in a statement from her representatives, as well as in a video posted to social media from her nephew Bryan Seaver.
University of Illinois classes begin ‘with great energy’
Classes began Monday at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
America @ 250: Callie McFarland asks what America wants to be when it grows up
Callie McFarland has lived in Monticello since 2004. She’s a mother of two, a farmer’s wife and a small business owner. Since 2008, she’s been the director of community and economic development for the city of Monticello.
Data center energy consumption raises concerns about long-term costs and reliability
Illinois is home to more than 240 data centers.
New Champaign Unit 4 Superintendent on the decision to become an educator, how to support students and families
Geovanny Ponce arrived as Unit 4 superintendent in July. He grew up in Honduras and specializes in turning around low-performing schools.
Former Sangamon County deputy convicted of murder dies while in custody
State parole board denied a medical release for Sean Grayson just three weeks ago.
This large Chicago high school rarely suspends its students
Schools in Illinois suspend Black students at much higher rates than white students. Kenwood Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side stands out for bucking that trend.
Teen arrested for robbery in Campustown
Four teenagers are accused of committing aggravated robbery in Champaign’s Campustown Tuesday.
Pritzker signs disaster proclamation to aid Illinois communities in storm cleanup efforts
The relief will be available to 15 counties after recent severe and record-breaking storms.
This Springfield high school has one of the highest rates of suspensions for Black students in Illinois
There were fewer than 500 Black students at Lanphier High School in the 2024-2025 school year, but they received almost four times that number of in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
Champaign Unit 4 School District would like to build a fourth middle school. It needs approval from voters
The school board is putting the question to voters in a ballot referendum – do they support the school district selling bonds to build and rebuild its middle schools?
Flood Watch issued for Central Illinois
The Flood Watch begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday and will continue until 1 a.m. Thursday.
Can purple corn replace some synthetic food dyes? Midwest scientists see potential
Shades of red extracted from an ancient corn variety held up to heat and other conditions typical of food processing and storage. Researchers are exploring whether this natural dye alternative could open new markets for Midwest farmers.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 20 – 23
Dance lessons for people with Parkinson’s, live music, a sale for dumpster-reclaimed items and more are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Rantoul teen found dead after flooding accident in rural Champaign County
The county coroner’s office said the body of Elias A. Smith, 17 was found Monday in a flooded drainage ditch in Condit Township, west of Rantoul.
As Urbana District 116 students return to school, parents reflect on outgoing superintendent
Monday was the first day of school in Urbana District 116. It also marked the beginning of Superintendent Jennifer Ivory-Tatum’s last year in charge.
Bipartisan group of Champaign County Board members thwart vote on home rule, blocking a plan to ban data centers
Several Champaign County Board members left the special meeting early, causing it to end after only three minutes and before any member of the public could speak on the home rule issue.
This Rockford middle school disciplines Black students more than any school in Illinois
Schools in Illinois discipline Black students at much higher rates than white students.
A Rockford middle school is an outlier for handing out the most discipline violations per Black student of any school in the state.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on SAFE-T Act, budget, and Illinois schools
Republican candidate for Illinois governor, Darren Bailey discussed why he decided on a second run for governor last week on the 21st Show.
Pesticides can drift for miles, injuring plants. That can hurt farmers’ bottom-line
Dicamba, a potent herbicide, can drift miles away from where it’s originally sprayed. There’s little recourse for farmers whose plants are damaged by the pesticide.
America @ 250: Allan Crandell discusses how we can again find meaning as Americans
Dr. Allan Crandall has provided psychotherapeutic and medical services to people throughout central Illinois and in Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska and Colorado.
Urbana teachers to receive annual 5% raise under new contract
Under the new contract, teachers in Urbana will get 5% raises each year for the next 3 years.
This group of Philo students are sharing their love for Ukraine at the Illinois State Fair
Two sisters and their friend won an award at the Champaign County Fair for their presentation on Ukrainian culture.
Excess nutrients can lie dormant in soil for years before polluting rivers, study finds
U.S. Geological Survey researchers developed models to better understand the timing and sources contributing to nutrient pollution in streams and rivers. They say their findings can help guide efforts to improve water quality.
Synthetic fabrics kneecapped American cotton. Industry leaders have a plan to revive it
Fewer people are buying cotton thanks to the rise of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. Now, the U.S. cotton industry wants to boost demand for American-grown cotton with tax credits and marketing campaigns.
Urbana District 116 superintendent plans to say good-bye after this school year
Jennifer Ivory-Tatum has led the district for seven years.
2026 butter cow: ‘Miles of Smiles’ is State Fair’s theme in celebration of Route 66
The Illinois State Fair will run from Aug. 13-23 in Springfield.
DeKalb and Aurora are flush with data center cash. They differ in how to spend it
Since the Meta Data Center has operated in DeKalb, it has accumulated $72 million in additional property tax revenue for the city. In Aurora, officials are being purposely cautious with data centers and choosing to not spend their new revenue yet on specific projects.
Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams’ state of the city address highlights decrease in crime, plans to confront housing challenges
Mayor Deshawn Williams spoke at his State of the City address about public works improvements, including new street lights and sidewalks as well as public safety and violence prevention.
Pritzker, Bailey seek to convince farmers at forum they’re the best candidate for agriculture
Illinois farmers heard pitches from incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker and downstate Republican farmer Darren Bailey on Monday as each argued they’re best positioned to address agricultural issues.
Central Illinois under Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall are expected.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 13 – 16
A singer-songwriter showcase, a fall plant sale, a vegetarian soul food buffet and more are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Champaign County group rallying against data centers hosts second information session
Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County launched last month to push against data center development in the county.