(Undated-jm) — Severe weather ripped through Illinois Tuesday. In the Chicagoland area storms brought winds gusting over 100 mph. Here in east central Illinois, thunderstorms brought hail to the size of quarters in Roberts and pea size in Paxton. A possible tornado was reported near Lodge in Piatt County and Seymour in Champaign County. More severe weather is in the forecast for today and tomorrow across east central Illinois.
(Champaign–jc) The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a multi-family apartment building in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive just before 8 last night. Fire crews quickly extinguished this fire. Once on the scene, firefighters reported moderate smoke coming from a first-floor unit and roof. Multiple hose lines were extended to fight this fire that originated in a first-floor kitchen. The cause of this fire is not determined as investigators remain on scene conducting their investigation. No injuries were reported
(McLean County-jm) – A McLean County Sheriff’s Office employee is behind bars on charges of possessing child sex abuse materials. Trent Arbuckle was booked at the Champaign County Jail for possessing child pornography. Arbuckle is a control room supervisor for the McLean County Jail and former correctional officer. He’s charged with two counts of possessing child pornography depicting a victim under the age of 13.
(Washington–jc) What does the corn crop look like as we head into mid-August? U-S-DA meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over the latest silking, doeing, and denting progress for the area state and nation…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Champaign-jm) – A person had to be rescued after their car crashed into a retention pond in Champaign Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Prospect Avenue near Marketview Drive. The accident is still under investigation. The driver was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
(Paxton–jc) – A proposed solar farm project was one subject at the city council meeting last night. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the project would be placed on Paxton’s west side near Interstate 57…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Danville–jc) It’s been a year of wild prices in agriculture. As farmers look toward harvest, Vermilion County Farm Bureau is holding a program to provide them with timely information on commodity and input prices along with elevator facility plans for this fall. The Market Outlook Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 19th . Biscuits and Gravy will be served at 9:00 am with the program beginning at 9:30 am in the Farm Bureau Auditorium, 1905 U.S. Route 150 west of Danville.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s a big day on Sunday at the local Rantoul Sports Complex with youth football. The Central Illinois Youth Football league has its Jamboree set for Sunday in Rantoul. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says its games, families and football on August 16th at the complex…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton. Teams from Rantoul, St Joseph, Danville, Champaign-Urbana and Decatur participate in the local league.
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says local taxing bodies should stop raising property taxes, because the state is putting more money into education.
The governor discussed rising education spending and rising property taxes when he spoke at the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable this week. This June, the governor said his administration increased spending on K-through-12 education by almost 3 billion dollars. The current Illinois budget is just under 56 Billion dollars, up from 38 Billion dollars in 20-19 Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey says Illinois has a spending problem and property taxes are out of control. Iowa and Indians both have capped property taxes at one percent Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett said sky-high property taxes are crushing Illinoisans and must be lowered.
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker has proposed bills that would repeal the state’s social media platform fee and targeted advertising services act.
93rd District State Representative Travis Weaver, Republican from Peoria, filed House Bills 5806 and 5807. The tax and fee measures were part of the state revenue package signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in June.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Realtors Association has officially launched a program to help local governments accelerate development of new housing. The Illinois housing supply accelerator program will allow realtors to work directly with mayors, county leaders, planners and housing stakeholders to remove barriers that delay home construction.
(Springfield-jm) – A new law will expand access to suicide prevention services in Illinois. Lawmakers and advocates want people to know where they can turn during a crisis. The law requires 988 information to be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, hospitals, universities and nursing homes. It also expands mental health education for students in grades 6 through 12.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Buckley Loda School year starts on August 17th. The district has a new superintendent. He is Eric Bohm. Superintendent Bohm says he continues to meet with staff and personnel in the district as they prepare for the first day of classes…
Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm
(Champaign–jc) The 20-26 Asphalt Street Improvements program starts on Wednesday morning in Champaign. Work will start tomorrow in the Turnberry Ridge Subdivision. This project will take around 4 weeks to complete.
(Rantoul–jc) Village of Rantoul voters will be asked their opinion on cannabis business operations to potentially be located in village limits. An advisory referendum will be on the November 3rd ballot says Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Urbana–jc) Grammy Award-winning duo Sugarland announced The Ride or Die Tour, a 26-city U.S. tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of Enjoy the Ride, the landmark album that cemented Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush as one of music's most beloved duos. Kicking off October 1 in St. Augustine, FL, the tour will travel across the country, with a stop in Champaign before wrapping November 21 in Dallas, TX. The dates will deliver a dynamic, high-energy live experience featuring the band’s extensive catalog from the last 20+ years, from hit singles to fan favorites.
(Washington–jc) What does the soybean crop look like as we head into mid-August? U-S-DA meteorologist Brad Rippey talks beans…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad rippey
(Cissna Park–jc) The annual Old Settlers Celebration is set for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in downtown Cissna Park. The event has been held since 1887. The Cissna Park American Legion 527 took over in 1946.Cissna Park American Legion Spokesperson Dick Swing says it’s all about “community” this weekend in Cissna Park…
Cissna Park American legion Spokesperson Dick Swing. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Saturday at noon for the annual parade.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says applications are now being accepted for the 2026 upland game hunting permit lottery and the controlled pheasant hunting program. The free upland game hunting permit program offers lottery-assigned, no-cost hunting opportunities for wild upland game, including bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants and cottontail rabbits.
The controlled pheasant hunting program is a fee-based program that offers opportunities to hunt pen-reared ring-necked pheasants released at participating state sites.
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed three bills he says will keep Illinois children from falling through the cracks in systems that are meant to support them.
Senate Bill 3196 requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to consult with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to develop transition planning rules for youth aging out of foster care.
Senate Bill 3510 strengthens child abuse investigation protocols and expands data sharing amongst law enforcement and medical professionals.
House Bill 4534 reinforces professional boundaries between educators and students, increases transparency regarding school misconduct policies and defines grooming as a form of abuse. All three bills take effect Jan. 1
(Springfield–jc) It’s Butter time at the Illinois State Fair. The annual fair officially starts tomorrow, but Illinois governor J B Pritzker will be in attendance as fair officials unveil the “butter cow” at 3 this afternoon.
WPXN News notes…
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on today from 8-9 am at the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The Cissna Park Fire Department will hold a community safety day on Thursday, August 13th from 10-2 at the Cissna Park Fire Station.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, August 14th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The PBL High School Athletic Boosters Pork Chop Kick Off will take place on Friday, August 14th at 5pm.
The Rantoul Paxton VFW will hold their cash bash fundraiser on Saturday, August 15th from 3-5pm at the VFW post located at 675 North Ohio Street in Rantoul.
The 2026 Gibson Area Hospital Summer Bash is set for Saturday, August 15th with Rick Springfield and Night Ranger performing.
Tickets are available for just ten dollars.
