(Springfield-jm) – In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Illinois officials condemned political violence and urged for unity. Illinois U.S. Representative Mary Miller, of Hindsboro, asked for prayers for Trump and the country. Illinois U.S. Representative Chuy Garcia of Chicago, said "violence is never the answer." Illinois U.S. Representative Darin LaHood of Peoria, in a statement condemned the violence and prayed for those injured and killed. He said "Congress should conduct a thorough investigation and oversight on the Secret Service." The Republican National Convention gets underway this week in Milwaukee.

(Undated-jm) – Researchers from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois report that just over 19% of Illinois workers said they worked primarily from home in 2021. In 2019, it was 5.5%. According to the research, northeastern Illinois counties and McLean County experienced the greatest percentage increases in working from home. Among counties that recorded increases in working from home, those with the smallest shift included Kankakee, LaSalle, Macon and Rock Island.

(Springfield-jm) – A sweeping set of new laws aims to make healthcare more available and affordable in Illinois. Capitol News Illinois reports Governor J-B Pritzker signed the HealthCare Protection Act. The act makes changes to the health insurance industry including banning step therapy-when insurance companies make patients try a lower-cost treatment and shows it doesn't work, before covering a prescription recommended by their doctor. The act also bans insurance plans from requiring prior authorization for in-patient child and adult mental healthcare. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says this is a critical component of the act...

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The Healthcare Protection Act will also ban the sale of short term limited duration insurance plans, that do not have to meet standards of the Affordable Care Act.

(Champaign-jm) – Officials and onlookers took part in the symbolic start to a new plaza in the heart of the city of Champaign Friday evening. City leaders, community members, and a state senator gathered near the corner of Main and Neil Streets to celebrate the beginning of a downtown plaza with a groundbreaking. Construction on Phase 1 starts this week and half of the plaza will be finished by next summer.

(Buckley–jc)  The annual Knight for Christ fundraiser for Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School is set for Saturday August 24th at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. It's the biggest fundraiser for the Christian based school  and Christ Lutheran High School spokesperson Larry Abbe says it is always about a Christian based education...

Christ Lutheran High School Spokesperson Larry Abbe. Tickets for the event are available at the school, on line or from Edge Insurance in Buckley.

(Iroquois County-jm) – The State of Illinois'criminal case against former Iroquois County Public Health Administrator Dee Schippert is now on the October calendar. A hearing in Kankakee Circuit Court had Schippert waiving her right to a preliminary hearing. The Discovery process now begins with a future court date in October before Judge Bill Dickenson. Schippert faces over 30-felony counts of Theft, Forgery and Official Misconduct while she was employed as administrator of the health department.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA released another round of crop reports Friday. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer talks about the market reaction to USDA's Friday release of its crop forecasts...

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer.

(Springfield-jm) – In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Illinois officials condemned political violence and urged for unity.  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a vociferous critic of Trump in his bid to beat incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden, said there is no place for political violence in the United States. Illinois state Representative Adam Neimerg of Dieterich, said in a statement the hatred and vitriol he said has been long aimed at Trump has "gone too far." Saying there should be no tolerance for political violence, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a statement urging that "no one should politicize this tragedy by pointing a finger of blame."  The Republican National Convention gets underway this week in Milwaukee.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois voters could see three non-binding referendums on the November ballot once it's certified next month. The Illinois State Board of Elections said the ballot is set to be certified August 28. Alongside candidates for president, Congress, Statehouse seats and other elected offices, the Illinois General Assembly approved three non binding referendums to ask voters. The first would be an Election Worker Protection and Candidate Accountability Referendum Act, the second, the Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum Act. The third, the Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum Act

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker continues to remain "all in" for President Joe Biden's run for re-election. Capitol News Illinois reports Pritzker went to Washington DC earlier this month to meet with Biden, after a disappointing debate performance. Pritzker was asked if he would run if Biden stepped out of the race. Pritzker says he won't-quote-engage in hypotheticals...

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritzker has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the White House, but has remained steadfast in his support for Biden in the 2024 election cycle.

(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Fair Queen Pageant will be hosting the fourth annual Little Miss Pageant to be held at the Iroquois County Fair. The pageant will be held in conjunction with the Miss Pageant on Tuesday, July 16th starting at 7:00 pm. There are 15 little girls from Iroquois County that will be vying for the title of Little Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen currently held by Paisley Vance, the daughter of Taylor and Alyssa Vance. The 15 contestants are: Zoie Brault, Harper Clingenpeel, Delylah Miller, Konnar Valandingham, Mackenzie Lanoue, Miley Vaske, Riley Willms, Emery Grimes, Grace Clifton, London Borchers, Gracelyn Schoonover, Penelope Johnson, Emily Sparenberg, Madison Schroeder, and Tessa Schroeder.

(Paxton–dm)- If you have weeds in your yard or in your driveway, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has some ideas on how to get rid of them.

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can get more information on WPXN Saturday mornings at 7:30 on Scott's Tips for Success

(Champaign County-jm) – After nearly two years on the run, a legendary Central Illinois emu has been captured and returned home. The emu was part of a mob of emus that escaped in July 2022 after someone intentionally opened the gates at a farm. Over the past two years, the emu has gained a cult-like following with people routinely spotting the creature in the area of Champaign County. The emu was captured after food and water was set inside a pen.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA released another round of crop reports Friday. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says USDA's wheat forecast was a bit of a surprise...

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer.