(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the Butter Cow Wednesday in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Butter Cow has been an unofficial mascot of the fair since the 1920's. Five-hundred pounds of unsalted butter are used to sculpt the life size figure by hand. The sculpture will remain on display for the duration of the fair. The 2024 Illinois State Fair runs Aug. 8 through 18 in Springfield.

(Springfield-jm) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Language Equity and Access Act into law. The bill requires the Governor's Office of New Americans, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, to craft, implement and oversee statewide language access requirements. Officials said nearly 24% of Illinois households speak a language other than English in the home, with Spanish being by far the most common. Polish, Chinese and Tagalog round out the top five most spoken languages in the state.

(Springfield-jm) – This past spring Governor J-B Pritzker signed the largest budget in state history topping 50 billion dollars. Republicans criticized the exorbitant spending. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says despite the increased spending, the state is still losing money...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school board is expected to appoint two new members during its next meeting to fill a pair of board seats vacated in June by the resignations of Josh Johnson and Miranda Leonard. Kenna McCall and Sarah Lutterbie are expected to be appointed to the board at the meeting Monday night.

(Watseka–dm)-If you have ever thought about getting involved with the election process, Iroquois County is looking for people to serve as election judges on election day.  Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has this information if you are interested.

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver.

(Paxton-jm) – The End of Watch Ride to Remember — an annual motorcycle ride held in memory of police officers who died in the line of duty — will make a stop at the Ford County Sheriff's Office at 8:30 a.m. this morning in honor of the late Brian Norton, a Ford County sheriff's deputy who died at age 45 in February 2022 from complications of COVID-19.

(Paxton–dm)-Paxton Buckley Loda High School will be having their freshman and new student orientation today at the PBL high school.  Besides meeting the high school staff, you will get your schedule, find your locker, see your classes and get your chromebook

(Washington-jm) – Good growing conditions for the new crops are making for not-so-good marketing conditions for what's left of the old crops. Gary Crawford reports...

(Springfield-jm) – The Office of the State Fire Marshal has announced the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Officials said the program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for the fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment.

(Springfield-jm) – A number of agricultural groups will be represented Friday during Agricultural Day at the Illinois State Fair. Numerous commodity organizations, farmers and other agricultural officials will be on hand to share information on current ag policies. Illinois' agricultural output is a major contributor to the state's economy, generating more than $51 billion annually in marketing revenue. This includes over $19 billion from agricultural commodities, and billions more from related industries. Illinois is the top soybean producing state in the country, and the second largest producer of corn.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois already has many laws that protect women's reproductive rights. Now some new laws will expand those rights even more. Capitol News Illinois reports one law ensures women in Illinois can get an abortion if they have a life-threatening emergency. The law was created because of concerns that the U-S Supreme Court might overturn the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The act is a federal law that allows patients to get an abortion when their life is in danger. Though the act has not been overturned yet, Governor J-B Pritzker says these new state laws were created to shield Illinoisans from future Supreme Court decisions that curtail federal abortion protections...

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Another law restricts state and local authorities from helping other states or agencies investigating whether someone came to Illinois for care that is legal in this state. Advocates say this will protect patents who come to Illinois for abortions or gender affirming care.

(Undated-jm) – Driving on rural roads in Central Illinois can be dangerous at any time of the year, but local law enforcement say they see a rise in rural crashes during the summer because of corn around ten feet tall, blocking the view for drivers. Even if two cars slow down before the intersection, there may still be the question of who has the right of way when there are no stop signs. They say that would be the car on the right.

(Gibson City–dm)-If you like classic hits the place to be is downtown Gibson City on Saturday, August 17th.  That's where Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services will hold their 4th annual Summer Bash.  Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby has more information.

Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby.

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their first Business After Hours on Tuesday, August 27th. The inaugural event will take place at Hudson Drug and Hallmark from 5-7 pm. Appetizers and drinks will be provided at no cost for chamber members. The chamber says they will continue to hold Business After Hours on the last Tuesday of the month through the end of the year and are looking for participating businesses in 2025.

(McLean County-jm) – A bird sample collected by McLean County Health Department has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first positive test to come back in 2024 in the county. The health department collected the dead crow after a resident reported it in Normal. 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA is about to publish new crop production forecasts for crops and countries around the world. Gary Crawford reports...