Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He admitted to following Thompson to an investor conference in 2024 and shooting him on a New York City street. The 28-year-old Mangione acknowledged his actions Friday at a hastily scheduled hearing in Manhattan. At sentencing, he faces life in prison. His lawyers are now seeking to dismiss a separate New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds. The case has become a fulcrum for debate about the healthcare industry and made Mangione a cause célèbre for some of its critics. Read moreLuigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Danville Area Community College’s (DACC) Adult Education program will shut down permanently on Sept. 30, 2026, after state and federal funding was completely eliminated due to severe financial mismanagement. Read moreFunding cut forces closure of DACC Adult Education program
Illinois officials are leading a 21-state coalition challenging what they call an "unprecedented" and legally groundless demand by the Trump administration for the personal records of 17 million commercial drivers nationwide. Read moreIllinois leads 21 states suing Trump administration over commercial driver records demand
A suspect has been arrested and will be charged in connection with the vandalism of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. Melissa L. Farris will be charged with “Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans’ Memorials," according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who announced the arrest on Friday on her X account. The offenses carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. The Memorial, one of the most popular in Washington, was vandalized with bubbles filling a fountain and “Clean hands dirty $” written in red paint. The vandalism comes weeks after President Donald Trump said the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was deliberately damaged. Read moreSuspect arrested in World War II Memorial vandalism in Washington
Coles County health officials are urging residents to exercise caution around wildlife after a bat tested positive for rabies—the county's first confirmed case of the year. Read moreFirst rabid bat of the year confirmed in Coles County; health officials issue warning
A 69-year-old Chicago woman has died following a multi-vehicle crash Friday morning on Interstate 57 near Ludlow. Read moreChicago woman killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-57 near Ludlow
Strong storms rolled through Central Illinois overnight, leaving behind heavy rain and dangerous road conditions as the region heads into Friday morning. Read moreFlash flooding impacting roads across Central Illinois
Thousands are without power after a powerful storm moved through the Bloomington-Normal area Thursday afternoon. Read moreEmergency declared in Bloomington, Normal following widespread storm damage
A 54-year-old Saybrook man was killed in a head-on crash near Lincoln, according to the Logan County Coroner’s Office. The crash happened on U.S. Route 66 near 1500th Avenue. The coroner’s office and Illinois State Police are investigating. Read more1 dead after head-on crash near Lincoln
Champaign firefighters responded to an early morning house fire Friday after lightning struck a home. The Champaign Fire Department was called around 4:57 a.m. for reports of smoke coming from a two-story home in the 4400 block of Trostshire Circle. Read moreChampaign home struck by lightning catches fire, officials say
Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He admitted to following Thompson to an investor conference in 2024 and shooting him on a New York City street. The 28-year-old Mangione acknowledged his actions Friday at a hastily scheduled hearing in Manhattan. At sentencing, he faces life in prison. His lawyers are now seeking to dismiss a separate New York state murder case on double jeopardy grounds. The case has become a fulcrum for debate about the healthcare industry and made Mangione a cause célèbre for some of its critics. Read moreLuigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
Danville Area Community College’s (DACC) Adult Education program will shut down permanently on Sept. 30, 2026, after state and federal funding was completely eliminated due to severe financial mismanagement. Read moreFunding cut forces closure of DACC Adult Education program
Illinois officials are leading a 21-state coalition challenging what they call an "unprecedented" and legally groundless demand by the Trump administration for the personal records of 17 million commercial drivers nationwide. Read moreIllinois leads 21 states suing Trump administration over commercial driver records demand
A suspect has been arrested and will be charged in connection with the vandalism of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. Melissa L. Farris will be charged with “Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans’ Memorials," according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who announced the arrest on Friday on her X account. The offenses carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. The Memorial, one of the most popular in Washington, was vandalized with bubbles filling a fountain and “Clean hands dirty $” written in red paint. The vandalism comes weeks after President Donald Trump said the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was deliberately damaged. Read moreSuspect arrested in World War II Memorial vandalism in Washington
Coles County health officials are urging residents to exercise caution around wildlife after a bat tested positive for rabies—the county's first confirmed case of the year. Read moreFirst rabid bat of the year confirmed in Coles County; health officials issue warning
A 69-year-old Chicago woman has died following a multi-vehicle crash Friday morning on Interstate 57 near Ludlow. Read moreChicago woman killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-57 near Ludlow
Strong storms rolled through Central Illinois overnight, leaving behind heavy rain and dangerous road conditions as the region heads into Friday morning. Read moreFlash flooding impacting roads across Central Illinois
Thousands are without power after a powerful storm moved through the Bloomington-Normal area Thursday afternoon. Read moreEmergency declared in Bloomington, Normal following widespread storm damage
A 54-year-old Saybrook man was killed in a head-on crash near Lincoln, according to the Logan County Coroner’s Office. The crash happened on U.S. Route 66 near 1500th Avenue. The coroner’s office and Illinois State Police are investigating. Read more1 dead after head-on crash near Lincoln
Champaign firefighters responded to an early morning house fire Friday after lightning struck a home. The Champaign Fire Department was called around 4:57 a.m. for reports of smoke coming from a two-story home in the 4400 block of Trostshire Circle. Read moreChampaign home struck by lightning catches fire, officials say
The City of Effingham is seeking feedback for pedestrian and bicycle improvements throughout town. Read moreEffingham seeks public feedback on pedestrian, bicycle improvements
Students earn tokens through reading milestones, good behavior, or class recognition. Read moreDecatur Rotary Club installs book vending machine at Sangamon Valley Primary School
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado as storms left behind damage in Champaign County Tuesday afternoon. Read moreEF-1 tornado confirmed as storms leave behind damage in Champaign Co.
From lower crime to new investments in roads, housing and businesses, Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams touted progress across the city Wednesday. Read moreUrbana mayor touts city-wide progress during State of the City address
The Sangamon County Board voted no Tuesday night on a recall referendum to put on the ballot in future elections. Read moreSangamon County Board votes no to recall referendum on future ballots
HSHS said that Dr. Babu Prasad donated $1 million to the St. John's Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Read moreHSHS St. John's Children's Hospital receives $1 million donation from retired anesthesiologist
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As temperatures rise, cities and counties across central Illinois have resources for people and families looking to get out of the heat. Read moreWhere to find cooling centers in central Illinois
The fair brought live entertainment, food, rides and fun activities for kids of all ages, giving visitors plenty of reasons to make the trip to Springfield. Read moreIllinois State Fair kicks off Day 1 with packed crowds and plenty of fun
In the program, kids in third through fifth grade got the chance to learn about real-world technology in fun ways. Read moreSTEM Minute | Twilight Stem Camp at Children's Museum of Illinois
Races began Thursday morning and will be free to attendees for the remainder of the fair. Read moreGiddy up: Harness racing gallops into the start of the 2026 Illinois State Fair
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 Wildflower and Bitsy
Sen. Sally Turner, Rep. Regan Deering and Rep. Bill Hauter will host a Classroom Care Drive, which will run through Sept. 30. Read moreSeveral central Illinois lawmakers team up for Classroom Care Drive
