Wildfires tearing through the South this week have forced hundreds of residents in Georgia to flee in minutes. Many have no idea what happened to the homes and animals they left behind. The fires that sparked up during an extreme drought in Georgia and Florida have blanketed cities hundreds of miles away. Air quality warnings remain in effect Thursday across the Southeast. The two biggest fires in southern Georgia have spread rapidly over the past two days and destroyed more than 50 homes in rural areas. It’s not known yet how the wildfires started, but the bottom half of Georgia and northern Florida are both extremely dry. Read moreSouthern US wildfires force residents to flee, leaving them unsure if their homes are standing
An $81 billion Warner-Paramount mega merger has received shareholders’ stamp of approval, propelling a deal that could vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape closer to the finish line. Per a preliminary vote count on Thursday, the overwhleming majority of Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted in support of selling the entire business to Paramount for $31 a share. Including debt, the deal is valued at nearly $111 billion. Skydance-owned Paramount wants to buy all of Warner. That means HBO Max, cult-favorite titles like “Harry Potter” and even CNN could soon find themselves under the same roof with CBS, “Top Gun” and the Paramount+ streaming service. Read moreWarner Bros shareholders approve Paramount's $81 billion takeover of the Hollywood giant
Governor JB Pritzker announced a film production tax credit Wednesday aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable film and television production. Read moreGovernor Pritzker launches film production tax credit to promote sustainable film making
A teenager who was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting last month at Market Place Shopping Center in Champaign will be tried as an adult. Read more15-year-old arrested in connection with deadly shooting at Champaign mall will be tried as adult
The National Weather Service has confirmed 28 tornadoes in a final report following severe storms that moved through central Illinois Friday. According to the NWS, a supercell storm developed ahead of the main line during the afternoon, tracking north across west-central Illinois. That storm produced damaging winds and hail up to two inches in diameter. Officials say the wind-driven hail caused significant damage, including broken windows and siding damage to several homes along its path. Read moreNWS: 28 tornadoes reported in central Illinois storms
Two trains have collided in Denmark, leaving five people critically injured. Police have called it a major incident. The collision happened early Thursday near Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. Roughly a dozen others have minor injuries, according to the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department. A spokesperson for the North Zealand police says there were 38 people aboard the two trains. Investigators are looking into the cause of the collision. Photos show the front ends of the trains smashed, but both remain upright. The mayor of Gribskov says some of those injured were flown to the hospital. The crash occurred on a local rail line used by many residents. Read more2 trains collide in Denmark, leaving 5 people critically injured
Temperatures warm into the low 80s with gusty winds out of the south returning. Storm chances move in late Thursday night into Friday morning. Read moreAnother warm and sunny day
The Illinois House passed a massive proposal Wednesday night that could help keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois and create economic development for downtown Springfield. Read moreIL House passes megaprojects bill, but Bears want amended playbook
Illinois House Democrats approved a plan Wednesday to amend the state constitution with new redistricting language. Read moreIL House Democrats approve redistricting constitutional amendment language, send plan to Senate
The 22-unit complex will house people from the Springfield area who need supportive housing. Read moreNew supportive housing apartments open in Springfield
Wildfires tearing through the South this week have forced hundreds of residents in Georgia to flee in minutes. Many have no idea what happened to the homes and animals they left behind. The fires that sparked up during an extreme drought in Georgia and Florida have blanketed cities hundreds of miles away. Air quality warnings remain in effect Thursday across the Southeast. The two biggest fires in southern Georgia have spread rapidly over the past two days and destroyed more than 50 homes in rural areas. It’s not known yet how the wildfires started, but the bottom half of Georgia and northern Florida are both extremely dry. Read moreSouthern US wildfires force residents to flee, leaving them unsure if their homes are standing
An $81 billion Warner-Paramount mega merger has received shareholders’ stamp of approval, propelling a deal that could vastly reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape closer to the finish line. Per a preliminary vote count on Thursday, the overwhleming majority of Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted in support of selling the entire business to Paramount for $31 a share. Including debt, the deal is valued at nearly $111 billion. Skydance-owned Paramount wants to buy all of Warner. That means HBO Max, cult-favorite titles like “Harry Potter” and even CNN could soon find themselves under the same roof with CBS, “Top Gun” and the Paramount+ streaming service. Read moreWarner Bros shareholders approve Paramount's $81 billion takeover of the Hollywood giant
Governor JB Pritzker announced a film production tax credit Wednesday aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable film and television production. Read moreGovernor Pritzker launches film production tax credit to promote sustainable film making
A teenager who was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting last month at Market Place Shopping Center in Champaign will be tried as an adult. Read more15-year-old arrested in connection with deadly shooting at Champaign mall will be tried as adult
The National Weather Service has confirmed 28 tornadoes in a final report following severe storms that moved through central Illinois Friday. According to the NWS, a supercell storm developed ahead of the main line during the afternoon, tracking north across west-central Illinois. That storm produced damaging winds and hail up to two inches in diameter. Officials say the wind-driven hail caused significant damage, including broken windows and siding damage to several homes along its path. Read moreNWS: 28 tornadoes reported in central Illinois storms
Two trains have collided in Denmark, leaving five people critically injured. Police have called it a major incident. The collision happened early Thursday near Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. Roughly a dozen others have minor injuries, according to the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department. A spokesperson for the North Zealand police says there were 38 people aboard the two trains. Investigators are looking into the cause of the collision. Photos show the front ends of the trains smashed, but both remain upright. The mayor of Gribskov says some of those injured were flown to the hospital. The crash occurred on a local rail line used by many residents. Read more2 trains collide in Denmark, leaving 5 people critically injured
Temperatures warm into the low 80s with gusty winds out of the south returning. Storm chances move in late Thursday night into Friday morning. Read moreAnother warm and sunny day
The Illinois House passed a massive proposal Wednesday night that could help keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois and create economic development for downtown Springfield. Read moreIL House passes megaprojects bill, but Bears want amended playbook
Illinois House Democrats approved a plan Wednesday to amend the state constitution with new redistricting language. Read moreIL House Democrats approve redistricting constitutional amendment language, send plan to Senate
The 22-unit complex will house people from the Springfield area who need supportive housing. Read moreNew supportive housing apartments open in Springfield
The City of Champaign is informing the community of upcoming temporary road closures ahead of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend. Read moreChampaign announces road closures for Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend
Students from across the state brought their special projects and inventions to Springfield to demonstrate the importance of afterschool and out-of-school-time programs. Read moreIL students bring special projects, inventions to 2026 STEM Showcase
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is changing the way you reserve campsites when setting up at state parks. Read moreIDNR to improve campsite reservation system for state parks
The 2026 Teen Academy will take place on Friday, Aug. 7, where students will participate in interactive sessions on the digital and physical world led by FBI officials. Read moreFBI Springfield opens applications to local high schoolers for 2026 Teen Academy
Illinois Rep. Regan Deering and the Macon County Farm Bureau will partner for a free shred event and diaper drive. Read moreDecatur residents invited to shred documents, donate diapers at free event
The National Weather Service confirmed several tornadoes across central Illinois after day one of storm surveying Saturday. Read moreNWS confirms several tornadoes in McLean, Iroquois Counties after day one of surveying
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Governor JB Pritzker announced a film production tax credit Wednesday aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable film and television production. Read moreGovernor Pritzker launches film production tax credit to promote sustainable film making
The Macon County Conservation District is hosting a free volunteer workday to remove invasive bush honeysuckle at the Griswold Conservation Area in Blue Mound. Read moreMacon Co. Conservation District hosting volunteer day to remove invasive bush honeysuckle
The Festival of Spring will happen from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Rock Springs Nature Center & Conservation Area in Decatur. Read moreCelebrate Earth Day during Festival of Spring at Rock Springs Conservation Area
Happy tails is back! Every Wednesday, WAND will feature animals from the Decatur & Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation (DMCASF). Read moreWAND's Happy Tails featuring Lamb Chop and Mars
The Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is around the corner, and organizers are doing their best to exemplify this year's theme: "Leave Your Legacy." Read more'Leave Your Legacy': How Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend leaves its mark
Carle Health Medical Group has been named the 2026 recipient of the AMGA Acclaim Award. Read moreCarle Health Medical Group named 2026 recipient of AMGA Acclaim Award