CHESTER, Ill. (AP) — The deaths of three Illinois prisoners over three days from "probable intoxication" of an unknown substance have raised questions about drug use behind bars and whether inmates are watched closely enough. In a report posted online on Monday, WBEZ says documents and interviews suggest lax supervision before at least one of the deaths that occurred in September of last year at Menard Correctional Center in Chester.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Some improvement in Illinois crop conditions over the week in the latest crop report. The past week was cooler and wetter than normal, with average statewide topsoil moisture now at eight percent very short, 26 percent short, 62 percent adequate and four percent surplus. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 93 percent of soybeans are now blooming…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The corn crop improved to 49 percent in good to excellent condition, with 75 percent in the dough stage and 34 percent in the dent stage. The third cutting of alfalfa is now 71 percent complete.

 

 

(Champaign--jc)  --Parkland College Career Exploration Night, sponsored by the school's Career and Technical Education division, will be held September 4th from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is set for the Tony Noel Agricultural Applications Center and the Parkhill Applied Technology Center on the main campus. Current and prospective Parkland students are invited to meet employers, get expert advice on a career path, learn how to make a great first impression, and tour high-tech learning labs.  To reserve a spot at the event may go on line at parkland-dot-e-d-u-forward slash-c-t-career night.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  A long time, popular law enforcement officer passed away on Monday. Iroquois County Sheriff’s officials say Chief James Brammer died on Monday morning. Brammer was 73. Chief Brammer worked for the Iroquois County Sheriff’s department, Onarga Police Department and Chief of the Buckley Police Department over his decades career.  Jim was a good friend of WPXN radio and we think of him as a man who exemplified honesty, caring and one who dealt with the public in a professional manner. He will be missed

 

 

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. There will be some renovations including the addition of a  a chapel. Owner Kendall Cox talks about the renovations...

 

Cox Knapp Funeral Home Owner Kendall Cox

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school board approved increases to sports officials. At the varsity level, officials pay will increase to $75 a game for basketball, $70 for volleyball and $65 for baseball and softball. JV and middle school officials will also see an increase. Football officials will remain at $70 per game.

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Home sales in Champaign County were down 12 percent in July. According to the Champaign County Realtors Association, 282 homes sold last month, down from 321 in July 2018. 2019 hasn’t been a good year for home sales in Champaign County. Year to date 1,654 homes have sold, down from 1,808 this time last year. 

 

(Rantoul-jc)  -- TheRantoul Rec Dept and Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce are excited about the quarter plunge and the movie at the Aquatic Center this friday. 250 dollars in quarters will be put in the pool area. Jimmy Johns of Rantoul will be there with treats to. Plus a movie after the quarter drop

 

 

(Chicago--jc)  Chicago’s Federal Reserve branch projects slower economic growth.The central bank’s national activity index fell from June to July and also slowed for the three-month moving average.Among the measurements, total industrial product decreased as did manufacturing production.That points to slower economic growth.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- State Republican leaders won't back a proposal from some of the party's members to split the state in two by separating Chicago from the rest of Illinois. A group of Illinois Republicans in mostly southern Illinois have been hosting gatherings around the state to talk to people about a plan to get the federal government to split Illinois into two states. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, filed House Resolution 101 in February. 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is among 19 states suing over the Trump administration's effort to alter a federal agreement that limits how long immigrant children can be kept in detention. Attorneys general in California and Massachusetts are leading the effort and filed the lawsuit Monday. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says "every American should be outraged" by the treatment of migrant children at the border.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Some improvement in Illinois crop conditions over the week as we hear in the latest crop report. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 75 percent of corn has reached the dough stage…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Soybeans also improved, with 50 percent rated in good to excellent condition. 93 percent of soybeans are blooming and 79 percent are setting pods. Average statewide topsoil moisture came in at eight percent very short, 26 percent short, 62 percent adequate and four percent surplus.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce has a new director. Amanda Vickery takes over for Belinda Allen as director. Vickery comes from Danville where she served the city of Danville from 2015 to 2019. A meet and greet will be held on September 12th from 4 to 6 pm at the chamber office.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- An out of control fire in a burn barrel is the likely cause of a shed fire in Rantoul Monday. Firefighters were called to the fire on Mahoning Avenue. The fire is estimated to have caused $500 in damage.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  --The state lawmakers who crafted Illinois’ recreational cannabis law don't want local municipalities to overtax it. In a recently published "Municipal Toolkit," state Sens. Heather Steans, D-Chicago and Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, and state Reps. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, and Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, advised local governments to “proceed with extreme caution and avoid immediately taxing to the cap.” The document noted that municipalities that opt to allow recreational cannabis sales will be able to impose a tax of up to three percent beginning in September 20

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new state law expands health insurance coverage for mammograms and other breast cancer screenings. The law requires both private insurers and Medicaid to cover diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and M-R-I’s when prescribed by a physician. These tests are usually ordered when doctors need to get a better look after a routine mammogram says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The law takes effect January first.

 

 

(Chicago--jc)  -- Illinois is closer to the bottom than the top of a ranking of hardest working states. Consumer finance website Wallet-Hub ranked Illinois Number 42 of all states. Among various factors reviewed, Illinois got poor rankings for volunteer hours, where it ranked Number 47 overall.

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Officials say Carbondale has been chosen as one of several Midwest cities to host international artists for the next few years. It's called Arts Midwest World Fest. Artists from around the world will stay for a week in Carbondale, performing and working with school groups. Lisa Janssen is executive director of Carbondale Community Arts. She says hosting the festival is a prestigious honor.