Highlights/scores: High school football (11/6/26)

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The second round of the high school football playoffs began with a pair of local games on Friday night. Heyworth 45, Fisher 7 Centralia 34, Mt. Zion 14

Thomasboro grade school grandparent reacts to referendum failing for fourth time

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article contained errors related to the tax rate and how the revenue from the bond would have been used. The playground was paid for with an IDEA grant, and the gym improvements were paid for by donations. This article has been edited to correct those errors. THOMASBORO, Ill. […]

MIOpera stages Handel’s 'Semele' for opera fans in two Twin Cities

A larger-than-life opera is taking shape in Normal. MIOpera will be back on stage Saturday after a hosting a series of concerts that featured Black stories and voices earlier this year. For its next show, Semele by 17th century German-British composer George Frideric Handel, the Twin Cities-based opera company is collaborating with the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana [BACH] for the first time.

Illinois Weather Alert: Champaign, IL Hard Freeze Now, Nov 7-13

Champaign and Urbana climb from 28 degrees to 67 degrees Tuesday before another November cooldown.

Illinois cancels two college football games against Mizzou

The Illinois Fighting Illini have canceled two games college football games scheduled against the Missouri Tigers in the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Penn's Lucas Lueth throws down POSTERIZING dunk over Zvonimir Ivišić, cutting into Illinois' lead

Bret Bielema after Illinois' 6th win: 'If we were in the SEC, we'd probably be a top-15 team'

With a Friday night victory over Nebraska, Illinois is bowl-eligible once again. The Fighting Illini will play in a bowl game for the third straight season, and Bret Bielema tossed some shade at the SEC while celebrating the achievement. Illinois got three passing touchdowns from Katin Houser to get the 24-13 victory over Nebraska at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday. It’s the Fighting Illini’s fourth straight win after their change at defensive coordinator and sent them to a third consecutive bowl game for the first time since the early 1990s. $39.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals natio...

We’ve Lost The Plot

For two weeks, I had accepted my fate. I would be taking my AP Calculus BC exam in Urbana, Illinois, over 100 miles and two hours from Parker. For two weeks, I reflected on how lucky I was to even say I could take the test in Urbana. I have a parent who could take the day off work to take me to central Illinois, and my family has 200 disposable dollars to spend on a hotel room and gas. Some students aren’t so lucky, students who should have the same opportunities as me, students who should be able to enter college with the same credits and opportunities as I will.

Illinois gets an unexpected NCAA Tournament rematch with a familiar Big Ten rival

No. 3 Illinois hosts Penn in a rematch of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with Fran McCaffery returning to Big Ten territory against Brad Underwood.

Central IL superintendents focus on future plans after some referendums pass, others fail

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — As election results continue to trickle in, we are checking in on school district referendums in Central Illinois. Three of them have passed, and one of them failed, unofficial results show. The referendums were regarding school districts of Champaign, Teutopolis, Thomasboro and Mahomet-Seymour. WCIA followed up with school officials and families […]

College of Law announces online master’s program, certificates for non-legal professionals

The College of Law announced new online programs last week: a Master of Science in Law and seven graduate-level certificates, with instruction beginning in Spring 2027. The MSL is a fully online program designed for non-legal professionals looking to expand their knowledge of law within their industry that can be completed in as few as 18 months.

The Weekender: November 6-8

Feel the heat with spicy pork, San Maru Korean restaurant, 11 a.m. to 2:30 & 3 to 8:30 p.m., $18. Make this Friday a hot one with spicy pork bulgogi at San Maru Korean restaurant. Chef Yoon makes fantastic pork bulgogi with ribbons of unctuous rendered fat and the veggies that pick up a delicious stinging spiciness. I also recommend the beef bulgogi and chicken wings, but check out Grace’s full review for more about the food. (AB)

Penn Did Not Cover the +30.5 Against Illinois

Brutal game to start the season for the Quakers, but credit where it’s due because they battled the #3 team in the country for the first 10 minutes. Fran had his guys ready to play. This was a one-point game about halfway through the first period, after an Ethan Lin three pointer, then Illinois put their foot on the gas and went on a big run and never looked back.