(Springfield-jm) – The federal judge overseeing the challenge to Illinois' gun and magazine ban questioned what would have happened if Black victims of the East St. Louis race riot of 1917 had such firearms. Before Judge Stephen McGlynn is the question of whether Illinois' Protect Illinois Communities Act, which bans the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities, is unconstitutional. Thursday was Day 4 and the final day of the bench trial ban in the Southern District of Illinois federal courtroom. After the final defense witness and closing arguments of the plaintiffs asking the law be struck and the defense asking the law be upheld, McGlynn closed the proceedings. Litigants have 30 days to submit more information. McGlynn could issue a ruling, including a possible permanent injunction, shortly thereafter.

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois Payroll jobs and the unemployment rate are both up for the month of August.  WPXN's Dan Mushrush has the story

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved an $8.3 billion operating budget for the current fiscal year Thursday. This represents a 6.2% increase from FY 2024. The University of Illinois System reports it experienced a record year in student enrollment for the fall semester, with a systemwide total of 97,772 enrolled students at the universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The board's vote finalized the FY 2025 spending plan approved by the board in May, pending the General Assembly's approval of the state budget. The state's spending plan included a $710.6 million allocation for the system in the fiscal year that began July 1, a 1.8% increase from FY 2024.

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton Leaders continue to work with Paxton businesses in redevelopment agreements. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says one approved is with Pro Type Printing in downtown Paxton...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Paxton-jm) – The Illinois State Police responded to reports of a female pedestrian on I-57 near Paxton Wednesday evening. According to State Police, around 6:30 p.m., the female pedestrian was in the center median near milepost 258.5. by 100 N Road. According to reports, she exited a Grey Nissan after a "verbal dispute." The pedestrian was then taken to a nearby rest area, and then eventually to her home. No injuries were reported to State Police. No further information is available at this time.

(Undated-jm) – Another area county has identified a positive case of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. The Vermilion County Health Department announced that a batch of mosquitoes had tested positive for the virus. The infected batch was collected near Westville, officials said. Ford County Public Health officials reported a positive test in Gibson City earlier this week. Citizens are urged to take precautions, clean up standing water, wear repellants, and avoid stays outside during dawn and dusk.

(Paxton–jc)-- Its more than just a cookout competition. The 2024 Paxton Swine and Dine starts tomorrow morning with contestants cooking pork and chicken. Kids games, a bag tournament, car show and music hilite the day and evening in downtown Paxton. Paxton Swine and Dine Event Chairperson Leah Moore says more vendors will also be in Paxton on Saturday...

Paxton Swine and Dine Event Chairperson Leah Moore

(Paxton–jc)  Today's WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Masonic Lodge 416. Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Shearl says the traditions of the Christian based organization go back hundreds of years...

The local masons group provides help for those in need, to helping the PBL Band and Chorus with a current project. Jim Shearl says the drawing for the annual "get out of dodge" giveaway is tomorrow at 2pm during Swine and Dine...

Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 Spokesperson Jim Shearl.

The group has a grand prize drawing for its "get out of dodge" trip giveaway tomorrow at 2pm in downtown Paxton. Only a few tickets remain for that giveaway.

(Springfield-jm) – After the Oregon DMV wrongfully registered noncitizens through their program that automatically registered anyone who obtained a driver's license or state ID, an Illinois state lawmaker introduces legislation that would criminalize knowingly registering noncitizens to vote on their behalf in Illinois. Recently filed HB 5875 will penalize individuals who knowingly register noncitizens to vote in federal and municipal elections. State Rep. Dan Caulkins said he's concerned with non-government organizations, assisting non citizens residing in migrant shelters and are knowingly registering noncitizens to vote despite federal law prohibiting noncitizens from registering and voting in federal elections.

(Undated-jm) – Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington talks about the dangers of being in a rush can cause accidents as well...

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

(Champaign-jm) – A man is facing attempted murder charges in Champaign County in connection to a robbery-turned-shooting at a Champaign hotel earlier this year. Kejuan McFarland made his first appearance in court on Wednesday to face charges that include attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and armed robbery. Judge Brett Olmstead ruled that he remain behind bars pending his trial. McFarland is accused of shooting a Tolono man in the chest the night of June 5 at Champaign's Days Inn.

(Champaign–dm)-It's the middle of September, and a few area farmers have already started their harvest. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Baily Conrady talks about the dry conditions in our area

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady

(Rantoul–jc)  A Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil is set for Rantoul in early October. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says this year's event is set for the municipal building on Tanner street on October 3rd at 6pm...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Undated-jm) – Starting Monday, DMV facilities around the state will be changing their hours. DMVs in Gibson City, Rantoul and Watseka will be open Monday through Friday 7:30-5. Champaign's will be open Monday through Friday 7:30-5 and Saturdays 7:30-noon.

(Buckley–dm)- St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Buckley will be hosting their annual fall picnic today.  St. John's Lutheran School Principal Sandy Spitz  has the details.

St. John's Lutheran Principal Sandy Spitz.

(Paxton-jm) – A Central High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest for possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material. 37-year-old Brett M. Sorensen of Paxton, was arrested by Illinois State Police at his home Tuesday. Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 5 agents search the Paxton home after the investigation that was triggered by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a news release from the ISP. In Ford County court Wednesday, Sorensen was charged with eight felony child pornography charges. Five of the charges are Class X felonies; three are Class 2 felonies. Sorensen has been employed as an agricultural teacher in Iroquois County School District #4. He's taught at Central High in Clifton for the last 13 years.

WPXN Weekend News Notes...

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at Living Word Church in Roberts, 11-11:30 at the Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and from 2-2:30 at Paxton Hardware and Rental.

The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their final Frightfest weekend tonight and tomorrow.

St. John's Lutheran Church and School will host their fall picnic today from 3-7 pm. Activities include games, popcorn, inflatables, sno cones, bingo, kickball tournament and more.

The Onarga American Legion Post 551 will hold their fish fry today from 4:30-7 at the Legion Hall at Durham Park.

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their glow golf outing on Saturday from 6-11 pm at Willow Pond golf course. Tickets are available by calling 217-893-3323.

The Sheldon TIES Street Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday. Activities include food vendors, parade, petting zoo, live music and more.

The Champaign Comic and Toy Show will take place Saturday and Sunday at Marketplace Mall in Champaign.

Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Clara Peterson Pit Crew on Saturday from 10-2.

The 11th annual Paxton Swine n Dine BBQ Contest and Festival will take place on Saturday. The event features live music, kids' activities, vendors, a cornhole tournament, a cruise-in, and Great BBQ! Country Music Artist Craig Morgan will be the headline act.

The Paxton Masonic Lodge's 6th annual "Get out of Dodge" raffle will take place on Saturday at 2pm in front of the Commandery Building in downtown Paxton. The grand prize is a 4 day 3 night stay in Las Vegas. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Cost is $40 for 1 ticket, $75 for 2 tickets or $100 for 3 tickets. Tickets are available at Hudson Drug and Hallmark and Kirchner Building Center.