(Champaign–jc)  Rescue crews are at the scene of a rollover accident along Interstate 74 near the Interstate 57 exchange this morning. State police say a semi accident in the eastbound lanes near mile post 179 occurred around 3-30 this morning. Traffic is down to one lane in the area. Clean up and removal of the semi is expected to take several hours. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is making holiday travel a little easier. IDOT will open certain lanes across the state that were closed for construction.  Non-emergency closures will reopen from 3 p.m. Wednesday to midnight on Sunday. Some incomplete projects, like parts of the I-57 and I-72 interchange in Champaign, will remain closed.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) — Make sure to keep the Thanksgiving meal delicious and safe. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the tips…

 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  The federal government has again released SNAP benefits to those on the program locally, around the state and nation. There has been some issues with some in the program. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says more reorganization is needed…

 

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's assistance in an aggravated battery investigation following a shooting on November 17. At approximately 2:35 a.m., Champaign Police responded to a report of a shooting with injuries in the 700 block of North Elm Street. Officers found a resident with multiple potentially life-threatening leg injuries. The victim, who was answering a late-night knock at the door when someone opened fire, remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Police urge anyone with surveillance cameras to review footage for suspicious activity in the area.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  – Christmas in the village of Rantoul activities are set for Saturday December 6th. Rantoul Recreation Department officials say the event starts at 3pm in downtown Rantoul and the parade steps off at 5pm says Rantoul Recreation Specialist Phoenix LaCombe…

   

Rantoul Recreation Department Specialist Phoenix LaCombe

 

(Urbana–jc)  Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer is releasing the name of an individual who has died as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash in rural Champaign, on Saturday. 85 year old  Richard L. Dean,of Monticello,  was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday night just past 11.   An autopsy has been scheduled for this week and the circumstances surrounding this crash is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police. 

 

Chicago, IL – Monday, the Illinois Commerce Commission cut 146 point 5 Millions dollars from Northern Illinois Gas Company’s  rate request for its natural gas delivery services. The decision reduces Nicor’s initial 314 million dollar request by nearly 47 percent and approves a 9.60 percent return on equity The ICC issued its decision after closely scrutinizing Nicor’s filings, along with additional materials submitted by the utility, consumer advocates, The rate case process is designed to ensure that utilities receive the necessary funds to provide safe and reliable service at a reasonable cost to ratepayers. 

 

(Chicago-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker said he is willing to consider changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act after a man with a lengthy criminal record was charged with setting a passenger on fire aboard a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train. The attack occurred on November 17th, when authorities say 50-year-old Lawrence Reed doused a 26-year-old woman with gasoline and ignited her. The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. Federal prosecutors charged Reed with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system, a rare charge that carries a potential life sentence. Court records show Reed has been arrested dozens of times over the past two decades. Speaking at an unrelated event in Skokie, Pritzker defended the SAFE-T Act’s elimination of cash bail, saying the law was designed to give judges discretion to detain defendants who pose a danger to the public. Republican lawmakers have repeatedly called for repeal or significant amendments, describing the current system as “catch-and-release.” The Blue Line attack drew national attention, with President Donald Trump criticizing Illinois’ cashless bail system during recent remarks in Washington.

 

(Paxton–jc)  It’s Officially Christmas time in the city of Paxton. Paxton City Workers along with help from workers from E I E C put up the city's Christmas tree Monday morning. This year’s tree was donated by the Adam Johnson family. The tree will be lit on Friday night at 7 and the annual city of Paxton Christmas parade is set for 1-30 on Saturday afternoon. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade live, for the 41st straight year.

 

(Undated-jm) – Millions will be traveling this week for Thanksgiving, which is expected to be the busiest travel period in 15 years. With all the extra people on the road, AAA says that 81 million travelers will venture at least 50 miles from home between today and Sunday. Law enforcement officials remind people to wear their seatbelts, don’t text and drive and no drinking and driving.

 

(Washington–jc)  –Got Milk? Those with the U S D A are looking into the production forecasts for the holidays and into 20-26. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski has the numbers

 

 

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski

 

(Sidney-jm) – The suspect accused of robbing a bank in Sidney yesterday has been arrested following a chase in Champaign. Deputies from the Champaign County Sheriff’s office responded to the Longview Bank in Sidney around 1:45 p.m. They said that during the robbery, a male suspect handed a note to a bank employee and later fled the scene in his vehicle with an unknown amount of money. The suspect, identified as 32 year old Caleb Estabrook, of the bank robbery was arrested after a crash in Champaign. The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. at Goldenview Drive and John Street, and it resulted in the suspect’s car flipping into a lawn. Illinois State Police said they responded to the scene to handle a two-unit crash involving a police vehicle following a pursuit in Champaign County. A passenger in the vehicle, the sheriff’s deputy and a juvenile in the home were taken to the hospital. Estabrook is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding and armed robbery.

 

(Bloomington-jm) – The Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington announced that Delta has added a third daily nonstop flight to meet travel demand for Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This service is available starting March 8, 2026. The new mid-day flight will depart Bloomington at noon and is scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 2:48 p.m. local time.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The Paxton Christmas Parade Committee has been busy planning for this Saturday’s  event. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Christmas.” Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Mertes says the entries continue to grow and the parade will see a variety of entries…

 

 

Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Mertes 

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The upcoming Kaler Science Lecture at Parkland’s Staerkel Planetarium will feature a discussion on space weather. On Friday, December 5 at 7 p.m., University of Illinois Professor Dr. Lara Waldrop will present a talk about the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory mission, designed to observe the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere, the exosphere. This region of Earth’s exosphere was first photographed by a telescope brought to the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. That telescope was built by George Carruthers, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  alumnus 

 

(Springfield–jc) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker  has signed legislation to allow electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to exceed posted weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds.Opponents said House Bill 2394 will allow heavy electric and hydrogen trucks to rip up the roads without contributing their fair share to the road fund. The new law takes effect June 1, 2026.

 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Hairbangers Ball on  Wednesday, November 26th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.

 

Ridgeland will perform at Murdocks in Loda on Wednesday, November 26th at 8pm.

 

Paxton’s annual tree-lighting ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday, November 28, at the intersection of State and Market streets.

 

Cissna Park’s Small Town Christmas will take place Friday, November 28th and Saturday November 29th. On Friday night it's the tree lighting and christmas carols at 6 pm and live size candyland at 6:30. On Saturday, it's meet and greet with Santa from 10-2, craft show from 10-3, horse drawn carriage rides around the park from 11-3 and a lighted Christmas parade at 5.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their final cookout of the season benefiting the Panther Paw Wrestling Club on Saturday, November 29th from 10-2.

 

Paxton’s annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by PRIDE in Paxton, is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 29th on Market Street in downtown Paxton. The theme for this year’s parade is “Once Upon a Christmas.”

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host Whiskey Friends- The Morgan Wallen Experience on Saturday, November 29th at 8:30 pm.