(Springfield-jm) – On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the unemployment rate hasn't changed. The unemployment rate is at 4.5% right now. Nonagricultural jobs did increase by over 14,500 in September. The industries with the most growth are educational and health services, government, and professional and business services. Illinois' unemployment rate was up one percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for September. The Illinois unemployment rate was down one percentage point from a year ago when it was at 5.5%.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is marking the one year anniversary of the state’s Safe-Two-Help program for students. In it’s first year, the Safe-Two-Helpline has received nearly 900 messages from students concerned about a variety of issues, says IEMA’s School Safety Policy Advisor Samantha Kanish (can-ish). She says the most reported problem is bullying…
IEMA’s School Safety Policy Advisor Samantha Kanish. Moving forward, Kanish says they want to emphasize that the Safe-Two-Helpline is available to all students, including those in private and charter schools. There are five ways to reach the service including online at: safe, the number two, help IL dot com
(Urbana-jm) – The City of Urbana welcomes and encourages community members to provide input in its search for the next Chief of Police. The city has partnered with POLIHIRE to conduct the nationwide search. This is to solicit feedback through a community survey, which will help identify leadership qualities the community finds important in this role. It will also focus on the issues and priorities on which the next Chief of Police should focus. Completed surveys may be submitted until November 15, 2022.
(Cissna Park-jm) – The Cissna Park FFA auction will be taking place in early December. The group is still looking for auction items for the auction, says Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton…
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton.
(Champaign-jm) – A teenager accused of bringing a firearm to Centennial High School last week has pleaded guilty during a court appearance. Details revealed in court claim the 16-year-old had a 38-revolver and three bullets in his book bag when metal detectors went off. According to court documents, the teen stated he found the gun and carried it for protection. The teenager is set to appear back in court for a sentencing hearing next month. He could spend 2 to 5 years in juvenile detention.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest look at beef production and prices shows mostly month-over-month upward trends. Rod Bain reports…
( Rantoul–jc) – A House of Flowers and Gifts in downtown Rantoul is the WPXN Business of the Day today. Marlena Smith says they have flowers and floral arrangements, but also things like corn crib candles, Willow Tree figurines to Fannie Mae candies plus wines…
she says with a wide variety of flowers, gifts, inspirational signs, table decorations and more, A House of Flowers is ready for all the upcoming holidays...
Our interview with Marlena Smith of A House of Flowers and Gifts downtown Rantoul will be part of our Noon News today.
(Kankakee County-jm) – In just under a month, 58 state attorney’s sued the state over the SAFE-T Act. Now, they are being consolidated into a single count. A court document published Thursday shows all parties involved decided to consolidate all the cases into Kankakee County. Kankakee State’s Attorney Jim Rowe was the first state’s attorney to sue the state over the SAFE-T Act. All parties were consulted before the motion was filed. According to the motion, Kankakee County also filed a claim for injunctive relief. If granted, judges could delay the effective date of the law until the legal battle is finished. Judges in Kankakee County will decide if the sheriff’s and state’s attorney’s claims have merit in November. If the court does not intervene, the Pre-Trial Fairness Act will go into effect January 1.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding that assistance is available for those who can’t afford breast cancer screenings. The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides free breast exams and mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women. Public Health’s Phallisha (felicia) Curtis says a variety of services are offered…
Illinois Public Health’s Phallisha Curtis. The program also offers free cervical cancer screenings and pap tests. You can learn more online at: dph dot illinois dot gov.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is investigating a pair of armed robberies that happened within hours of each other in the same location.
Police officials said that officers were called to the Town and County Apartment Complex twice between 5:20 and 7:45 p.m. In both instances, the offender lured the victims into the complex’s parking lots under the guise of selling them cell phones that had been advertised on Facebook Marketplace. Once there, the offender presented or threatened the victims with a pistol, stole cash from them and then left the scene on foot. The offender was described as being a Black male, skinny, 6′ 2″ and of unknown age. He was wearing a puffy orange coat, jeans and a white mask.
(Springfield-jm) – There’s been a lot of talk about a new prescription drug plan affecting some people in the area. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the situation…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton–jc) – Start to winterize your home, but also winterize your R-V to your boat. That’s the tip from Scott Allen with Paxton Hardware and Rental…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen
Our 5 minute weekly feature, Scott’s tips for Success airs at 7-30 on Saturday mornings.
(Champaign-jm) – On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 10:15 p.m., the Champaign Police Department was dispatched to the 2300 block of Sangamon Drive for a report of a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located a 12-year-old male victim in a vehicle with life-threatening gunshot wounds to the neck. Presently, the child remains hospitalized in critical condition. The initial investigation indicates that while the victim was located by officers in a vehicle in the 2300 block of Sangamon Drive, the shooting incident occurred in the 600 block of Dogwood Drive. The minor child had been riding in a vehicle with an older family member when the driver determined that they were being followed by another vehicle. After some time, the driver was able to get behind the suspicious vehicle in traffic while attempting to identify the vehicle or its driver. Minutes later, the suspect vehicle stopped before the occupant produced a firearm and opened fire, striking the victim vehicle multiple times and wounding one of the passengers inside. In addition to multiple bullet holes in the vehicle, damage was also reported to a nearby home.
(Washington-jm) – What does USDA's October outlook for dairy indicate about trends for both production and prices? Rod Bain reports…
The Parkland College Theater will perform The Story today through Sunday.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Prairie Champions 4-H Club on Saturday from 10-2.
Christ Lutheran High School will hold their drive thru pork chop dinner on Sunday from 10:30-12:30.
