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Illinois career and technical education programs receive $8 million federal grant for heavy machinery training
SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) - Career and technical education (CTE) programs throughout Illinois are getting an $8 million boost from the federal government. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, joined leaders from the Youth Workforce Development Foundation and Associated Equipment Distributors Wednesday at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield to announce an $8 million grant for CTE programs to offer heavy equipment operator and diesel equipment technology training programs.
Southern Illinois hit with major flooding
NASHVILLE, Ill. — Major flash flooding led to road closures, forced the evacuation of residential areas and drowned field crops on July 16 in parts of southern Illinois. “I’m 63 years old and this is the highest amount of rain I’ve ever seen in the shortest period of time, especially in July,” Washington County Farm Bureau President Gerald Kuberski told FarmWeek.
Illinois Bug Warning: The Lone Star Tick Can Make You Really Sick
You're probably sick and tired of hearing and talking about bugs in Illinois after nearly a year of being pelted around the clock with information about the upcoming (now gone) historic cicada emergence in Illinois. Spoiler alert: Cicada-geddon totally lived up to the hype in some areas, while other areas...
Opposition growing over Chinese battery manufacturer locating in Illinois
(The Center Square) – As more revelations arise about a Chinese company that plans to build a battery plant in Kankakee County, opposition is building. Gotion is slated to receive over $8 billion in federal and state subsidies for its Manteno, Illinois, plant. The company plans to build a facility in Michigan as well, where Illinois […]
Instead of competing for land, some farmers and solar developers want to work side by side
Matt Riggs’ family has been farming in Urbana since 1874. But, his parents had to work second jobs to cushion themselves from the volatile corn and soybean markets that dominate Illinois’ agricultural sector. It quickly became clear that Riggs would also need to find another income stream if he wanted to keep the farm. He expects to lose $200 to $300 on each acre of corn this year, but a craft ...
Edwards could be key in rebuilt Illini defensive line
Jul. 31—CHAMPAIGN — No defensive tackle played more in 2023 than Johnny Newton. His 749 snaps dwarfed his closest Big Ten competitor among interior defensive linemen and were 73 more than any other defensive tackle among the power conferences. Newton was a constant on the field for the Illini. The literal first line of defense playing alongside Keith Randolph Jr. and Denzel Daxon. Now all ...
Bob Asmussen | Altmyer finding his place in Big Ten QB hierarchy
Jul. 31—CHAMPAIGN — Pick an activity, any activity. No matter what the task, it always goes better the second time around. And so it is for starting quarterbacks. Illinois' Luke Altmyer followed Tommy DeVito at Illinois in 2023 with mixed results. He threw 13 touchdown passes, fine. He hit 65 percent of his attempts, solid. But he threw 10 interceptions to the other team, way too many. ...
Top of the Morning, July 31, 2024
Jul. 31—Have a reunion to tell us about? Email Champaign Central's Class of 1974 — 438 strong — will celebrate its 50th reunion Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The Maroons have done a good job keeping in touch with reunions in 1979, '84, '94, '04 and '14 — as well as 50th and 60th birthday bashes in '06 and '16. "Basically, we like to party," Patty Kobel said. Two class members heavily involved in planning ...
Quiet night ahead, more heat, humidity and storm chances Thursday
It was an interesting day for July’s last day. A few rounds of storms occurred in a few hometowns. But other hometowns didn’t receive a single drop. This is very typical of the ring of fire pattern we’re in thanks to the clusters of storms. Indianapolis also took a little while longer to heat thanks to the extended cloud cover of the day. We aren’t done with the heat, humidity and storms yet August opens Thursday.
Illinois Is Getting Digital Licenses: Here’s How It All Works
We've been keeping an eye on the progress of Illinois House Bill 4592 (HB 4592) for a while now, and because we're technology geeks we're pretty excited that it brings that little plastic card in your wallet into the digital age by allowing us to have our driver's licenses or state IDs on our phones, where we have seemingly everything else.
Legion Post Auxiliary Unit 392 Approaching 100th Anniversary
Peotone American Legion Post Auxiliary Unit 392 is approaching its 100th Anniversary, but there’s no slowing them down. The group installed new officers last week, with new terms for President Ann Nagel, Treasurer Paula Prium, Sgt.-at-Arms Jane Jones, Chaplain Carrie Wick, Secretary Lizz Manning, and Vice President Leslie Joslin.
From aisles to lanes: Neoga IGA to turn into bowling alley
NEOGA, Ill. (WCIA) — A former Neoga grocery store will soon be transformed into a bowling alley. The upcoming venue, called Thunder Lanes, will take the place of the old Neoga IGA located at 183 West 6th Street. Officials with the new Thunder Lanes hope to honor the historic market in their efforts. “This new […]
Illinois quick hits: State installs EV chargers; apprenticeship grants announced
Two people are dead and one injured after a shooting outside a East St. Louis bar. The shooting occurred during the early morning hours Wednesday outside the DaBlitz Sports Bar and Grill. The East St. Louis Police Department and Illinois State Police responded to the scene. Police said two men...