Local News

(SPRINGFIELD) The USDA has technical and financial assistance available to help Illinois farmers recover from recent severe weather, including tornadoes, straight-line winds, and hail. Producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and to learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, livestock, and infrastructure losses and damages. With various programs and farm loans available, there are time limits […]

(SPRINGFIELD) As the clock continues to tick toward the end of the spring legislative session in Springfield, Republican lawmakers are calling on Democrats to include them in property tax relief talks. Major recent proposals from Democrats, such as the new Megaprojects Bill, have sought to address property tax issues that have drawn criticism from Republicans. Statewide residents have seen no property tax relief in recent years, instead it's been more taxes elsewhere.  (SPRINGFIELD) The director of the Illinois […]

(OLNEY/NEWTON) With the passage of yesterday’s cold front, our downstate area rainfall totals averaged between one and four inches over the past 48 hours, along with some cooler air back in the forecast. Although we will have some sunshine the next couple of days with a high pressure ridge moving into the Midwest, most of the rain chances will stay to our north, with the exception of Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday. Warmer temperatures expected next week. Stay tuned for updates and monitor a NOAA […]

(OLNEY) Illinois Extension is excited to announce the return of the 11th-annual Summer Twilight Series, a southern Illinois tradition that brings farmers, educators, and community members together to explore the diversity and innovation of local agriculture. The 2026 series offers four unique on-farm learning experiences throughout the growing season with each event highlighting a different farm or direct-market operation, offering attendees a close look at a wide range of production […]

(NEWTON) In a meeting coming up this week, the Newton City Council will meet in regular session tonight at the Newton City Hall, beginning at 6:00. The Council’s Finance and Audit Committee will meet an hour earlier at 5:00 this evening, also at the Newton City Hall. The meetings are open to the general public, with the exception of any executive sessions.

(OLNEY) The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) is excited to announce the release of its 2026 Summer Camps and the 2026-2027 Community Education Catalog, all to offer engaging learning opportunities for students of all ages throughout the District. While the summer camps will offer a wide variety of hands-on activities designed for elementary thru high school students, they will be led by IECC faculty and community experts, focusing on creativity, […]

(SPRINGFIELD) In the latest USDA Illinois Crop Progress and Conditions Report, soybean planting in Illinois hit 46% as of Sunday, compared to the average of 32%. Corn planting around the state is at 38% complete, just above the 36% average. Meanwhile, the state’s winter wheat crop remains well ahead of schedule with 56% headed as of Sunday, compared to 28% on average. The USDA says that 75% of the statewide […]

(SPRINGFIELD) Four people from California are charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize pharmacies and distribute controlled substances in downstate Illinois and across the nation. The defendants are accused of burglarizing pharmacies in Neoga, Breese, Lebanon, Bethalto, and Maryville in July of 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said three of the four defendants are in custody while the other remains at large. (SPRINGFIELD) […]

(OLNEY/NEWTON) As a cold front slowly moves across our downstate area today, we’ll have continuous waves of rain moving through with maybe a thunderstorm or two mixed in, plus there is a low risk of flooding in some spots. After the rain ends around daybreak tomorrow morning, we’ll return to a partly sunny sky for most of Wednesday with a little warmer air moving in by the end of the […]