(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced the launch of the Lifesaving Education and Awareness on Donation program. Giannoulias said the LEAD program enables high school students to serve as ambassadors for the Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor Program. The LEAD program allows high school students the opportunity to gain community service hours by participating. Giannoulias said Illinois has experienced a 38% decrease in the number of new organ donor registrants from age 16 to 21 during the past 10 years.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court recently ruled the state's new slating legislation is unconstitutional. The controversial legislation was criticized by Republicans in the state including 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Champaign-jm) – West Nile Virus has claimed its first victim in Illinois, an 80-year-old out of Lake County. Now, the virus is on the rise in Central Illinois. Champaign County has been put on high alert, meaning high West Nile activity was found in area mosquito populations. It also means that human cases are probable. 18 human cases have been reported in the state.

(Maplegrove–jc)  A Swedish company is coming to Illinois  to make thermal systems for Electric vehicles. WPXN's Joel Cluver has the story...

(Champaign County-jm) – New research shows Champaign County will be out of nursing home beds in two years. Advocates for Aging Care and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District conducted a needs assessment this year. They found the 65+ population has grown by 67% in the last 20 years. That will bring a unique set of challenges to the area. They estimate Champaign County will have a shortage of 337 beds by 2026.

(Paxton–dm)-On Sunday, Sept. 8th, Paxton Pride will be hosting the Never Forget 9-11 Memorial Event.  Paxton Pride Spokesperson Kim Evans tells us about some of the events going on.

Paxton Pride Spokes Person Kim Evans.  The Memorial event will take place at 1:30 behind PBL High School under the Grand Old Flag.

(Undated-jm) – Illinois' economy is slowing down. The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois measures the economy with the Flash Index, which combines inflation-adjusted rates of corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as an economic measure. Numbers out Wednesday show the Flash Index dipped in July for the fourth straight month.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA is out with its revised farm income forecast for 2024. Rod Bain reports...

(Springfield-jm) – A new report says Illinois is failing when it comes to worker freedom. Along with Policy Analyst Andrew Holman, David Osborne, senior fellow of labor policy for the Commonwealth Foundation, authored the report titled, "The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws." Illinois voters approved Amendment 1, the Right to Collective Bargaining Measure, in 2022. Osborne said Amendment 1 takes union-friendly legislation to the constitutional level. Indiana got an A plus, Iowa and Wisconsin received A's, Kentucky received a B while Missouri received a C.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois is trying to help families when it comes to back to school supplies. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says there are tax credits parents can take advantage of...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Tuscola-jm) – More cows let loose from an accident have been rescued, but officials in Douglas County are still looking for a few remaining cows. A semi-trailer hauling 67 cows rolled over on I-57 in Tuscola last month. Around 20 were killed, and cowboys have been working to locate the cows that got loose. Three cows were captured this week, its believed two more are still missing.

(Roberts–jc)  A new therapy is giving a ray of hope to families affected by Duchenne's disease. The muscular dystrophy illness affects mainly young boys. The Flesnner family of Thawville has boys with the disease. The Flessner Fest is set for Saturday in Roberts and Daniel Flessner talks about some recent advancements with a therapy that brings some hope...

Flessner Fall Fest Spokesperson Daniel Flessner. The event starts at 8 on Saturday morning. Planned for the day are a 5-K run, pancake and sausage breakfast, carriage rides, music and a silent auction. The venue is the Roberts village park. 

(Bloomington-jm) – Bloomington Police Department were dispatched to Illinois Wesleyan University for a report of an active shooter on Wednesday night. Patrol officers conducted a thorough investigation with the IWU Department of Campus Safety. The Bloomington Police Department confirmed there was no active assailant and no credible threat. The Illinois State University Police Department  received similar reports on their campus. ISUPD investigated those incidents and found no active threats

(Danforth–dm)-Prairieview Lutheran Homes in Danforth will be hosting their annual Fall Festival and Super Saturday this Friday and Saturday.Iroquois Economic Development Executive Director Angel Crawford tells us more.

Iroquois Economic Development Director Angel Crawford.  Friday's activities include a fish fry and live music.  Saturday's activities include a car show, Kiddie Tractor Pull and a pork chop supper

(Springfield-jm) – With the state now home to the seventh highest share of residents using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford is urging lawmakers to do more to aid the growing number of people struggling to make ends meet. In all, federal government data shows nearly two million residents, or one out of every seven individuals, are now reported to be receiving federal food assistance, leaving the state with 237,383 more SNAP recipients than before the pandemic. With people struggling the way they are, inflation now being what it is, Ford argues it's incumbent on the government to step in.

(Washington-jm) – The USDA has lowered its forecast for farm production expenses. Rod Bain reports...

WPXN Weekend News Notes...

The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their first of three Frightfest weekends tonight and tomorrow night.

The Elliott Amvets will hold their family night dinner tonight 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 today and Super Saturday tomorrow. Tonight 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.