(Springfield-jm) – Former President Donald Trump's latest abortion messaging has caused an Illinois anti-abortion group to call him 'not the best candidate.' Trump posted to Truth Social: "My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights." In an interview that aired Sunday, his running mate told NBC News Trump would veto a federal abortion ban. Davis Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, said the organization is disappointed that Trump has compromised his abortion position.
(Paxton–jc) Storm water issues continue for the city of Paxton. Paxton leaders have held meetings on the issue and are looking for the best way to handle the overflows. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they have met with state officials and will seek some aid from state sources...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police are alerting the public after reports of a man attempting to lure a child by offering candy. According to Urbana PD, around 3:54 p.m., on Tuesday, patrol officers responded to the area of Kinch and Michigan for a report of a suspect attempting to lure a child while they walked home from school. Police said the child ignored repeated questions from the suspect and safely made it to their residence and notified a parent who contacted police. Authorities said the only description of the suspect is a male driving a dark or black SUV.
(St. Joseph-jm) – St. Joseph will be looking for a new mayor after Tami Fruhling-Voges announced she is stepping down after 8 years as mayor and 12 years on the village board. She is endorsing Jim Page to take her spot. St. Joseph will have a caucus in December and the winners will be on the ballot in April 2025.
(Roberts–jc) The Flessner Fall fest is set for Saturday in Roberts. The event is to raise awareness and find a cure for Duchenne's disease. Organizer Daniel Flessner talks about the muscular disease and how it affects, mainly young boys...
Flessner Fall Fest Organizer Daniel Flessner. The event will take place at the Roberts Village park and starts with a 5K run at 8am . A pancake and sausage breakfast, carriage rides, music and a silent auction hilite the day in Roberts this Saturday
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has entered into an agreement to better comply with federal civil rights obligations according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights . The Dept. of Ed. office said the investigation of the university was prompted by a complaint in March 2020 alleging several incidents of antisemitism including the appearance of swastikas throughout campus; mezuzahs ripped off students' doors; and a brick being thrown through the window of a Jewish fraternity. The OCR reviewed 139 incidents of discrimination related to shared Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, or Arab ancestry reported to the university from 2015 through December 2023. Of the 139 reports OCR reviewed, 135 related to allegations of anti-Jewish discrimination and 4 related to anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Arab discrimination. The office found that the university did not meet its obligation under Title VI to assess whether a hostile environment was created for students, faculty, or staff related to any of the complaints the university received.
(Washington-jm) – Crop and livestock growers in total received less pricewise for their commodities in the latest USDA Agricultural Prices report period, despite an increase in the livestock price index. Rod Bain reports...
(Springfield-jm) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is confident that an appeals court will overrule a federal judge's decision that a portion of Illinois' concealed carry law is unconstitutional. A federal judge in Rockford ruled that it is unconstitutional for Illinoisans with concealed carry permits to be prohibited from carrying guns on public transportation. The decision was a result of a lawsuit filed by four people who argued the section of Illinois' concealed carry law that forbids holders of concealed carry licenses from carrying guns on public transportation violated their Second Amendment right to self defense. The decision comes just as a suspect is facing charges for allegedly murdering four people on a CTA train in Forest Park.
(Springfield-jm) – Changes to truth in taxation laws are coming to Illinois. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City discusses some of the changes...
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – Five people were arrested on Tuesday as part of a Champaign Police investigation into recent incidents of gun violence. Officers also seized eight guns that police officials said were unlawfully possessed by those arrested. Officials said search warrants were served at six locations throughout the city early Tuesday morning. A total of five Champaign County law enforcement agencies took part in the raids: the police departments of Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul and the University of Illinois and the Champaign County Sheriff's Office. The County State's Attorney's Office also assisted in the investigation.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is still investigating a shooting from two weeks ago that left one person dead and another person hurt. They're asking for the public's help through Champaign County Crime Stoppers in solving the case. The shooting happened at Hunter Street and Lierman Avenue the morning of Aug. 17. Police determined that during a party at 1:30 a.m., a group of people were in a townhouse complex's courtyard when a physical altercation started. At least one person pulled out a gun and started shooting, police said. One person was grazed in the hand; they were treated and released from the hospital. Another person, identified as 32-year-old William Booker, was shot in the torso and the leg. He later died from his injuries.
(Loda–jc) A free ag wellness event for farmers and spouses is set for September 14th at the Bachman farm in rural Loda. Organizer, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Illinois State University, Valarie Wright talks about the free event
Free Agri-Wellness Event Spokesperson Valarie Wright. That number is 309-438-2970
(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet-Seymour schools are turning to voters once again and asking to help them keep up with growing numbers. If the $112.8 million question on November's ballot is passed, it would build two new buildings, demolish the current junior high and work on other facility upgrades. One building would go behind Middletown Prairie Elementary and be dedicated to second and third-graders. The other one would be the new junior high, and go behind where the current one is. Then, more space would open up in the schools.
(Washington-jm) – USDA is reporting a drop in condition ratings for soybeans and a possible frost in parts of the Upper Midwest. Gary Crawford reports...
WPXN News Notes...
The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their first of three Frightfest weekends on Friday and Saturday.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their family night dinner on Friday from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and your choice of 2 sides for $15.
Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold their fall festival on Friday and Super Saturday on Saturday. Friday night will be the fish fry from 4-7 pm. Saturday there will be a car show, variety show, kiddie tractor pull, quilt auction and pork chop supper. Both days from 10-7 will be bounce houses, baked goods, carnival games, tractor show and more.
The 6th annual Huntington's Disease Team Hope Walk, Golf Outing and Dinner will take place on Saturday at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. The Walk starts at 8 am and is $25 for adults, $15 for kids, golf begins at 10:30 dinner and silent auction begin at 5pm and costs $25. For more information call Samantha Cox at 217-249-1421.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting Gold Star Mission on Saturday from 10-2.
Dennis Stroughmatt 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.
