It will be another sunny start before clouds move back in for the afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly cooler in the upper 50s. Read moreA cool end to the week
Teenagers are connected like never before, through social media and messaging. But instant access online can also expose kids to severe cyberbullying, sextortion and exploitation. Read moreWAND INVESTIGATES: A Deadly Click
Sponsors said residents have expressed concern about schools near railroads and ensuring students know the protocols in place to keep them safe. Read moreIL plan could require railroad safety info in student handbooks
For years, the trains crossing at Ferris Parkway have blocked the intersection, causing delays and traffic back up, which has created problems for emergency response. That's why the 1.21-mile corridor project began in 2023. Read moreEnd in sight for major Brush College Road project as Decatur targets traffic relief
President Donald Trump has signed a bill funding much of the Department of Homeland Security and ending the longest agency shutdown in history. The bipartisan funding package passed the House earlier Thursday. The Trump administration had warned that temporary funds to pay Transportation Security Administration and other personnel would “soon run out” if Congress failed to act. The shutdown lasted for more than 70 days as Democrats refused to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement operations without changes. Republicans instead adopted a budget resolution to eventually provide $70 billion for immigration enforcement though a separate process on their own, without Democratic help. Read moreTrump signs bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, ending record shutdown
At the district’s annual Career Signing Day, 20 students from the Career Pathways program officially accepted positions with local employers, marking the culmination of years of hands-on training and real-world experience. Read moreLocal students sign futures at Career Signing Day, stepping straight into workforce
A plan moving in the Illinois Senate could increase the fine for people driving around school buses using the extended stop arm. Read moreIL bill could increase fine for drivers ignoring school bus safety arms
President Donald Trump says he's nominating former Fox News Channel contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier for surgeon general after Dr. Casey Means’ path forward stalled in the Senate. In a social media post Thursday, Trump said Saphier is “a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment.” Senators of both major political parties grilled Means on her vaccine stance and other health topics during a tense confirmation hearing. Means told The Associated Press her nomination fell apart after a “smear campaign." Saphier has aligned with many of Trump's positions but in at least one case pushed back on his messaging around Tylenol during pregnancy. Read moreTrump pulls Casey Means' stalled surgeon general nomination. New pick is radiologist Nicole Saphier
While problems persist as they did in 2025, planting is well underway, according to Reagen Tibbs of the University of Illinois Ag Extension office in Lincoln. Read moreSpring planting ahead of schedule despite many obstacles impacting farmers
DFD did the installation in conjunction with Camp I Am Me and the State Fire Marshal's Office. Read moreDecatur Fire Department recognized for installing over 1,000 smoke alarms citywide
It will be another sunny start before clouds move back in for the afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly cooler in the upper 50s. Read moreA cool end to the week
Teenagers are connected like never before, through social media and messaging. But instant access online can also expose kids to severe cyberbullying, sextortion and exploitation. Read moreWAND INVESTIGATES: A Deadly Click
Sponsors said residents have expressed concern about schools near railroads and ensuring students know the protocols in place to keep them safe. Read moreIL plan could require railroad safety info in student handbooks
For years, the trains crossing at Ferris Parkway have blocked the intersection, causing delays and traffic back up, which has created problems for emergency response. That's why the 1.21-mile corridor project began in 2023. Read moreEnd in sight for major Brush College Road project as Decatur targets traffic relief
President Donald Trump has signed a bill funding much of the Department of Homeland Security and ending the longest agency shutdown in history. The bipartisan funding package passed the House earlier Thursday. The Trump administration had warned that temporary funds to pay Transportation Security Administration and other personnel would “soon run out” if Congress failed to act. The shutdown lasted for more than 70 days as Democrats refused to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement operations without changes. Republicans instead adopted a budget resolution to eventually provide $70 billion for immigration enforcement though a separate process on their own, without Democratic help. Read moreTrump signs bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, ending record shutdown
At the district’s annual Career Signing Day, 20 students from the Career Pathways program officially accepted positions with local employers, marking the culmination of years of hands-on training and real-world experience. Read moreLocal students sign futures at Career Signing Day, stepping straight into workforce
A plan moving in the Illinois Senate could increase the fine for people driving around school buses using the extended stop arm. Read moreIL bill could increase fine for drivers ignoring school bus safety arms
President Donald Trump says he's nominating former Fox News Channel contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier for surgeon general after Dr. Casey Means’ path forward stalled in the Senate. In a social media post Thursday, Trump said Saphier is “a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment.” Senators of both major political parties grilled Means on her vaccine stance and other health topics during a tense confirmation hearing. Means told The Associated Press her nomination fell apart after a “smear campaign." Saphier has aligned with many of Trump's positions but in at least one case pushed back on his messaging around Tylenol during pregnancy. Read moreTrump pulls Casey Means' stalled surgeon general nomination. New pick is radiologist Nicole Saphier
While problems persist as they did in 2025, planting is well underway, according to Reagen Tibbs of the University of Illinois Ag Extension office in Lincoln. Read moreSpring planting ahead of schedule despite many obstacles impacting farmers
DFD did the installation in conjunction with Camp I Am Me and the State Fire Marshal's Office. Read moreDecatur Fire Department recognized for installing over 1,000 smoke alarms citywide
Congratulations with a splash, as dozens of nursing students at the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing rang in graduation. Read moreCongrats with a splash: UIC nursing students dive into graduation
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Olympian Drive on-ramp to Interstate 57 in Champaign will be closed for two weeks. Read moreIDOT announces 2-week closure of Olympian Drive ramp to I-57
Crisis Nursery in Urbana is temporarily reducing in-person overnight care because of a staffing shortage. Read moreCrisis Nursery in Urbana reduces overnight care over staffing shortage
The Scheels Sports Park in Springfield is officially open after developers hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Legacy Pointe on Tuesday. Read more70-acre Scheels Sports Park officially open to Springfield area, local athletes
The City of Champaign announced that it launched a more modernized version of its website to better serve residents. Read moreCity of Champaign launches improved website, strengthening access and usability
Congratulations are in order for a Springfield high school teacher who was named the Horace Mann Educator of the Year. Read moreSpringfield Southeast HS teacher named Horace Mann Educator of the Year
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The Impossible Science Festival, a traveling interactive STEAM event introducing students and families to the field, heads to Decatur. Read moreHands-on STEAM event heading to the Decatur Civic Center
The Decatur Public Library has a week of activities planned for teens to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month. Read moreDPL plans several activities for teens during Mental Health Awareness Month
Bridge construction in Decatur will require a road closure in Decatur Friday. Read moreRoad to close for bridge construction in Decatur
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 Pink Moon and Herne
April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month, a constant reminder to make sure you're ready to care for your furry friends in the case of an emergency. Read moreTips to keep in mind for Pet First Aid Awareness month
As the Route 66 centennial kicks into high gear, WAND News evening anchor Sean Streaty shows you that the Maid Rite recipe is the same, and the window is still sliding at Maid Rite in Around the 217. Read moreAround the 217: Long before McDonald's, Maid Rite pioneered the American drive-thru
