Large number of people missing in Texas floods clouds the full toll of the catastrophe
Crews used backhoes and their bare hands Wednesday to dig through piles of debris that stretched for miles in the search for more than 160 people believed to be missing in the flash floods that laid waste to the Hill Country region of Texas.
Supreme Court allows Trump to resume mass federal layoffs for now
In a statement, Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman, called the court’s decision “another definitive victory for the President and his administration.”
Federal food assistance changes threaten benefits for thousands of Illinoisans
The bill institutes new work requirements for many people to remain eligible for benefits and shifts some costs for the program to the states.
Champaign County workers threaten to strike Wednesday if no deal is reached
A work stoppage on Wednesday could bring county operations to a halt and cause delays for people who have business with Champaign County.
Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100
Authorities overseeing the search for flood victims said they will wait to address questions about weather warnings and why some summer camps did not evacuate ahead of the flooding that killed at least 104.
HIV community faces a double whammy: Medicaid reductions and CDC funding cuts
Public health workers, advocates and patients are bracing for what they describe as a perfect storm, which may undo years of progress in HIV treatment and prevention efforts.
The killing of Sonya Massey – one year later
Friends, family and members of the community gathered in Springfield Sunday to remember Sonya Massey, who was shot and killed by a Sangamon County deputy in her unincorporated Springfield home a year ago.
‘We think about the state in the same way’: Mitchell ready to back up Pritzker
At 38 years old, Christian Mitchell has been inside most corners of state government as a top advisor on political campaigns, state legislator, deputy governor and civic engagement leader at a major university.
The Latest: Massive search for survivors underway after deadly Texas floods
A July Fourth weekend deluge in Texas caused catastrophic flash flooding that has killed at least 89 people.
America depends on hydroelectric power, but regulatory hurdles could take plants offline
Hydropower accounts for nearly 30% of utility-scale renewable energy in the U.S., but federal hurdles may prevent older hydroelectric plants from staying online and new projects from getting off the ground.
Students in Illinois will be automatically admitted to colleges under a new law. Eastern Illinois University is already trying the strategy out
For the past three years, Eastern Illinois University has been sending offer letters to juniors in neighboring counties – before the students start their applications.
PHOTOS: Champaign County Freedom Celebration parade draws crowd despite later start time
Even with the summer heat in the afternoon, many families from around East Central Illinois came out to celebrate Independence Day.
Trump on Fourth of July signs ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ to implement his agenda
President Trump signed a massive tax and spending bill to implement much of his domestic agenda during a celebration for the Fourth of July.
Illinois environmental advocates aim to strengthen ties with lawmakers, increase outreach amid federal policy changes
Illinois environmental advocates are working to strengthen their connections with lawmakers and communities across the state while the legislature is in recess.
The House gives final approval to Trump’s big tax bill and sends it to him to sign
The tight roll call, 218-214, came at a potentially high political cost, with two Republicans joining all Democrats opposed.
Central Illinois to see another extreme heat wave during holiday weekend
Starting on Independence Day, the National Weather Service predicts temperatures to reach a peak of 94 degrees with increased humidity.
U.S. ginseng growers and animal breeders rely on exports to China. Now they wait on a trade deal
Specialty producers exporting to China have been hit just as hard as soybeans and beef. But they often have fewer alternative markets for their crops, worsening the impact of retaliatory tariffs.
Pritzker signs health care legislation
The bills aim to rein in pharmacy benefit managers and expand insurance coverage.
What to know about cycling-related bills Illinois lawmakers considered during spring session
Here’s a rundown of the cycling-related measures that passed and the ones that did not.
Champaign County employees send notice of intent to strike over stalled contract negotiations
Champaign County employees are threatening to call a strike as soon as next Tuesday. The union says county management is not offering a contract with “fair wages” or affordable health insurance.
Midwest states east of ‘tornado alley’ are bearing the brunt of severe storm season. Here’s why
Tornadoes have killed 68 people in the U.S. in 2025, with the majority of those deaths in Kentucky and Missouri.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of a prostitution-related offense
Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.
‘A story that’s not told’: couple hopes to raise awareness about autism through musical
The plot focuses on Sam, a nonverbal autistic child, who learns to communicate and connect with the world through an augmentative adaptive communication device.
College students hacked into tractors. Manufacturers wanted them to do it
The CyberTractor Challenge is a weeklong event for university students to learn about cybersecurity for agricultural equipment.
Illinois immigrant advocate responds to birthright citizenship ruling and increased immigration enforcement around the state
IPM’s Stephanie Mosqueda spoke with Fred Tsao, policy director for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Services.
Senate GOP passes Trump’s sweeping policy bill, setting up decisive vote in the House
The bill now heads to the House, where some GOP lawmakers are already signaling major objections.
Gov. JB Pritzker taps Christian Mitchell as lieutenant governor pick in campaign for third term
Mitchell is a former Hyde Park state representative who also served as Pritzker’s deputy governor.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jul. 03 – Jul. 06
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Patricia Bradford talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
‘Hidden gem’: Growing number of visitors discovering southern Illinois as travel destination
Inside the state’s push to boost tourism across its inspirational southernmost region
Champaign substitute teacher among those to return from ‘March to Gaza’ protest in Egypt
Central Illinoisans are among the over 4,000 people from the United States heading to Egypt as part of a peaceful march to the border with Gaza.
Immigration advocates in Central Illinois face uncertainty, chaos following birthright citizenship ruling
A nonprofit that supports immigrant rights in Central Illinois is urging immigrant families not to panic following Friday‘s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
A Dialogue on a new Ella Jenkins biography and memoir from Carol Moseley Braun
What do a children’s musician and a U.S. senator have in common? Two new books explore the lives of Ella Jenkins and Carol Moseley Braun, taking a look at their work, public service and their long-lasting contributions.
Funk, flow and freedom: How the legacy of Black music continues
From gospel to house, jazz to rhythm and blues, Black music has helped shape the foundation of American music, but where did it all start?
Pandamonium Doughnuts fries its last dough
After serving Champaign for 12 years, Pandamonium Doughnuts is closing its doors for good.
Hamburgers are safer than hot dogs: Tips for pet care during extreme heat
The ongoing heatwave in the Midwest and eastern U.S. isn’t just deadly for humans, but pets too.
How northern Illinois teachers are bringing indigenous stories into their classrooms for the first time
This past school year, for the first time, Illinois schools were required to teach a unit on the experience and history of Native people in the state.
Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship order
The majority opinion, written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, didn’t rule on whether President Trump’s executive order violates the 14th Amendment or the Nationality Act. Instead, it focused on whether federal courts have the power to issue nationwide blocks.
The U.S. sold this tribe’s land illegally. It’s now the latest Native group to get its home back
There are more than 500 miles between the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s tribal reservation in northeastern Kansas and 1,500 acres of mostly prairie in northern Illinois.
What to expect from this year’s Champaign County Freedom Celebration
This year’s event will include some changes to its parade route and time.
Gov. JB Pritzker announces run for 3rd term to protect Illinois from ‘chaos and craziness’ of Trump
Democratic incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker officially announced his run for a third term as the state’s chief executive Thursday with a campaign video vowing “to protect our progress and continue solving the problems we face.”
Senators question Trump plan to kill federal funds for PBS, NPR and some foreign aid
Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee pushed back against the Trump administration’s bid to kill $9 billion in federal funding that Congress already has approved for public broadcasting and international aid programs.
Attorney General Raoul joins lawsuit challenging Trump’s termination of federal grants
The complaint challenges several actions the administration has taken since Trump returned to office Jan. 20 that involved terminating federal grants that had previously been approved by various agencies.
First human case of West Nile Virus found in southern Illinois
The state’s health department says the case marks the earliest known instance of a person in Illinois being infected with West Nile virus since 2016.
Champaign County workers threaten to strike over stalled contract negotiations
More than 100 workers rallied Monday afternoon outside the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana.
The Latest: Trump says US and Iranian officials will talk next week as ceasefire holds
Iran also has not acknowledged any talks taking place next week, and an Iranian official questioned whether the United States could be trusted after its weekend attack on Iranian nuclear sites.
Before Robert F. Prevost was the pope, he thanked Gov. Pat Quinn for ending the death penalty
Documents obtained by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times through a public records request show that in 2011 the Chicago-born pope sent his gratitude to then-Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn for abolishing the death penalty in Illinois.
Gov. JB Pritzker to announce run for third term Thursday, sources say
Pritzker will make his third consecutive statewide campaign official with reelection campaign kickoff events in Chicago and Springfield.
Kickapoo trail expansion receives $9.5 million in state funding
Construction began in 2016 and the remaining goals are to improve the trailhead at Weaver Park in Urbana and complete the trails between St. Joseph to Ogden and Ogden to Oakwood.
National soccer festival coming to Rantoul
The Rantoul Sports Complex is hosting “Soccer Wars” on July 12 and 13. It’s the event’s first stop in Illinois.
Dangerous Heat Advisory continues in Illinois through Thursday 7pm
Daytime temperatures will top the 90’s but with high humidity it will feel like 100 to 105 degrees outside.
Interim Fire Chief selected by City of Champaign
City Manager Joan Walls announced she is appointing Tyler Funk to serve in the role starting July 14, when current Chief Andy Quarnstrom departs for a position in Savoy.
The Latest: Shaky ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to hold
Israel has yet to acknowledge Trump’s proposal, which gives Israel more time to potentially strike back though Iran on its state television announced an overall ceasefire had begun at 7:30 a.m. local time.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jun. 26 – Jun. 29
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Patricia Bradford 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.
Beef prices are at an all-time high. Here’s why it’s gotten so expensive
Shoppers are seeing record high beef prices at the grocery store. That’s in part because the number of cattle in the U.S. is at an all-time low, while consumer demand has remained strong.
Students can soon earn automatic admission to state’s universities, hoping to keep more in Illinois
The Direct Admission Program [DAP] will require public universities to offer admission to any student who meets their established GPA standard.
The Latest: US confirms no casualties from Iran’s attack on base in Qatar
The attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
The Latest: US inserts itself into Israel-Iran war and strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites
President Donald Trump says the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel ’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran’s threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.
Illinois congressional delegation split on support for US attacks on Iran
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL15) called Trump’s actions a ‘great victory for the United States.’ But Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) says the bombings were illegal.
A Dialogue on reclaiming power through health, protest and prose
From Sierra Leone to Champaign, Black communities around the world are faced with challenges that impact access to healthcare, immigration rights, and more.
The Dialogue zone: Exploring Blerd culture
Step into the Dialogue Zone as we take listeners on a journey into the intersection of Black identity and nerd culture.