(Springfield-jm) – Amid concerns of President Joe Biden's fitness to serve another four years in office, an Illinois congressman says he should step down. But a delegate says the party must unite ahead of the convention. Speaking with MSNBC, Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley said Biden should secure his legacy. Biden proclaims having 87% of the delegates from the party's primary. Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, is one of them. Monday, Ford said he's sticking by the incumbent, but Biden must unify the party.
(Springfield-jm) – An amended Senate bill awaiting action from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about battery storage has some worried it could burden small businesses around the state. The crux of Senate Bill 3481 that awaits the governor's signature requires companies that store certain battery types to register with the Environmental Protection Agency prior to February 2026 and maintain records related to the weight or volume of batteries stored. State Sen. Terri Bryant said the amended bill requires that battery storage companies have to register as an auto-salvage company in order to store used batteries, like electric vehicle batteries. If signed, the law would ban a person from operating a battery storage site at which 5,000 kilograms or more of used batteries are stored at any one time unless the owner or operator of the battery storage site is a licensed automotive parts recycler and registers with the EPA.
(Fisher–jc) The 2024 Queen pageants were held last night at the Fisher fair last night. The new 20-24 Miss Fisher Fair Queen is Phoebe Reynolds. The Junior Miss Fisher Fair is Chesney Franzen and the 20-24 Little Miss Fisher Fair is Sawyer Wright. The Fisher Fair continues through Saturday. WPXN's Becky Puetz will be broadcasting live tomorrow morning starting in the 9am hour for kids games at the fair.
(Washington-jm) – Corn and soybean condition ratings improved during this past week. Gary Crawford reports...
(Champaign-jm) – New data from GasBuddy is showing almost no change in the price of gas in Champaign this week compared to last week. Data taken from 79 gas stations across the city found that the average price of gas fell by only one cent compared to July 1, standing at $3.53 today. That price is eight cents higher than it was one month ago, but eight cents lower than it was a year ago. The cheapest gas in the city is priced at $3.37, while the most expensive is priced at $3.79. The national average of gas is also staying stable at $3.46 per gallon last week and today. That could change, however, as Hurricane Beryl and future hurricanes develop and make landfall in the U.S.
(Watseka–jc) The Iroquois County Board of Health will have a special meeting on July 22nd 6:00 PM in the County Board room of the Iroquois County Administrative Center in Watseka. An agenda for the meeting will be posted on the county's website, iroquois-county-i-l-dot-gov, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
(Penfield–dm)-The annual I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine club will host their Historic Farm Days starting Thursday July 11th through Sunday July 14th. Club president Chuck Stelter gives us a rundown of events.
I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club President Check Stelter
(Rantoul-jm) – Chandler Road in Rantoul is closed this week. Canadian National Railroad is working on the crossing. Detour signs are posted.
There are several meetings around the area tonight. At 6 in Rantoul, village leaders are expected to approve a bid to repair the sidewalk on East Grove as well as near the Community Service Center, purchase 2 new electric division power trucks. In Paxton at 7, there is a proposal to recommend records only be held liable and rezone 2 properties on South Cherry.
(Springfield-jm) – A new law signed by the governor mandates car insurers in Illinois provide the insured motorist with details surrounding the companies' decisions to total a vehicle. House Bill 5559 was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and is now Illinois law. The law mandates car insurance companies explain in detail how they decided a car involved in a wreck was total loss. Opponents had raised concerns about the burdens on auto insurers and the additive costs to customers, but ultimately the bill was approved unanimously in both chambers. State Representative Tracy Katz Muhl, said the bill's goal was to increase transparency around how car insurers come to a decision to consider a vehicle a total loss. Katz Muhl pointed to a recent Illinois Department of Transportation study that revealed nearly 300,000 car crashes happen in Illinois per year and of those, 75,000 result in at least one car being totaled.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced an intrastate testing requirement for lactating dairy cattle participating in livestock exhibitions in Illinois to minimize the spread of H5N1 (highly pathogenic avian influenza).
While Illinois currently has no reported cases of H5N1 in dairy cattle, 12 states have confirmed cases, and this step is being taken out of an abundance of caution. Testing requirements apply to lactating dairy cattle being exhibited at county fairs, Illinois State Fair, Du Quoin State Fair and any other livestock exhibition held in Illinois.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. soybeans are facing a tough global market situation. Gary Crawford reports...
(Danville-jm) – Danville Area Community College is on track to break a big record. Officials say once summer classes wrap up, they're expecting the highest graduation rate they've ever seen. Last year, only 38% of their full-time students graduated. DACC President Stephen Nacco said the last record was set in 2018, hitting a 43% rate. This year, they're striving for 45%.
(Iroquois Co–dm)-The Iroquois County Fair is just over a week away. Competitive Exhibits Coordinator Deb Krones tells us about some of the activities going on at this year's fair.
Competitive Exhibits Coordinator Deb Krones. The Iroquois County Fair runs July 16th through July 21st. The WPXN Ice Cream booth for charity will be in operation again this year at the fair.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton Main Street received a check for $4358 from Paxton IGA. The Round Up program provides opportunities for customers to give back to the community and helps non-profits and charities earn money. Customers are asked if they'd like to "round up" their bill to the next dollar and donate the difference to the designated charity. IGA also picks one week during the month-long drive to match all customer donations. They matched the fourth week of the promotion this time and contributed $699. Since the inception of round up the store match has been $26,967 and the total amount customers contributed, plus store match is $108,832.
(Undated–jm) –There are several meetings around the area tonight. At 6 in Rantoul, village leaders are expected to approve a bid to repair the sidewalk on East Grove as well as near the Community Service Center, purchase 2 new electric division power trucks. In Paxton at 7, there a proposal to recommend records only be held liable and rezone 2 properties on South Cherry.
WPXN News Notes...
The 2024 Fisher Community Fair runs through the 13th. Tonight its $2 amusement rides starting at 6 and the redneck games at 7. On the 10th its children's day all day, armband night on the midway at 6 at the ITPA pulls at 6:30. On the 11th its Bingo at 6:30 along with the Philo Country Music Show also at 6:30 and ITPA pulls at 7. On the 12th its $25 armband special starting at 6 and country singer Sawyer Brown at 7. On the 13th, its the 5k at 8 am, mutt show at 9, car show at 11, drone racing from 1-3 and demolition derby at 6.
