(Undated-jm) – Gas prices continue to rise. GasBuddy says gas prices have gone up for the third straight week The statewide average is $4.23 a 10 cent jump from the previous week. The national average is $4.06 for gasoline and $5.26 for diesel.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Severe weather made its way through parts of the WPXN listening area Monday. Tennis ball sized hail was reported near Milford and Watseka. Two inch hail was reported near Hoopeston. A tornado also touched down on the northwest side of Hoopeston. Further north tornadoes were reported in the Chicagoland area.
The Center Square) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker joined multiple politicians from around the country Monday at the National Conference of State Legislatures for a discussion on political violence and toning down political rhetoric.
Illinois state Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, is the current NCSL president and began the event alongside Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon. Pritzker appeared on the conference’s opening panel alongside Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Pennsylvania Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Republican Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman.
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders will be talking about the aging sewer plant when they meet tonight at city hall. This past month, they approved some money for repairs at the facility says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold The public works committee meets at 6 Tonight on the second floor of city hall in downtown Paxton
(Paxton-jm) – A former Paxton pharmacist has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 30 months probation. Jenna Lee Vogel received the sentence in Ford County court Monday. She had been charged with possession with intent to deliver. Vogel had been the pharmacist at Doug’s Compounding Pharmacy before it closed.
(Melvin–jc) Two Rantoul residents will serve Champaign County as Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Fair Queen. They are Katelyn Graham as Miss Champaign County Fair Queen and her sister JoLyn Graham as Little Miss. They were crowned last night at the Champaign County fairgrounds on Coler in Urbana. Back in June, Londyn Roderrick of Gibson City was crowned the 20-26 Miss Ford County Fair Queen and she is looking forward to preparing for state competition in January 20-27…
20-26 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Londyn Roderick of Gibson City.
WPXN will be broadcasting live over the noon hour today at the Champaign County Fair with hopes of catching up with the newly crowned queens.
(Urbana–jc) The University of Illinois Board of Trustees Monday released the leadership profile for the system’s next president, formally launching the national search for the 21st leader of one of the country's premier public university systems.
The profile will guide the board of trustees, the search committee and the executive search firm as they accept applications and evaluate candidates from across the country and around the world. The board’s goal is to conclude the search by the end of the 2026 calendar year. The system’s next president will succeed Tim Killeen, who announced he will step down June 30 after more than a decade of transformative leadership.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Sports Complex has been busy during the month of July. Baseball and softball teams from around the area, state and midwest, have been involved in tournaments and more. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says several weekends saw 70 plus teams at the Rantoul Sports Complex…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton
(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed 76 bills into law. Some new laws were bipartisan and aimed at consumer and government transparency, while others brought minor technical changes and updates to current state law. Retailers will be prohibited from only offering store credit when accepting the return of an unopened and unused product is one new law that takes effect July 1, 2027 Local governments will be required to publish audit and financial reports online in another new law taking effect soon.
(Washington–jc) What are the trends in the latest cattle report. U-S-D-A livestock analyst Anthony Fischer has the numbers…
U-S-D-A livestock analyst Anthony Fischer
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crimestoppers are asking for the public's help in solving a case involving a stolen purse. It happened on July 14th at the Dollar General on North Cunningham Avenue in Urbana. Police say a customer mislaid her purse in the store and another woman stole it and its contents. The suspect was recorded on store security cameras. She’s described as black, approximately 30 years of age, wearing a black hair bonnet, blue t shirt and black sweatpants. She was also holding an approximately 6 month old infant. The suspect left in a white four door Dodge Ram. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul police union and the village of Rantoul have a new three year deal. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says it is a new deal that benefits the community of Rantoul and its officers…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
WATSEKA, Ill. — Moranda "Mo" Matheson, M-S-N, M-B-A, R-N, nurse educator at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, has been named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation's 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders.
The annual award recognizes 40 nurses younger than 40 from across Illinois who have demonstrated leadership and professional achievement in clinical practice, education, advocacy, research, innovation, service and leadership.Matheson joined Iroquois Memorial Hospital in July 2025 and has led several initiatives to strengthen nursing education and workforce development.
(Ford County–dm)-It’s that time of year when Ford County property taxes are due. Ford County Treasurer Taylor Burnett tells us when the first installment is due, and where you can make your payment.
Ford County Treasurer Taylor Burnett
(Chicago–jc) – The National Conference of State Legislatures is holding its 2026 Legislative Summit in Chicago this week. The bipartisan gathering of lawmakers and staff includes sessions on midterm elections, redistricting, tariff impacts, data centers, prediction markets and more. The event runs through Wednesday.
(The Center Square) – The White House and a bipartisan group of governors want significant changes made to how the nation’s largest power grid is managed, including more say from state officials and less from energy suppliers and plant owners. A conference between P-J-M, which operates a grid between Pennsylvania and the greater Chicagoland area, and the Federal Energy Regulatory commission was held to discuss reforms. P-J-M leaders were questioned by federal regulators looking to address recurring and projected issues with the organization’s operation, including the looming risk of regular blackouts when capacity doesn’t meet demand.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, August 7th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
Paxton Main Street will hold their final First Friday concert series of the season on Friday, August 7th from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. The Back Paiges will perform. Paxton’s Resurrection Brass Band will open at 6:30.
Gibson City Cars and Coffee will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 7-9 am at the Longview Bank parking lot.
Shop the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9-1.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, August 12th from 8-9 am at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, August 14th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The 2026 Gibson Summer Bash on Saturday, August 15th with Rick Springfield and Night Ranger performing.
