(Urbana-jm) – The man accused of hitting and killing a University of Illinois student and injuring a University of Illinois police officer has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. James Buford of Rantoul received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to failure to report a crash involving death and possessing a weapon as a felon. In exchange for his guilty plea, a single count of reckless homicide was dismissed. The accident happened at the intersection of Green and Mathews on the University of Illinois campus in December 2025.
(Undated-jm) — GasBuddy is reporting prices at the pump are falling. The nationwide average price of gasoline fell by five cents in the last week to $4.24 per gallon, the lowest level in 5 weeks. The nationwide average price of diesel fuel, however, saw the exact opposite: a five-cent increase in the last week. The average price of diesel fuel in the U.S. was listed at $6.30 per gallon. In the State of Illinois, the average price of gas was at $4.64 per gallon.
(Washington–jc) U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed the new Harvest Fuel Relief Program for farmers with administration conducted by the Agriculture Department. Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) – Emergency responders are reminding motorists to use extra caution around school buses as this is National School Bus Safety Week. The annual safety campaign focuses on protecting students as they travel to and from school. Illinois law requires motorists to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion, the stop arm is withdrawn and the flashing lights are turned off. Officials are encouraging motorists to remain alert, avoid distractions and watch for children near bus stops and school zones.
(Washington–jc) –The corn harvest in the area state and nation continues to move at a quick pace. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest numbers on corn…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Undated-jm) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker celebrated the "best of the best" in Illinois education Tuesday, awarding 24 schools the Governor’s Blue Ribbon award amid a backdrop of widening state funding gaps and lagging math and reading scores. The state award, now in its second year, replaced the federal Blue Ribbon program discontinued in 2025. It honors schools for performance and academic improvement. Mahomet Seymour High School is the only school in the area to receive the honor.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Public Health Department has several more flu clinics coming at county locations. Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Liz West has the details…
Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Liz West
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Township High School Finance committee will look at the fiscal year 20-26 tax levy when they meet on Thursday. The meeting comes to order at 5pm on Thursday in the high school boardroom.
(Bloomington–jc) It’s football playoff time and IHSA Officials are looking at how the new format will affect schools around the area and state. I H S A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha provides an example of a conference and the current system that starts this weekend……
I H S A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha. The I H S A will evaluate the new playoff structure after the post season ends at the end of November.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says some grant dollars have been awarded to small nonprofits that provide food and economic workforce development programs. This funding comes from larger nonprofits filing fees.
Among the recipients include the Feeding our Kids program in Champaign with a 10 thousand dollar grant and the Standing Stone Community Center in Charleston getting funds in the among of 10 thousand 660 dollars
(The Center Square) - The Illinois Department of Agriculture says projected sales from the two 2026 Illinois grain tours will total $205.2 million, down from an estimated $236 million in projected sales from the 2025 grain tours. IDOA said the 2026 Middle Eastern and Asian tour had projected sales of $120 million, while the Latin American tour had projected sales of $85.2 million. The agency said final figures would not be known for some time.
(Undated) - Ameren is offering $5 million in additional funding for programs across Illinois to help customers struggling to pay their energy bills as colder weather approaches. Eligible households can receive up to $500 through the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program, which matches previous bill payments. Small businesses and nonprofits could get up to $1,000, while eligible military members and veterans can receive $400. These programs are separate from LIHEAP, meaning customers may qualify for both. Ameren says customers should not wait to ask for help. Customers can apply online through Ameren Illinois’ energy assistance page or call the company. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ameren says even customers facing disconnection may qualify for help.
(Washington–jc) –The soybean harvest in the area state and nation continues to move at a quick pace. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest numbers on soybeans…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois alum Larry Gies is making another historic donation. Gies is donating $100 million to the Gies College of Business to help with scholarships and other programs. Geis donated $150 million for the College of Business to be named after himself and $100 million to athletics to name Memorial Stadium Gies Memorial Stadium. The university says he is the largest benefactor to the university in its history.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s Holiday Bazaar time at one area VFW. The Christmas time event is set for Saturday November 7th from 11am to 3pm at the Rantoul-Paxton V-F-W Post in Rantoul. Local vendors include Simply Sage, Berenise Bakes, O-C-D Jewelry, All in Mom, Loaves and Loops, Food By Carrie and more. The RantoulPaxton V-F-W is located on north Ohio Street in Rantoul.
(Paxton–jc) It’s official, no backyard chickens in the city of Paxton. Paxton city leaders made that decision at this month's meeting of the council. Reaction from Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Springfield–jc) A new study says Illinois is ninth in a list of states with the highest medical malpractice payments. Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers found that the average malpractice payment in Illinois was $601,531. No other Midwest state ranked in the top ten. Connecticut topped the list at $731,499. According to the American Medical Association, the average of the 50 largest malpractice verdicts in the U.S. climbed from $32 million in 2022 to $56 million in 2024
(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says unethical public officials should self select themselves out of office if they choose to break the law.
When a reporter asked Pritzker about ethics reform during an event in Elmwood Park on Tuesday, the governor said no one should be serving in public office if they are not following the rules and acting in an ethical fashion. Several current and recent state lawmakers have faced ethics investigations this year. In addition, Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons, Democrat from Urbana, and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, were federally indicted in July for wire fraud and witness tampering related to a kickback scheme the lawmaker is alleged to have conducted by directing state funds to nonprofits employing her daughter.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Clove Alliance. They are a non profit group that assists survivors of sexual violence in Kankakee, Iroquois and Ford Counties. The group has served the area for nearly 40 years. Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe Slach (‘No-eee Slaw) provides a history of the group…
She says they provide help to survivors and families of sexual violence…
Clove Alliance Executive Director Tracy Noe Slach
Clove Alliance has a ribbon cutting and Open House next Thursday in downtown Paxton for their new facility in downtown Paxton.
Clove Alliance is the WPXN Business of the day, today
WPXN News notes…
The Watseka Chamber of Commerce will hold a trunk or treat on Wednesday, October 21st from 6-8 pm at the Iroquois County Administrative Center.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk in flu clinic on Thursday, October 22nd from 1-4 pm at the Piper City Community Center in Piper City.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper on Friday, October 23rd from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, October 24th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office will be at the Moyer District Library in Gibson City on Tuesday, October 27th from 2-5 pm for their I-Cash unclaimed cash and property program.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk in flu clinic on Wednesday, October 28th from 8:30-11 am at the Kempton American Legion in Kempton.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday, October 28th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.
