Remembering Latrelle Bright: a pillar in the Champaign-Urbana theater community
Latrelle Bright was one of Champaign-Urbana’s influential artistic leaders: a director, mentor, teaching professor and friend. The local community remembers her widespread impact.
Some Midwest soybeans are headed to China. But farmers still need other buyers
U.S. soybean farmers this fall had faced the grim reality of losing their largest foreign buyer, until President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a deal last week.
Champaign appoints fire chief
Tyler Funk has been serving as the city’s interim fire chief since July. Prior to that, Funk served the Champaign Fire Department for 26 years, rising to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief before retiring in 2023.
Republican Don Tracy talks with The 21st Show about his bid to flip Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat
Don Tracy, a former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, is running to succeed Senator Dick Durbin. Tracy shared his perspective on immigration enforcement, foreign conflicts and casting a big tent for conservatives.
Illinois bill ‘decouples’ state, federal taxes, raising revenue and angering businesses
The House voted 76-33 and the Senate 37-19 to pass Senate bill 1911. If signed by the governor, it would erase about $250 million from the projected fiscal year 2026 deficit.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 6 – Nov. 9
Plays and musicals, an art fair, a film festival and more are all happening in central Illinois this week.
Election 2025 America Votes
Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has been elected governor of New Jersey. Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger has won Virginia’s election for governor. Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City.
An engine fell off a UPS plane before a deadly crash and explosion in Kentucky, the NTSB says
A UPS cargo plane’s left wing caught fire and an engine fell off just before it crashed and exploded after takeoff in Kentucky, a federal investigator said Wednesday, offering the first official details about a disaster that killed at least 11 people, including a child.
Illinois treasurer faces no GOP challenger as 2026 primary ballots take shape
No Republican filed to run for state treasurer by the close of the weeklong filing period for the March 17 primary election, marking, according to Frerichs’ campaign,
SNAP funds are delayed and reduced for 2M Illinoisans due to the shutdown. Here’s how C-U is affected
Nearly 2 million Illinois residents lost access to SNAP benefits on Saturday, leaving many struggling to afford groceries. While Gov. JB Pritzker has directed $20 million in state funds to food banks, it’s still uncertain when federal aid will resume for the millions of Americans affected.
Identity theft scam targets Logan County residents, claiming missed jury duty
Several people in Logan County reported phone calls and text messages which threaten arrest warrants for failing to appear for jury duty.
Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84
Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in U.S. history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq, has died at age 84.
Trump administration OKs partial SNAP funding for November after judges’ orders
The Trump administration said Monday it would use emergency funds to partially fund SNAP benefits for November but would not tap into other funds to provide full coverage.
Tasks on a treadmill: Live show pushes the limits, explores human abilities in unique way
Burnout Paradise features four artists will performing a series of tasks all while running on treadmills. The show is coming to Krannert Center for the Performing arts this November 7 and 8.
Bill to regulate homeowners’ insurance rates fails on final day of veto session
Pritzker had called for action in wake of State Farm’s 27.2% rate hike in July.
David Mirkovic has 19 points, 14 rebounds to lead No. 17 Illinois to a 113-55 win over Jackson State
Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward from Montenegro, is one of four new international players on the Illinois roster this season.
Conservation land trust in Coles County to expand
This project adds another stretch of the Embarras River to the existing 14 river-miles under Grand Prairie Friends’ protection across Champaign, Douglas and Coles Counites.
‘Word is Seed’ brings poetry and songs in a variety of languages to Spurlock Museum in Urbana
The eighth annual “Word is Seed” event at the Spurlock Museum in Urbana highlighted the beauty of language, featuring speakers presenting their poems or songs in their own language.
In Chicago, a Halloween weekend of immigration arrests and violence
Over the weekend, heightened immigration enforcement actions in and around Chicago led to muted Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations, with residents reporting a noticeable decline in festivities.
Lawsuit alleges ICE detainees denied access to counsel while held in ‘inhumane’ conditions
7th Circuit rules judge overstepped in ordering Bovino into court for daily check-ins
Veterans showcase their artwork surrounding Veterans Day
If All the Sky Were Paper will feature artwork by veterans at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts through November.
Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare were also seeing dozens of delays and one or two cancellations.
Illinois bounces back with a statement win against Rutgers
Illinois brought itself back in the win column with a 35-13 victory against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, making itself eligible for a bowl game.
Former deputy Sean Grayson found guilty of murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey inside her Springfield house
A jury on Wednesday convicted an Illinois sheriff’s deputy of second-degree murder, a lesser charge, in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a suspected prowler.
Ledisi returning to Illinois after European tour and paying homage to Dinah Washington with new album
Ledisi wowed crowds at Krannert Center for Performing Arts in Urbana.
Uncertainty over federal food aid deepens as the shutdown fight reaches a crisis point
WASHINGTON — The crises at the heart of the government shutdown fight in Washington were coming to a head Saturday as the federal food assistance program faced delays
‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois
Man detained at Spanish-speaking traffic court in Clinton County is a first in the area .
Illinois lawmakers approve ban on civil immigration arrests in state courthouses
After weeks of criticizing federal immigration raids, state lawmakers took legislative action.
Lawmakers OK sweeping energy reform package that governor pledges to sign
SPRINGFIELD — A closely-watched and long-debated piece of energy legislation is set to become law after passing through both legislative chambers with the governor’s endorsement.
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee sparks anxiety among international students and economists
A new federal policy requiring companies to pay $100,000 for each H-1B visa application has sparked concern among international students. Critics say the change could make it harder for skilled foreign workers to stay in the U.S., threatening innovation and widening talent gaps in key industries.
Illinois students are now learning reading skills faster every year. What changed?
The Illinois State Board of Education released data on Thursday showing stronger reading growth than before the pandemic.
Health insurance costs are rising as financial assistance declines. Here’s how C-U could be affected
With open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace starting on Nov. 1, local health advocates are warning that premiums for 2026 plans could more than double unless Congress extends subsidies that reduce those costs.
Pritzker warns immigration crackdown becoming ‘wider and more intense’
Governor says masked agents are targeting families, not ‘the worst of the worst’.
‘Drop in the bucket’: Illinois measures to offset SNAP cuts will not alleviate problem
Advocates say devoting state funds to food pantries will not fill gap left by federal shutdown.
Reaction to the Sean Grayson verdict
An Illinois jury has convicted a sheriff’s deputy of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a suspected prowler. The jury announced the verdict against Sean Grayson on Wednesday.
House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers
Proponents say energy storage, efficiency programs will save money, critics wary of claims.
House transit bill ‘not going forward,’ Pritzker says as he opposes new revenue forms
Governor says ‘a lot of discussion’ needed to move funding plan forward.
Former deputy found guilty of murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911
Sean Grayson arrived at Sonya Massey’s home in Springfield after she reported seeing a prowler early on July 6, 2024. At the time of the shooting, Massey was holding a pan of hot water.
Interstellar insight: What astronomers hope to learn from 3I/ATLAS
An interstellar comet is currently traveling through our solar system at 200 times the speed of sound. Astronomers around the world, including in Champaign-Urbana, are eager to see what the fast-moving space rock can teach us about the universe — and ourselves.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Oct. 30 – Nov. 2
Halloween activities, Día de los Muertos celebrations, auditions for a play, and more are happening in central Illinois this week.
Jury deliberations start in trial of Illinois deputy who killed Sonya Massey
The jury received the case at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday following closing arguments in the trial of 31-year-old Sean Grayson. Grayson responded to Sonya Massey’s home in Springfield in July 2024 after her call about a prowler.
Illinois joins lawsuit to force federal government not to pause SNAP benefits
Nearly 2M Illinoisans could lose benefits as federal shutdown continues.
Crowded Dem primaries, GOP field for governor take shape as candidates file for office
GOP primary for governor remains in flux after tragedy hits Darren Bailey’s family.
Good gourd! These Midwesterners are raising giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a car
Giant pumpkins can top the scales at more than 2,000 pounds – and caring for these behemoths is often a full-time job. But for some growers in the central U.S., the dream of raising a world record-setting pumpkin is a tantalizing prospect.
U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries brings his redistricting push to Illinois
State Sen. Willie Preston, who serves as chair of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus, said he’ll oppose any new map that dilutes Black representation.
Ex-cop charged with murdering Sonya Massey testifies his actions ‘matched the threat level’
Former downstate police officer Sean Grayson told the jury that Massey’s vow to “rebuke him in the name of Jesus” led him to shoot her. His testimony drew scoffs from Massey’s mother.
Trump wants to import beef from Argentina. Republicans and ag groups say, what about America?
Ranchers, lawmakers and farmers’ unions are sounding the alarm over a Trump administration plan to increase beef imports from Argentina.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino ordered to testify in federal court
Judge asked to order many immigrants released from detention to electronic monitoring.
Inside the courtroom: Jury could decide the fate of Sean Grayson in his murder trial this week
Testimony resumes Monday in the trial of Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey.
Denzel Boston’s big day helps Washington beat No. 23 Illinois and match its 2024 win total
The Fighting Illini lost for the third time in five weeks after a 3-0 start to the year in which they were ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation.
Crews extinguish fires at two UIUC buildings
URBANA – Investigators are trying to find the cause of two building fires at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Around 12:20 p.m. on Friday, crews
ICE activity not confirmed by C-U officials, but immigrant rights groups report verified sightings
Local officials say there’s been no confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Champaign-Urbana this week — but immigrant advocacy groups say their rapid response teams have verified sightings.
EV maker Rivian to cut 4.5% of its workforce
It’s unclear how many of those jobs are in Normal; a Rivian spokesperson said no manufacturing operations employees are impacted.
The Virginia Theatre celebrates 50 years of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ with new shadow cast
CHAMPAIGN — The Virginia Theatre in Champaign will host its annual showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 25. This year’s showing will
Pritzker forms independent commission to document misconduct of federal agents
The Illinois Accountability Commission will seek public input of misconduct by federal agents .
Danville’s ousted school finance director: “This decision is retaliatory”
Danville District 118 Business and Finance Director Narcissus Rankin claims the school board dismissed her due to her close relationship with former superintendent Alicia Geddis.
A year after statewide picket, Galesburg prison still plagued by drugs, violence, understaffing
Drugs and violence remain a serious concern for employees inside Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, with a series of major events occurring inside the prison in a matter of days.
4 family members of gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey killed in Montana helicopter crash, campaign says
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it was investigating a helicopter crash in eastern Montana near the town of Ekalaka.
Testimony begins Wednesday in the murder case against former Sangamon deputy
Sean Grayson is accused of unlawfully using deadly force in the shooting of Sonya Massey last year.
Illinois teachers believe parents support teaching inclusive history, despite national divides
A new report from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows most educators in the state think parents support them teaching about race and gender.