(The Center Square) – Democratic governors and Congress members shifted blame for immigration enforcement to the federal government and called ICE immigration enforcement a "gestapo operation" in opening statements at a congressional hearing Thursday. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hosted Democrat Govs. Tim Walz of Minnesota, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Kathy Hochul of New York.  Illinois Governor J B Pritzker dared ICE Director Tom Homan to arrest him concerning illegal aliens…

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker

U S Representative James Comer, Republican from Kentucky, criticized the governors  for comparing ICE arrests to Nazi Germany. He said such comments have led to a 413% rise in assaults against ICE agents.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –A JetBlue flight from Chicago veered off a runway after landing at Boston Logan airport Thursday. Upon landing, the plane rolled into a grassy area just before noon local time.There were no injuries as passengers exited the plane on a back stairwell. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

 

(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Rotary will be sponsoring a business expo on Saturday June 14th.  Rotary Governor Elect John Calderon Jr. tells us more about the expo.

   

Rotary Governor Elect John Calderon Jr.  At 430 on Saturday John Calderon will be installed as Governor of Rotary District 6490 Central Illinois.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Five local organizations are uniting to host a "No Kings" rally, protesting what they perceive as the Republican Party's attempts to establish a monarchy in the United States. The rally is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at the Champaign County Courthouse. The event is part of a larger movement, with over 1,800 "No Kings" rallies planned across all 50 states and at least nine foreign countries on four continents.

 

(Undated-jm) – Springfield, Champaign, and Decatur just crawled up to #46 on Terminix’ annual Top 50 Bed Bug Cities report – solidifying its first time being listed and taking the spot as one of the nation’s top bed bug boomtowns. Terminix says taking a few precautions can help reduce the chances of bringing bed bugs into your living space, especially if you're living in or visiting one of the top bed bug cities.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the grandson of a World War II veteran who earned it while fighting to liberate Germany. It is the 14th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart, an initiative that aims to return lost medals to the rightful owners. The Purple Heart was among items in a bank safe deposit box submitted to the state treasurer’s office in 2003. The iconic military honor is given to individuals wounded or killed during military combat.

 

(Buckley-bp)-- Tomorrow is the annual Buckley Fun Day. The activities start at 9 Saturday morning with a bake sale and fishing derby says Buckley Fun day  Spokesperson Denise Forrester...

   

Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Foresster. 

 

(Chicago–dm)-The federal government has prepped Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactical teams for deployment to Chicago. According to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, federal agents were told they have 48 hours to “stand by and be ready to deploy.”  Earlier, Chicago police said that more than 15 people were taken into custody during a Tuesday evening protest against ICE activity. In total, 17 people were taken into custody. 

 

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Decatur, Illinois man was sentenced to eight years in prison for possessing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Charles Bolsen, 66, was sentenced Thursday by Macon County Circuit Court Judge Thomas E. Griffith after pleading guilty to one count of Class X felony dissemination of child pornography and one count of Class 2 felony possession of child pornography.

 

(USDA–dm)-Production and yield for our nation's winter wheat crop show increases from the prior month's forecast, per USDA's June Crop Production Report. Rod Bain has the story.

 

(Fairview Heights–jc)  –A Fairview Heights police officer received a hero’s welcome after being released from the hospital this week after getting shot in the face in May. Molly Muennich was released from a St. Louis hospital Wednesday and was escorted to the police headquarters where she was welcomed by first responders and local residents. Muennich was shot after several officers responded to a call of a suspicious individual May 17. Two other officers sustained gunshot wounds during the incident

(Champaign-jm) – After a 3 day trial, Zaire Herman has been convicted of first degree murder in relation to a shooting that happened earlier this year. The conviction comes after a shooting in March at the Oakwood Trace apartments in Champaign. Police said Herman shot 31-year-old Anthony Miller in his car. Miller was transported to the hospital, but died the following day. Herman also appeared in court last year in relation to a shooting in 2023. He was acquitted in that case. Herman will appear in court on August 1 for sentencing.

 

(Champaign-jm) — Homeowners were able to escape a duplex fire in Champaign Thursday. The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in the 3300 Block of Boulder Ridge Drive at 10:43 a.m. Firefighters found heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear of a duplex. Crews were able to quickly extinguish an exterior fire that traveled into the attic. No injuries were reported.

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois F F A State Convention wrapped up on Thursday. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details on the new state F F A Officers…

 

 

(Cissna Park–dm)-It’s Shop the Park in Cissna Park on  Saturday  Shop the Park Event Spokesperson Michael McCray says the day is packed with activities and plenty of food…

 

Shop the Park Spokesperson Michael McCray.

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.

Father’s Day garage sale days in Onarga are today through Sunday. The event is sponsored by the Onarga Chamber of Commerce

A joint blood drive between Gibson Area Hospital and the  Gibson Auxiliary center takes place today from 9:30 - 3:30. 

 

The 2025 Milford Fun Days will take place June today through Sunday. Tonight its the Lions Club Fish Fry from 4-7pm. On the 14th, its the parade at 10:30 am, kid zone from 11-4, car show 11:30-4, live music with Mellencougar from 12-3, bags tournament at 1 and golf car scavenger hunt at 3. On the 15th its a community church service at 9.

 

The 2025 Buckley Fun Day is set for Saturday. The day starts with the Ladies Aid bake sale and sportsman's club fishing derby at 9 am, tractor show from 10-2, golfing into the lake from 11-1, kids inflatables from 11-2, barrel train rides from 11-2, 4-H coloring contest from 11-12, tractor parade at noon, bingo from 1-2, kids tractor pull at 2 and the Lions Club duck race at 3:17.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Knights of Columbus on Saturday from 10-2.

 

The Rantoul Rotary District 6490 will hold an Installation Event and Business Expo on the former Chanute Air Force Base on Saturday. The expo will run from 10-4 with the installation happening at 4:30pm.

 

The 2025 Mahomet Soda Fest will take place on Saturday from 10-6.

 

The 2025 Crescent City Festival  starts today and runs through Sunday.