News

A Carbondale man is headed to prison for being a felon in possession of a weapon.

The Jackson County State's Attorney says 22-year-old Jonquel Gaston received a two-year sentence after pleading guilty to the offense of Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon.

Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing more than $5 million in grants to help kids get to school a little easier.

He says the Safe Routes to School grants will fund 39 projects around the state, improving safety and reducing traffic around elementary and middle schools.

One of the people named in a published report about improper hiring by former SIU President Randy Dunn is leaving the university's system office.

The City of Marion has announced plans for the public to pay its respects to former Mayor Bob Butler.

Butler died Monday morning at the age of 92. He served as Marion's mayor from April 1963 until his retirement in January 2018.

A communications company that serves several communities in southern Illinois is trying to expand educational opportunities for low-income families.

Two years ago, Mediacom launched a product called Connect 2 Compete. It's designed to make home internet service affordable for families with students in grades K through 12.

Legislation has been proposed in the Illinois General Assembly that would require a review of water rates statewide to ensure they are affordable and fair.

The Chicago Tribune reports the measure is sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including some representing suburbs south and west of Chicago where residents have among the state's highest water rates.

Former Marion Mayor Bob Butler died Monday, April 22, 2019.

Butler, who served as Mayor of Marion for more than 50 years, retired in 2018 for health reasons. The city announced his death Monday morning.

“Anyone who met Bob knows what a great and caring man he was, and words cannot begin to express what a loss this is for our community. He was a good friend of mine, who served as a mentor during my career. I will miss him deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this sad time," State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said.

Ameren Illinois customers may soon see a decrease on their monthly electric bills.

Spokesperson, Marcelyn Love, says the plan for the decrease was filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission Thursday.

An arsenal of new technology is being put to the test fighting floods this year as rivers inundate towns and farm fields across the central United States.

Drones, supercomputers and sonar that scans deep under water are helping to maintain flood control projects, and predicting just where rivers will roar out of their banks.

A southern Illinois man is headed to prison after his probation was revoked.

The Union County State's Attorney says 24-year-old Wesley Allen Conkle of Dongola has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Aggravated Stalking.

Southern Illinois Congressman Mike Bost says he hopes the release of the Mueller Report will bring the controversy surrounding it to a close.

Attorney General William Barr delivers a press conference at the Justice Department ahead of the expected release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. A redacted version of the report is expected to be released on Thursday.

May might be around the corner, but SIU Carbondale continues to have events this April celebrating Earth Month and encouraging sustainability.

SIU-C's Sustainability Program Coordinator Karen Schauwecker says community organizations on campus and across Carbondale contributed to this year's Earth Month's calendar.

"We have a variety of activites from planting trees on campus to sustainable craft shop activites to help you lead a more sustainable lifestyle," Schauwecker says.

An event Schauwecker says she is personally excited for is called the "Lights Out Event."

SIU men's basketball head coach Bryan Mullins has filled out his coaching staff.

A southern Illinois church is planning to open a Sober Living House in Union County later this year.

Steven Guined is pastor of the non-denomination Connect Point Church in Anna. He says the plan for the facility grew out of the response to their ministry's weekly Recovery Program for those battling alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling and other problems. 

Video of the trial of a former University of Illinois student accused of killing a Chinese scholar will be streamed from a federal courthouse to a viewing room near campus.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports a U.S. District Judge Tuesday approved the request "to accommodate members of the public and the victim's family."

A magazine catering to outdoor enthusiasts has selected the best hiking spot in each state.

For Illinois, the publication Outside chose the nearly 4-mile Jackson Falls Trail in the Shawnee National Forest.

Two colleges and the School of Law at Southern Illinois University Carbondale hosted a conference Monday about the hot topic of school safety.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24.

That's one of the reasons SIU-Carbondale is hosting a special suicide awareness and prevention event on campus this weekend.

Event coordinator Angela Peterman is a senior who works in SIU's Wellness and Health Promotion Services Department.

Mt. Vernon Police have identified a suspect in a shooting this past weekend.

Officers say 45-year-old Smith Moore III of Mt. Vernon is wanted in connection with a shooting in the 400 block of South 17th Street around 3 a.m. Saturday, April 13.

Illinoisans may soon have a place to report potholes.

The Senate unanimously passed a bill creating a new website where drivers can log potholes and other road dangers in Illinois. It's sponsored by Senator Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods.

An Indianapolis-based company has issued a recall for melon products sold in 16 states after being linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Eastern Illinois University has launched a program that encourages students training to be teachers to consider looking for employment in rural communities.

Doug Bower, dean of education at Eastern Illinois, says the program is called Teacher Corps.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services will soon allow gender confirmation surgery to be covered by Medicaid.

That procedure, most often done to augment genitals and breasts, is used by transgender people who want their physical body match their gender identity. Not all trans people opt for surgeries, but many feel it’s necessary for their well-being.

“Covering gender affirming surgery fosters healthcare equity and inclusion,” said John Hoffman, the department’s spokesperson.