Local News
Chance of Showers & Storms today---Threat of Severe Weather tonight and throughout the weekend
We have a chance of showers and storms today. Showers and storms are likely today with a high of 71. Winds out of the southeast will gust better than 25 miles per hour. Then, a chance of showers and storms for tonight with a low of 64. Meanwhile, there is a threat for severe weather tonight. The National Weather Ser...
2h ago
Benefit for Darin Wells this evening at Vandalia Moose Lodge
There will be a benefit held for Darin Wells this evening at the Vandalia Moose Lodge. The doors will open for the event at 5 pm, with the Down the Rhode Food Truck on hand from 5 pm to 8 pm. There will be free bingo from 6 pm to 8 pm and the auction will start at 8 pm. There is a $20 donation for entry and prizes wil...
3h ago
Area Unemployment Update for March 2024
Unemployment in the area is up from where it was at this time a year ago. In the monthly report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, it says the unemployment for Fayette County for the month of March was 5.3%. That is up from 4.9% in March of last year. As for area counties, Effingham County was at 3....
3h ago
Committee hears possible negative impact on grid from EV charging
An energy expert says Illinois could face power challenges as there is an extreme risk of uncertain energy availability. During a Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee hearing, Mark Tiemeier, an advisor with Midwest Reliability Organization, said with power plants being taken offline, and Illinois' move to get m...
3h ago
Illinois Treasurer, congressman want feds to release savings bond information
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs held a news conference in Chicago with U.S. Rep. Danny Davis to urge the U.S. Treasury to make it easier for states to facilitate the return of mature U.S. Savings Bonds. Frerichs said the Illinois Treasurer's Office has an unclaimed property and missing money department where they t...
3h ago
Illinois Launches Plan to Address Racial Disparities in Homelessness
(Springfield, IL) -- Illinois is launching an effort to address racial disparities in homelessness. Governor Pritzker joined state officials and researchers yesterday to release a comprehensive report on Black Homelessness in Illinois. The study showed that Black Illinoisans are almost eight times more likely to experi...
3h ago
Mostly Sunny & Mild Today----Severe Weather is possible on Friday and this weekend
We are looking at sunshine today. We will see mostly sunny skies today with a high of 63. Then, mostly cloudy skies for tonight with a low of 48. Winds will pick up tonight with gusts from the east at better than 20 miles per hour. Meanwhile, there is a severe weather potential on Friday and during the upcoming weeke...
Apr 25, 2024
Brownstown man currently set for trial in May
A Brownstown man is currently set for trial in May. 36 year old Tyler J. Roe is facing multiple Felony charges from an incident on December 30th of 2023 that involved an officer-involved shooting. Roe is currently facing a trial on May 20th in Fayette County Court, with a Pre-Trial hearing set for May 7th. Roe was arre...
Apr 25, 2024
Fayette County Cancer Fund holds annual Survivor Dinner
The Fayette County Cancer Fund honored those that have faced the battle and won with their annual Survivor Dinner. The Fayette County Cancer Fund served better than 50 survivors and a total of 100 people at the Vandalia Moose Lodge on Wednesday evening. Fayette County Cancer Fund President Doug Knebel says the dinner ...
Apr 25, 2024
Senator Plummer: Pritzker 'gaslighting' Illinoisans he says engage in migrant 'hysteria"
While Gov. J.B. Pritzker contends southern states are creating chaos by sending non-citizen migrants to Illinois, but State Senator Jason Plummer says Pritzker is "gaslighting" taxpayers. Monday, Pritzker was asked about the ongoing migrant crisis. He said the problem is leaders in Texas sending migrants to t...
Apr 25, 2024
Millions more proposed for the Illinois Secretary of State to 'modernize'
The Illinois Secretary of State's Office has proposed an $825 million budget with $35 million to be allocated for modernization. Last year, Alexi Giannoulias went before the Senate Appropriations Committee and asked for approximately $200 million to complete the office's modernization effort. The General Assembly ultim...
Apr 25, 2024
State of Illinois Honors Slain CPD Officer
(Chicago, IL) -- The state of Illinois is honoring slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca. Governor Pritzker has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff through next Monday in remembrance of the officer. Huesca was shot and killed this past Sunday while heading home from work. His visitation takes place this Sunday a...
Apr 25, 2024
Gov Pritzker Not Sold On Bears' Plan For New Stadium
(Chicago, IL) -- Governor Pritzker isn't sold on the Bears' plan to build a new stadium along Chicago's lakefront. The governor says he remains skeptical about this proposal, adding that he's not sure a new stadium is among the highest priorities for taxpayers. The Bears unveiled the four-point-six-billion-dollar plan ...
Apr 25, 2024
Sunny & Mild Today
We will see sunshine over the area today. We are looking at sunny skies for today with a high of 63. Then, mostly clear skies for tonight with a low of 40. Meanwhile, Thursday should be pretty much the same with sunshine and temperatures in the 60s.
Apr 24, 2024
Severe Storms possible on Friday & Sunday
The National Weather Service in St. Louis says that severe storms are possible for the area on Friday and Sunday. The NWS says there will be several waves of thunderstorms Friday through Sunday. Strong to severe storms are possible, particularly on Friday and Sunday. On Friday afternoon through evening, all severe haza...
Apr 24, 2024
City of Vandalia brings back Gelsinger as Water Plant Superintendent
The City of Vandalia has hired a new Water Plant Superintendent, and he's the same as the former one. Back in January, it was announced that Andy Gelsinger was resigning as the City's Water Plant Superintendent and his last day with the city was February 18th. At that time, the City of Vandalia had no one at the Water...
Apr 24, 2024
Vandalia Gas Prices mostly in line with other prices in the area
The gas prices in Vandalia are mostly in line with those around the area at this time. According to GasBuddy.com, gas prices in Vandalia range from $3.49 to $3.59 Effingham gas prices range from $3.34 to $3.59 Pana has the lowest price at $3.18---In fact, the Pana Casey's General Store's gas price of $3.18 per gallon i...
Apr 24, 2024
Springfield Man Cited In Crash Involving ISP Squad Car Near Litchfield
(Litchfield, IL) -- A Springfield man is being cited following a crash involving a ISP trooper's squad car on I-55 near Litchfield. Authorities say an ISP squad car was parked and blocking a traffic lane on I-55 northbound this past Saturday. A trooper was outside of the squad car when a Toyota hit it. No injuries were...
Apr 24, 2024