LATEST NEWS
Chronic wasting disease found in Ford County deer: IDNR
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free-ranging deer populations in Ford County. CWD is a terminal disease that impacts the brains of white-tailed deer. It was first discovered in Northern Illinois near Roscoe in 2002, and has since spread to 21 counties across […]
U.S. Air Force investigating chemicals from P-FAS on Chanute Air Force Base
RANTOUL, Ill. (WAND) - The Village of Rantoul met with the U.S. Air Force to address chemicals known as P-FAS. P-FAS is a group of chemicals that are used to make coatings and products that resist heat, oil stains, grease, and water. If exposed, you may face immune or thyroid issues.
Injuries reported after I-57 crash in Champaign County: ISP
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Injuries were reported after a car accident on Interstate 57 in Champaign County. Two cars were involved in the crash on southbound I-57, north of the Illini Prairie Rest Stop. It happened near 4:30 p.m. Officials with the Illinois State Police said a Ford Fusion rear-ended a Kia Soul, resulting […]
Two Illinois drive-in theaters nominated for Best in US competition
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Gibson City’s beloved Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre is currently in second place for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the Top 10 Best Drive-Ins. They are encouraging more votes to become number one. Currently, another Illinois drive-in — the Skyview Drive-In in Belleville — is in the […]
Champaign Centennial High School warns against assassin game
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A Champaign principal is warning families about a game some students are playing that can lead to academic and legal consequences. Champaign Centennial High School Principal Sara Sanders wrote in an email to parents on Tuesday warning of the “Assassins” game (also called “Senior Assassin” or “Gotcha”), where students ambush their […]
Champaign middle school locked down after gun reported nearby
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Jefferson Middle School in Champaign was placed on a hard lockdown Wednesday afternoon after students thought they saw a gun in a passing car Stacey Moore, the Chief Communications Officer for the Champaign School District, said a group of students outside on lunch recess reported the possible weapon. They were immediately escorted […]
Murder suspect deemed ‘fit to stand trial’ in connection to Pour Bros. shooting in Champaign
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The man police say is responsible for shooting and killing Brandon Hardway, general manager at Pour Brothers in Champaign, was back in court Tuesday afternoon. Fidele Tshimanga was charged with first-degree murder in February in connection to the shooting outside Pour Brothers on Feb 8. Tshimanga is also facing charges in two […]
Sergeant Chris Darr reflects on career in law enforcement
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Sergeant Chris Darr’s perception of his job at the sheriff’s office has changed a lot over his 21 year career. “It started off that I wanted to just catch bad guys,” Darr said. I wanted to take as many people to jail was possible.” Since then, he’s learned a lot of […]
Rantoul hosting public meeting to discuss PFAs in water from Chanute Air Force Base
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Rantoul residents will be able to learn about the water contamination from “forever chemicals” at the former Chanute Air Force Base during a public meeting tonight. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Rantoul Village Hall’s board room. Representatives from the Department of the Air Force […]
Gibson City soybean factory back to full operation after fire
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — After a fire at a soybean dryer facility in Ford County last month, the company says the plant is fully operational. International Flavors & Fragrances, the owner of the soybean plant, said the site was reopened within two days and back to full operation by April 26. All equipment affected […]
NWS Weather Balloon lands in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Every day, twice a day, the National Weather Service Office in Lincoln launches Weather Balloons, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those weather balloons have small instrument attached to them called a radiosonde. Last year, we took you to a weather balloon launch at the National Weather Service, […]
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