WILL-AM | Illinois Public Media

Stanford University researchers used a computer algorithm to find 15% more poultry CAFOs (containing chickens and turkeys) than previously mapped. — Scott Bauer/U.S. Department of Agriculture

News Local/State

April 09, 2019

There Isn’t A Comprehensive Map Of CAFOs, But Computers Could Change That

There are thousands of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, around the United States, but no one knows the exact number.

Illinois Comptroller speaks at a rally outside the Illinois Captiol in this file photo from 2017. — Brian Mackey/NPR Illinois

News Local/State

April 09, 2019

Comptroller Stops Payment On Bungled State Employee Benefits System

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is suspending more than $5.7 million in payments for a mismanaged state technology contract.

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The vacant Bergner's site at Market Place Mall in Champaign. — Jim Meadows/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

April 08, 2019

City Council Endorses Plan To Share Sales Tax If New Costco Builds At Mall

UPDATE: A sales tax revenue-sharing agreement with Costco won the unanimous support of Champaign City Council members Tuesday night. During a study session, council members endorsed a proposal to share $2.75 million in future tax revenue with Costco, if it builds on a site at Market Place Mall.

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Mahomet -Seymour Junior High School students attend Google's Internet safety presentation. — Jim Meadows/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

April 08, 2019

Middle School Kids In Mahomet Get A Lesson In Good Internet Conduct From Google

Middle school kids in the Champaign County town of Mahomet got a lesson last week on playing safe online, courtesy of Google.

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1940 Census publicity photo. — FDR Presidential Library and Museum

News Local/State

April 08, 2019

Illinois Proposal Targets Hard-To-Reach Communities For 2020 Census

Illinois Senators want to make sure everyone is counted in the 2020 Census. Legislation would give $25 million in grants to organizations serving hard-to-reach communities.

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News Local/State

April 08, 2019

Tobacco Purchase Age In Illinois Going From 18 To 21 This Summer

Tobacco sales in Illinois will soon be off-limits to anyone younger than 21 under a law signed Sunday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

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Amir Kiani (from left), Chloe O'Connell and Nishit Asnani troubleshoot an algorithm to diagnose tuberculosis in computer lab at Stanford University. — Richard Harris/NPR

News Local/State

April 07, 2019

How Can Doctors Be Sure A Self-Taught Computer Is Making The Right Diagnosis?

Some computer scientists are enthralled by programs that can teach themselves how to perform tasks, such as reading X-rays.

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus. — Jim Meadows/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

April 05, 2019

Shimkus Hopes For “Clean” Version Of Violence Against Women Act

Illinois Congressman John Shimkus voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) when it passed the U-S House on a vote of 263-158 Thursday. But the Collinsville Republican says he hopes negotiations in the Senate will produce a version he can support when it returns to his chamber.