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Jobs Were Up and Unemployment was Down Last Month in Illinois

(Springfield--jc)  --The Illinois Senate could take action on a measure to require Illinois residents to submit fingerprints to get a Firearm Owners Identification card when lawmakers return this October. A Second Amendment advocate is urging police groups to oppose the bill. Senate Bill 1966 passed the House in May. It would increase fees FOID cards while decreasing how long the cards remain valid. It would also require applicants to submit fingerprints to get the card. The card is required to legally have a firearm or ammunition in the state.

 

 (AP) — A federal judge has castigated an ex-University of Illinois student for showing no remorse for his slaying of a scholar from China and for not apologizing to his victim's family. Judge James Shadid spoke Thursday as he sentenced Brendt Christensen to life in prison hours after jurors couldn't agree on whether the 30-year-old should be put to death for killing 26-year-old Yingying Zhang. Shadid said Christensen's "inexplicable act of violence" was done to "fulfill self-absorbed fantasies."

 

(Paxton-dg)-The Knapp Miller Funeral Home in Paxton has new owners. Kendall Cox and K’lee McGeary have purchased the funeral home and the new name will be Cox Knapp Funeral Home. Owner Kendall Cox said the time was right to come back home to Paxton.

 

 

Cox Knapp Funeral Home Owner Kendall Cox

 

(Crescent City--jc)  -- Today at the Iroquois County Fair near Crescent City along Route 49,  it’s the 4-H Beef Show at 8 this morning. The Sheep, Swine and Goats shows also start at 8. The Draft Horse Halter show takes place at 9 with a noon Draft Horse Hitches Show. There is a Talent Show  this afternoon at 5-30. On stage tonight is the Petersen Farm Brothers at 7-30. The WPXN Ice Cream Booth opens over the noon hour today. We will also be broadcasting live at Noon today from the fair. Its Summer Fun Tour Stop 13.

 

(Springfield--ba) -- Jobs were up and unemployment was down last month in Illinois. The state jobless rate for June came in at four point three percent. That’s down from four point four percent in may. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro says payrolls increased by more than 11 thousand.

 

 

Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro.

 

 

(Paxton--jc) --  With the excessive heat now through Sunday several area communities are offering cooling centers for those needing a place to keep cool. In Rantoul, the Forum Fitness Center on the village’s west side is available as a cooling center. In Paxton,  the E-M-S building on State street has been designated as a cooling center. 

 

(Piper City--jc)  He will be remembered as a teacher, coach, mentor and family friend. 76 year old Dale Cupples passed away earlier this week.  Cupples coached various teams for 39 years and he also was a social studies teacher for 43 years. A memorial service is set for Sunday at 2-30 at the Tri Point Junior High Gym in Piper City, which also bears his name.

 

(Melvin--jc)  -- It’s free movie night tonight in Melvin. The Movie “Dumbo” will be shown at 7 tonight at the Melvin Community Hall. Those attending are asked to bring a blanket to sit upon..

 

UNDATED (AP) — So far this week, anticipated nationwide immigration raids have not materialized at the expected magnitude. Yet the mere prospect of such raids has provided evidence that legions of pastors, rabbis and their congregations across the United States stand ready to help vulnerable immigrants with offers of sanctuary and other services. Jewish rabbis have organized a network of more than 70 synagogues committed to this cause. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services has launched a similar effort.

 

(Bellflower-jc)  Dan Basham and Dave Raymer will join the Bellflower Country Opry Band on Saturday. Admission is 10 dollars. The show starts at 7 with a baked spaghetti meal at 5pm

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(Paxton--jc)  -- On the menu at the Paxton IGA Saturday from 10am until 2pm is Ribeye Steak Sandwiches, chips and pop. The proceeds go to the Loda Lions Club.

(Springfield--jc)  -- Governor. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday that Illinois won’t accept money from the federal government for family planning centers after a federal rule barring tax dollars for centers that promote abortions.Last month, a federal appeals court upheld President Donald Trump's so-called “gag rule.”“The gag rule holds hostage federal funding for contraception for low-income women unless providers refuse to refer or provide abortion services along with other reproductive health care,” Pritzker said in a statement Thursday.

 

 

(Washington--ba)-..-  If you need help finding the right USDA farm loan, USDA has a new online tool for you. USDA’s Stephanie Ho has that story.

 

 

(Urbana--jc)  Today is the initial day of the Champaign County Fair at the grounds on Colar Street in Urbana. The gates open at 4 this afternoon with the carnival starting at 5. There are stock car races at 6-30 at the track and it’s music from 9 til midnight in the beer pavilion. The Champaign County Fair runs through July 27th.

 

 

(Springfield--ba) --  Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ office will hold a live auction of unclaimed property during the Illinois state fair in Springfield. The auction will be held on Saturday, august 17th and feature a variety of items says Treasurer Frerichs.

 

 

Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs

 

(Chicago--jc)  --Federal agents searched the home of another longtime associate of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, but it's not clear what they were investigating.Agents searched the Quincy home of former Springfield lobbyist Mike McLain in mid-May.  That’s around the same time agents searched premises connected with two other Madigan associates, political operative Kevin Quinn and former Chicago Ald. Michael Zlaewksi.It’s unclear what federal agents were investigating. The Tribune reported the search warrant indicated investigators were looking for connections to possible criminal acts. 

 

(Cissna Park--jc)  -- The theme for the annual Cissna Park Old Settlers parade is “Patriotism.” The annual parade steps off at noon on Saturday August 17th. The staging area will be around Knapp Funeral Home and will turn on Route 49 to the village park. The three day event features a talent show, musical entertainment, Swyear Amusements on the midway, beer tent, and plenty of “shade and water.” The event takes place from August 15th through the 17th in Cissna Park. 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -A state lawmaker who supported doubling the state’s gas tax to pay for infrastructure projects said a new audit could mean some planned projects won't get funded.The audit found that dozens of bridges in Illinois weren’t inspected in a timely manner.The Illinois Auditor General released an audit Thursday of the Illinois Department of Transportation for a two-year period ending June 2018. Among other issues, the audit found that 78 bridges that weren’t inspected on time. Twenty-eight bridges were overdue for routine inspections, some were up to 4 years overdue. Ten were listed as the responsibility of an adjacent state and five were rated structurally deficient, the audit said.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc) -- It’s Friday Night Under the Lights in downtown Gibson City tonight.The monthly car cruise takes place from 6pm to 10pm. The event features cruising along Sangamon Avenue. Music with Dan Kerfoot and his musical friends, steak sandwiches sponsored by the Legion Riders, a Queen of Hearts Drawing, anda project presentation from Gibson Area Hospital hilite the event. A blessing of the cars kicks off the cruise at the New Beginnings Christian Church.

 

 

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