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Central Illinois counties led Illinois in corn and soybean production last year as every region and nearly all counties saw decreases in both crops

(Springfield-jm) -- Officials from three of the state's public universities went before a Senate committee on Wednesday to detail their funding requests funding, including one double-digit increase. Public universities had a difficult during the two-year state budget impasse brought on by the stalemate between former Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratically-controlled General Assembly. With Democrats firmly in control of all levels of state government, some of the state’s universities are asking for more funding than they had received in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first state budget. Representatives from Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, and the University of Illinois presented requests to the Senate Appropriations II Committee on Wednesday. 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois public and charter schools would be mandated to teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade “inclusive, medically accurate, and culturally appropriate comprehensive sex education” if legislation announced Wednesday becomes law. The curriculum, not currently mandated, would include information children and youth need to prevent bullying, foster healthy relationships and prevent abuse or violence, a group of advocates and lawmakers said at a news conference.

 

(Washington-jm) -- Upcoming events with African nations are representative of U.S. interests in growing export markets within the African continent, including ag trade. Rod Bain reports…

 


 

Over 670,000 FFA students are participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Anna Crites from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

We were also able to talk with Armstrong FFA member Brody Howard

 

 

 

Over 670,000 FFA students are participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Jacob Hansens from Fisher High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

We were also able to talk with Iroquois West FFA member  Taylor Talbert

 

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  Two area county sheriff departments on behalf of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, called the Illinois Department of Corrections this week asking why there was a sudden change in policy. The new policy resulted in the release of felons, after completing their sentences, and illegal aliens, were released without notification to Immigrations officials or local law enforcement agencies.Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey says local agencies handle a wide range of criminals, safely…

 

 

Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey

Downey says the outride release of these individuals rather than a transfer to another court issue,  caused a major security issue for the area and state.


 

 

(Gilman--jc)  One Iroquois County school is well-known for a student rifle club. The Iroquois West  Rifle Club would like to invite any interested student and community members to attend a fun, informative and hands-on event  Those attending the meeting will learn more about the rifle club, and also participate in several activities. Those interested are asked to come to the  "Old Jim" Miller Range and multi-purpose room on Thursday March 12th at 7pm. There will be a thorough safety session, brief instruction, followed by some shooting. All skill-levels, ages and positive-learning-attitudes are welcome.More information is found by contacting the Iroquois West School in Gilman.


 

 

SPRINGFIELD – Central Illinois counties led Illinois in corn and soybean production last year as every region and nearly all counties saw decreases in both crops, according to estimates released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA published county-specific soybean figures for 75 of 102 counties and corn figures for 67 counties. McLean county saw corn production at 61,712,000 bushels, Champaign County 48,918,000 bushels, Livingston County 46,927,000 and Iroquois County 45,786,000. For soybeans, McLean County saw production at 18,123,000 bushels, Livingston County 16,121,000 bushels, Champaign County 13,539,000 and Iroquois County 12,391,000 bushels.

 

 

(McLean County-jm) -- The McLean County Public Health Department is reporting three cases of the mumps. The three people are reported to be in their early 20’s and have been appropriately vaccinated. The McLean County Health Department is encouraging the public to make sure they are up to date on their MMR vaccine. Mumps is caused by a virus that spreads through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from the mouth. Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and swelling of the salivary glands, which causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rantoul will be holding their annual Bowl for Kids Sake on Feb. 29. Big Brothers Big Sisters in Rantoul Director Kristian Hopkins gives us a little background on the event, and that it’s held every year at Country Tyme Lanes in Rantoul, and that this is the 5th year of the Bowl for Kids Sake…. 

 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Rantoul Director Kristian Hopkins. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Beach Boys will be coming to the Champaign County Fair in July. The legendary group will perform on Thursday, July 23rd at 7pm. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Revenue from Illinois’ 10 casinos has been sliding for more than a decade at least in part because of the state’s smoking ban and the rise of video gambling machines. Illinois gamblers decided to stay at home and the industry is still trying to lure them back, said Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association. Revenues are now down 40 percent, to $1.3 billion from the high water mark ten years ago. Gamblers are spending money on video gaming machines, which can be found in many bars, restaurants and truck stops.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A proposed bill in Illinois would prohibit schools from using a Native American logo, mascot or any other Native American imagery unless a school follows certain procedures. The procedures include written consent of a Native American tribe within 500 miles of the school and renewed every 5 years, conduct a school-wide program on Native American culture at least twice a year, offer a course to students outlining Native American contributions to society and report to the State Board of Education the programs on Native Americans it offers. If schools dont follow the guidelines they would be barred from competing in playoffs.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Job growth continues to grow in the state. Governor J-B Pritzker says last year saw growth across the entire state…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Kankakee-jm) -- The Kankakee County Sheriff’s office and U-S Marshals are investigating after an inmate was found dead last month. The Sheriff’s office says Willie Weathersby was found dead in his cell at the Jerome Combs Detention Center. An autopsy revealed Weathersby died from an opioid overdose.

 

 

(Decatur--jc)  The Illinois Department of Corrections is using a new policy to release some prisoners after they have completed their sentences.. The policy is to release the individuals, who are illegal aliens, into the state, rather than hand them over to federal officials. Area state Representative Dan Caulkin’s of Decatur says that Governor JB Pritzker is jeopardizing the safety of Illinois citizens…

 

 

Illinois State Representative Dan Caulkin of Decatur 

WPXN News will have more reaction from Representative Caulkin on the noon news today

 

 

Ford County will hold a meeting to continue discussions on the creation of a Veterans Assistance Commission in the county tonight at 7pm at the Roberts village hall.

 

 

With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Christina White from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Rachel Wilson with St. Joe Ogden High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

We were also able to talk with Cissna Park FFA member Kayla McWethy

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Another electronics recycling event could be coming to Ford County. The Ford County Environmental Committee is recommending the recycling event for sometime next year. The recycling would be in conjunction with the soil and water conservation district. The application to hold an electronics recycling is due to the state by March 1st.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is forecasting a huge corn crop this coming season. Gary Crawford has more…

 

 

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