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What are the next steps for Decatur Schools’ phone ban?
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur School District superintendent is optimistic about the district’s new cell phone ban, but she also knows it will come with a new set of challenges. In mid-July, the Decatur School Board voted to ban cell phones and other electronic devices as a part of the new Electronic Devices policy […]
Altmyer calls 2024 offense ‘explosive’ in preseason
(WCIA) — Luke Altmyer is gearing up to play his second season at Illinois, excited for another year under Barry Lunney’s offense. “I think we got a really good chance to put up some really cool numbers and be really explosive to win a lot of games because of the pieces that Coach Bielema has […]
Volunteers open school supply store for teachers in Our Town Forsyth
FORSYTH, Ill. (WCIA) — The school year is just about a month away. That means restocking on pencils, markets and notebooks may soon be on the top of your mind. Teachers will prepare to fill their classrooms with those things, but it’s not always easy to get there. That’s where Crystal Hoadley and Jill Kelm […]
Karley Yergler joining Illini Softball
(WCIA) — Karley Yergler was convinced she wanted to move away for her final two years of college softball. Then she became an aunt, giving her a better idea of what she values most. “I realized I didn’t want to be away from my family,” said Yergler. “After spending so much time with them and […]
‘Pretty surreal’: Mahomet student performs at Carnegie Hall
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — One Champaign County high-schooler is relishing in the performance of a lifetime in New York City. On Saturday night, Isaac Hanson from Mahomet-Seymour High School was one of two alto saxophonists to perform in a 22-member jazz ensemble at Carnegie Hall. The National Youth Orchestra, or NYO, selects the top high […]
Warrior-Scholar Project provides brainy boot camp to veterans in Urbana
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s never too late to go back to school. That’s why veterans across Champaign County are meeting up at the Chez Veteran Center throughout this week. They’re expanding their knowledge through a unique program called the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP). It’s a nationwide, free, academic boot camp. WSP lead Christopher Twigg went […]
Curtis Orchard opens for 45th season
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — You might not want to hear it, but autumn is right around the corner. As a sign of times, one of Champaign’s oldest apple orchards officially opened this weekend. Curtis Orchard celebrated their 45th straight year of being open. Right now, they offer a new menu of apples each week, local […]
Central Illinois runners relay to Peoria for children’s hospital
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — People from all across the Midwest laced up their shoes and ran to Peoria last week. The annual event raises money and awareness for the Children’s Hospital. One of 32 groups in Illinois began their leg of the race on Friday in Monticello. They ran relay-style to Peoria, which is home […]
Monticello hosts BBQ showdown at first Smoke ‘N Octane Festival
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — People across Piatt County enjoyed some summer fun and food this weekend. Monticello hosted their inaugural Smoke ‘N Octane Festival. Some even got a head start on the festivities on Friday. People could expect lots of cook-outs, live music, and even a car show. John Frerichs is the vice chair for […]
Illinois politicians react to Biden’s campaign withdrawal
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is officially dropping from the 2024 presidential race. Illinois politicians and organizations from both in and outside of his party shared their thoughts on the historic decision. Biden posted the announcement on X, adding that he plans to address the nation on further details […]
Springfield shooting, police standoff leaves three hurt
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An overnight shooting and police standoff in Springfield landed three men in the hospital early Sunday. It happened around 1:04 a.m. The Springfield Police Department received an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection service, indicating gunfire in the area of South 15th and East Ash Streets. Upon arrival, two men were […]
Biden withdraws from race in presidential earthquake
President Biden has dropped out of the 2024 race, a stunning end to a 50-year-long political career that culminated in caving to pressure from fellow Democrats to end his bid for reelection, which never fully recovered from an abysmal debate performance on June 27. Biden, 81, announced Sunday he will no longer seek another four […]
Danville native makes White Sox debut
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Chuckie Robinson III is back in the show and playing for his home state. Robinson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte and promptly put in the lineup for the White Sox as they faced the Royals on the road. Chicago picked up his contract in December after becoming a free agent. Despite […]
Gentle Hunt talks Illinois decision, preseason training
(WCIA) — Transfer defensive lineman Gentle Hunt is ready for the challenge of playing in a Big Ten defense in his final season of college football. “Seeing the room they had last year, sending three guys to the NFL off the same exact coach and the same coach is still here so it’s like why […]
3 hurt in pair of overnight Champaign shootings
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department is investigating a pair of overnight shootings that left a total of three people hurt, two of them seriously. Champaign Police officials said there is no indication that the shootings are related. As such, they are being investigated separately. The first happened in downtown Champaign near Main […]
‘They can turn anybody into a freak’: Transfer TE talks leveling up at Illinois
(WCIA) — Transfer tight end Carson Goda will make his Division I debut under the lights at Memorial Stadium. Goda played three seasons at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire before entering the portal and landing at Illinois. “Coach Tank and this strength conditioning group is unbelieveable and they’re doing great things every day and […]
Everyday Hero: Doctor saved by son during marathon heart attack
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Doctor Rafael Ruggeri was running the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon this year when he suddenly collapsed at Meadowbrook Park. He was having a heart attack. Luckily, his son Isaac was running with him, and Isaac had just been trained on CPR a few weeks before the race. “I had this impression […]
Willard Airport raises $850k in effort to attract new airlines
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — In February, Willard Airport started raising money to attract leisure airlines to the airport. Now, seven months later, they’ve raised just under $850,000. The airport now has incentives for air carriers flying to any airport in Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. The money they’re raising will help bring in more airlines […]
Champaign Farmers Market adjusts to location change
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Farmers Market is adjusting to new changes. On Tuesdays, they’ll be sharing the space with construction crews as they work on the downtown plaza. The vendors are still in the same parking lot, only closer to the Orpheum. Farmers Market managers said this new move has been helping them […]
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