(Illinois–jc) –Cargill, with several locations in Illinois, is laying off about 5 percent of its global workforce as commodity prices drop. The Minnesota-based company is the world's largest agricultural commodities trader. Company officials said the changes are part of a long-term strategy set earlier this year. Cargill has more than 160,000 employees, meaning there will be an estimated 8,000 job cuts.
(Illinois–jc) – Lion Electric, an electric bus manufacturing company, has announced hundreds of layoffs and has suspended its operations in Joliet.The company said it would temporarily lay off about 400 employees in both the U.S. and Canada. The facility opened in 2022 and was touted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker as putting Illinois at the forefront of a national movement to transition to zero-emission vehicle use.
(Watseka–jc) Firefighters were called to a home fire in Watseka around noon on Tuesday. The fire caused property and smoke damage to the home at Mulberry and 10th in the city. Flames were seen outside the windows of the home as firefighters arrived on scene. No one was injured, and no damage estimates were provided..
(IDOT–dm)-IDOT"S annual safety campaign Winter Weather Get It Together reminds the public to get ready for winter weather. WPXN's Dan Mushrush has more information.
(Onarga–jc) One Iroquois County town is set for a Christmas parade on December 14th. The Village of Onarga parade steps off at 4-30 in the afternoon on Saturday December 14th. The parade route is the same as the 4th of July parade and will end at the Onarga Theatre in downtown Onarga. The parade is hosted by the Onarga Fire Department.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County finance committee will be talking about the fiscal year 20-25 levy and setting Ford County board meetings when they meet on Thursday morning in Paxton. Mutual Aid agreements with the First Student Bus Company and the Tri Point School District are also topics for the committee. The ford county Finance Committee meets at 9, Thursday morning at the courthouse in Paxton.
(Undated–jc) – What are the issues for crossbreeding beef and dairy cows? What are the desired traits? Purina Company Expert Olivia Genther-Shroder has some answers...
Purina Company Expert Olivia Genther-Shroder
(The Center Square) – Unemployment in Illinois climbed to 5.3% in October, making the state home to the third highest jobless rate in the country. All told, some 346,000 residents were left looking for work in October, leaving the state unemployment rate higher than all neighboring states and behind only California and Nevada nationwide. Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said there's little wonder why the state's economy always seems to be under constant duress.
Caulkins warned it could lead to further population loss for Illinois.
(Gifford–jc) – There is something new at Gordyville USA on Saturday. New owners have put together a huge consignment sale of all things farming from tractors and farm equipment to vehicles and more. Gordyville USA's Lisa Banga-Graham says the buildings are full and ready for the sale on Saturday...
Gordyville USA of Giffords Lisa Banga-Graham.
A full listing is available on line
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House speaker's executive assistant reported to the witness stand on Tuesday,at former House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial. Mika Baugher has worked for DemocratIllinois House Speaker Chris Welch, since 2021. Baugher was Madigan's executive assistant for nearly 5 years U.S. government attorney Julia Schwartz introduced pages of Madigan's schedules over a period of years, which included meetings and dinners with Madigan's codefendant Michael McClain. The schedules also included meetings with Reyes Kurson law partner Victor Reyes, Madigan campaign worker Ed Moody, state Reps. Eddie Acevedo, D-Chicago, and Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Dana Dimel, the Senior Offensive Assistant for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team, has died. Illinois Athletics announced that the longtime coach passed away Tuesday at the age of 62. He is survived by his wife Julie and their children Winston and Joey.
(The Center Square) – A new study shows that a large number of Illinoisans may be buying their cigarettes from nearby states. The Tax Foundation compared 2022 census data and cigarette sales figures to try to determine the percentage of out-of-state cigarettes being consumed. Illinois, which adds nearly three dollars in taxes on a pack of 20, is ranked 10th in the nation for cigarette smuggling. The study shows that over a quarter of the cigarettes consumed in Illinois are smuggled.
(Washington–jc) What is the background of President-elect Trump's nominee for the Cabinet position of Agriculture Secretary? Rod Bain reports...
(Vandalia–jc) –The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois, will host public candlelight tours the evening of Saturday, Dec. 14 as part of the site's annual Christmas open house. The event is hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which manages the site, and the Old Capitol Foundation. The Vandalia Statehouse served as the state capitol from 1836 to 1839.
(Undated–jc) – Raising a crossbred beef-dairy cow. Olivia Genther-Shroder of Purina has the schedule for raising a potential crossbred beef-dairy cow, and how that coincides with various beef export requirements...
Purina Company Expert Olivia Genther-Shroder
(Paxton–dm)-On December 14th you will not only have a chance to talk with Santa, but you will be able to have breakfast with him. It's sponsored by the Paxton Park District. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman has the details...
Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman.
(Illinois–jc) –The first-ever statewide smoke alarm installation blitz in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month has concluded. The initiative saw 71 Illinois fire departments canvas their communities, educating their residents on the dangers of fire in the home and ensuring there were working smoke alarms properly installed. The campaign was an extension of the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation program, a fire prevention program that distributes fire safety education materials and 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms to fire departments around the state.
WPXN news notes...
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, December 6th from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their family night dinner on Friday, December 6th from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and your choice of 2 sides for $15.
The Paxton business open house and bag sale will take place Friday, December 6th through Monday, December 9th.
Roberts will hold a Christmas Event on Saturday, December 7th from 8-3 at the Roberts Gym. Vendors will be there from 8-3, the PBL Jr High mini band will perform at 10:30. Santa will be there from 11-1.
The Loda American Legion will host breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 7th from 9-11 am. Breakfast includes biscuits and gravy and a drink for $7.
Kempton will hold a tree lighting on Saturday, December 7th from 1-4 pm. Ford County Emergency Management will put on a free weather course and the Kempton Fire Department will provide soup.
The village of Rantoul will hold their Christmas in the village on Saturday, December 7th with crafts, live music and Christmas stories from 1-5 at the chamber office and the lighted Christmas parade at 5pm.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their Cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 7th from 2-4pm. Bring your kids to get their pictures taken with Santa, get a cookie or two and receive a toy.
The Prairieland CEO program will present a Christmas movie night on Sunday, December 8th at Clara Peterson Elementary School with showings of "The Grinch" at 2 p.m. and "Home Alone" at 4:30 p.m. The cost to view both movies is $15 per person; the cost is $10 per person for one movie. There is no fee for children age 3 and under. Kids must be accompanied by an adult,
