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NOAA Released the 2024/2025 Early Winter Forecast for Illinois
It's been a relatively hot and tumultuous summer here in the Midwest. We've endured some ridiculously severe weather and a few uncomfortable stretches of high heat and high humidity. So, we'll welcome some chatter about the upcoming winter. While it's way too early to start thinking about pulling those sweaters and heavy coats out of the closet, it's not too early to wonder what the upcoming winter's going to be like. In fact, NOAA just released its 2024/2025 Early Winter Forecast.
Despite new assault weapons ban, gun sales increased last year in Illinois
Gun sales in Illinois went up 5% in the past year despite a recently enacted ban on assault weapons, according to data compiled by a national home safety and security news site. SafeHome, which deems itself as a "trusted authority on home and personal security," said that 504,452 firearms had been sold statewide in 2023, up 5% from similar numbers in 2022. SafeHome used data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's NICS system, which tracks the number...
Central Illinois students earn top spots in state photo contest
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Young photographers across Central Illinois dominated the highest ranks of the statewide Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. Students ages eight to 18 were able to submit up to two photos to the contest. Judges then reviewed the photographs and selected the winning entries. “The students showed amazing creativity and talent with […]
Big Discount Store To Close More Illinois Locations Than Planned
Wow. Things can change pretty quickly in a little over a month, and for a struggling discount retailer, they're not changing for the better. According to an SEC filing from last month, Big Lots, which was founded in Columbus, Ohio 50 years ago, said that they expected to be closing somewhere between 35 and 40 stores across the nation this year.
South suburban airport could bring over $1B in economic activity, per report
A new airport in Chicago’s far south suburbs could bring thousands of jobs and a $1 billion economic impact, according to a new report, but state and local officials expressed concerns about the future of the long-delayed project. A study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, a think tank...
Illinois insurance companies will be required to cover IVF in 2026
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Insurance companies will soon be required to cover any fertility treatments that expectant parents gets recommended by their doctors. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Friday a guarantee starting in 2026 that insurance companies must cover all infertility treatments for patients recommended to them by a doctor, instead of only covering […]
A new Illinois bill would transform how the state funds higher education
Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford just introduced a bill that would transform how the state funds higher education. Northern Illinois University president Lisa Freeman served on the state’s Commission on Equitable Public University Funding. Their task was to create a “data-driven approach” to funding higher-ed. That’s...
SIU to offer crematory continuing education certification in Illinois
As the home of the only university-housed crematory in the country and one of six mortuary science and funeral services bachelor’s degree programs in the U.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale is expanding its leadership in the field with a continuing education program for crematory operators. Robert Broomfield, associate instructor,...
OSFM announces $4M for small firefighting, ambulance equipment
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. Officials say the OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. All interested departments should send an application […]
Illinois opens 100th Social Equity Cannabis Dispensary
The 100th Social Equity Cannabis Dispensary has opened in Illinois. The administration of Governor JB Pritzer says the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued a full adult use license to the Dispensary Champaign after it was selected in the Social Equity Criteria Lottery and met the lottery’s criteria.
Illinois Tollway advises I-PASS customers to disregard phishing texts detailing outstanding toll amounts
The Illinois Tollway is advising I-PASS customers to disregard phishing texts being sent to their phones from “Illinois Tollway Services” detailing a specific outstanding toll amount. The Tollway instructs I-PASS customers to delete any text they receive stating an outstanding toll amount. The Tollway says it’s been informed that this is a phishing scam claiming […]
Illinois Ice Pops Recalled Due to Life-Threatening Allergy Risk
The last thing you want to happen when you're enjoying a cool dessert in the summer is an unexpected allergic reaction, but that's what's happening with some ice pops that have been available in Illinois now under an urgent recall which could cause life-threatening reactions for some. The Food and...
Pritzker signs laws to ensure Illinois remains an abortion ‘oasis’
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — On Wednesday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed multiple laws to ensure women traveling to Illinois seeking to have an abortion can do so without repercussions from their home states, where the practice is illegal. Pritzker, who also funds abortion-advocacy non-profit Think Big America, has made it a priority to keep Illinois […]
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