(Springfield-jm) – With the recent deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to the Middle East, some are asking why they weren't sent south to help secure the U.S. border. Republicans across the country are rallying behind Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s legal standoff with the federal government and an ongoing dispute with President Joe Biden over the ongoing rush of illegal immigrants across the border. More than 35,000 migrants have come to Illinois since August 2022, many of them arriving on buses from Texas. On his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump encouraged states to deploy their National Guards to Texas.
(Chicago-jm) – Taxpayer costs to care for migrants amount to $1.5 million a day, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, and now those who faced eviction from city shelters will be able to stay until March. Johnson has extended the 60-day stay deadline at the city's homeless shelters twice due to weather concerns. Close to 2,000 migrants would have been forced out of the shelters today had the deadline remained in place. Johnson said the policy was intended to clear shelter space and speed up connecting migrants to permanent housing. Johnson said his administration will continue to assess the shelter stay policy through the end of winter, but admitted that funding will eventually dry up…
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. One proposal brought up would be to decline hosting the Democratic National Convention that will take place in Chicago in August. Governor J-B Pritzker is against that idea…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
(Urbana-jm) – A Carlinville man well familiar to law enforcement at the University of Illinois has been sentenced to prison for breaking into and stealing from an apartment during a string of criminal activity around campus. Javarrias Miller, 24, has been arrested more than 10 times in the last year by Urbana and University Police. Most of those arrests were for burglary and theft, but Miller was also arrested for stalking and harassment. One of those burglary incidents led to jail time. Miller pleaded guilty to one count of residential burglary and was sentenced to four years in prison. Miller faced anywhere from four to 15 years in prison for the July apartment break-in. He was ultimately given the minimum sentence and was given credit for 111 days already served in custody.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place in the 200 block of S. Maple Street in Urbana. When officers arrived on the scene they discovered multiple shell casings, indicative of gunfire. Further investigation revealed that an occupied residence and a vehicle had both been struck by gunfire. Despite the house being occupied at the time, no injuries were observed or reported.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA has released their cattle report. Shayle Shagam, USDA livestock analyst, with some of the key numbers in USDA's Cattle report…
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Sports Complex will open with a few Parkland College Baseball games later this month as the popular center is set for a full year of activities. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried invites the area to see the wide variety of sports and more coming for 20-24…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Ried.
(Springfield-jm) – As Illinoisans turn up their thermostats to stay warm for the rest of this winter, the risk of a home heating fire or carbon monoxide incident increases. This is why the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is encouraging residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are functioning properly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.
(Springfield-jm) – Yesterday, the Illinois Farm Bureau unveiled new legislation aimed at improving the Illinois Estate Tax. In a press conference in Bloomington, at the home office of the Illinois Farm Bureau, House Republican leaders stood with bipartisan lawmakers supporting the new measure. House Bill 4600, named the Family Farms Preservation Act, is designed to protect the heritage of family farmers by updating the Illinois Estate Tax code. Speaking on the legislation at the press conference, State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington echoed his support for the measure…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is still looking for a burglary suspect who broke into a Champaign apartment early Wednesday morning. Around 4:20 a.m., the apartment’s resident reported being woken up by a noise, when she saw a man standing in the hallway outside her bedroom door. Once the man saw her wake up, he immediately ran out of the apartment, grabbing the resident’s satchel on his way out. Officers arrived at the scene 10 minutes later and searched around the building. They could not find a suspect matching the victim’s description. The resident informed the police that the complex’s main entrance lock has not always worked.
(Springfield-jm) – The state Department of Agriculture has grants available to help farmers. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the grants…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences and Parkland College are joining forces, getting students to graduate as veterinary technicians in five years instead of six. Students will spend three years working on their bachelor’s degree at the U of I. They’ll use the last two years finishing their bachelor’s while getting their vet tech certification through Parkland.
(Washington-jm) – USDA reports show commodity prices in December mostly below December of 2022. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton–jc) The 35th annual Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Farm Toy Show is set for later this month. Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt says the show is February 10th starting at 9am at the high school in Paxton…
Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt
WPXN News Notes…
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish fry on Friday, February 2nd from 4-6:30. Cost is $10 for adults 13 and older.
Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold their spaghetti lunch on Sunday, February 4th from 11-1. Cost is a freewill donation.
The St. Mary’s St Joseph's Knights of Columbus annual free throw contest for kids ages 9-14 will take place on Sunday, February 4th at PBL High School. Doors open at noon with the competition beginning at 12:30. More information is available by contacting Trent Eshleman at 217-841-5621.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Piper City will hold their Valentine’s Special on Sunday, February 4th from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, children are $5.
