(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul have filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court over their appeal to the temporary restraining order on school mask mandates. Governor Pritzker also wants the Illinois Supreme Court's decision on the appeal expedited, but there is no timetable at this point.
(Springfield-jm) – The state’s mask mandate is set to be lifted next week, but Governor J-B Pritzker says communities and businesses can impose their own mitigations if necessary. Masks will no longer be required in most indoor places starting Monday, says Governor J-B Pritzker. This applies statewide and now, in the City of Chicago…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says private businesses can enact their own requirements as well.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 6,242 new Coronavirus cases and 132 additional deaths since last Friday. No report was given over the weekend or Monday because of the President’s Day holiday. Locally, Iroquois County reported 54 new cases and 1 additional death. Champaign County reported 293 new cases and 2 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 57 new cases and 4 additional deaths.
(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton approved an environmental land use control at their February meeting. Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the reason behind it…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College's "Parkland Preview" event for high school seniors will be returning on Friday, March 25 from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Student Union. The Parkland Preview allows prospective and admitted students to explore their major with the instructors and staff of Parkland's transfer and career programs. 23 different Parkland programs and departments will be present at the event, including nursing, dental hygiene, surgical technology, arts and sciences, aviation, agriculture, business/computer science and technologies, and more.
(Springfield-jm) – Area Republican lawmakers continue to sound off on the Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address held earlier this month. Republicans criticized the Governors address saying he made things sound rosy and better than what they really are. One of those criticizing the Governor is 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District has a new school resource officer. Brandon Ryan was hired to be the district's first officer. Ryan has served as a police officer in Paxton for 8 years.
Over 670,000 FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Kayla McWethy from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
Cissna Park FFA Member Kayla McWethy
Kenzie Swan from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
PBL FFA Member Kenzie Swan
Gracelynn Greenburg from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks more about the Assembly that will take place today.
PBL FFA Member Gracelynn Greenburg
(Normal-jm) – Illinois State University announced that it will be updating its masking policy on campus Monday. According to an email sent to students, due to Governor Pritzker plan on lifting the state-wide mask mandate, ISU will not require students to wear a mask in indoor spaces starting February 28, with a few exceptions.
(Springfield-jm) – A new COVID-19 treatment is now being offered across Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that a new monoclonal antibody, bebtelovimab, is now available for the treatment of COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for it on Feb. 11, 2022.
(Springfield-jm) – This is Grain Bin Safety Week. The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Joe Small says accidents can happen when farmers become complacent while doing routine tasks inside and around grain bins…
Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Joe Small. Small urges the use of a harness when inside the bin and says farmers should have ladders installed where possible for emergency exit.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 6,242 new Coronavirus cases and 132 additional deaths since last Friday. No report was given over the weekend or Monday because of the President’s Day holiday. Locally, Iroquois County reported 54 new cases and 1 additional death. Champaign County reported 293 new cases and 2 additional deaths. Vermilion County reported 57 new cases and 4 additional deaths.
(Cissna Park-tr) – The Cissna Park FFA Chapter is personally celebrating their 80 year anniversary this FFA week alongside numerous other chapters around the state. Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton says it's a pretty special moment for the chapter…
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton.
(Rantoul-tr) – The Sports Complex in Rantoul is gearing up for the upcoming Baseball Season. After time, The facilities are starting to attract some big name teams to the area, including Eastern Illinois University along with their respective fans, says Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana plans to launch a film center this fall named after one of the school’s most famous alumni. The Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies will include internships in arts criticism and equipment for film classes. Ebert was an Urbana native who graduated from the U of I in 1964 and became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize.
With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Mia Musick from the Fisher High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
Fisher FFA member Mia Musick
We were also able to talk with Spencer Hesterberg from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter.
Rantoul FFA Member Spencer Hesterburg
