Illinois Public Media News

Two local filmmakers explain to Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline what drew them to choose their screenplays from among 200 submissions from area students for this year's Pens to Lens event.

A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine estimates a large majority of those over age 50 who may benefit from hearing aids don't use them. Champaign County Health Care Consumers says the primary problem is affordability, since the devices cost thousands of dollars.

City officials in Champaign say they expect to spend at least $700,000 to remove the remaining ash trees from the city. 

The Champaign County Board will decide August 18 if it will ask voters to support a 1/4-cent sales tax for expanding jail facilities, and other building projects.  But opponents, including one Democratic board member, call the tax a 'blank check' with no binding language to commit funds.  And a member of ‘Build Programs, Not Jails’ campaign says with a 12 year tax plan, future board members will be spending that money.

On the 21st: High schoolers who play high-contact sports are faced with the potential for injury, such as concussions. We learned more about what the state is doing to protect student athletes. We also talked about the burning rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. We also found out how you can make state fair food at your own home.