(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a vehicle fire on I-57 Sunday night. It happened in the southbound lanes of I-57 near mile marker 259 around 9:45. No injuries were reported.

(Springfield-jm) – As hospital price transparency laws continue to evolve, Illinois health care facilities are required to keep pace.  New rules took effect July 1, including requiring hospitals to affirm the inclusiveness, accuracy, and completeness of the standard charge information. A third wave of requirements, including new drug reporting and estimated allowed amounts, will go into effect in January 2025. Even though hospital price rules have been around for years, some health care facilities have been slow to comply. The group Patient Rights Advocate released a report earlier this year that showed only around 40% of Illinois hospitals they investigated were compliant.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the implementation of the price transparency rule, has issued approximately 1,200 warning notices to hospitals that have been non-compliant.

(Washington-jm) – U.S. agricultural exports are still trailing last year. Gary Crawford reports...

(Champaign-jm) – According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more construction work will begin today at the Interstate 72/57 interchange. Department officials say the work will involve building crossover pavement, which will be used in reconstructing a bridge over I-57. This work will close the left lane in both directions on I-72. Officials add that the bridge work is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in the fall of 2026.

(Paxton-jm) – Around 100 motorcyclists rode into Paxton Sunday as part of the 9-11 Memorial Ride. The annual event brought motorcyclists into town escorted by firetrucks to the Paxton firehouse for lunch and then departing before heading to Ludlow and Rantoul among the other stops on the way.

(Buckley–dm)-St. John's Lutheran School in Buckley will be hosting their Fall Picnic on Friday Sept. 20th.  St.John's Lutheran Principal Sandy Spitz has more information.

St. John's Lutheran Principal Sandy Spitz.

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Holly Hill Drive just before 11 Thursday night, for a report of shots fired. On-scene, officers quickly located evidence of gunfire, including shell casings and property damage. A short time later,, a 22-year-old female victim from Champaign arrived at an area hospital by personal transport with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was sitting in a vehicle on Holly Hill Drive when an altercation in the area escalated to gunfire from a different vehicle in the roadway. The offending vehicle then fled the area. At this time, it is not known if the victim's vehicle was the target of the gunfire. Property damage was also reported to two homes and a vehicle in the area.

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Evangelical Covenant Church is the latest to receive a $1,000 check from Paxton IGA as part of their roundup program. The grocery store made the donation to the church through the stores Charitable Rebate program, which provides $1,000 to a nonprofit organization in return for the organization collecting $200,000 in IGA receipts.  This represents the 63rd organization that has qualified for a $1000 check since the program started in September 2009.

There are several meetings around the area tonight. At 6 the Rantoul Township High School board will consider approving a bid to replace a boiler at Eagle Academy and approve their FY25 budget. At 7 in Gibson City council members are expected to approve a loan agreement for a bakery and approve their Christmas parade route. Ford County Board members are expected to approve their FY 25 budget tonight at 7. Gilman leaders are also expected to approve a Class D liquor license and approve payment for a sewer project tonight at 7.

(Springfield-jm) – Republican state Sen. Chapin Rose is urging top university officials across the state to be smart in taking the steps to ensure their survival at a time when at least three institutions are facing fiscal year 2024 deficits of at least $14 million. At Northern Illinois University, school officials recently reported a $31.8 million deficit, while at Western Illinois University as many as 124 faculty and staff members were recently shown the door as part of a plan to erase a $22 million hole. At the same time, at Southern Illinois University early projections forecast a $14 million deficit, while Chicago State and Northeastern Illinois continue to struggle with deficits nearly on par with those tabs. Since 2014, the Illinois Board of Higher Education reports undergraduate enrollment across the state has dipped by 20%, equating to 144,000 fewer students as a whole.

(Washington-jm) – Farm production expenses may fall this year. Gary Crawford reports...

(Undated-jm) – Libraries throughout the 52nd Senate District are receiving a combined 330,143 in grants. Public Library Per Capita Grants are awarded annually to support local public libraries. This will include a one-time technology grant to help upgrade technology for libraries in need. The grant can also be used for operational needs, including purchasing materials for their collections and making improvements to facilities. Champaign is receiving $131,128, Urbana $56,928, Danville $70,867, Oakwood $8,274, Rantoul $45,870 and Westville $17,076.

(Undated-jm) – One of the United State's most famous train engines is making a stop in Watseka today.  The Union Pacific Railroad's 'Big Boy' locomotive is on tour.  The world's largest operational steam loco is making 'whistle stops" as it passes thru 10 states, including Illinois. A 30-minute stop is scheduled about 5 pm this evening at the North Street crossing in Watseka. The Union Pacific officials say safety is a big, important issue with these tours.  Photo sessions are allowed but visitors must stay 25 feet away from the huge engine. Twenty-five Big Boys were built during WWII, but only eight survived.  Big Boy No. 4014 is the only one of the eight still in operation.  It remains the world's largest operating steam locomotive. After departing Watseka, it will make its way to Villa Grove for the night.

(Champaign–dm)-Bad breath is common, but how do you know when it's a more serious health issue? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare tells you.

 Avoiding smoking and garlicky or spicy foods can help with bad breath. Gendron (JEN-dren) says coffee is OK in moderation. And she says mints and gums won't cure The problem alone. You have to brush and floss.

(Urbana-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is hoping for extra involvement from the community during September, which is Hunger Action Month. A recent report by the USDA found 13.5% of U.S. households were food insecure in 2023, and EIF leaders want to provide for people in need in the community. They are encouraging people to donate money to the Million Meal Challenge and volunteer to repack food at their annual Operation Orange event. Additionally, they want people to wear orange for Hunger Action Day on September 10 and post photos to social media while tagging @eifoodbank.

(Champaign-jm) – Illinois Facilities and Services, the Division of Public Safety, and the Champaign Fire Department will conduct a spill containment exercise on Wednesday, September 18, between 8 and 10 a.m. Officials say the drill will begin with simulated 911 calls. Dye will be placed in storm drains around the National Petascale Computing Facility to simulate an oil spill near the intersection of South Oak Street and St. Mary's Road. The dye will travel south in storm sewers and open channels connected to the Embarras River.