(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton community pool is opening today. The park district announced late yesterday the pool will be opening Monday through Sunday 12-1 for adult swim and 1-5 for public swimming.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting new investments in early childhood programs. The Governor says the changes will help provide affordable childcare to working families and help providers serve their communities. For example, an initiative set to end this month giving three months of daycare assistance to parents trying to re-enter the workforce will continue…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Additionally, income eligibility limits for the state’s child care assistance program are increasing and participating providers will receive more reimbursement funds.
(Springfield-jm) – The former head of the Illinois Department of Public Health finds herself under investigation for possible ethics violations. According to the Better Government Association, the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General is trying to determine whether Dr. Ngozi Ezike took a job too soon with a company that does business with the state. Illinois law requires department heads to wait a year before taking a position with companies that have contracts with their departments.
(Melvin-tr) – The Ford County Fair Queen Pageant is officially over and a new queen has been crowned. Gracelyn Greenburg of Paxton is the new Queen. She is the daughter of Kelly Reitz and Matt & Kristi Greenburg.Former Ford County Fair Queen Jolee Hastings has some insight into what the new queen can expect…
Former Ford County Fair Queen Jolee Hastings. First runner-up was Kate Wilson of Paxton, daughter of Mike and Heather Wilson. Lyndi Allen of Paxton was selected as Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Scott and Lisa Allen.
Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan gives a rundown of the events today...
Ford County Fair Board President Steve Meenan. We will broadcasting live over the noon hour today as part of the WPXN Summer Fun Tour 2022
(Ludlow-jm) – Up to 20 Ludlow households may experience a second water outage this morning. This comes after most of the village was without water Monday morning from 8 a.m. until around noon. The outage was necessary to install new fire hydrants. They replaced four hydrants and plan to replace three more today. Houses across the train tracks on the west side of the village may want to plan ahead of the potential second water outage, which may happen around 8 a.m.
(Gibson City–tr) – Statewide candidates for the Republican ticket were in attendance at an event in Gibson City earlier this month. Republican candidate for Lt. Governor and Richard Irvin Running Mate Avery Bourne explains their plan to reach everyday illinois residents…
Republican candidate for Lt. Governor and Richard Irvin Running Mate Avery Bourne
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is looking for a pair of men who are persons of interest in a vandalism case at the on-campus Japan House. Officers said that on May 31, staff at Japan House heard something crash into a window and found a glass sliding door had been broken by a rock. Two men were spotted on security cameras in the area of Japan House at the time the damage occurred and officers said they would like to speak to these men to resolve the matter. Anyone who knows the identities of these men or other information about this incident is encouraged to contact the UIPD by calling 217-333-1216
(Undated-jm) – Dangerously high heat and humidity is hitting the WPXN listening area this week. A heat advisory is in effect through Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service says daytime highs could reach close to 100 degrees with heat index values closing in on 110. People are encouraged to stay in air conditioning as much as possible and if you have to be out drink plenty of water and wear light weight light colored clothes.
(Springfield-jm) – Wheat harvest is underway in Illinois. Nearly five and a half days were suitable for fieldwork this past week, giving farmers time to work on the winter wheat crop, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Corn planting is finished and 96 percent of the crop has emerged. 94 percent of soybeans have been planted and 88 percent have emerged. The first cutting of alfalfa is now 71 percent complete and average statewide topsoil moisture came in at one percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate and three percent surplus.
(Washington-jm) – Ag producers have until June 30th to sign up for and receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture - the nation's most comprehensive dataset on agriculture. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – State officials are remembering former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan as a dedicated public servant. Jim Ryan passed away over the weekend at the age of 76. He served two terms as State Attorney General and ran twice unsuccessfully for Governor. Governor J-B Pritzker comments on Ryan’s death…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Current Attorney General Kwame Raoul also praised Ryan for his service and strength, dealing with unimaginable personal tragedy including the death of two of his children and a diagnosis of cancer while in office.
(DuPage County-jm) – Public health officials have identified a third case of monkeypox a week after the first two cases appeared in Illinois. WLS-TV reports that a man in DuPage County tested positive for monkeypox after traveling internationally. The adult male was in a country that has reported an outbreak, according to the DuPage County Health Department. Test results were positive Friday at an Illinois Department of Public Health lab. A test to confirm the outcome is pending at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(Danville-tr) – The Merrell Ride for PTSD came to life with the help of Operation Desert Storm Veteran Matt Hall. Merrell Ride for PTSD Organizer Matt Hall says all the funds will go towards the Working Out PTSD Foundation…
Merrell Ride for PTSD Organizer Matt Hall. The Working Out PTSD Foundation is a program that helps struggling veterans get work out plans and memberships at local gyms around the area.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for your help regarding a retail theft in Champaign. Police say on May 14 three people entered the Zales inside of Market Place Mall on north Neil Street. Reports say they stole a gold chain worth $3,200. The three suspects were seen leaving the store together.
(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department reports another crime involving a dating app. A U of I student said he was scammed out of $100 by someone he met through a dating app. The student claims he arranged a dinner date with a woman on Friday. While the student was waiting at the restaurant, he received a text from the woman. She claimed to need money to pay for a babysitter. Police say the student sent electronic gift cards and the woman never showed up for the dinner date.
(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On June 11th, Dallas Hernandez was arrested for an in-state warrant. On June 12th, Mindy Odom was arrested for possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance and driving while license suspended.
(Springfield-jm) – Nearly five and a half days were suitable for fieldwork this past week, giving farmers time to work on the winter wheat crop says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Three percent of the winter wheat crop has now been harvested, and 70 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 96 percent of corn has emerged and 77 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture is now at one percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate and three percent surplus.
(Washington-jm) – Most experts say the USDA's Margin Coverage Program for dairy has worked well for many dairy producers. Could such a program work for crop producers? Gary Crawford reports…
