(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law recommends Illinois schools implement yearly mental health screenings for students enrolled in K-12th grade. Regan Deering, a Mt. Zion school board member and Illinois House candidate, said the new mental health screenings are a government expansion program being phased in this fall. The Illinois Youth Survey may be administered to middle and high school students in public and private schools. The survey asks questions about gender, drug use, suicide and family dynamics. The law also says minors ages 12 to 17 have the right to assess and authorize the release of their mental health records. Parents have rights to the minor’s records only if the minor does not object or if the therapist feels compelling reasons to override the minor.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Statehouse Republicans want an end to the state’s migrant sanctuary policies, but they are getting rebuffed by Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. The governor says it is a discussion on undocumented or illegal migrants…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. 101st District State Representative Dan Caulkins says the majority of migrants would be sent back to their country of origin.
101st District State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur. Republicans are calling for more transparency on how taxpayer dollars are being spent and for an end to the state’s TRUST Act, which some say is what makes Illinois a migrant sanctuary state. That law says state and local law enforcement cannot assist federal immigration officers in enforcing immigration law, if that is the sole issue against someone.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign and Chicago are both ranked within Orkin’s top 10 bed bug cities for 2023. Chicago held the No. 1 spot for the fourth year in a row. New York and Philadelphia followed behind at second and third place, respectively. Champaign moved up a spot from its No. 11 placement on Orkin’s 2022 list. Now, the city is placed at No. 10, joining the top 10 most bed bug-ridden cities in America.
(Springfield-jm) – Senate Republicans are calling on the Governor to reverse plans to cut funding for the developmentally disabled to fund the migrant crisis. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says they sent the Governor a letter addressing their concerns…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – The preliminary hearing in Terrence Shannon Jr.’s criminal case in Kansas has been pushed back by almost three months. Shannon’s attorney Mark Sutter explained that the court had a scheduling conflict with the original date Feb. 23. The preliminary hearing is now scheduled for May 10, well after the college basketball season ends.
(Washington-jm) – USDA’s January pork production and hog price forecasts offers a glimpse of the impact from last month’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. Rod Bain reports…
(Gifford–jc) – Today is day two of Midwest Ag Expo. During our broadcast on Wednesday, WPXN news had a chance to talk with several exhibitors at Gordyville USA. Wallace Land and Auction Companies Owner Jerry Wallace says farm appraisals are a big topic for event goers at his booth…
Wallace Land and Auction Company of Fisher Owner Jerry Wallace.
Illinois Grain Seed and Equipment’s Aaron Kaeb says they built a 1-16th model of a grain handling system, they showed for the first time on Wednesday…
Illinois Grain Seed and Equipment of Cissna Park Manager Aaron Kaeb
The grain system is set to be in operation, again today at the Midwest Ag Expo.
Today’s Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA near Gifford opens at 8-30am
(Springfield-jm) – A new bill has been introduced that would guarantee teachers have classroom planning time built into each school day. Senate Bill 2721 would guarantee that every teacher receives at least 45 minutes of continuous, uninterrupted individual classroom planning time per day. The requirement would apply to all public school districts in Illinois. Currently, there is no law that protects a teacher's ability to have time set aside during the school day to plan their lessons. Under this bill, an educator would be able to choose to substitute or attend meetings, trainings or conferences during their designated planning time.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting the state’s economy. The Governor says the state’s finances have improved since he took office…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Champaign-jm) – $20,4877,200. That’s how much it’ll cost to repair the U of I Ice Arena. The University did a feasibility study in 2022 to determine how much it would cost to repair and upgrade the decades old building. Campus leadership has been throwing around ideas of what to do with the building moving forward.
(Gifford–jc) – Today is day two of Midwest Ag Expo. During our broadcast on Wednesday, WPXN news had a chance to talk with several exhibitors at Gordyville USA.
Farm Credit Illinois-Watseka Office Representative Jason Rust says event goers talked about a wide range of topics…
Farm Credit Illinois-Watseka Office Representative Jason Rust. Abbe Insurance-Edge Insurance Agent Larry Abbe says options with medicare was another topic at the Expo…
Abbe Insurance Edge Insurance Agent Larry Abbe.
Day two of the Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA starts at 8-30am today and runs to 3pm this afternoon.
(Champaign-jm) – People living in the area around First Christian Church in Champaign can expect to see a heavy presence of first responders at the church next week. The presence will not be for an emergency, but a training exercise. Champaign Police officials said officers, firefighters and EMS personnel will be gathering at the church to prepare for potential emergency scenarios and mutual aid needs that may occur in Champaign County. The training exercise will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, January 30. People are advised to avoid the area while the training exercise happens. First Christian Church and its parking lots will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, but Staley Road and Curtis Road will remain open to all traffic.
(Washington-jm) – What were the trends within USDA’s first look at beef production and steer prices for the new year? Rod Bain reports…
WPXN News Notes…
The 2024 Hoopeston Area FFA Alumni Scholarship Auction will take place on Saturday at the Legion with silent auction 4-6 pm, food served starting at 4:30 and live auction starting at 6.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Brushville on Saturday at 8pm. Doors open at 6.
