(Undated–jc) A Flash Flood warning was issued this morning for parts of the WPXN listening area. Flooding has been reported in the Paxton area. Also State police say travel along Interstate 57 and also into the I-57 and I-74 corridor has some routes flooded at this time. Police say to take extra time on your commute this morning and be aware of flooded areas
(Undated-jm) – Severe weather hit parts of central Illinois for the fourth day in a row. Bloomington Normal was the hardest hit with trees and powerlines down throughout the city. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington lost part of its room while Carle BroMenn Medical Center lost power. Both facilities had to go on by pass. Rivian automotive reported damage as did Illinois State University. More severe weather is in the forecast for today.
(Washington–dm)-The second highest U.S. corn crop on record are among the notable news items within the Agriculture Department's latest Crop Production Report. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will host a series of events around the state to collect household hazardous waste. The events will provide people the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes at no cost. Local collection sites include August 22nd at the Interstate Center on the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington and September 26th in the southwest lot of the State Farm Center in Champaign. Accepted items include chemical cleaners, oil based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, weed killers, pesticides and other similar hazardous household products. Items not accepted include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, agriculture chemicals and business waste.
(Rantou–jc) One production company that calls Rantoul home continues to have a huge impact on its local community and area. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says Flyover Studios is always putting projects together, gathering talent and more…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Cissna Park–jc) The Old Settlers Talent Show was held last night in the park in Cissna Park Winners of the contest include.
Junior Division
Third Place- Lily Rogers- Cissna Park-Vocal Solo
Second Place-Isaac Heaton-Cissna Park-Piano Solo
First Place-Charity Kidwell and Olivia Hall-Loda-Vocal Duet with Guitar
Senior Division
Third Place- Andria Martinez-Gilman-Vocal Solo
Second Place-Addison Tipsord-Cissna Park-Vocal Solo
First Place-Paige Miller-Danforth-Vocal Solo
(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Springfield will partner with Parkland College as part of a program to help low income students transfer to four year universities. According to the U of I system the Transfer Drive program will have each of its three universities partner with an Illinois community college to provide students with support and financial assistance. The fall application deadline is Friday, October 2nd and the deadline for spring 2027 is Friday, February 12th. The program will begin accepting students this fall.
(Buckley–jc) Some tickets for a brand new 20-26 golf cart are available. Money raised helps support Christian education at Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley. Knight for Christ event spokesperson Larry Abbe says tickets are available at several places…
Buckley Christ Lutheran High School Knight for Christ Event Spokesperson Larry Abbe
(Springfield–jc) – According to a monthly briefing from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, state revenue increased 4 point 1 percent in July over the same month in 2025. The gains were driven by a 65 percent increase in corporate income tax collections and a near 13 percent increase in sales tax revenue.
(Undated-jm) – U-S Representative Robin Kelly is urging Governor J-B Pritzker to issue a state disaster proclamation and request a federal disaster declaration for areas impacted by recent severe storms so communities can begin accessing federal resources. A state disaster proclamation is the first step to unlock state and federal disaster aid.
(Springfield–jc) The Illinois state fair opened yesterday morning at 10 and will run through August 23rd in Springfield. There are some food deals at this year’s event. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the delicious details…
(Chicago–jc) U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined American Airlines officials at O’Hare International Airport on Thursday to mark the reopening of Gates K1 and L2A. The approximately $300 million project to upgrade American’s Chicago hub is supported by $90 million in federal grants through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, previously-allocated federal funding, and airline rates and charges.
(Paxton–dm)-Lindsey Muchmore is the New Athletic Director for PBL, and while she holds a new position, she is very familiar with the Paxton area, and the PBL School District.
PBL Athletic Director Lindsey Muchmore
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Retail Merchants Association is gearing up to host the first ever Illinois Best Bagger Competition. Contestants from grocery stores across the state will compete for the title of Illinois’ Best Bagger and the chance to represent Illinois at the National Best Bagger Competition in Las Vegas. Competitors will be judged by how fast they can bag commonly purchased grocery items, proper bag building technique, weight distribution, as well as style, attitude and professional demeanor. The competition will be at 10 am on Monday at the Grand Central Stage.
(Cissna Park–jc) today is day two of the Cissna Park Old Settlers Celebration in Cissna Park. One item on the menu in park is a Special Dave’s Fish Fry. Cissna Park American Legion Spokesperson Dick Swing says there is also free entertainment tonight on the stage in the park…
Cissna Park American Legion Spokesperson Dick Swing
Someone will win a brand new 20-26 Chevrolet Trax on Saturday night in Cissna Park
(Undated–jc) The National Weather Service has issued a release on weather from earlier this week. The service says this morning that least six tornadoes swept through Illinois on Tuesday. The National Weather Service said an EF-1 tornado was on the ground for 24 miles in Piatt and Champaign counties, with an estimated peak wind speed of 100 miles per hour. An EF-2 tornado was reported from Monee, Illinois to St. John, Indiana. Twisters also ravaged areas from Mokena to Tinley Park, from Orland Park to Munster, IN, Wilmington, IL and Oswego.
Straight line winds of 70 to 100 miles per hour resulted in widespread damage across Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs into northwestern Indiana.
(Rantoul–jc) The restrooms at the Rantoul Forum Fitness center will be closed this morning til around noon. That part of the center will be used for a movie project.
(Dekalb–jc) A casting call has been announced for current Northern Illinois University students to be featured in an upcoming episode of The College Tour series on Amazon Prime Video. A social media post from NIU said the deadline to sign up is August 16. The first day of fall classes at NIU is Aug. 24.
(Gibson City–jc) It’s NightRanger and also Rick Springfield performing live in downtown Gibson City on Saturday. It’s the Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Summer Bash 20-26. Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby says it's another great show on Saturday…
Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Bill Kirby
Tickets are just 10 dollars and party pit passes are also available.
WPXN News notes…
Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion continues tonight in Cissna Park and a full day of activities on Saturday. WPXN will broadcast the parade live on Saturday. Someone will win a brand new car on Saturday night
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.
Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will hold their Dark Skies Series: Space Sounds on Saturday, August 15th from 7:45-11pm.
St. Johns Lutheran School Buckley will hold an ice cream social on Sunday, August 16th from 10:30-1 at the school lunchroom.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Thursday, August 20th from 11-5:30 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Gibson City.
