US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman has made it official -- he's pulling federal funding from the FutureGen clean-coal plant slated for Mattoon. He favors several smaller projects using the same technology. Meanwhile, members of Illinois' Congressional delegation hope they can convince congress or the President to return to the original plan. AM 580's Jim Meadows reports.
Shane Cultra (left) is seeking his fourth term as state representative for east-central Illinois' 105th District. But for the first time, the Onarga Republican has some competition. Champaign School Board President David Tomlinson hopes to defeat Cultra in the primary. In this House district, the Republican nominee is considered the likely winner in November. AM 580's Jim Meadows reports.
Herb Whitlock (left) served 20 years of a life sentence before being released from prison Tuesday. His co-defendant, Randy Steidl, was set free in 2004. In both cases, the men were released after prosecutors decided they didn't have enough time to get a case together by the deadline imposed by judges. The release of both men makes the 1986 deaths of Dyke and Karen Rhoads in Paris, Illinois an unsolved double-murder. AM 580's Jeff Bossert spoke with Chicago Tribune reporter Hal Dardick, who has followed the story since 2005.
