(The Center Square) – Illinois employers are bracing for minimum-wage hikes, which may lead to more job cuts around the state. Illinois' minimum wage is rising from $14 per hour to $15 on January first, the final increase in a series of annual increases from a law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in February of 2019.  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker talks about his support for the increases in the minimum wage...

Illinois Governor J B Prizker

In addition, the minimum wage for tipped workers is increasing from $8.40 per hour to $9. The youth minimum wage, for workers under age working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year, is going up from $12 per hour to $13. The negative side to the increase in wages is an increase in unemployment

(Washington–jc)  One national panel in Washington ruled with the United States concerning biotech corn. Rod Bain reports...

(The Center Square) – After the new year, Illinois legislators are scheduled back to wrap up the 103rd General Assembly. The so-called "lame duck" session is also a time when some warn things could pass with legislators who have no more accountability to taxpayers. Closing out the fall veto session last month, state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, warned of what could happen when legislators return after New Year's Day, including the spectre of tax increases.Legislators filed nearly 10,000 bills in the past two years of the 103rd Illinois General Assembly. They passed 479 of them. More could be coming before they wrap things up during lame duck session.

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Public Health Department is now operating from a new and larger facility. The move means more services and space for the citizens of the county and area. Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall says Ford County continues to try to meet the challenges of rural health...

Ford County Board Chairman Chase McCall

CHAMPAIGN - Champaign Police were dispatched early Tuesday morning to the 500 block of Edgebrook Drive for a report of a man lying on the ground outside of a residence. On-scene, officers located an 18-year-old Champaign man and called for medical personnel to treat him for what were initially perceived to be minor injuries. As he was being assessed, multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds were located on his torso. The man was immediately transported to an area hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The initial investigation indicates that the man was involved in an altercation between acquaintances inside his residence when shots were fired. The other party left before officers were called to the scene. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545 or  Crime Stoppers at: 217-373-8477.

(Paxton-dm)-If you have a live Christmas tree this year, have you thought about how you  are going to dispose of it after Christmas? WPXN's Dan Mushrush has a few ideas.

(Paxton–jc)  City leaders in Paxton   received word this week concerning their plans for street repair and maintenance. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the list is extensive and the dollars will be used to do as many as possible...

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

(Paxton–jc) Officials with Eastern Illinois Electric Coop are warning customers of a new scam.  They say some person is going around Ford County and  pretending to work as an electric cooperative contractor. The person is going to the house to "disconnect service." Eastern Illinois Coop officials say they do not show up at your door, after hours, on weekends or holidays to disconnect power and they do not collect money from their members at their homes. WCIA TV also contributed to this story. 

(Gibson City–jc) –  The lame duck session that starts in early January is the last for retiring State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. Bennett says this year it's a four day stint where a lot of issues could come up for a vote...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(The Center Square) – Jurors are off until the beginning of next year at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain.The court is in recess until Monday, when Judge John Robert Blakey scheduled a charge conference for attorneys and parties. Blakey instructed the jury to return on January Second. Madigan's defense team began calling witnesses and presenting evidence last Thursday

(Washington–jc)  –Some ag oriented measures were part of legislation approved by our nation's leaders in December. Rod Bain has the story...

(Washington–jc)  Christmas Day and a White Christmas are complete for this year. What are the parts of the country where precipitation has been active so far this month? U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the answers...

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey