(Rantoul-jm) – Police are investigating after a 19-year-old man shot a gun outside of a Walmart in Rantoul Saturday afternoon. The Rantoul Police Department responded to a possible active shooter call at the Walmart on Broadmeadow Road around 1:30 p.m. When officers arrived, it was clarified that a person had shot a gun at a vehicle outside the building. After talking to witnesses, police arrested 19-year-old McKinley Brown. Officers found the gun hidden nearby. Police said nobody was hurt and there was no property damage. Brown was taken to the Champaign County Jail on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of a stolen firearm.
(The Center Square) – A Republican congresswoman from Illinois is looking to enforce federal Commercial Drivers License requirements by withholding federal funds from states that aren’t compliant. Data provided by Illinois State Police shows nearly 1 in 5 CDL holders with English Language Proficiency infractions have licenses issued by the state of Illinois. U.S. Representative. Mary Miller, Republican from Oakland, said she’s done her own sampling.
U.S. Representative . Mary Miller, Republican from- Oakland
(Gifford-jm) – A two-story home in Gifford is a total loss after a fire on Saturday. Gifford fire firefighters responded to a home on 3500 North after reports of smoke coming from the roof. While Gifford Fire Protection District was on the way to the scene, the fire was upgraded, and firefighters from Rantoul, Ludlow and Potomac were called to assist. Once the crews arrived, they requested additional help from Paxton and Thomasboro firefighters.
(Paxton–jc) – During the month of December, WPXN news will be featuring local businesses and items and events they offer for the Christmas holiday. One local business has Christmas ideas more than just hardware. Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen says he offers items for kids like radio flyer wagons, ball gloves and more…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Store Owner Scott Allen
(Champaign–jc) Champaign Urbana Public Health District board members will look to approve some job descriptions for the local health district when they meet on Wednesday. Approving the updated retail food program ordinance is also a topic for the meeting. Several project bids are also agenda items. The Champaign Urbana Public Health District board meets on Wednesday at 5pm in the conference room on Kenyon Avenue in Urbana
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate in August was 4.7%, down slightly from July but higher than the national rate of 4.5%. According to the Illinois Policy Institute, only 5,900 jobs were created in Illinois from August 2024 to August 2025. The biggest gains came from private education and health services, which added 18,600 positions.
(Springtfield–jc) –According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 93.2% of all Illinois farms are family owned, ranking Illinois 39th in the U.S. for family-owned farm share. Farm Flavor researchers found that the state’s 66,296 family-owned farms collectively generate more than $25 billion of the nation’s nearly $600 billion in total agricultural output each year.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Fire Department unveiled a new firetruck during the town's Christmas parade Saturday. Engine/Tanker 322 was just delivered from the manufacturer in Wisconsin Friday evening. The new truck was several years in the making.
(USDA–dm)-USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at drought coverage for the nation's winter wheat growing areas for the period ending December 2.
(Granite City–dm)-U.S. Steel says customer demand has driven the company to begin the process of restarting one of two blast furnaces at Granite City Works. U.S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt said in a statement that the company is confident in its ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand. The Granite City reopening comes after President Donald Trump’s administration agreed to a merger deal between U.S. Steel and Nippon earlier this year.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul Township High School board members will look to purchase some security cameras for the high school when they meet tonight. The local board is also expected to adopt the tax levy for property owners payable in 20-26. The board will also recognize the Rantoul High School student of the month with Aubreyanna Thompson. The Rantoul Township High School board meets at 6pm on Monday night at the high school
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2025 Gold Star Christmas tree lighting is set to take place this afternoon at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield. The tree, dedicated to Illinois heroes who lost their lives in combat, will be decorated by Gold Star families attending the event. The program featuring IDVA Director Terry Prince and Major General Rodney Boyd, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
WPXN News notes…
The Lettermen will be doing a Christmas show at Monticello High School on Tuesday, December 9th.
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Jingle Mingle event for its members is Wednesday, December 10. To end the year — and as a “thank you” — the chamber invites its members to this holiday party, which features food, drinks and fun on the third floor of the Clark Building in downtown Paxton. There will be a white-elephant gift exchange. Invitations will be sent to chamber members.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday, December 18th from 4:30-6:30 pm. Dinner includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Cost is $11 for adults, $6 for kids 6-13. Deliveries available in town by calling 217-379-0349.
The St. Joseph Stanton Fire Department will hold their Holly Jolly Christmas breakfast on Saturday, December 13th with a pancake breakfast from 7-10 am, Santa arrives at 10 am. Other activities include a hot cacao bar, letters to Santa, cookie decorating and more.
The Rantoul Recreation Department will host a breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 13th from 8-10 at the Rantoul Youth Center.
Cindy’s Roadside Cafe in Buckley will hold cookies and hot cocoa with Santa on Saturday, December 13th at 11 am.
