(Chicago-jm) – The pending showdown between the Pritzker and Trump administrations over immigration enforcement and National Guard deployment will come to a head this week. Governor Pritzker says the Illinois State Police received word over the weekend that ICE enforcement will be beefed up this week. Pritzker went on to say he believes the National Guard may be staging at Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County. The Texas National Guard may also be preparing to come to Illinois. He said the state will go to court to stop the deployment of troops, and also urged residents to film ICE activities and provide the video to the news media. Downstate GOP lawmakers like Representative Chris Miller of Oakland in Coles County said the Governor should welcome troops. Miller went on to call Pritzker a "petty tinpot tyrant."
(Ogden–jc) State police were called to an accident in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 74 near Ogden last night. The accident happened just after 9pm near the Champaign and Vermilion County line. Traffic in the east bound lanes were slowed to one lane for several hours. No other information was provided by State Police
(Springfield–jc) Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says increased K-12 spending during his administration is producing results. One potential competitor says the state should be doing much better. Governor Pritzker says the state has invested more into Illinois schools than ever before. That increase makes the investment in students at 2 point 8 Billion dollars…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. One potential gubernatorial candidate differs on the outcomes for education. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski says the reading at grade level rates are horrible…
Illinois Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski
(Champaign-jm) – Officers with the Champaign Police Department responded to Champaign’s Amtrak Station on Monday for a report that a man had battered multiple employees. It happened around 7:10 p.m. The Champaign Police Department said after the battery took place, the man, later identified as 22-year-old Preston J. Powe, boarded a train. Before it left the station however, the man was identified and arrested for battery.
(Paxton–jc) Traffic is being re routed through a portion of route 9 in Paxton this morning. Authorities are on scene. No other information was available. Please note the area and drive with extra caution through the city of Paxton on South Market street this morning
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for help from the public in finding the people who broke into a car, stole the victim’s credit/debit cards and then tried to use them at a store. Officials stated that these crimes occurred on August 18. Between 9:00 and 11:30 a.m., someone broke into a car parked in Lot F31 on the University of Illinois campus, located near St. Mary’s Road and Lincoln Avenue in Urbana. After stealing the victim’s credit/debit cards out of the car, the burglar(s) then went to Champaign’s Target on Prospect Avenue. They tried to use the cards to make $1,450 worth of purchases, officials said.
(Springfield–jc) What is the role of Artificial Intelligence or A-I in teaching at the community college level. WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the story…
(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have increased by 0.6 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.49 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations across the state. Prices are 5.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but remain 12.3 cents per gallon lower than this time last year.
(Chicago-jm) – President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to Chicago and Baltimore, despite local officials in both places opposing such moves. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office if he had decided to send National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added. “I didn’t say when.” Trump said he’d like Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to call him and say “send in the troops.” Pritzker has opposed the move.
(Springfield–jc) – Some republicans in Springfield believe there is momentum to repeal some portions of the Illinois Safety Act law that was enacted in the state by the democrat majority in Springfield. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema says the current no cash bail system is failing law enforcement, those in the judicial system and citizens of the state of Illinois. He is proposing changes…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Hoopeston-jm) – Teasdale Latin Foods in Hoopeston has announced a significant agreement with BCTGM Local 1, the Grain Millers Union, marking a pivotal step forward for the company, its employees, and the local community. The agreement, reached on August 29, includes an immediate 5% wage increase and a cumulative 17% increase over the four-year term, along with 40 additional hours of paid time off annually.
(Roberts–jc) The 4th Annual Flessner Fall Fest is set for Saturday September 13th in Roberts. The event is for Flessner brothers Mason and Dawson affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mom and organizer Lindsey Flessner says a lot of activities are planned for the Roberts village gym and park area…
4th Annual Flessner Fall Fest Organizer Lindsey Flessner. The public is invited to attend to help find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
(Champaign-jm) – First responders are at Champaign’s Black Dog, located at 320 N. Chestnut St. after a fire broke out Tuesday afternoon. Black Dog was open for business when the fire began, but no injuries were reported. The roof caught fire just before 1 p.m. The cause was an accidental cooking fire. When crews arrived on scene, they noticed moderate smoke and fire coming from the back of the building. They quickly used multiple hose lines and were able to quickly put the fire out before it extended into the restaurant.
(Washington–jc) – What are the weather trends for a potential La Nina this fall and winter. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City community is putting together an Economic Development Committee. Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey started the group in November of 20-24 and now the Greater Gibson Area Economic Alliance is set to meet today in the city. Matthew Burns has been hired as a full time Executive Director. The group will be meeting with Western Illinois University’s Giselle Hamm. Hamm is the program director for Rural Affairs. The meeting is set for GIbson City Melvin Sibley High School and starts at 4-30pm today.
WPXN News Notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their family dinner on Friday, September 5th from 5-7pm. Cost is $15 and includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and 2 sides.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Loda Sons of the American Legion on Saturday, September 6th from 10-2.
The Upper Room Bible Church in Paxton will hold a neighborhood block party on Saturday, September 6th from noon to 4pm. Activities include food, live music and games.
The Illinois & Indiana Firefighters Association’s annual 9/11 Memorial Ride will be held Sunday, September 7th. Local stops include Rossville at 11:32 a.m., Hoopeston at noon, Rankin at 12:10 p.m., Paxton at 12:21 p.m, Ludlow at 1:37 p.m., Rantoul at 1:51 p.m., Gifford at 2 p.m., Penfield at 2:05 p.m., Armstrong at 2:10 p.m. and Potomac at 2:13 p.m.For more information, people can call Dan Hudson at 217-474-5177 or Melissa Hudson at 217-663-9462.
PRIDE in Paxton will hold a 9/11 memorial event on Sunday, September 7th at 1pm at the Grand Old Flag.
Paxton’s Grace Baptist Church will host a special outdoor worship service in the pavilion at Pells Park in Paxton at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 7th, followed by a free cookout until 8:30 p.m.
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays Concert Series on Friday, September 5th at Veterans Square. The Brat Pack will perform hits from the 80s.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Night Supper on Friday, September 5th from 4:30–7 pm.
The Paxton Church of Christ will hold a 140th anniversary open house on Saturday, September 6th with bounce houses and games at 3, BBQ supper at 5, past ministers speaking at 6 and a free gospel concert at 7.
The Melvin Community Hall welcomes Dennis Stroughmatt and Band on Saturday, September 6th at 7pm. Doors open at 5:30. Cost is $10 for adults, kids 12 and under are free.
