C-U Public Health hopes to ensure access to the COVID booster, regardless of insurance coverage
The new COVID-19 booster shot has rolled out at local pharmacies. The shots were approved earlier this month by the Food and Drug Administration and are recommended by the
“This is not an isolated incident.” Decatur school closure exposes gaps in state-required inspections
Decatur Public Schools District 61 only found out it had problems in the two century-old buildings when they brought in a structural engineer in May to look at ceiling leaks and other issues raised by teachers.
Supporting Illinois’ Family Farms: A Community Discussion
Illinois Public Media hosted an advance screening of the film, “Greener Pastures” on September 15, 2023 at The Virginia Theatre with collaborator, The Land Connection.
Tentative deal reached to end the Hollywood writers strike. No deal yet for actors
The Writers Guild of America reached the deal Sunday with an alliance of studios, streaming services and production companies. The guild’s board and members must approve the agreement before the strike officially ends.
Altmyer bounces back, leads Illinois comeback win over Florida Atlantic, 23-17
It was a bounce-back game for Altmyer, who threw four interceptions in the 30-13 loss to Penn State last week and was benched in the fourth quarter.
Activists say Champaign County Jail phone calls cost too much. Here’s what they propose
CHAMPAIGN — Local activists are urging the Champaign County Board to lower the costs of phone calls at the Champaign County Jail. Tamika Davis,
Biden administration responds to calls from Pritzker, other leaders, for help in migrant crisis
Homeland Security will expedite work authorizations among other actions.
Suicide and crisis prevention line 988 adds American Sign Language for Deaf people
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org To access American Sign
WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Sept. 21-26
Look below for information on arts and entertainment around central Illinois. Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.
As SAFE-T Act goes live, murder suspects previously eligible to post bond are held in jail
Hearings have been longer, more deliberative – resembling federal detention proceedings.
Girls are in a mental health crisis. What can schools do?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the
The region is in the thick of “a synthetic drug crisis”
More than 100,000 people died of an opioid overdose nationwide in 2022 and more than two-thirds of those deaths involved synthetic opioids. Synthetic opioids are
Centuries after Native American remains were dug up, a new law returns them for reburial in Illinois
Illinois has remains belonging to about 13,000 individuals.
New State Police rules for assault weapons permits will take effect Oct. 1
People who owned banned weapons before new law must apply for FOID endorsement.
Immigration Welcome Awards honor those who serve local immigrants in the C-U area
The C-U Immigration Forum hosted its 10th annual Immigration Welcome Awards at the Urbana Free Library on Sept. 16. The awards honor businesses, organizations and
Illinois becomes first state in nation today to eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it will work.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
Decatur Public Schools increases literacy and school attendance with extended day program
The pre-K through 8 students in the DPS 61 Extended Day program had higher attendance, higher reading scores and fewer disciplinary issues than their peers, according to the district.
Cash bail disproportionately impacts communities of color. Illinois is the first state to abolish it
A law abolishing cash bail will take effect in Illinois on Sept. 18. The change makes Illinois the first state to eliminate the practice and a nationally watched testing ground for whether such a change can work.
No. 7 Penn State defense gets five takeaways and pulls away from Illinois in 30-13 victory
Cam Miller, Abdul Carter, Daequan Dixon and Johnny Hardy had interceptions and No. 7 Penn State took advantage of five Illinois turnovers to beat the Illini 30-13.
Disparately resourced public defenders prepare for the end of cash bail in Illinois
Public defenders, while supportive of reform, anticipate major workload increases.
WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Sept. 14-17?
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.
Workers are on strike at all 3 Detroit auto makers for the first time in their union’s history
The United Auto Workers union went on strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis simultaneously for the first time in its 88-year history.
No. 7 Nittany Lions ready for hostile crowd when they play against Illinois team eager for upset
Penn State coach James Franklin said his team knows what to expect, especially with the Illini promoting an “orange-out.”
Morris Day prepared to mesmerize fans in his return to central Illinois
URBANA –Morris Day and the Time is coming to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m.
‘Greener Pastures’ explores farming, climate change and mental health; a life-changing project for the filmmaker
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please know there is help available. Call or text 988.
Former trooper seeks restoration of driving privileges nearly 16 years after fatal crash
Secretary of state’s office will hold hearing later this month.
Illinois House Speaker’s staff could test limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment
Labor expert says it could be a hard legal argument to make.
During building renovations, a new recording lets the Altgeld Chimes ring on
Altgeld Hall, completed in 1897, is undergoing a multi-year restoration, forcing its chimes to go temporarily silent. But there will soon be another way to hear them.
Illinois experts testify against book bans before Congress
WASHINGTON – Book bans have been growing in many states and some Illinois experts on the subject brought the matter before the US Congress. US
Drag star Alaska talks Pygmalion, drag bans
The drag show kicks off three days of music, comedy and celebrity speakers like chef Joanne Lee Molinaro and author Allison Boot.
State Fair reports nine-year attendance high
Fair manager points to good weather, recent renovations.
The newest Decatur Public Schools teaching assistants and security guards make about $19 an hour. Tuesday, they rallied for higher wages.
Teaching assistants and security officers rallied Tuesday in front of the Decatur Public Schools Board of Education meeting.
Update: Archer Daniels Midland resumes corn processing at plant in Decatur after explosion injures 8 employees
An explosion and fire at an Archer Daniels Midland facility in Illinois has injured eight employees and sent a tower of smoke into the air.
Copay requirements paused for noncitizens on state health plan
IDHFS says it’s not ready to implement cost-saving measure implemented by Pritzker administration.
Medicaid Navigators and clients point to errors costing eligible people their insurance
A federal agency is alarmed by the magnitude of Medicaid coverage losses in states including Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. In recent letters sent separately to
Serving farm fresh food in schools is getting big federal support — but will ‘farm to school’ stick?
It’s a hot, buggy morning and Derrick Hoffman is poking around a densely packed row of bushy cherry tomato plants. Behind him, rows of peppers,
A ship’s bell rings to remember those lost in the 9/11 attacks.
A bell from the U.S.S. Illinois was used twice in Champaign on Monday, at ceremonies remembering those lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Andy Summers fuses music, photography, storytelling at Ellnora
The tenth installment of the biennial Ellnora: The Guitar Festival is underway this weekend at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels headlines 34-23 victory over Illinois in season debut
The Illini’s Luke Altmyer threw for 202 yards and a touchdown while running for 70 and two more scores, but he also was picked off twice in the game.
Battery manufacturing plant coming to Illinois – with $530M incentive deal
Lithium-ion plant in Manteno part of state’s ongoing effort to court electric vehicle manufacturing.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth visits Champaign in quest to require school bus seat belts
Sen. Tammy Duckworth has been introducing her School Bus Safety Act since 2018. It would require all school buses be equipped with seat belts, automatic breaks and other safety features.
Champaign County child, 9, struck and killed by freight train while riding bike to school
Police say a 9-year-old child was struck and killed Friday by a freight train in central Illinois as the youngster was apparently riding a bike to school.
Ani DiFranco brings 30+ years of folk and feminism to Krannert’s Ellnora Guitar Festival
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and feminist Ani DiFranco performs Saturday, September 9 at Ellnora, The Guitar Festival at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.
State issues guidance on co-pays for undocumented residents as advocates criticize health care cuts
Advocates argued the rules changes were too costly for low-income patients. The governor’s office said co-pays should not have been charged yet anyway, though they are expected to resume eventually.
Education secretary praises Springfield after-school program during visit
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona met Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state school Superintendent Tony Sanders Wednesday at Fairview Elementary School to promote the Education Department’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” agenda.
WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Sept. 7-10?
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.
NPR CEO John Lansing will leave in December, capping a tumultuous year
Lansing says the network is currently back in the black, stabilized in part by additional subsidies from the NPR Foundation. And he says it’s poised to prosper after making tough but necessary moves, including the job cuts and a reorganization of the network’s executive ranks.
COVID-19 on the rise at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
Students and staff can still access free, take-home, COVID tests on campus. Two weeks in, those tests are in high demand.
Severe storms possible tonight and Tuesday
From NWS Lincoln: Labor Day features hot and humid conditions, with afternoon heat indices near 100 degrees. A few severe thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Malina Moye brings her musicianship, message, and motivation to Krannert’s Ellnora Guitar Festival
Singer-songwriter and lefty guitarist Malina Moye is opening the Ellnora, The Guitar Festival at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, September 8.
Caleb Griffin kicks 29-yard FG in closing seconds to give Illinois 30-28 win over Toledo
Miles Scott returned an interception 48 yards for a score, and the Illini squeezed out the win in a back-and-forth game to start coach Bret Bielema’s third season.
Once again, Piatt County considers an application for a wind farm
Zoning hearings are underway in Piatt County on a new wind farm proposal, six months after the Piatt County Board rejected a similar proposal from the same company.
WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Aug. 31-Sept. 4?
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.
Big Ten is ready for maximum exposure with games on NBC, CBS and Fox
On Saturday, September 2, Illinois will take on Toledo at Memorial Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on BTN.
5 people shot and wounded, 2 critically, in Illinois city, as gun violence cancels school events
Authorities say one man was killed and seven people were wounded in three separate shootings hours apart in Peoria.
Pritzker, state leaders call on Biden to allow Illinois to sponsor work permits for migrants
Business executives float easier work permit process as solution to ongoing worker shortage.
Update: Emergency ends at U of I Engineering Sciences building after hazardous materials release
This is a developing story. It will be updated as new details emerge. 6:40 p.m. Update University of Illinois officials have sounded the “All-Clear” at
State leaders announce FFA mental health awareness grant program
$1,000 grants to FFA chapters will be available this fall
Nuclear Regulatory Commission resident inspectors keep an eye on Clinton plant
The Clinton Power Station in DeWitt County south of Bloomington-Normal started operating in 1987. The nuclear plant is supposed to shut down in 2026, but
US Marines killed in Australian aircraft crash were from Illinois, Virginia and Colorado
The V-22B Osprey with 23 Marines on board crashed Sunday in tropical forest on Melville Island while taking part in a drill that includes the militaries of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and East Timor.
