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PBS for Central Illinois

A Capitol Fourth

A Capitol Fourth

7 pm Saturday on WILL-TV
(repeated 8:30 pm)

Actor Jimmy Smits returns to host the biggest birthday party in the country, featuring fireworks and Barry Manilow, who will open and close the broadcast with a medley of hits and patriotic classics. Joining him are Aretha Franklin and pop singer Natasha Bedingfield, along with Elmo and Big Bird. More

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The Latest from TV Worth Blogging

Molly Sugden Dies

Posted: Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Mollie Sugden as Mrs. Slocombe

Molly Sugden, best known to WILL-TV viewers as "Mrs. Slocombe" on the long-running British comedy Are You Being Served?, has died at age 86, according to BBC News. She is the second AYBS? cast member to pass away this year, the first being Wendy Richard, who played "Miss Brahms."

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Illinois Gardener, 7 pm Thursdays

Illinois Gardener logo

Answering Questions from Gardeners Across Illinois

Each week, host Dianne Noland and a panel of experts answer viewer questions about lawn and garden care. Because they share advice that's tailored to Illinois growing conditions, the information is always what you need to know, when you need to know it.

Illinois Gardener website

The Latest from Prairie Fire

Air date: Thursday, July 09, 2009

New Philadelphia, Lincoln Photographer, Lincoln: On Slavery

This is a rebroadcast from original air date Thursday, March 26, 2009

The 2009 season premiere of Prairie Fire tells the story of New Philadelphia, Ill., the first town founded by a free African American in U.S. history. We learn the history of the town from the archaeologists who are unearthing the site and meet some of the descendants of the town's founder, "Free" Frank McWorter.  Then we join a photographer who has travelled across America documenting monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. And, as part of the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial, we examine how the time Lincoln spent as a traveling lawyer in Illinois impacted his thoughts on slavery.

More details on this episode...

More Prairie Fire Info & Video Archives....

Red Grange Remembers

Red Grange

Coming Sept. 8 ...

The story of football’s first superstar told in his own words. A new WILL-TV production with exclusive footage from Harold “Red” Grange’s last in-depth interview.

Read more and watch a video clip.

Lincoln: Prelude to the Presidency

Abraham Lincoln on horseback in reenactment scenes from Lincoln: Prelude to the Presidency. Pantagraph photo by Lori Ann Cook.

Abraham Lincoln’s experiences on muddy roads, in homes of friends and in courtrooms on Illinois’ Eighth Judicial Circuit shaped the views and honed the skills that guided him when he became president.
Buy the DVD, and watch bonus interviews and stories.

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By the People: A Lincoln Portrait

By the People: A Lincoln Portrait

Out of the mouths of central Illinoisans comes a series of moving tributes to Lincoln using the power of his own words. Thirteen video shorts are airing on WILL-TV. Click on the link below to watch them.

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Memorial Stadium: True Illini Spirit

Red Grange

Football legends ... architectural pioneers ... war heroes ... and steadfast Illini spirit. The surprising history of Memorial Stadium.
Visit the Memorial Stadium: True Illini Spirit Web site

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Digital TV Transition

Are you ready for digital TV?

Are you having trouble receiving WILL’s digital signal? Trying to figure out if you need a new antenna? We can help!

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Digital Television FAQ

WILL-TV ended its analog TV broadcasts on March 31, 2009. Here are answers to key questions about receiving digital TV.

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From The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer