(Undated-jm) – Today is Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States, and was officially named a federal holiday in 2021. The post office, banks and government buildings are closed today. No noon markets or Edward Jones report today on WPXN. Most other places are open.
(Washington-jm) – If you have to work outside in severe heat, there are ways to help get you through and to help keep you from being hit by potentially deadly heat stress and stroke. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced another record-breaking year with export sales over $78.7 billion in 2023. According to rankings by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Illinois leads Midwest as the top exporting state and fifth in the nation. Since 2019, Illinois exports have increased by 32%. Mexico, Illinois’ second top export market, was the single greatest contributor to growth, with export sales exceeding 12% growth since 2022 and 39% since 2019. Top export markets include Canada, Mexico, Germany, China and Australia.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has cautioned drivers to be on the lookout for pavement buckling on roads throughout the state due to high temperatures. The agency said that road crews are ready to respond to any repairs as quickly as possible. Drivers should avoid driving over buckled roads when possible.
(Springfield-jm) – The fate of two state prisons remains up in the air after a legislative panel failed to have enough members present to provide a recommendation to the state. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains the issue and what happens next…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Pool has announced a tentative reopening date following prolonged maintenance. Lightning from last week’s storms resulted in the pool’s pump being taken out. Rebuilding and installation of the pump is expected to be complete on Friday1. Once the pool water is filtered and meets the proper chemical levels, management said the pool can reopen. They hope to open Saturday.
(Paxton–jc) Paxton’s Pells park will be the site for another “Old Fashioned” 4th of July Celebration this year. The event is sponsored by the Paxton Main Street Group and the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce. Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper says among the activities and music will be plenty of food options…
Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper.
(Champaign County-jm) – New data from GasBuddy is showing a slight decrease in the price of gas around Champaign. A survey of 79 stations around town found that the city average dropped by three cents in the last week. The average price of a gallon of gas currently stands at $3.42. That’s 15 cents cheaper than one month ago and 23 cents cheaper than one year ago. Gas Buddy also found that Champaign’s average price of gas falls in line with the national average, which rose one cent to $3.41 per gallon. That’s down 18 cents compared to one month ago and down 14 cents from one year ago. The national average price of diesel fuel is $3.73 per gallon, about 1.5 cents cheaper than the average was a week ago.
(Melvin–jc) The 2024 Miss Ford County Fair pageant is set for Monday. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(Washington-jm) – One expert says heat illness is a complex medical issue and it's hard to know who is and who isn't susceptible to it. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate could pass a plan in November to phase out the sub-minimum wage for workers with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The proposal could create a special grant fund of $2 million to help community agencies transition away from the subminimum wages. The Dignity in Pay Act would eliminate the use of 14-C Certificates on July 1, 2029. House Bill 793 passed out of the House on a bipartisan 78-30 vote with representatives voting present. This plan would need support from three-fifths of the Senate since a vote would take place after May 31. Illinois would become the 18th state to eliminate sub-minimum wages if the plan is passed and signed into law.
(Springfield-jm) – Several Republican state lawmakers hope the Illinois Senate will vote on a plan during veto session to address sexual abuse by educators and authority figures in high schools. While there are strong protections in place for students 17 and younger, sponsors say educators and staff should be charged for sexual conduct with students between 18 and 23 years old. Under House Bill 4241, teachers or authority figures who sexually abuse these students could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for their first offense and Class 4 felony for any repeat offenses. Sexual abuse by an educator involving intercourse would be charged as a Class 4 felony for the first offense and a Class 3 felony for repeat offenses. House Bill 4241 passed unanimously out of the House on April 19, but the measure failed to move after it arrived in the Senate.
(Melvin–jc) It’s the 12th national concert set for the Ford County Fair in Melvin on Friday June 28th. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the story…
(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is organizing a Summer Book Club to motivate students to read and sustain their educational pursuits throughout the summer break.The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Faraci’s office by August 16. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Faraci.
(Loda–jc) Several groups help with events in Loda the last weekend in July. The loda Truck and Tractor Pull Association and the Loda Fireworks Association continue to plan for events on July 27th and 28th. Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson John Zalaker says they have a golf cart raffle to help raise money for fireworks that weekend…
Loda Fireworks and Events Spokesperson John Zalaker
(Iroquois County-jm) – Iroquois County Treasurer Kurt Albers, has announced that the 2023 payable in 2024 real estate tax statements have been mailed to the taxpayers of Iroquois County. The due date for the first installment will be July 12, 2024 and the due date for the second installment will be September 12, 2024. After the due dates a 1 ½ percent penalty must be added each month it remains unpaid, according to Illinois State Statutes. Taxpayers must include their tax bill when paying or a $2.00 fee will be charged. The Treasurer’s Office is open 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. The office is closed on June 19th observing Juneteenth and will also be closed on all other Federal holidays.
(Undated–jc) – It’s a hot and humid end to Spring today and the first days of summer are expected to see temperatures into the mid 90s. To avoid overheating. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has some tips…
WPXN News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile on Thursday from 9-930 am at Edge Insurance Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park Onarga, 11-11:30 Crescent City Community Center, 12:30-1 at Runnings in Watseka and from 1:30-2 at Milford Town and Country.
The Elliott Amvets spaghetti dinner will take place Friday, June 21st from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate.
The Gibson City third Friday car cruises will take place on Friday, June 21st with cruising starting at 5 and live music by the Bubble City Playboys from 6-9 pm.
