(Undated-jm) – Significant severe weather including intense long track tornadoes and destructive winds are possible across the WPXN listening area today. The National Weather Service has the area under a level 4 out of 5 for the dangerous storms. Two rounds of weather are expected. A round that is expected later this morning into the early afternoon and then a larger, more severe and impactful round this evening.
(Springfield–jc) Reaction from Republicans in Springfield after Illinois Governor J B Pritzker signed a record high 55 point 9 Billion dollar budget on Tuesday. Dean Abbott reports from the capitol…
(Rantoul-jm) – A 19-year-old was taken to the hospital after being shot in Rantoul Tuesday afternoon. The Rantoul Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Juniper Drive around 2:30 p.m. after a caller reported that someone had been shot. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 19-year-old male victim who had been shot in the leg. He was taken to an area hospital but is expected to be okay.
(Rantoul–jc) The village of Rantoul is systematically upgrade water wells for the Water treatment plant in the village. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says well number 10 is the next to get the upgrade…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help wrongfully convicted people receive more compensation from the state. There have been roughly 600 exonerations in Illinois since 1989, but current laws have led to inconsistent and inadequate compensation for exonerees. This plan could provide exonerees up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, including time spent in pretrial detention or a juvenile detention facility before exoneration. The legislation also states that people should receive $25,000 for each year they wrongfully spent on probation, parole or the sex offender registry.
(Melvin–jc) The first concert was a success at the Ford County Fair in Melvin this past Saturday. The fair continues today through Saturday with a Little Miss and Little Mister contest at 5-30 today and a talent show tonight at 7. Ford County Fair Spokesperson Diane Perkins says a second concert is set for Friday night with the national cover band–Resurrection…
Ford County Fair Spokesperson Diane Perkins
(Champaign–jc) One teenager is dead and another is in critical condition after a shooting Monday night in Champaign. In updating our story, Authorities say officers responded to the shooting around 9-30 Monday night in the area of North McKinley and Paula Avenue Upon arrival, officers found two teenagers with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to local hospitals, where a 16 year old succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
(Buckley–jc) Buckley Fun day is set for Saturday in the southern Iroquois County town. Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster says the day begins with a fishing derby and bake sale…
Buckley Fun Day Spokesperson Denise Forrster. WPXN will be stopping by live Saturday morning as part of our Summer Fun Tour 20-26.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it is accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs from July 1 through August 1.
The habitat programs are intended to enhance the natural environment for pheasant and wildlife through projects developed by not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities for conservation. Grant funding comes from the sale of habitat stamps.
(Springfield-jm) – A federal lawsuit filed last week seeks to block an Illinois law allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients end their own lives ahead of its Sept. 12 effective date. The complaint, brought by medical advocacy groups, an Illinois-based physician and two disabled Illinoisans, claims the law discriminates against people with disabilities and lacks significant safeguards or oversight, violating due process and equal protection. The End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, or EOLA, will allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to a terminal patient if they meet certain qualifications and make two oral requests at least five days apart. The law was passed in October 2025 and signed by the governor in December.
(Melvin–jc) The newly crowned Miss Ford County Fair 20-26 is Londyn Roderick from Gibson City. Rodderick talks about the amount of time spent in practices and preparation to compete in the queen pageant…
She is a senior at Gibson City Melvin Sibley High School…
Miss Ford County Fair Queen 20-26 Londyn Rodeick of Gibson City
(McLean County-jm) – The McLean County Board has approved 13 rules for future data centers, now making the county one of the most restrictive in the state. The regulations include noise limitations, landscaping screens, water source and limitations, battery capacities, and more. Applicants will also have to provide the board with information on anticipated impacts, electricity usage, and a decommissioning plan.
(Paxton-jm) – A new lawsuit has been filed against a Paxton-Buckley-Loda teacher and former coach who was previously accused of sexual misconduct by former students. This marks the fourth civil lawsuit against Rob Pacey, and the sixth accusation of misconduct. The PBL school district hired a consultant last August to investigate allegations made in June 2025, determining that the teacher did not violate the district's Title IX policies. The lawsuits also accused district staff members of failing to act despite at least 22 reports of misconduct against the teacher.
(Paxton–jc) The annual City of Paxton Swine and Dine is set for September 19 in the downtown area of the city. The city of Paxton is helping with the popular event with a 15 thousand dollar donation. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the event is growing and “judging” is being done by those trained for the chicken and ribs categories…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign–jc) All lanes of Interstate 57 northbound near mile marker 222 were closed for several hours yesterday morning. An overturned semi in the northbound lanes was the cause for delays. Traffic was re-routed around the accident scene til around noon. Traffic is back to normal this morning.
(Kempton–jc) The Ford County Republican Party is planning their quarterly breakfast event for Saturday July 11th in Kempton. Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson Tom Bennett says the subjects covered are those effecting residents of Ford County…
Ford County Republican Party Spokesperson Tom Bennett. The event is free to attend.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a 55-point-Nine Billion state budget for fiscal year 2027, with tens of millions of dollars included for non-governmental organizations.The governor placed his signature on the new spending plan in Chicago on Tuesday, calling it his eighth straight balanced budget. The revenue plan imposes new taxes on digital advertising, digital assets, fantasy sports and prediction contests, places new limits on income tax carryover deductions, creates a social media platform fee and raises environmental filing fees and the retail tire tax. This is the biggest budget in the history of the state of Illinois.
WPXN News notes…
The 100th annual Ford County Fair will take place through the 20th at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Today and tomorrow Illiana truck and tractor pulls at 6:30. On the 19th its Journey Tribute Band Resurrection at 7:30. On the 20th its the Demolition Derby at 6:30pm.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Thursday, June 18th from 11:30-5:30.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 19th with New Souls performing in downtown from 6-9pm.
The 2026 Buckley Fun Day will take place on Saturday, June 20th with the ladies aid bake sale and sportsmans club fishing derby at 9 am, tractor show from 10-2, golfing into the lake and kids inflatables from 11-2, CLHS food stand at 11 am, 4-H coloring contest 11-noon, tractor parade at noon, bingo from 1-2, kids tractor pull at 2 and the Lions Club Duck Race at 3:17pm.
The 2026 Fisher Blues, Brews and BBQ festival will take place on Saturday, June 20th from 11am-10pm.
The 27th annual Rankin Lions Club Truck and Tractor Pull will take place on Friday, June 26th at 6pm at Centennial Park.
