(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced yesterday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1% in May. The number is seven-tenths of a percentage point (0.7%) higher than it was one year ago in May 2025. Total non-farm payrolls say a third consecutive over-the-month increase last month, up 6,000 to 6.2 million. The nation’s joblessness rate for May came in at 4.3%, unchanged from the month earlier […]
(OLNEY/NEWTON) As a weak high pressure over the Midwest will keep us dry and some sunshine today through most of tomorrow, an approaching cold front will move through our downstate area with our next chance of rain moving in for Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. With the probability of excessive rainfall by Monday afternoon, anywhere from one to three inches possibly, there will be a chance of severe weather conditions. […]
(NEWTON) The 155th Jasper County Fair gets underway this weekend in Newton. While all 4-H entries were made last weekend, the exhibits will be on display tomorrow night from 5:00 to 7:00 and Saturday morning, followed by judging Saturday afternoon at 1:00. The first stage activity is Sunday night’s Queen Pageant, with the Jr. Miss, Pre-Teen, and Little Miss Pageants, all starting at 7:30. Then back-to-back nights of Harness Racing […]
(OLNEY) The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees had its monthly meeting for June this past Tuesday night in Olney. The Board : recognized Dr. Ryan Gower for his past ten years of service to the IECC District, including his roles as President at Lincoln Trail College and as District Chancellor, as he prepares for retirement : accepted the 2026-27 IECC academic catalog (available at iecc.edu/catalog) : approved a […]
(SPRINGFIELD) The Risk Management Agency recently released final county yield estimates for 2025, providing information needed to calculate payments from area yield insurance plans, including the Enhanced & Supplemental Coverage Options (ECO & SCO). Economists recently broke down the projections at the U of I’s farmdoc website, at farmdocdaily.illinois.edu.
(SPRINGFIELD) The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to intervene in a civil rights lawsuit challenging the reparations program in Evanston, Illinois. Originally filed in May 2024 by the Judicial Watch Group, the class action lawsuit challenges the City of Evanston’s use of race as an eligibility requirement for the program, making $25,000 direct cash payments to black residents and descendants of black residents who lived in the […]
(OLNEY/NEWTON) After some very stormy weather in our listening area yesterday afternoon and last night, we’re back to quiet conditions for our downstate area today through Saturday with our next chance of rain and maybe some thunderstorm activity Sunday afternoon. A little cooler air will also prevail in our forecast today through tonight with higher humidity levels returning for the weekend ahead. Monitor a NOAA Weather Alert Radio for future […]
Illinois residents are facing some of the highest student loan debt levels in the country, while outdoor enthusiasts have a chance to enjoy the state's waterways without purchasing a fishing license during Illinois Free Fishing Days. Illinois Ranks Fifth in Nation for Average Student Loan Debt According to a new analysis by SEO Backlinks, Illinois has the fifth-highest average federal student loan balance in the United States. The study reviewed […]
OLNEY, Ill. June is recognized as National PTSD Awareness Month, which is a time dedicated to raising awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and encouraging individuals to seek help and treatment. PTSD can affect anyone, men, women, and children, and may develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as combat, serious accidents, natural disasters, or even abuse. According to the National Center for PTSD, an estimated 7% to 8% of […]
