(Springfield-jm) – Thousands of Illinois youth will be able to pursue careers operating heavy machinery under a new federal grant program announced Wednesday aimed at addressing a workforce shortage. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski joined officials with the Youth Workforce Development Foundation, affiliated with SkillsUSA Illinois, and the Associated Equipment Distributors at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield to announce nearly $8 million in funding through the Apprenticeships Builds America federal program. The groups will work in Illinois to help schools provide the necessary heavy equipment training programs.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced the opening of the first four electric vehicle charging sites under the Illinois EPA's Driving a Cleaner Illinois program. The 16 charging ports at four charging sites are located at gas stations in Beach Park, Le Roy, South Beloit and Troy. The new sites represent the first of more than 2,600 public DC fast charge and Level 2 ports the Illinois EPA plans to deploy across the state.

(Springfield-jm) – A new study shows many public school students in Illinois are still struggling to deal with the learning loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Capitol News Illinois reports only about one-fourth of all students are back to pre-pandemic levels in English language arts, and even fewer have recovered in math scores. The data comes from the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative. The study's lead author, Meg Bates, says the learning recovery has been uneven across different grade levels and different student groups...

Study lead author Meg Bates. Illinois received more than seven point eight billion dollars in emergency federal aid to help schools manage during the pandemic. That money runs out at the end of September.

(Champaign-jm) – A 15-year-old in Champaign has been charged following an investigation into the shooting of two other teenagers on July 20. The shooting happened in the 3900 block of Colleen Drive. Champaign Police say that a 16-year-old and 18-year-old were shot multiple times in the torso while driving westbound on Colleen Dr. Their injuries were life-threatening, but both have since been treated and released, according to police. The 15-year-old was originally arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on July 24. After an investigation into the shooting, the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office amended the charge to include aggravated battery with a firearm.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The new Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director is looking to build the chamber into a one stop resource and "hub" for local information. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos says with new business expansion to activities at the Rantoul Sports Complex, there are a lot of opportunities to grow inside the village of Rantoul...

Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Susie Avalos.

Avalos says any ideas can be made by calling her office at 893-3323. 

(Gilman-jm) – A local newspaper is closing after over a century in production. The Gilman Star announced this will be their final edition to hit newsstands. The weekly newspaper has been a lifeline for so many people, covering and reporting on notable events in western parts of Iroquois County since 1869.

(Loda–jc)  The 6th annual  Team Hope Walk-Golf-Auction and Dinner event is set for Saturday September 7 at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. The event is a fundraiser for awareness and to find a cure for Huntington's disease. Samantha Cox of Paxton says the day begins with a walk, then kids zone, a golf outing, plus more...

Team Hope Walk-Golf-Auction and Dinner Spokesperson Samantha Cox. The Saturday golf is full with teams and a Friday golf event has been added. Contact Lakeview Golf Course for more information.

(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a plan into law Wednesday to protect workers from having to hear or read political and religious information unrelated to their jobs. The law will crack down on employers forcing their workers to listen to their views during work time. Illinois employers will soon be banned from threatening, disciplining, firing or retaliating against workers who refuse to attend mandatory workplace meetings that include political, religious or anti-union views. State Democratic leaders said Illinois will ensure every worker is given dignity and respect. Employers could face civil penalties of $1,000 for each violation of the new law.

(Springfield–jc)  Information help will be available at the Illinois State Fair this year. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Springfield-jm) – A new report says people experiencing homelessness are likely to have a significantly reduced life expectancy and are more likely to be the victim of a violent assault or homicide. The Illinois Homelessness Morbidity and Mortality report was prepared for the Illinois Department of Public Health by the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health. The report, which draws on statewide hospital records and death certificates, was developed as part of an ongoing multi-agency effort by Illinois state government to promote housing access and stability across the state.

(Springfield-jm) – The Cloudstrike outage last week had an impact on Illinois state government. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the impacts of the outage in the state...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Urbana-jm) – Three months after protests erupted at the U of I and other campuses across the country, there are now proposed changes to parts of the University's policies. It's leaving some students feeling uneasy. Back in the spring, an encampment stood on U of I's Main Quad. Students, staff and other community members were asking the University to divest funds from companies involved with supplying weapons to Israel. The U of I has several policies related to exercising freedom of speech. The Students for Justice in Palestine group feels recent proposed changes to four documents could limit their right to protest.

(Melvin–jc)  The 20th annual Knight of Christ fundraiser to benefit Christian education in East Central Illinois is set for August 24th. Knight for Christ spokesperson Larry Abbe says all are welcome to come and enjoy an evening of a silent and live auction, bidding frenzy, heads or tails, great food and fellowship...

Knight for Christ Benefit Spokesperson Larry Abbe. Money raised helps with operations at Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School the event starts at 4pm Saturday August 24th at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin

(Undated-jm) – An Illinois iLottery player won $1 million playing Mega Millions online. The winning online player matched all five numbers in the Tuesday night drawing to score the $1 million prize. The winning numbers were 19-23-30-33-50. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday night, August 2, at 10:00 p.m. The jackpot is at an estimated $358 million.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA has released their Ag. Prices Report for June. Gary Crawford reports...

WPXN News Notes...

Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Class of 2027 on Saturday from 10-2.

The Bement Country Opry will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older. Food will be available starting at 5:30.