Local News
Sunny & Mild Today
We will see sunshine over the area today. We are looking at sunny skies for today with a high of 63. Then, mostly clear skies for tonight with a low of 40. Meanwhile, Thursday should be pretty much the same with sunshine and temperatures in the 60s.
1h ago
Severe Storms possible on Friday & Sunday
The National Weather Service in St. Louis says that severe storms are possible for the area on Friday and Sunday. The NWS says there will be several waves of thunderstorms Friday through Sunday. Strong to severe storms are possible, particularly on Friday and Sunday. On Friday afternoon through evening, all severe haza...
1h ago
City of Vandalia brings back Gelsinger as Water Plant Superintendent
The City of Vandalia has hired a new Water Plant Superintendent, and he's the same as the former one. Back in January, it was announced that Andy Gelsinger was resigning as the City's Water Plant Superintendent and his last day with the city was February 18th. At that time, the City of Vandalia had no one at the Water...
1h ago
Vandalia Gas Prices mostly in line with other prices in the area
The gas prices in Vandalia are mostly in line with those around the area at this time. According to GasBuddy.com, gas prices in Vandalia range from $3.49 to $3.59 Effingham gas prices range from $3.34 to $3.59 Pana has the lowest price at $3.18---In fact, the Pana Casey's General Store's gas price of $3.18 per gallon i...
1h ago
Springfield Man Cited In Crash Involving ISP Squad Car Near Litchfield
(Litchfield, IL) -- A Springfield man is being cited following a crash involving a ISP trooper's squad car on I-55 near Litchfield. Authorities say an ISP squad car was parked and blocking a traffic lane on I-55 northbound this past Saturday. A trooper was outside of the squad car when a Toyota hit it. No injuries were...
1h ago
Illinois Receiving EPA Grant To Support Solar Projects
(Springfield, IL) -- Illinois is receiving 156-million-dollars from the EPA to support residential solar projects. The program provides funds to local governments and non profits across the country to develop long-lasting solar programs that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. It has three main goals, inc...
1h ago
A bill regarding penalty enhancements for those who own kangaroos and other wild animals advances
Penalty enhancements could be coming to those who own serval cats, kangaroos, caracals, wallabies or any hybrids of these animals, if a bill makes it through the Senate as it did the House. A serval is a wild cat native to Africa. State Rep. Daniel Didech said he and law enforcement believe the cat has no place in resi...
1h ago
Showers and Thunderstorms for today
We are looking at rain moving into the area today. We have a good chance of showers and storms for today--with a better chance this afternoon. We'll see a high today of 65. Winds will start from the south and then shift to the northwest in the afternoon and gust better than 20 miles hour. Tonight the chance of showe...
Apr 23, 2024
National maps show No Cicadas in Fayette County
There's been a lot of talk about two separate broods of cicadas hitting Illinois this spring and summer---hitting together for the first time in better than 200 years. But, according to multiple national maps, that may not include Fayette County at all. The two broods----Brood XIX which will hit in this area and to th...
Apr 23, 2024
State Rep Wilhour co-sponsors legislation making school report cards more transparent
State Representative Blaine Wilhour is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to make school report cards more transparent. Wilhour is co-sponsoring the measure from Chicago Democrat Will Davis and he asked Davis questions about the bill on the Illinois House Floor. The bill, which is House Bill 3446, requires that a sch...
Apr 23, 2024
Illinois bill banning corporal punishment in private schools
A measure advancing in Illinois seeks to ban corporal punishment in all private schools. Opponents are concerned the measure could be misinterpreted and school coaches asking for more pushups could be in violation of the proposed law. Corporal punishment is legal in all private schools in the nation except New Jersey, ...
Apr 23, 2024
Legislator warns of subject to appropriation 'blank checks,' audit findings
Some are warning their fellow Illinois state legislators that passing bills that are "subject to appropriation" could lead to taxpayers covering "blank checks" and audit findings for state agencies. Last week, amid the 324 bills passed by the Illinois House, several included programs and initiatives...
Apr 23, 2024
Another Threat Triggers Evacuation Of State Capitol
(Springfield, IL) -- The State Capitol continues to be the target of threats. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said a threatening 911 call was made yesterday, triggering the evacuation of the capitol. The Illinois Secretary of State police swept the building and surrounding grounds for explosive devices. N...
Apr 23, 2024
Sunny & Warmer today
It will be sunny and warmer today. We are looking at sunny skies for today with a high of 66. Then, partly cloudy skies and windy tonight with a low of 48. Rain is the in forecast for Tuesday with a high in the mid 60s.
Apr 22, 2024
Vandalia School Board Approves Pair of Items Related to New OKAW Facility
The Vandalia School Board on Thursday night approved two key items pertaining to the planned new Okaw Area Vocational Center. During her report, Vandalia Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison informed the board that the City of Vandalia had approved a memorandum of understanding for a steering committee earlier in the w...
Apr 22, 2024
Low election turnout has some eying ranked choice voting for 2028
Voter turnout in last month's presidential primary election was the lowest in 52 years. Some argue changing to ranked choice voting could increase participation. Others worry it will confuse voters. The Illinois State Board of Elections released an official canvas of the 2024 presidential primary and found 19% voter tu...
Apr 22, 2024
Gov Pritzker heralds passage of health insurance reform legislation amid tax hike warnings
Legislation which would change several aspects of the health insurance industry in Illinois is advancing in the General Assembly. Governor J.B. Pritzker's Healthcare Protection Act includes a package of proposals designed to restrict methods that insurance companies use to reduce the amount of health care patients rece...
Apr 22, 2024
Remains Of Illinois Soldier Who Died In WWII To Be Buried
(Elwood, IL) -- The remains of an Illinois Army soldier who died as a prisoner of war during World War II is set to be laid to rest later this year. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that U.S. Army Private 1st Class Harry Jerele of Berkeley, Illinois was accounted for last December. Jerele was captured wh...
Apr 22, 2024
State Capitol Placed On Lockdown
(Springfield, IL) -- A bomb threat is being blamed for the Illinois State Capitol being placed on lockdown. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the bomb threat was made yesterday outside the Springfield capitol, leading Secretary of State Police to issue a lockdown and sweep for explosive devices. The ca...
Apr 22, 2024
Frost Advisory in effect from 2 am to 8 am on Monday
..FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM CDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 32 to 36 degrees will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 8 AM CDT Monday. * IMP...
Apr 21, 2024