(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday that the unemployment rate increased to 4.4% in September. The August unemployment rate was 4.1%. Based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payrolls increased 9,500 last month. The national unemployment rate was 3.8% in September, unchanged from the previous month.
(Paxton-jm) – The third mapping session for the city of Paxton is complete. The mapping sessions are hosted by Western Illinois University’s Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and get feedback from community members about what they want to see in the community in the next 10-30 years. The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24th. Program Manager Gisela Hamm talks about Tuesday's session…
Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm. The four high priority goals are housing, infrastructure, business support and development and leisure around parks and recreation and festivals and events. The session runs from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons. The public is invited.
(Rantoul-jm) – Flex-N-Gate Group has agreed to acquire Rantoul-based Eagle Wings Industries. The facility will be rebranded Flex-N-Gate Rantoul and will offer employment to Eagle Wings’ associates when the business transfer occurs later this year.
(Urbana-jm) – A new clinical trial at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital may improve the quality of life for dogs that need limb amputations. The hospital will be using two different surgical techniques: monopolar electro-surgery and ultrasonic scalpel. This is the first clinical trial in veterinary medicine to compare the two methods. Veterinarians said the goal is finding the best way to minimize pain, inflammation, and tissue damage for the animals by comparing results. The trial is open to dogs that require amputation for any reason and will cover some of the costs for procedures.
(Washington–jc) Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth was on the Senate floor on Thursday morning providing her comments on supporting the country of Israel. Duckworth, a former combat veteran in the Iraq war, says she supports Israels right to defend itself…
Illinois U. S. Senator Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
(Champaign-jm) – An arrest has been made in connection to a shots-fired incident near the University of Illinois campus, police announced. The University of Illinois Police Department said investigators identified Dominic Parrish of Urbana, as the person who fired four shots in the area of Second and Green Streets the night of Oct. 9. No one was hurt, but the incident triggered an Illini Alert that was sent to all students, staff and campus community members. Parrish was booked into the Champaign County Jail on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and for possessing a gun as a felon.
(Roberts-jm) – The 2nd annual Flessner Fall Fest will take place Saturday, October 28th in Roberts. The event is a fundraiser for the Flessner family, who have two boys diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Spokesperson Daniel Flessner talks about the days activities…
Flessner Fall Fest Spokesperson Daniel Flessner.
(Washington-jm) – How does USDA’s October outlook on beef production connect with its price forecasts for this year and next? Rod Bain reports…
(Hoopeston–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is The Pink Poodle and Unique Boutique in Hoopeston. Owner Lisa Breymeyer says they specialize in home decor, gift and collectibles to clothing and jewelry. Breymeyer says from 4 to 7pm tonight they have a special “ladies night out” event that includes some special vendors…
Breymeyer says they are running a “fall sale” through the weekend…
The Pink Poodle and Unique Boutique in Hoopeston Owner Lisa Breymeyer
Hear more about tonight's sale and upcoming events at The Pink Poodle with Lisa Breymeyer during the Noon news today.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Lottery has announced the highest income generated in its history. Fueled by massive jackpots in the Powerball and Mega Millions games, the Lottery announced a record net income of $882 million for fiscal year 2023 ending in June. That is a 5.7% increase over last year. The Illinois Lottery was founded in 1974 and officials said it has contributed over $24 billion to the state’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education since 1985.
(Springfield-jm) – Fall trout season is coming up later this weekend. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Kevin Irons shares the process of growing trout…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Kevin Irons. Opening day of fall trout fishing is tomorrow at 5 am.
(Gibson City-jm) – With Veterans Day approaching on November 11, State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City is asking residents to honor family members or friends who are veterans as part of a memorial display in the Illinois State Capitol. The Illinois Senate Republican Caucus is once again hosting its annual Veterans Day Wall of Honor display at the Statehouse, from November 7 to November 20. The memorial will feature a large electronic display of veterans and their stories, along with a wall where visitors can write notes of thanks to those who served. Senator Bennett is encouraging friends and families to submit a photo and short story (fewer than 250 words) about their veterans by November 6, so the information can be a part of the Veterans Day Wall of Honor display. Entries can be submitted to VeteransDay@sgop.ilga.gov or mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110D State House, Springfield, IL 62706.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department said safety has always been a priority for them. Now they’re asking for the campus community to make it one as well. This comes after five people were arrested near campus with guns and drugs in recent weeks. Four of the arrests happened last week and the fifth happened on Monday. Some tips the department shared on how to keep vigilant in a potentially hostile situation were to know when to leave, how and when to report the situation, and how to keep yourself safe.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul based Community Service Center is hosting a Wine-Tasting event on Tuesday at a local restaurant to help fund the Rantoul High Schools–Eagles Nest Food Pantry. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says they have partnered with E.T’s Restaurant for the event on Tuesday October 24th…
Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford. They have only 15 tickets left for the event. More information about purchasing tickets is on-line or by calling the center in Rantoul.
(Springfield-jm) – Inadequate housing inventory continued to hinder the housing market in September, driving home sales lower and median prices higher, according to data from Illinois REALTORS. The number of statewide home sales and the available housing inventory in September 2023 dropped in comparison to September 2022 figures. In September 2023, statewide home sales of 11,483 homes sold was 17.4 percent lower than 13,900 sold in September 2022. Also, the monthly median price of $270,000 in September 2023 was 6.5 percent higher than it was the year before at $253,594. In September there were only 21,256 homes for sale statewide, a 28.5 percent decrease from 29,717 homes on the market in September 2022. Homes sold an average of 24 days this past September, compared to 26 in September 2022.
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation is showing off the medical office buildings, built north of the hospital. Foundation Spokesperson Bill Kirby says its an asset for the community
Gibson Area Hospital Foundation Spokesperson Bill Kirby. The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation glo bingo fundraiser will take place in Paxton October 27th and in Gibson City on October 28th. Tickets are still available.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest look at milk production and prices noted demand for butter, and its impacts on the supply and demand ledger. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a mobile food distribution today from 9-9:30 at the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at Living Word Church in Roberts, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, Elliott village hall from 1-1:30 and 2-3 at Paxton Hardware and Rental.
The Onarga American Legion Post 551 will hold their fish fry tonight from 4:30-7 at the Legion Hall at Durham Park. Cost is $12 and includes fish, fries, baked beans, green beans and coleslaw.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting Hometown Heroes on Saturday from 10-2.
