WILL-AM

News Local/State

August 31, 2018

There’s An Illegal Market For An Opioid Addiction Medication. Is That Such A Bad Thing?

Buprenorphine is one of just three federally approved medications to treat opioid addiction. It’s possible to misuse it because it’s an opioid itself — people snort or inject the medication to get high. And patients with prescriptions can sell or give it away, which is known as diversion. But addiction treatment professionals argue the problem of buprenorphine diversion is often misunderstood. The black market exists, in part, because addiction treatment can be hard to find, and the availability of the drug on the street can be helpful, they say.

News Local/State

August 30, 2018

Negotiations Stall Between Unit 4 And Teachers Union

Contract negotiations between the Champaign Unit 4 school district and its teachers union have stalled. The Champaign Federation of Teachers requested a federal mediator to intervene in the bargaining process, and the district has agreed.

News Local/State

August 30, 2018

State Agency Proposes Changes To Reduce Children’s Exposure To Lead

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a change this week that will enable children to get help sooner after being exposed to lead, which should mitigate the negative health effects.

News Local/State

August 30, 2018

Obama To Visit U of I, Receive Ethics In Government Award

Former President Barack Obama will visit the University of Illinois Urbana campus on Friday, Sept. 7, to receive the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government. The annual award from the U of I's Institute of Government and Public Affairs recognizes public officials who promote the highest standards of public service.

News Local/State

August 30, 2018

U of I Announces New Data Science Center, Research Park Expansion

University of Illinois officials announced two big projects for the Urbana campus Wednesday: a new data science center and expansion of the Research Park. Both projects will get state funding as part of the Illinois Innovation Network, the U of I’s new statewide research enterprise.

News Local/State

August 30, 2018

Manar Hopes To Override Teacher Salary Veto

lllinois is in the grips of a severe teacher shortage, but late last week, Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed legislation to raise their wages. The bill would’ve ramped up the minimum salary to $40,000 by the year 2022. In a message explaining his veto, Rauner called that an “unfunded mandate.”

News Local/State

August 29, 2018

Champaign School Officials Postpone Football Game After Student’s Death

The Champaign Unit Four School District has moved a Friday night football game between its two high schools to Saturday morning, after a student was shot to death Tuesday night.

News Local/State

August 29, 2018

DNA, Genealogy Research Aids In Finding Cassano Murder Suspect

The Champaign County Sherriff’s Office has been working to solve the murder of Holly Marie Cassano, ever since the 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her home near Mahomet in November of 2009. On Friday, investigators received a lead on the unresolved case through the help of a genetic genealogy company which then led to the arrest of Michael F.A. Henslick, 30, on Tuesday evening. 

News Local/State

August 29, 2018

Author Argues NAFTA Boosted Food Corporations, Harmed Mexicans’ Health

A new book, "Eating NAFTA: Trade, Food Policies and the Destruction of Mexico," looks at the connections between the agricultural and food trade policies that the policy has brought about.

News Local/State

August 28, 2018

Illinois Lawmakers, Public Health Officials, Denounce Tobacco 21 Veto

Public health advocates and some state lawmakers spurned Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s decision to veto a bill that would have raised the legal tobacco age to 21.