(Springfield-jm) -- State officials said Illinois' unemployment rate did not fluctuate between April and May. The Illinois Department of Employment Security said that in May, the statewide unemployment rate remained at 7.1%, the same rate it was at in March and April.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The University of Illinois Extension Office is offering some summer lawn care tips. Now that the weather is really heating up, it’s time to decide if you want to put the effort and money into watering your yard all summer, says U of I Horticulture Educator Richard Hentschel. If that’s the route you want to go…

 

 

U of I Horticulture Educator Richard Hentschel. Hentschel points out that keeping a lush lawn will require additional fertilizer and suggests mowing more often at a taller height. The taller grass will shield the roots from the sun a little better so your yard won’t dry out as quickly.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton first responders were called to an accident Sunday afternoon on I-57. Crews were called to the accident one mile south of town. No word on if there were any injuries.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  --  Canadian National Railroad offices say the  railroad crossing on West 8th Street will be closed in Gibson City from today to June 25th. A detour will be provided through the city for those on state routes. 

 

 

(Gifford-jm) -- The 2021 Gifford Celebration will take place this Saturday. Spokesperson Logan Hesterburg talks about the return of the annual event…

 

 

Gifford Celebration Spokesperson Logan Hesterburg.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- There are several board meetings around the area tonight. In Rantoul at 6, Rantoul Township High School school board members are expected to approve the district's consolidated plan, discuss their reopening plan for the 2021-2022 school year and approve the purchase of a school bus. At 6:15 in Gibson City, GCMS school board members will hear a construction update and discuss the district's ESSA plan. The Mahomet Seymour School Board will hold a budget hearing at 6:30 followed by their monthly meeting at 7 where they are expected to approve the revised budget and consider a bid for the track project. Tri-Point School leaders will hold a budget hearing at 6:45 before their monthly meeting at 7 where they will consider approving their revised budget, consider all day pre-kindergarten for 4 year olds at the Piper City school, and consider a school resource officer contract. Finally the Iroquois West school board will meet at 7 where they will consider middle school girls softball and substitute teachers pay.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- How were estimates for Brazil's soybean crop adjusted compared to other drought impacted crops in that country, and how did it affect USDA's June global supply and demand estimate? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker signed a major election reform bill into law last week. The new changes going into effect immediately expand curbside voting and allow polling places in county jails for those waiting on their trial. It includes uniform cybersecurity standards for election offices and creates a permanent vote by mail registry. The bill also mandates that high schools provide a one-page document of information for students 18 years and over about how to register to vote. The new law also changes the date of next year’s primary election from March 15 to June 28.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Outdoor activities in Illinois surged during the pandemic. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources closed all facilities pretty quickly after the virus first hit. 660 sites opened back up May 1st, with the remaining coming online at the end of May. Chief of Staff Kristin Dicenso says attendance figures showed cooped up Illinoisans were ready to enjoy the outdoors…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Chief of Staff Kristin Dicenso. Dicenso says they also saw an increase in camping and expect these trends to continue this year.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign man is dead following an early morning shooting Sunday. Police were called to the shooting in the 2500 block of West Springfield Avenue. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup says 32 year old David Dalton Jr died at Carle Foundation Hospital. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

 

 

(Rural Gifford-jm) -- A farm shed was destroyed by fire in rural Gifford over the weekend. Crews from Rantoul, Gifford and Ogden-Royal were called to the fully involved 30 by 60 shed around 1pm Saturday. The shed and its contents were lost.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul is growing thanks in part to the new sports complex and subsequent development near the complex. But the growth in Rantoul has led to a shortage of housing, says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- A lower production forecast for Brazilian corn by USDA indicates a potential increase in corn exports for our nation. Rod Bain reports…