Local News
Tornado Watch now extended until 12 am
TORNADO WATCH 131, PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING, IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS BOND CLINTON FAYETTE MARION MONTGOMERY WASHINGTON IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS GREENE JERSEY MACOUPIN MADISON MONROE SA...
4h ago
Tornado Watch in effect until 11 pm
TORNADO WATCH 131 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ILC001-005-009-013-017-021-027-031-039-043-051-053-057-061-063- 075-083-089-091-093-095-097-105-107-113-115-117-119-121-123-125- 129-133-135-137-143-149-163-167-169-171-173-175-179-189-197-203- 180400- /O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0131.260417T2030Z-260418...
11h ago
Storms on the way to the area this evening/tonight---Severe Storms to hit the area late tonight/early Saturday morning
Storms return to the forecast for later today and tonight. And, severe storms will strike the area. The forecast for today calls for showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon. But, before that, we will see mostly sunny skies with a high of 82. Winds from the south will gust better than 20 miles per hour today. ...
22h ago
Fayette County Board Hears Update On New 911 Communication Center
Move-in day for the Fayette County Sheriff and the Vandalia Police Department dispatchers to the new 911 Communications Center is now right around the corner as the Fayette County Board heard on Thursday night. Fayette County EMA Director Ryan Scott and Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens both gave brief updates on t...
23h ago
Fayette County Board Recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The Fayette County Board on Thursday night, approved a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. LaDonna Koeberlein and Traci Baucum of the Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE) office in Vandalia were on hand for the meeting and gave an overview of work that they do including numbers mat...
23h ago
Senator says taxpayers fleeced by Corrections Department
The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law as it spends more taxpayer money. The Legislative Audit Commission questioned IDOC leaders on Tuesday over 40 compliance findings in a two-year examination ending in June 2024. State Sen. Chapin Rose said IDOC and the D...
23h ago
Watseka Man Charged In Death Of 1-Month-Old Son
(Watseka, IL) -- A Watseka man is charged with murder in the death of his one-month-old son. The Iroquois County Sheriff's Office says on April 10th, Watseka Fire and EMS were called to the 16-hundred block of North Blue Bell Bend Road in rural Watseka on a report of a three-week-old baby not breathing. The infant was ...
23h ago
Illinois Unemployment Up Slightly
(Springfield, IL) -- Illinois' unemployment rate is up slightly. The state Department of Employment Security says the state's jobless rate in February was five-percent, up one-percentage point from January. Non-farm payroll jobs dropped nearly 18-thousand over the month. Colin McIntyre/jb Copyright © 2026 TTWN Med...
23h ago
Rain moves on and we'll see clearing skies today---severe storms possible Friday evening
We will get a break from the storms today. The rain and storms will push through the area this morning. Once they are gone, we will see gradually clearing skies for today with a high of 80. Then, mostly clear skies for tonight with a low of 58. Meanwhile, showers and storms will return to the forecast on Friday. And, w...
Apr 16, 2026
Jury Trial Date Vacated in Rivera Murder Case, Matter Set for Possible Plea
The jury trial date in the case of a 44 year old man charged with murder in the November 2025 death of a Vandalia teenager has been vacated. Arnold Rivera appeared via Zoom in Fayette County Court on Wednesday with public defender Lucas Mette and States Attorney Brenda Mathis present for a scheduled final pre-trial hea...
Apr 16, 2026
Gun owners rally at Illinois Statehouse against more gun regulations
Illinois gun owners are pressing their legislators to oppose gun regulations and some elected officials are on their side. Ilinois Gun Owner Lobby Day started at a convention center in Springfield on Wednesday to hear from gun rights advocates. Afterwards, hundreds of gun owners marched through the streets to the Capit...
Apr 16, 2026
SNAP eligibility changes spark debate on gap for impacted recipients
A coalition of non-profits and community organizations across the state are warning that more than 200,000 Illinoisans receiving money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could lose benefits beginning May 1. Bills the coalition is looking to pass include one that would provide a one-time $600 p...
Apr 16, 2026
House Democrats Approve Measure That Requires Latin American History In Schools
(Springfield, IL) -- Illinois lawmakers are advancing legislation that would require Latin American history for elementary and high school students. The measure was approved by House Democrats yesterday. The plan would make it a requirement for school districts to include Latin American history curriculum in social stu...
Apr 16, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Fayette Co, SE Bond Co until 12:15 am
The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southeastern Bond County in south central Illinois... Northeastern Clinton County in south central Illinois... Fayette County in south central Illinois... Northern Marion County in south central Illinois... * Until 1215 AM CDT. *...
Apr 16, 2026
Storms likely this afternoon & tonight--Severe Storms are possible
Severe Storms are possible over the area today. Our forecast for today calls for showers and thunderstorms hitting the area late this afternoon and early this evening with a high today of 81. Wind from the southwest will gust up to 20 miles per hour today. Then, showers and storms are likely for tonight with a low of 6...
Apr 15, 2026
