(Springfield-jm) – Teachers will get paid leave if they contract COVID-19 under a bill headed to the Governor’s desk. The catch is that this only applies to teachers and other school staff who have been vaccinated, says Senate President Don Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon. The bill also restores sick days that vaccinated teachers had to take during this current school year due to COVID.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is announcing opportunities to get rid of household hazardous waste this spring. Nine one-day events will be held around the state, where you can toss out items for free, says IEPA Spokesperson Kim Biggs…
IEPA Spokesperson Kim Biggs. Items that will not be accepted include latex paint, propane tanks and smoke detectors. Visit the state Environmental Protection Agency’s website for a list of locations, dates and times and to pre-register for the event you plan on attending.
(Springfield-jm) – House and Senate Democrats are unveiling a plan to reduce crime in Illinois. The proposal takes a broad, community-based approach, as opposed to just being tough on crime, says Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria. She lost her son in 2014 to gun violence and noted the importance of making it easier for witnesses to come forward…
State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria. The plan expands victim and witness services and creates a grant program to set up tip lines where people can come forward anonymously. It also funds local efforts such as after school programs and early childhood learning.
(Paxton-jm) – The Ford County courthouse is reopening to the public today after being closed for a week after crews discovered the emergency communications tower next to the building was at risk for falling from corrosion. Crews doing work on the 9-1-1 antenna found significant corrosion in one of the legs of the tower prompting Ford County Sheriff’ Mark Doran to close the courthouse until the tower could be brought down last week.
This week is Community Banking Week. The Buckley St. Bank in Buckley is showing its appreciation to customers by offering donuts and coffee in the lobby from 8-11am each day this week.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois has had a record number of applicants this year. According to officials, the school had more than 63,000 applicants, which was drastically higher than the typical number of 30,000-40,000 potential students. Of those 63,000, there was an increase in in-state, out of state and international applicants.
(Rantoul-tr) – The plans for the new Hampton Inn in Rantoul are complete. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says work is ready to begin as the warmer temperatures arrive…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Champaign-jm) – Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new blood test that can detect early-stage liver cancer. The test is conducted with a small, portable machine the size of a toaster, and a few drops of a patient’s blood can detect biomarkers that attach to cancer cells. Test results can be delivered within 30 minutes, much faster than a PCR test, the usual method of detecting biomarkers.
(Paxton–jc) – Today’s WPXN business of the day is Paxton Hardware and Rental. Owner Scott Allen says they have more than just nuts and bolts and hardware…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen
You can hear more about Paxton Hardware and Rental on our newscasts today, along with an interview with Scott ALlen during our noon news block today.
(Washington-jm) – Gary Crawford has some highlights from Thursday's USDA Prospective Plantings Report…
(Springfield-jm) – Democrats in the Illinois House are working to reaffirm women’s reproductive rights. If a nurse or doctor has their license suspended or revoked in another state because they assisted with an abortion, they could not be disciplined here in Illinois under a bill passed by the House. It’s sponsored by Representative Maura Hirschauer of Batavia…
State Representative Maura Hirschauer of Batavia. The House also approved a resolution supporting the Roe-v-Wade decision and full state funding of planned parenthood locations in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) – This is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is reminding the public about the dangers of not keeping their eyes on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accounted for 15 percent of all crashes in 2019. Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. Haupt says the Secretary of State police will be conducting special patrols throughout the month, looking for distracted drivers.
(Springfield-jm) – March weather was slightly warmer and wetter than normal. Although it’s been a chilly week, State Climatologist Trent Ford says last month tied for the 40th warmest March on record in Illinois…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Average statewide precipitation was about four and a half inches, although amounts varied widely across the state. That's more than an inch above normal. Ford says the rain, and in some areas sleet and snow, helped alleviate drought conditions in northern and northwestern Illinois.
(Paxton-jm) – The search of a Paxton man’s vehicle and home led to his arrest last week on numerous drug- and burglary-related charges. Justin Busby, 43, of Paxton, faces 10 charges, including two counts each of residential burglary and possession of methamphetamine, plus one count each of possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials, manufacture/delivery of cannabis, possession of ammunition without a Firearm Owner’s Identification card, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence of drugs and driving with a revoked driver’s license. Also arrested and charged was Busby’s girlfriend Krista Duffin, 33, of Paxton for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Duffin was released from jail after posting bond.
(Springfield-jm) – One portion of the budget that could see an increase is in ag education. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says they are asking for a $2 million increase for ag education…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Police Department will be on the lookout for ordinance violations. Officers will be looking for violations during the month of April. Homeowners will receive a couple of weeks to resolve the violations before further action could be taken.
(Rantoul-tr) – The Rantoul Sports Complex in Rantoul is entering its second year of operation with big expectations. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reed says the day before Easter will feature candy dropped from a helicopter with many other events on the horizon…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reed.
(Urbana-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Foodbank recently purchased a neighboring warehouse as part of their expansion plan. According to officials, the building, former home to Lang Distributing, is located about 23 feet to the north of the current facility. Officials said this purchase modifies their original plan to expand their existing building to the south. Instead, the existing building and the new building will be connected and renovated. Construction on the warehouse expansion is planned for summer 2022.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN business of the Day is Paxton Hardware and Rental. They have a huge Spring paint sale starting this week. Owner Scott Allen says the paint sale has an Easter color theme…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. We will be talking to Scott Allen over the noon hour today as part of the WPXN Business of the Day.
(Washington-jm) – The surprising numbers in USDA's report on farmers' planting intentions are not the last word on what will actually get planted. Gary Crawford reports…
