(Springfield-jm) – The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services unveiled a new interactive pretrial data dashboard Monday that provides a summary of several initial decision points for criminal cases filed since the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act on Sept. 18, 2023. The dashboard provides data on the 75 counties in which the office provides pretrial services.

(Melvin–jc)  – The 20-24 Ford County fair has a new queen. She is 18 year old Kate Wilson of Paxton. Wilson was excited when they called her name last night in Melvin…

2024 Miss Ford County Fair Kate Wilson of Paxton

(Springfield-jm) – Recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court impacting firearms has those in Illinois’ gun control debate declaring their sides are bolstered. In the case Garland v. Cargill, the majority opinion said federal government agencies cannot create laws through rulemaking, as was done with the ATF banning devices that can connect to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the rate of fire. The dissent acknowledged semi-automatic firearms are “common” when discussing the event that prompted the Trump administration from moving forward with the ban outside of an act of Congress. Illinois State Rifle Association’s Ed Sullivan said acknowledging semi-automatic rifles are common will be important to the ongoing challenge against Illinois’ gun ban. In the challenge against Illinois’ semi-automatic firearm ban, the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to determine if it will take the case on preliminary grounds. The Southern District of Illinois federal court scheduled a bench trial for the case for Sept. 16. Arguments include whether the government can ban commonly owned firearms. The Pritzker Administration says Illinois’ bump stock ban will remain in place and said the gun ban is constitutional.

(Melvin–dm)-Melvin’s the place, the Ford County Fair is what’s happening.  Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen gives us a rundown of today’s activities.

Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen.  If you are a teacher you get into the fair at no cost today.

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance regarding a criminal damage that occurred within the apartment complex Tower at Third, located at 302 East John Street in Champaign. On June 4, at approximately 12:00 a.m., an unknown suspect damaged television broadcast equipment housed in the penthouse on the 21st floor. The damage caused equipment failure and a response from technicians, who notified police. The damaged equipment was valued at over $50,000.

(Rantoul–jc)  There is an opportunity to learn more about solar power for your home or business. It is set for the village hall in Rantoul tonight. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says representatives from the solar industry will be at village hall Tuesday afternoon at 5-30 and the public is invited…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Undated-jm) – GasBuddy surveyed 79 Champaign gas stations and determined that the city’s average gas price has risen 9.4 cents in the last week. This makes the new average $3.51 a gallon. That is 11 cents lower than this time last month and 13 cents lower than one year ago. This comes as Illinois gears up for an annual motor fuel tax increase on July 1. To account for inflation, the tax is increasing from 45 cents a gallon to 47 cents. Since electric vehicle owners don’t pay the fuel tax, they are charged $100 dollars a year on top of their annual registration fee to make up for lost tax revenue. Nationwide, GasBuddy said gas is averaging $3.41 a gallon and diesel is at $3.76/g. While that is a tiny 0.3-cent increase for gas since the prior week, diesel experienced a higher difference at 2.4 cents more.

(The Center Square) – Some craft breweries in Illinois branching off into the hemp beverage industry are relieved that proposed restrictions stalled in Springfield, but they wonder what the future holds.A measure that didn’t make it out of the General Assembly would allow the sale of hemp products, but only by businesses licensed under the current cannabis law. Industry experts said hemp drinks have been a lifeline for struggling breweries still trying to recover from the pandemic. Ray Stout, executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, said those who want restrictions in place were not forthcoming with their legislation.

(Rankin–dm)-It’s number 25 for the tractor pull in Rankin on Friday. Friday’s weigh in starts at 3pm and the pull starts at 6pm says Rankin Tractor Pull Announcer Tom Theesfeld….

Tractor pull track announcer Tom Theesfield  if you want more information about the tractor pull you can call Shane Diskin at 217-302-1920. WPXN will be there live on Friday afternoon with Becky Puetz as part of our Summer Fun Tour 20-24

(Maryland-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker is hitting the national stage for economic development. The Democrat spoke on a panel Monday morning during the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland. Pritzker said this trip is a perfect opportunity to highlight the top reasons why foreign businesses should invest in Illinois. Michigan, Nevada, Virginia and Illinois are very different states, but their governors are all committed to promoting foreign direct investments. Pritzker said Illinois is a global innovation hub with nearly 2,700 international companies representing over 80 countries and directly supporting over 550,000 jobs across the state. Pritzker said he is glad that the Illinois economy has recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to major investments in renewable energy, manufacturing and quantum technology.  However, Pritzker noted that governors have stepped up to market their states without much help from leaders in the nation's capital.

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced intended road projects between fiscal years 2026 and 2030.WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has a look at projects scheduled for Champaign County…

(The Center Square) – Not everyone was on board with a measure now on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk that seeks to limit the kind of defense accused offenders can use when charged with the misdemeanor of hazing. Illinois Senate Bill 2934 had support from Republicans and Democrats, but some lawmakers expressed concern about the bill infringing on an individual's right to defense.  The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Loves Park, fielded questions from state Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, on the House floor before it passed in May. Vella said consent is not a defense to hazing. 

(Urbana-jm) – A woman was taken to the hospital early Monday morning after she was hit by a car in an Urbana crosswalk. Urbana Police said a 50-year-old woman was crossing the street westbound at the intersection of Kenyon & Cunningham around 6:15 a.m. Monday. A man driving turned left onto Cunningham and struck the woman in the crosswalk. According to police officials, the driver said the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the woman at all before hitting her. The woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver was ticketed for failure to yield to a pedestrian.

(The Center Square) – A bill that had bipartisan support and is on the governor's desk would remove eligibility requirements for individuals seeking to take a nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish.  House Bill 5218 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to offer the exam and it prevents the department from implementing "impractical" eligibility requirements. State Senator. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, said the nursing assistant certification exam is currently available in Spanish, but no individual has been able to take the exam due to the requirements needed to take the Spanish exam.

(Urbana–jc) You’ve heard “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what about tomatoes helping the fight against cancer? It’s true. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

Drizzling olive oil on your tomatoes helps absorb the nutrients.Don’t like them? Tomato sauce or soup are alternatives.

(Urbana-jm) – Construction and renovation is coming to the University of Illinois campus this summer in the form of over 40 different projects. The University’s Facilities and Streets Department said the projects include classroom and laboratory modernizations, roof replacements, accessibility improvements, infrastructure revitalization and utilities renewal. While some are happening inside university buildings and out of view from passersby, others have scaffolding on the outsides of buildings. Two of the visible projects are happening at Altgeld Hall and Memorial Stadium. Elsewhere, new roofs are coming to the Illini Union, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Gregory Hall, other masonry projects are happening at Noyes Laboratory and Wohlers Hall, and construction will continue on the new Steven S. Wymer Hall.

(Melven–)-The Ford County Fair in Melvin is gearing up for the big concert on Friday featuring Rodney Atkins and Chris Cagle.  Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen Has more information including how to get tickets

Ford  County Fair President Steve Meenen