(Paxton--jc) Autopsies for two people found dead in rural Paxton on Sunday are set for tomorrow at the Champaign County morgue. Ford County Coroner Rick Flessner says a farmer found the accident that claimed the lives of 19 year old Taylor Johnson of Rantoul and an 18 year old from Chicago. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is urging lawmakers to pass a bill that will lower the cost of insulin in Illinois. Supporters say some people with diabetes are having to forgo their medication because insulin has become so expensive. Governor Pritzker says this proposal would limit the price to one hundred dollars in out of pocket costs for a one month supply…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. More than one million adults have diabetes in Illinois.
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois' top leaders trumpeted the benefits of automatic voter registration when signing a bipartisan plan in 2017 to change how the state finds and signs up eligible but unregistered voters. But Illinois hasn't lived up to its promise, rolling out automatic voter registration behind schedule and struggling with other voter reforms in the law. Interest in automatic voter registration is growing nationwide. However, problems in Illinois illustrate challenges other states could see.
CHICAGO (AP) — A proposed bill would require all CBD products sold in Illinois to meet testing requirements set by the state Department of Agriculture. The Chicago Tribune reports that Rep. Bob Morgan introduced the bill Oct. 2. Morgan says the legislation would help ensure CBD products are safe for use. CBD is a cannabis extract that can be used to alleviate anxiety or chronic pain. Under the bill, untested products would be removed from shelves. Non-compliance fines would start at $1,000.
(Paxton-jm) -- Medicare open enrollment begins October 15th. Ford County Public Health Department Administrator Lana Sample says they will be hosting events throughout the county to help seniors review their coverage options…
Ford County Public Health Administrator Lana Sample. Sample says if none of those work, you can call the health department at 379-9281 and they will schedule a time to sit down with you.
(Rantoul--jc) --The official Surveyors of our World Championship event are the students of Parkland College. How many surveyors in this world can say they measured competition shots at the World Punkin Chunkin Championship. The National Punkin Chunkin competition comes to the Rantoul airport on Saturday November 2 and Sunday November 3rd. WPXN will be broadcasting live on November 2nd to help kick off the two day event.
(Springfield-jm) -- One state representative is calling on the General Assembly to repeal the state’s capital bill. Representative Allen Skillicorn is calling for the repeal following the FBI raids of Senator Martin Sandovals office. Sandoval is chair of the state’s transportation committee and was a key member in drafting the plan…
State Representative Allen Skillicorn.
(Springfield--jc) --As the fight for trade deals continues in Washington, Illinois farmers are expected to harvest less than last year.The United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service released its latest Illinois crop production estimates on Thursday. The expected yields for corn dropped further.“NASS forecasts the 2019 corn yield to be 179 bushels per acre, down thirty-one from last year’s record high yield of 210,” NASS State Statistician Mark Schleusener said.
(Washington-jm) -- An Extension expert says keep some electrical safety tips in mind if you prepare elaborate electrical outdoor displays for Halloween this year. Rod Bain reports…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An appointee of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has stepped down from the Illinois Tollway board after he was mentioned as part of a federal investigation of state Sen. Martin Sandoval. Cesar Santoy resigned Friday at Pritzker's request after an unredacted search warrant released Friday indicated that authorities sought information involving Santoy and his architectural firm. Santoy's lawyer says Santoy is not a target of the investigation but resigned out of respect for Pritzker.
(Springfield--jc) -- State officials are asking drivers to be extra vigilant while driving in rural areas as deer become more active in the coming months. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Police said deer are more active and less attentive during mating season and hunting season.Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Rachel Torbert said drivers should pay attention to the sides of the road.
The PBL FFA is continuing to collect bottle caps and plastic lids. PBL FFA Member Autumn Bruens says the collection is going well and donations are appreciated…
PBL FFA Member Autumn Bruens
(Rankin-jm) -- The village of Rankin will spend $600 to repair the village’s veterans memorial. The work will involve removing the current pavers, having them repaired and reinstalled.
(Champaign-jm) -- How does the forecast look for the rest of October? State Climatologist Trent Ford has the details…
State Climatologist Trent Ford.
(Undated-jm) -- A new survey shows half of Americans have sacrificed or are going into their own retirement savings to help their adult kids. The Bankrate Survey shows that young people need help when it comes to paying them. While it is believed that 18 should be the cut off age, the survey shows many baby boomers and gen-xers think a person should be financially independent between the ages of 19 and 23.
(Springfield-jm) -- A horticulture expert at the University of Illinois Extension says now is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs. Bulbs should be planted in soil with good drainage and the Extension’s Kelly Alsup recommends using an auger that attaches to your drill to quickly dig holes. She says most bulbs are pretty easy to grow…
University of Illinois Extensions Kelly Alsup. The rule has always been to plant bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall but Alsup says a study using tulips found planting bulbs as little as two to four inches deep produced more flowers.
