Judge blocks U.S. birth control policy in some Midwest states
Today was the start date for a federal policy that gives companies more leeway to skip insurance coverage for contraceptives. Companies can now limit…
J.B. Pritzker Interview — On Criminal Justice, Higher Ed, Taxes, And Legislative Ethics
J.B. Pritzker is set to becomes the 43rd governor of Illinois on Monday. He won in part by promising to make college more affordable, improve the state…
New Law Helps Police Find Missing People With Disabilities
An Illinois law will make it easier for police to help find missing persons with intellectual disabilities. The law, which went into effect the first of…
How Sharing Stories Of Hope Impacts Addiction Recovery
Storytellers from Side Effects series SOBER: Stories of Recovery and Hope joined WFYI’s No Limits program to discuss the importance of sharing their…
Can Hacking Plants Feed the World? The Research Looks Good
Plants are good at what they do — turning sunlight into food. However, some researchers have found the leaf world could improve, and that could have a…
Mobile home owners fear they may be priced out by rent hikes
Some unlikely advocates have emerged in the fight to lift a 1997 ban on rent control in Illinois – manufactured home owners who are upset with
Court Strikes Down Iowa’s ‘Ag-Gag’ Law That Blocked Undercover Investigations
The industry-backed law was enacted after several investigations brought widespread criticism on Iowa’s agricultural industry. A judge ruled the law violates the First Amendment.
U.S. Farmers Face Planting Season Without A Resolution To Trade War
For crop farmers, winter is the offseason. But that doesn’t mean they take the winter off. It’s meeting season — going to endless seminars or having…
#MeToo? Some Hospitals Allow Pelvic Exams Without Explicit Consent
A law professor in Illinois wants to put a stop to a medical practice that she says treats women’s bodies like cadavers. Across most of the U.S.,…
Federal Government’s Shutdown Ripples Through Farm Country
The ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government, now into its third week, is reaching ever deeper into the lives of people far from the…
What Do You Want To Know About Rebuilding Illinois’ Roads, Bridges And Infrastructure?
The need for new or repaired roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure in Illinois continues to outpace the amount of funding available to complete the
Department of Corrections Director Blames Illinois Lawmakers For Lack Of Spending On Prison Books
Last spring, Illinois Newsroom reported that the Illinois Department of Corrections spent less than $300 on books for all of its prisons the prior year.
Autism And Mental Health Issues Make Finding Care A Challenge
Yvonne Martin keeps detailed notes of two years in her life. It starts on March 1, 2016. That’s the day her son, Daniel, first ran away from the family…
Farm Bill Boosts Money To Rural Areas With Slow Or No Internet
Small internet service providers in Illinois are optimistic after the farm bill – which President Trump recently signed – included more money for…
Experts: Dicamba Will Come For Trees, Specialty Crops In 2019
Dicamba, the controversial herbicide used on soybeans and cotton, is responsible for thousands of acres of damaged crops in recent years. Experts say…
The Fate of Illinois Farmland, An Intergenerational Effort
The fertile soil of Illinois farmland has defined the state for 200 years (hello, bicentennial). And current farmers and aspiring ones are wondering who gets
When Is A Corporate-Environmental Partnership More Than Just PR?
As harvest wrapped up this year and the leaves turned brilliant shades of red and yellow, two of the world’s biggest agribusinesses, Archer Daniels…
A History Of Discrimination Leads To A Lingering Distrust Of Doctors
Few people like going to the doctor. But for some, that fear is compounded by discrimination and history. For black Americans, the pervasive history of…
Experts Offer Tips For Coping With Holiday Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. And there’s even such thing as a “good” level of stress that keeps us going, according to psychology researchers Sanda…
High On The Highway: Challenges With Marijuana DUIs
Come January 14, Illinois will have a new pro-pot-legalization governor and a Democrat-held legislature, leading many to believe the state will legalize recreational cannabis. That’s
How Midwestern National Forests Keep Fires At Bay And Prepare For Climate Change
A stand of trees in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri looks a little more sparse than what is often depicted in a forest. The trees are eight…
Why Illinois Won’t ‘Ban The Box’ On College Applications
Four years ago, Chris Miner decided to apply to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Then 40-years-old, Miner was encouraged to apply by a…
Illinois Newsroom Reporter Awarded Investigative Grant From ProPublica
Illinois Newsroom reporter Rachel Otwell has been awarded a grant from ProPublica for a year-long investigative project in 2019. More than 215 news organizations applied
Answering Your Questions About Cannabis Legalization
The issue of marijuana legalization in Illinois has been hotly debated for years. But assumptions, inaccuracies, and unknowns still fuel arguments on all sides across
Final Farm Bill Shows Hemp’s In, Food-Aid Work Requirements Are Out
The long-awaited final version of the farm bill was unveiled Monday night, and it hews somewhat closely to the previous piece of massive legislation —…
New Report Says Illinois Schools Need More Sexual Violence Response Guidelines
A new report says Illinois lacks comprehensive guidelines when it comes to dealing with sexual misconduct cases in elementary and high schools.
What Happens To Pot Convictions If Illinois Legalizes?
The push to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois could get a jump-start early next year. State Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat, said this week
Showing Students College Isn’t The Only Option For Success
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, a few high school students are measuring and cutting siding. They’re building a house in the trades class at the Capital…
Illinois Prison Monitor ‘Absolutely Convinced’ Mentally Ill Inmates Abused
The Illinois Department of Corrections continues to flounder in its efforts to care for inmates with mental illness, according to a new report authored…
Neurosurgeon Tells NRA Gun Violence Is His ‘Lane’
Physicians across the country have a message for the National Rifle Association: Gun violence is our concern. It’s part of a battle being fought…
A Hands-On Look At Gene-Editing Technique CRISPR, Which Could Be A Game-Changer For Ag
In a lab at George Washington University, painted lady butterflies flutter in mesh houses. This is where assistant professor Arnault Martin and his…
Illinois Education Funding Fixes Still Top Priority
Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker and a new crop of legislators will take office come January. Those crafting state education policies say they will continue one…
Effort To Eliminate Medical Co-Pay For Prison Inmates Fails
Illinois prison inmates will continue to pay $5 for medical and dental visits, after the legislature tried and failed to get rid of the fee last week….
USMCA: Trump Signs New Trade Agreement With Mexico And Canada To Replace NAFTA
“This has been a battle, and battles sometimes make great friendships,” President Trump said as he signed the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement alongside America’s closest neighbors.
Climate Report Says U.S. Cattle And Crops Will Be Stressed By Hotter, Wetter Weather
A changing climate has major implications for farmers and ranchers across the U.S., according to a federal report. Here’s a select breakdown of the…
Beyond The Farm: A Look At The Wide World Of Ag Degrees
Fields, crops and farm animals are part of the agriculture-industry landscape, but an increasingly small one. The number of farm and ranch managers…
IL Struggles With Lack Of Long-Term Addiction Recovery Options
Earlier this year, we covered the difficulties faced by Illinoisans in recovery – especially those who had successfully detoxed, and were hoping to…
Can This Tiny House Solve Senior Housing Shortage?
If you’re a Baby Boomer, here are a couple of statistics that should concern you. By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 and over. Yet a Harvard…
Illinois Students Act In Response To Proposed Title IX Changes
Students across Illinois are calling for tougher campus policies on sexual harassment and misconduct as the Trump administration proposes changes to…
As Opioid Backlash Grows, Sickle Cell Patients Fear They’ll Lose Critical Pain Treatment
Long before Eric Kirkwood of Kansas City, Kansas, had his first sickle cell crisis at age 17, he knew about the pain caused by the disease. His uncle…
Reporter’s Notebook: Why We’re Investigating Education And Incarceration In Illinois
Earlier this year, I reported for Illinois Newsroom that the Illinois Department of Corrections spent less than $300 on books for its educational programs across
Where Medicaid Work Requirements Go, Lawsuits Follow
A number of states have tied Medicaid coverage to work requirements. But legal challenges have followed — a sucessful attempt to stop the program in…
How Seeking Justice Retraumatizes Assault Survivors
Rape and sexual assault are issues that have dominated the headlines recently. The response to those stories – whether they are about Brett Kavanaugh,…
Top Illinois Artist Preston Jackson Urges Peers: “Get Some Guts”
Preston Jackson is a martial artist, an accomplished guitar player, an educator and professor-emeritus, and a visual artist who has studios in…
E-Cigarette Use Soars Among Illinois Teens
E-cigarettes are setting anti-smoking efforts back by as much as a decade. That’s what researchers found after analyzing this year’s Illinois Youth…
Cargill’s New Robot Herds Cattle So Workers Don’t Have To
Brad Churchill, a slaughter operations manager at Cargill Meat Solutions, has worked in the cattle industry for more than 30 years. He’s seen many…
Women Make Some Gains In Illinois Elections
This week’s election was expected to bring a second “Year of the Woman” to American politics. After Tuesday, here’s what that looks like in Illinois:…
Rural America is Growing, But Only Near Big Cities And Scenic Areas
For the first time in seven years, rural America’s population is growing. The annual U.S. Department of Agriculture report “Rural America at a Glance”…
Do Campus Sexual Misconduct Policies Allow Harassment To Persist?
Every college campus has standards and policies to prevent sexual harassment. But time and again, repeated complaints are filed against professors for…
Mac Miller Overdose Shows Fentanyl’s Deadly Power
Popular rapper Mac Miller is the latest musician to die after ingesting fentanyl — a grim tribute to the drug’s power. A coroner in Los Angeles says…
Midwest Voters Weigh In On Pot, The ACA And More
Health care was a big campaign issue across the Midwest, and Tuesday’s election results were mixed. Among the winners: medical marijuana.
Reporter’s Notebook: The Road To A Story
I’m used to long roads. I grew up at the dead end of a dirt one in rural Montana. For my latest radio story, I
High Schoolers To Help At Polling Places In Sangamon County
At the county health building in east Springfield, election judge trainees sit through a presentation and comb through packets of information. On…
Non-Profit Sues IDOC Over Censorship Of LGBTQ Publications
Knowing there were other transgender inmates in prisons in Illinois and across the country made Leila Lee feel as though she wasn’t alone. She said it…
Ag Co-ops Are More Than Seeds And Sales, They’re Boosting Rural Economies
Farmers started forming co-ops nearly a century ago, primarily to get better prices for their crops. They pooled their resources, put up storage bins…
Illinois Sex Ed Law Requires ‘Honor And Respect For Monogamous Heterosexual Marriage’
Lily Furgeson had a great experience in sex ed in middle school. Furgeson, who is a 17-year-old senior at a Chicago Public Schools high school, said her eighth grade sex ed teacher made sure to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities as part of their curriculum.
Illinois Early Childhood Educators Share Election Hopes
Preschool is a key part of building a solid foundation for lifelong learning, some experts even say it’s the most important part of a child’s education. And yet, it’s not considered by the state of Illinois to be as important as K-12 education, based on the way funding is allocated.
Trump Signs Water Infrastructure Bill
President Donald Trump signed America’s Water Infrastructure Act on Tuesday, which authorizes work on many projects around the U.S., ranging from water…
What The ‘Year Of The Woman’ Looks Like In Illinois
Erin Cetindag and Delaney Flattery stopped by the Sangamon County building to vote early on a recent Saturday. The two college students were home in…
Forty Percent Of Rare ‘Polio-Like’ Cases Are In The Midwest
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn’t know why young children across the country are coming down with a rare condition called Acute…
Teens Are Having Sex And Being Assaulted. So Why Aren’t Schools Teaching About Consent?
The eighth graders who dashed around the classroom sounded like parrots in a pet store. The students asked each other the same question over and over.
Costco Becomes First Retailer To Control Its Entire Chicken Supply Chain
A handful of companies — think Tyson and Perdue — all but control poultry production in the U.S. They’ll soon be joined by a retailer known more for…
Putting The Brakes On: Transportation Department Rolls Back Oil Train Regulation
The U.S. Department of Transportation has removed a regulation meant to force trains carrying crude oil or other flammable liquids to adopt electronic braking technology
Doctors, Patients Sing Art Therapy’s Praises. So Why Isn’t There More Support?
Paulina Nieto, who grew up in Columbus, Indiana, was only 2 months old when she started to have heart problems due to a narrow artery.
Fact Check: Davis, Londrigan Muddy The Water On Health Care, Tax Overhaul
Health care, trade, and the tax overhaul are three of the biggest issues in the race for the 13th Congressional District between incumbent Rodney Davis…
Worried About Voting? Here’s What You Need To Know
Election day is looming and we’ve gotten questions through our Ask The Newsroom project about things that could go wrong on election day. Here’s what
Handing Off: The Reality Of Land Transfer Between Older, Younger Farmers
As life expectancy increases, farmers are staying in the business, but there’s still a need to plan for what happens when they die. At the same time,…
More Illinois Schools Have Access To High-Speed Internet, But Some Still Suffer Without It
Access to high-speed internet stops about seven miles east of both Nippersink School District 2 and Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157, according to Tom Lind.
What We’re Hearing From Illinoisans In The Know
Illinois Newsroom holds Listening Sessions across the state to hear what’s top of mind for community members. Unlike a formal interview, listening sessions are prompted
Candidates Struggle To Sway This Moderate First-Time Voter
A notable percentage of voters remain undecided or say they’ll vote for a third party candidate. Aaliyah counts herself among the “undecideds.”
Farmers Cheer Year-Round E15, But Impact Won’t Be Immediate
President Donald Trump’s administration will “unleash the power of E15,” allowing the 15 percent gasoline-ethanol blend to be sold year-round. The…
Illinois Tightens Flu Shot Requirements For Health Workers. But Who’s Enforcing It?
A new Illinois statute aims to boost flu shot rates among healthcare workers by making it harder for employees to decline the vaccine. Lawmakers say…
Gynecologists cheer FDA decision to expand HPV vaccine to older adults
Gynecologists hope the federal Food and Drug Administration’s decision to approve human papillomavirus vaccine for older adults could protect more…
Ask The Newsroom: In Deciding On Judge Candidates, Does Party Affiliation Matter?
Two competitive judicial races for circuit court are on the ballot in Champaign County this year, which doesn’t happen often.
Illinois Farmers Put Rare Pig Back On The Dinner Table To Save It From Extinction
Josh Davis likes to name his pigs after flowers: Petunia, Iris, Violet and Daisy. That’s not the only thing that sets him apart as a hog farmer. For the…
Telemedicine Helps Reach Stroke Patients in Rural Illinois
Two years ago, Donna Patton became one of the nearly 800,000 Americans who suffer a stroke each year. She still remembers waking up from surgery and…
NAFTA Replacement May Help Wheat And Dairy, Keeps Much The Same For Ag
Farmers and agriculture groups are digging through the details of the new North American trade deal, called the United States Canada Mexico Agreement,…
Where Do Illinois Candidates Stand On Student Debt?
Illinois Newsroom asked the candidates running for Congress in the 13th District (where Martin lives) what they plan to do about the issue if elected.
It’s (Not) All In The Family: Outside Help Needed As Farm Operations Grow
Michael McEnany always knew he wanted to be a farmer. Both of his grandfathers were, and he “always loved tagging along with my Grandpa Ed.” Both of his…
Cannabis-Derived Drug Gains Full Federal Approval, Some CBD Reclassified
There’s good news for hemp growers across the U.S. who are preparing for harvest. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration removed some cannabidiol, or…
Little Rock Nine Member Talks About Desegregation, Mental Health In Galesburg
Knox College, in Western Illinois, honored a civil rights icon with a doctorate degree during its convocation in September. Elizabeth Eckford was one of the
Why Your Sense Of Smell Could Be A Clue To Alzheimer’s Disease
Your sense of smell may give doctors early clues as to whether you’ll deal with Alzheimer’s disease. Since there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease,…
When Insurers Deny Mental Health Coverage, Families In Crisis Struggle Even More
When Matthew Timion needed to get his son treatment for mental illness, he did not anticipate it would be so hard to get the insurance company to pay…
Farm Bill Deadline To Pass Without Extension, Against Wishes of Influential Groups
Congress has spent weeks trying to meld the House and Senate versions of the next farm bill into one agreeable piece of legislation. Left in the balance…
Ask The Newsroom: The State Of State Parks
Recently, we received a question from Mark Porter, who wanted to know more about the state of state parks in Illinois.
From Plants To Panels: Solar Debate Plays Out In Fields Around Illinois
Rural counties are facing a lot of heat over Illinois’ booming solar power development. The big push started in late 2016 when the state legislature
U.S. Voters Say Government ‘Needs To Do More’ For Rural Broadband, New Poll Finds
A new poll suggests 72 percent of voters, regardless of party affiliation, believe Congress and federal regulators “need to do more” to bring high-speed internet
Medical foods are vital for a rare disease. Why doesn’t insurance cover them?
Every day, Amanda Moller scoops powdered formula out of a can and shakes it up with water from her kitchen sink in University City, Missouri, a suburb…
Civil Rights Leader Urges Students: Keep Fighting, With Love
Earlier this month, Diane Nash told a full auditorium of University of Illinois Springfield students that she and fellow civil rights activists, “Loved…
Who Benefits From Video Court?
In 2000, Charles Davidson was arrested the day before the 4th of July for a crime he said he didn’t commit. Urbana Police responded that
Ask The Newsroom: How Are Early Voting And Mail-in Ballots Handled?
In the past, Ann Quackenbush would wake up early on election day to get to her polling place. The elementary school teacher in Champaign says
Why Illinois Data On Chronic School Absences Could Be ‘Meaningless’
Illinois schools will soon have to publicly report and be evaluated on a new performance measurement: chronic absence. But researchers and superintendents have raised questions
Technology Changing Access And Outcomes In Abortion Debate
Technology changing access and outcomes in abortion debate President Donald Trump has stood strongly behind the anti-abortion movement, and his Supreme…
Data Show Opioid Prescriptions Declining In IL
There is some good news in the fight against opioid abuse in Illinois. Doctors prescribed fewer opioids to patients in 2017 than 2016, according to
Hemp Program Underway In Illinois
Corn and soybean fields as far as the eye can see are the typical sights of summer throughout rural areas of Illinois. But next year, ‘fields of green’…
Obama Visits U Of I Campus, Urges Students To Get Out & Vote
In his first major political speech since leaving office, former President Barack Obama took aim at the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress — blaming
The Cost Of Doing Business Across The Rural Digital Divide
Gary Smith has worked at the grain elevator at Okaw Farmer’s Co-op in Lovington, Illinois, for forty years. On his desk sit two computer screens, where…
Study: Cover Crops Reap Financial Benefits, Not Just Environmental
An increasing number of farmers is using cover crops to keep water, soil and nutrients from running off fields. But while many studies have shown the…
With Insulin Prices Soaring, Some Diabetics Turn to Dangerous Work Around
Nicole Smith-Holt’s son Alec was 23 when he started feeling sick. His muscles cramped. He was lethargic. He woke up multiple times every night to use…
Battling Drug Addiction: What Comes After Detox?
Like many states, Illinois is battling an opioid epidemic. Loran Owens, who lives in Franklin county in Southern Illinois, knows what the epidemic is…
The 1908 Race Riot & ‘Being Black At School’
Earlier this month, we reported on the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield and what’s being done to remember and reconcile 110 years after the violence broke…
Ask the Newsroom: Election Edition
You want to be an informed and confident voter this election season, and Illinois Newsroom wants to help. Our statewide public media collaboration is delivering
Soybean Farmers Win Big In $12 Billion Federal Aid Package
The details of the federal government’s $12 billion aid package for farmers affected by trade disputes are out — and soybean farmers are the major…
Lawsuit Alleges Former JBS Employee Harassed By Coworkers Due To Religion, Race
Major meatpacking company JBS USA faces another religious discrimination lawsuit. The federal lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, alleges…
For Shrinking Illinois Towns, A ‘Smarter’ Approach
Farm towns in Illinois have been shrinking for decades, and the trend doesn’t show signs of reversing. By 2025, rural counties with populations of less
Confronting Our Racist Past: The 1908 Springfield Race Riots
It’s been 110 years since the 1908 Race Riot erupted in Springfield. The violence and its aftermath inspired the founding of the NAACP, the prominent
Researcher: Higher Wages, Student Loan Forgiveness Solves Shortages
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a slew of legislation this month intended to alleviate Illinois’s teacher shortage. But some teachers and union leaders doubt
Illinois Families, Kids With Disabilities Suffer Without Childcare
Michelle McAnarney said she realized her daughter Darby was different than other children soon after she was born. “She was always a little delayed…
High Court Ruling May Affect ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’ In Illinois
A recent Supreme Court decision limiting regulations for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers in California could affect patients in Illinois. In the…
Wind-Blown Pesticides An Issue In Courtrooms, Communities Across U.S.
Pesticides are all over, from backyard gardens to cornfields. While their use doesn’t appear to be slowing, concern over drift and the resulting effects…
Women’s Suffrage Memorabilia Grows In Popularity – And Price
Just before noon on a recent Saturday, a group of political memorabilia collectors jostled for a spot around an exhibit table, checking their final bids…
Why Is ICE Arresting Undocumented Immigrants In A Sanctuary City
The answer lies within the Russian nesting doll structure of our government and law enforcement jurisdictions. The City of Urbana sits within Champaign County which
As Shootings Rise, Local Leaders Grapple With Gun Violence
In a community with as many resources as Champaign-Urbana, why does gun violence persist? That’s the question Donte’ Lotts, a community liaison for CU Fresh
What’s Being Done To Stop The Spread of Hepatitis A In Indiana?
Kentucky has one of the worst outbreaks of Hepatitis A in the country, and the liver disease has spread to several other Midwest states including Ohio,…
U.S. Senate Passes Farm Bill, Meaning It’s Time To Compromise With House
The Senate took a crucial step Thursday to making sure that, among other things, the hungry are fed, farmers have crop price protections and land is…
Illinois To Expand Number Of Physician Assistants Allowed By Law
Illinois is on track to expand the number of physician assistants allowed to treat patients, especially in many rural areas. Senate Bill 2904 increases the
House’s Version Of Farm Bill Passes By 2 Votes
Thursday had all the makings of deja vu for the U.S. House’s farm bill draft: immigration concerns, uncertain Republican votes and a wall of Democratic…
White House Plan Would Move Food Aid Out Of USDA, Combine Food Safety Efforts
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the nation’s largest program to reduce hunger. It’s also the biggest program at the U.S. Department of…
What Will It Take To Fix Illinois’s Teacher Shortage?
There were more than 2,000 teaching, administrative, support staff and other positions across the state that went unfilled during the 2016-17 school year, according to a report from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Community Works Towards Solutions For Traumatized Students
How many people would come to discuss the topic of students and trauma? No guests had been confirmed, but social media activity suggested high turnout
Shortage Of Rural Veterinarians Puts Farmers, Food Supply At Risk
Thirty-eight calves, between two and four months old, moo and kick at the dirt floor in a steel barn in Brush, Colorado. One by one, a handler leads…
If It Ain’t Got That Zing: A Weekend At The International Horseradish Festival
Two counties in southwestern Illinois grow the majority of the nation’s — possibly the world’s — horseradish. The city of Collinsville, population 25…
An Opioid Prescription In Illinois Could Be A Ticket For Medical Marijuana
Across the country, states desperate to prevent opioid addiction are increasingly looking to medical cannabis as a solution. Lawmakers in several states…
U Of I Students Design Virtual Reality For Incarcerated People
Simple, everyday tasks – like ordering coffee, crossing the street, or getting gas – can be an obstacle, or an intimidating challenge for people recently
Rauner To Consider Bill Applying Human Rights Act To Small Businesses
A measure awaiting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature would expand protections in the Human Rights Act to cover workers at businesses with 15 or fewer…
Rauner Signs Budget, Keeps Criticizing Taxes
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed Illinois’ budget into law.
U.S. County Jails Step Up Mental Health Screening To Keep Inmates From Coming Back
DeVonte Jones began to show signs of schizophrenia as a teenager. His first public episode was nine years ago at a ball game at Wavering Park in Quincy,…
Higher Ed Gets A Bipartisan Push
State Senator Chapin Rose had what he thought was a no-brainer bill . All he wanted to do was help public universities connect with promising high…
EPA Faces Lawsuit Over Refinery Waivers That Sparked Ire Of Ethanol Groups
The Environmental Protection Agency is getting heat from farm country, where pro-ethanol groups filed suit against the federal agency Tuesday over…
Lawsuits Over Animal Manure Wafting Toward Meat Companies, Away From Farmers
There’s a new strategy when it comes to combating the smells and air quality concerns that arise from large-scale animal feeding operations: Blame the…
How One Woman Escaped Sex Trafficking And Overcame Her Opioid Addiction
Jenn Glaser lie in bed with a severe pain in her right hip. In the last few days a large abscess had developed under her
Trauma Hurts Kids, But Educators Can Help
Children who experience trauma often face behavioral, health and academic challenges, according to decades of research . Kristine Argue, instructional…
How To Stop Gun Violence? Just Ask
Conversations around gun violence often revolve around long-term solutions, like improving schools or the local economy. But even if those things were easy — and
Police Data Show Gun Violence A Chronic, Growing Problem Across Illinois
His name was Devon McClyde, and he was 16 years old when he was caught in the crossfire of an argument while playing basketball one
‘Down The Hill:’ Violence Often Rooted In Inequality
For many families and young adults living in Peoria’s South Side, gun violence is too often a part of life and something they’ve been fighting
Suicide A Driver Of Gun Deaths In Rural America
The national conversation around gun violence generally centers around mass shootings, school shootings and gang activity. These problems need to be addressed, but may overshadow
How Schools Can Help Kids Traumatized By Gun Violence
Last month, about a dozen people gathered in the basement of a church in Champaign, Ill. to learn how traumatic experiences affect the lives of
Listening About Guns
What I heard at both events: safety concerns, frustration with legislators and calls for action around gun laws. Hope for children, love for community and
Study: In Becoming The Bread Basket, Midwest Contributed To Climate Change. But There’s A Solution
New research suggests that no-till farming could help mitigate climate change. A study from Iowa State University, released Monday, examined Midwest land use between 1850
Feedback: Noble Charter Schools Story Hit A Nerve
Earlier this month, we posted a story about discipline practices inside Noble Network of Charter Schools , which educates approximately one out of 10…
The Surgeon General Wants Us All To Carry Narcan, But It Can Be Hard To Get
It was a scheduling mishap that led Kourtnaye Sturgeon to help save someone’s life. About four months ago, Sturgeon drove to downtown Indianapolis for a…
Illinois Prison System Spent Less Than $300 On Books Last Year
Every Sunday, a group of women meets in the basement of a church in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood to sort and package boxes of books. The boxes are sent to women
Will Illinois Face Another Budget Impasse?
Passing a state budget is arguably the most important thing the Illinois General Assembly does every year — or at least should do every year.
Hog Producers Brace For Trouble Due To China’s Tariffs On Imports
Updated April 4 to clarify the export percentage — China matters to the U.S. pork industry, as more than a quarter of all hogs raised here are shipped…
For Chronic Pain, A Change In Habits Can Beat Opioids For Relief
There’s a growing consensus among pain specialists that lifestyle changes can be more effective than drugs in managing chronic pain. But the alternative approach requires patient commitment.
Culture Shock: Teachers Call Noble Charters ‘Dehumanizing’
The trend toward school choice has educators across the country looking at Chicago’s Noble Charter Schools — an award-winning network of mostly high schools that
Food Companies Quietly Adopt Halal Practices
Wearing a heavy smock and rubber boots, Amadedin Eganwa stands over a large conveyor belt that’s carrying unconscious lambs. He faces east, towards Mecca, gently
Feds Give Ag Research, School Lunch Programs More Money; End Air Pollution-Reporting Requirements
Meant to fund the federal government through early September, the $1.3 trillion bill signed by President Donald Trump last week also includes money and…