(Chicago-jm) – Chicago community leaders forged ahead Wednesday with preparations for the influx of National Guard troops and immigration agents the city is expecting, advising residents about their rights and organizing protests with fresh urgency. Details about the operation are scant, but President Donald Trump has amped up the rhetoric about crime in the nation’s third-largest city, saying an immigration crackdown and National Guard deployment are planned despite the objections of local leaders. Trump hasn't given a timeline for the Chicago operation, and he muddied the outlook again on Wednesday by suggesting New Orleans as the next possible location.
(Washington-jm) – Three Democratic candidates are vying to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin. One of those is Representative Robin Kelly, whose district extends from the southeast side of Chicago to all of Iroquois, most of Ford, the northern half of Vermilion and the northern third of Champaign Counties. Kelly says one of her focuses during her time in office has been around healthcare related issues. She was asked during an interview with Capitol News Illinois, about ideas she has to reduce healthcare costs to constituents around the state…
U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Her opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.
(Decatur-jm) – Two years after an explosion ripped through ADM’s Decatur facility, one of the employees hurt in that explosion is suing the company, alleging it is responsible for the blast and the injuries he suffered. The 13-page lawsuit was filed by Springfield-based attorney Timothy Shay, on behalf of production technician Kaleb Ogilvie. Ogilvie was working in the East Plant of the ADM facility when the explosion happened on September 10, 2023, hurting him and seven others. The lawsuit says Ogilvie was severely burned and battered by the blast. He suffered “grievous and life-threatening injuries” that included skull fractures; “advanced degree” burns to his face, eyes, torso and arms; and inhalation injuries to his lungs. He was in a medically induced coma for weeks after the explosion. Just weeks before the two-year anniversary of the event, Ogilvie and Shay filed suit against ADM, saying the company is responsible for causing the blast by ignoring federal safety regulations concerning hazardous materials.
(Springfield–jc) 8 people were killed and 50 others wounded over the labor day holiday in Chicago. Safety continues to be a key issue, not only in Chicago, but the effect over the entire state. Dean Abbott has more…
(Edwardsville-jm) – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is experiencing a significant boost in enrollment despite shifting demographics and heightened competition for new students. The university's fall 2025 undergraduate degree-seeking enrollment rose by 5.7%, contributing to an overall enrollment increase of 7.7%, bringing the total to 12,813 students. This figure includes continuing, first-time, transfer, and early college students. First-time, first-year student enrollment reached 1,826, marking a 19% increase from 2024 and the second-largest total since 2016. New transfer student enrollment also climbed to a six-year high of 1,165 students, a 20% increase compared to fall 2024. The Schools of Nursing, Engineering, and Business reported the most significant growth in enrollment.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s September and that means Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch is open for another late summer and fall run of activities. Hardy’s features, of course, the reindeer, but also cart rides, a paintball gallery, hay rides, pumpkins to concessions and a gift shop. Hardy’s Co owner Mark Hardy says the maze is called…”Reindeer games”...
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch co Owner Mark Hardy. Hardy’s is located just west of rantoul near U S Route 136
(Paxton–jc) It was a water main issue that closed a portion of south Market Street in Paxton on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. City of Paxton workers were on the scene from 10pm Tuesday night til around 6am on Wednesday morning, fixing the problem. Traffic through the area is back to normal
(Springfield–jc0 – The Illinois State Board of Education is inviting school leaders, teachers, parents and community advocates to testify at Fiscal Year 2027 budget meetings scheduled this fall. ISBE says testimony at past hearings led to increased investments in evidence-based funding, career technical education and more.
The first meeting is scheduled for September 30th, in Springfield, and virtual meetings are scheduled October 16th and 21st.
(Springfield-jm) – A federal appeals court has approved Illinois' ban on carrying firearms on public transit, reversing a lower court decision that found the prohibition violated the Second Amendment. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals delivered its opinion. Judge Joshua Kolar wrote in the majority opinion for a three-judge panel that the Illinois restriction “is comfortably situated in a centuries-old practice of limiting firearms in sensitive and crowded, confined places.” In August 2024, the Rockford-based U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled in favor of four plaintiffs who argued that prohibiting guns on public buses and trains was unconstitutional. It relied on a pivotal 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Bruen that decreed that restrictions on carrying guns in public must be “relevantly similar,” or consistent, with conditions that existed in the late 18th century when the Bill of Rights was composed. It said there were no analogous conditions that justified the transit ban.
(Gibson City–jc) Rural economic development officials from Western Illinois University were in Gibson City yesterday, as the Ford County city looks at ways to bring new business, hold festivals and bring a better quality of life to the Ford County town. The city of Paxton has used similar resources for rural economic development through W-I-U with the lead of Giselle Hamm. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says Gibson City will add to the bright future of the Ford County area…
Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. The meetings will continue on Wednesday evenings through the first week of October.
(Champaign-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is urging residents of Central Illinois to unite in the fight against hunger as part of Hunger Action Month this September. Partnering with Feeding America, the food bank aims to provide meals to those in need. This September marks the 18th year that Feeding America has launched this call to action. Residents are encouraged to visit the Eastern Illinois Foodbank's website to learn how they can volunteer or donate.
(Washington–jc) – September is here and that means farmers are that much closer to the fall harvest of corn and soybeans. U S D A meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at some crop conditions, heading into harvest…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Livingston County–jc) – A Nebraska man is facing charges after Illinois State Police experienced their tenth Move Over Law-related crash of 2025. State police say a trooper escaped without injury when his vehicle was struck on Interstate 55 in Livingston County Tuesday morning. Samuel Gomez, 59, was charged with Driving Too Fast for Conditions, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and a Scott’s Law/Move Over Law violation.
(Clinton–jc) – The 57th annual Apple ‘n Pork Festival will take place September 27 & 28, from 9am- 5pm both days,, at the C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum in Clinton. The festival, which began with a pot of soup and a stack of sandwiches, has grown to be one of downstate Illinois’ most popular festivals. Today, the festival offers more than 25 booths featuring numerous types of old-fashioned, harvest-time, apple and pork foods; tours a fine art show; a flea market with more than 300 booths;an antique tractor show and more. For more information, go to www.c-h-moore-homestead-dot-org
WPXN News notes…
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 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 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.
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.
