(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating two shootings in the village in two days. Sunday a 16 year old girl was shot and received a head wound on Harmon Drive. She remains in the hospital. Last night police were called to a shooting on Abram Drive.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Since Friday, Illinois has seen an additional 7,858 Coronavirus cases and 29 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate rose to 5.6 percent. Iroquois County reported 57 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 3,402 and deaths to 66. Champaign County reported 220 new cases and 2 additional deaths  bringing their total number of cases to 22,343 and deaths to 162. Ford and Vermilion Counties did not have a report.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new state law expands the state’s Secure Choice Savings Program. Starting next year, small businesses with five or more employees that don’t offer any sort of retirement program must enroll their staff in Secure Choice, a state-run retirement option. The current threshold is 25 or more workers. The change was sponsored by Representative Will Guzzardi of Chicago…

 

 

State Representative Will Guzzardi of Chicago. Employees can opt out of Secure Choice and save on their own. Businesses will need to fully implement the new law by September of 2023.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Dangerous heat and humidity is affecting the WPXN listening area today. A heat advisory is in effect today as heat index values are expected to be 100 to 110. There is also a chance of storms this afternoon, some of which could be severe.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County residents are once again having issues with their NOAA (noah) weather radio. The National Weather Service says the radio is operating intermittently on reduced power. They don’t have an estimated time for when it will be fixed. Those in the northern part of the county can use the weather radio from Crescent City station number K-X-I-86.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The 2021 Paxton Swine n Dine will return in September. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer talks about this year's concert…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Multiple village and city councils around the area meet tonight. In Rantoul at 6, village trustees will consider hiring a social worker to the police department, approve a bid to resurface Congress and Sheldon, consider sidewalk improvements along U-S 136, consider two grants for Heritage Lake improvements and approve a redevelopment agreement for the former Knights Inn location. Also at 6, the Vermilion County board will hear a presentation on the Mural Wind Farm and discuss uses for American Recovery Act money. At 7 in Paxton, city council members will hear an update on motor fuel tax work, consider a distillery ordinance and draft a proposal for drainage issues. Also at 7, the St. Joseph village board will meet where trustees will hear an update on sewer projects.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- Mahomet’s downtown facade grant program will be receiving a boost. The village board approved adding additional funds to the program. The boost will allow an additional $5,000 to $10,000 per location.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- After seeing Monday's USDA Crop Progress report, grain markets are now anxiously awaiting USDA's upcoming survey-based forecasts for crop yields and production. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State and local public health officials are giving House lawmakers an update on COVID-19 vaccination progress and the delta variant. More than 59 percent of the Illinois population 12 and older is now fully vaccinated. Attempts to get more people their shots continue, with communities having to get creative with their efforts. That includes offering the vaccine at churches, laundromats and flea markets and having “ambassadors” talk to people about the vaccine. Chicago Public Health Department Commissioner Dr Allison Arwady says they are offering house calls as well…

 

 

Chicago Public Health Department Commissioner Dr Allison Arwady. Arwady also talked about how while they expect some COVID cases to arise as a result of Lollapalooza, the event also got more young people to get the shot since it was required to enter.

 

(Peoria-jm) -- A Loda man is dead following a crash in Peoria County. The Peoria County Coroner’s office says Ian Nemeth died after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle head on Saturday afternoon. 

 

(Loda-jm) -- A walk to raise money for Huntington’s Disease research will be held at Lakeview Country Club in Loda coming up in September. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 11th starting at 8 am with a golf outing and other activities taking place throughout the day. Spokesperson Samantha Cox explains Huntington's Disease..

 

 

Team Hope Walk for Huntington’s Disease Spokesperson Samantha Cox. Contact Samantha Cox at 217-249-1421 for more information.

 

(Washington-jm) -- There is a mixed picture for corn and soybean conditions this week.  Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland Colleges Aviation School has released their summer flight credentials. Remy Smith of Rantoul and Nathan Smith of Mahomet both received their credentials for the first time solo. Zeth McCloud of St. Joseph received their credentials for instrument airplane rating. Daniel Wyckoff of Buckley received his credentials for flight instructor instrument.