Local News
Study: Illinois one of the top states for gambling addiction
Illinois is one of the top sports betting states in the country, but a new study says the state is also home to a high number of people with a gambling addiction. The personal finance website WalletHub compared the 50 states across 20 key metrics, including gambling friendliness. Illinois is also home to the most vide...
Apr 30, 2024
With the highest percentage in three years of U.S. small business owners not being able to pay rent, conditions improve in Illinois
A new survey shows that inflationary pressures continue to affect small businesses around the country, but conditions appear to be improving in Illinois. A survey by the small business network Alignable shows that 43 percent of small businesses nationwide were unable to pay their rent in full or on time in April, the ...
Apr 30, 2024
Collinsville Man Convicted Of Killing Ex-Girlfriend near Springfield
(Montgomery Co., IL) -- A Collinsville man is facing a long prison sentence after being convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend in Farmersville on Thanksgiving Day in 2021. A Montgomery County jury last Friday found Robert Tarr guilty of the murder of Leslie Reeves and critically injuring Christopher Smith. Tarr was ind...
Apr 30, 2024
Man Dies In Boating Accident On Lake Shelbyville
(Shelbyville, IL) -- A man is dead following a boating accident over the weekend on Lake Shelbyville. The Shelby County Coroner says Tanner Alvarado was at the lake with family and friends Sunday when the accident happened near the 9th Street boat ramp. Alvarado was thrown out of his boat when it hit a wave. The waves ...
Apr 30, 2024
Some Storms roll through early this morning--Outlook for work week
There were some thunderstorms roll through the area early this morning. Bond County was under a severe thunderstorm watch for a while during the 2 am hour as the storms rolled through but the severe level did not reach Fayette County. Rain, some winds and thunder and lightning came with the early morning storms. Today...
Apr 29, 2024
Fayette County Fair Queen Pageant Queen Pageant Call-in Day is this Saturday
Call-In Day for the Fayette County Fair Queen Pageants will be, SATURDAY, MAY 4th!!!! To be a Little Miss contestant - girls must be between the ages of 5-7 by July 15, a Fayette County resident or attending a school in Fayette County. To enter - call 618-780-0765 starting at 9:00 am. To be a Jr. Miss contestant - gir...
Apr 29, 2024
City of Vandalia City Wide Clean-Up Week is just two weeks away
The City of Vandalia's City Wide Clean-Up Week is just two weeks away. Clean Up week will be the week of May 13th through 17th for Doty Sanitation Customers only. Items will be collected on the dates of regular trash pickup. The items that will not be accepted include-- Paint in the wet stage, car batteries, tires, br...
Apr 29, 2024
IDOA & IDPH Monitoring H5N1 Influenza In Dairy Cattle
(Springfield, IL) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Public Health are on alert following the detection of the H5N1 influenza virus in dairy herds in eight states across the U.S. There are no confirmed cases reported in Illinois. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasizes tha...
Apr 29, 2024
Respiratory Virus Levels Way Down In Illinois
(Springfield, IL) -- Respiratory virus levels are way down in Illinois. As respiratory virus season winds down, the overall respiratory virus level is now minimal and all counties in the state are at Low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. The total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois declined 22-percent f...
Apr 29, 2024
Severe Thunderstorms possible though tonight
Severe Thunderstorms are possible through tonight. Our forecast for today say we have a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon with a high of 80. We'll see winds out of the south gusting better than 30 miles per hour. Then, showers and storms for tonight with a low of 63. In their latest weather briefing, ...
Apr 28, 2024
Chance of showers and storms today---chance for severe storms tonight
We have a chance of showers and storms for today with a high of 77. We will see winds gusting out of the south at better than 30 miles per hour today. Tonight we have a chance of showers and storms with a low of 65. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in St. Louis says we have a chance of severe weather late toni...
Apr 27, 2024
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...
Apr 26, 2024
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...
Apr 26, 2024
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....
Apr 26, 2024
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...
Apr 26, 2024
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...
Apr 26, 2024
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...
Apr 26, 2024
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