VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff has died. He was 88. Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there. He emerged on Easter Sunday — his last public appearance, a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He was introduced to the world on March 13, 2013 as the 266th pope.
(Rantoul-jm) – A rural Rantoul home was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Crews from Rantoul, Ludlow, Thomasboro, Gifford, Fisher and St. Joseph battled the blaze at 2951 County Road 1900 East around 8pm Friday night. The home was abandoned and deemed a total loss.
(Coles County-jm) – The Coles County coroner has confirmed that four people died when a small plane crashed Saturday near the Coles-Cumberland County line. The coroner told WAND News that the two men and two women who died are from Wisconsin. The FAA told WAND News a Cessna 180 crashed around 10:15 a.m. Illinois State Police said the plane crashed onto County Road 1400 North near Trilla. That's the county road for southern Coles County and northern Cumberland County. It's not currently known where the plane took off from or its intended destination. The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.
(Indiana–jc) – Indiana lawmakers have passed legislation in an effort to lure the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier State. The measure created a professional sports development commission, which would develop a plan for attracting a professional sports franchise to northwest Indiana. The Bears bought the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse in 2023 for $197 million. The team also released plans to build a domed stadium on the Chicago lakefront, but the prospect of obtaining public funding for the project have hit a roadblock.
(Mahomet–jc) One local State Senator continues to champion a measure in Springfield that would fully protect the Mahomet Aquifer. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet, says one gas leak that happened years ago, is still affecting some residents in Champaign County…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet
(The Center Square) – Some are calling out a recently passed bill in the Illinois House aimed at banning the use of native-themed school mascots and logos as an unserious mandate that places a political agenda over real outcomes. The measure allows schools to continue to use previously purchased uniforms and other materials that include Native American mascots until 2030. If a school facility bears a prohibited name, logo, or mascot, the school would be required to update that facility the next time it is remodeled or replacedAbout 90 school districts would be affected by the ban. Several Republican leaders have spoken out against the ban says mascots are part of history and calling the measure “political theatre.”
(Paxton–dm)--Most people fertilize their garden, but putting mulch on your garden has several benefits. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen explains.
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott, Saturday mornings at 7:30am on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(LeRoy-jm) – In what authorities believe is the largest cocaine bust ever in McLean County, a California man is charged with having in his possession cocaine with a street value of $10 million when Illinois State Police stopped his semi on Interstate 74 in LeRoy. Peoria based WEEK-TV reports State Police made the traffic stop about 3:40 p.m. on Thursday on eastbound I-74 at milepost 148 in LeRoy. Authorities said troopers seized almost 234 pounds of cocaine contained in four large garbage bags in back of the truck. Charges against Jobanpreet Singh include cocaine trafficking and possession with intent to deliver 900 or more grams of cocaine. Both are Class X felonies carrying mandatory prison terms of six to 30 years if Singh is found guilty. Singh has been ordered to remain in the McLean County Jail before his trial. His arraignment is scheduled for May 9.
(Mahomet-jm) – Mahomet village leaders could vote this week to implement a 1 percent grocery tax. This comes after the state voted to repeal the tax but left it up to individual communities to decide whether they wanted to adopt the tax instead. Communities would receive money from the state tax but with the elimination of the grocery tax, the village says they would face losing over a quarter of a million dollars. A decision could come at tomorrow night' board meeting.
(Decatur–jc) An update on one area lawmaker that proposes to move the United States Department of Agriculture from Washington DC to Central Illinois. 88th district State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur says the move would make sense…
88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste is speaking out against a “nationwide literacy crisis” that counts Illinois among the more than 40 states where just one out of every three fourth grade students are now meeting reading proficiency standards. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress report card shows that in Illinois, just 30% of fourth graders are hitting such standards. In a 2024 national exam, the state's students finished 29th in the country for the percentage of fourth graders at or above proficiency. With researchers identifying third and fourth grades as being a critical period in a student’s overall academic development, school system critics like Ugaste argue that now more than ever, parents should be allowed to make use of school choice to send their children to the best school for them.
(Danville-jc) – Vermilion County Board’s property committee is set to talk about a tuckpointing project at the Rita Garman Vermilion County Courthouse Building in Danville when they meet this afternoon. Also on the agenda is an elevator project and a mail distribution issue. The Vermilion County property committee meets at 5 this afternoon in Danville.
(Loda–jc) One local Sportsman’s club is setting up a fishing derby for kids in May. The Loda Sportsman’s Club will host the event on Saturday May 10th at the Loda Lakes. Aged categories up to the age of 16 are included. Lunch will be provided by the Illinois Pioneer Pheasants Forever.
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. LaShawn Ford is singing the praises of a plan now floating in Springfield that seeks to make it easier for graduating high school seniors to land at state public colleges. Sponsored by Democratic state Senator Chrisopher Belt, Senate Bill 24-48 seeks to create a centralized website where senior high school students can apply to all public institutions across the state through a single application submission. The system works by the colleges first feeding the website the GPA requirements needed for admission, with the students ultimately receiving offers from all the universities in their GPA range.
(Rantoul–jc) The WPXN Business of the Day is The Roofing Dog. The Roofing Dog has been serving the roofing needs of the area since 1996. The Cory Swanson Family continues with a second generation of the business that serves all of Central Illinois. The Roofing Dog co-owner Melissa Swanson says they are a locally owned, family business…
She talks about how they incorporated the images of the Roofing Dog business…
The Roofing Dog co-owner Melissa Swanson
They provide shingles, to metal roofs, gutters, soffits, roof repairs and more. The Roofing Dog company provides all their services “in house.” with no subcontracting. The number to call is 217-355-r-o-o-f. The Roofing Dog is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
WPXN News Notes…
Weather permitting the city of Paxton will be flushing hydrants starting today starting on the west side of town.
The Ford Iroquois Retired Teachers Association will meet on Wednesday, April 23rd at 11:30 am at Lucy’s Kitchen in Gilman.
Credit Union 1 along with the Rantoul Public Library will host a free presentation on building good credit habits on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6-7 pm.
Danville Area Community College will hold their career expo on Thursday, April 24th from 11-3 in the Mary Miller Gymnasium.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner on Friday, April 25th from 5-7pm. Cost is $8 and includes a sandwich and a side.
