Jane Cochran

Editor in Chief

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki meets Pope Francis in 2019
Local
5 months ago
Springfield’s Bishop Thomas John Paprocki: Pope Francis was a “witness of love”

Bishop Paprocki said Pope Francis taught us that “amongst all the trials, fear, uncertainty, stresses, violence, ad hatred in this world, we must always turn to God.”

Wheat field in LaSalle County, Illinois as the sun sets.
Agriculture
5 months ago
Illinois wheat producers vote to start a new check-off program

Illinois is the 11th largest wheat producer in the nation.

Congresswoman Budzinski
Local
5 months ago
Budzinski hears from residents at Chatham town hall meeting

Budzinski pledged to fight cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and veterans’ benefits. She said many towns in her district depend on these programs, with some seeing 60% to 70% of residents relying on Medicaid.

Crime of the Week
Crime
5 months ago
Crime of the Week: Break-in at Long John Silver’s

The break-in occurred around 1 a.m. on April 6.

MMR Vacine
Health & Wellness
5 months ago
IDPH launches measles simulator with local school vaccination data

Sandburg Elementary has lowest vaccination rate among District 186 schools, according to IDPH data. See vaccination rates of schools throughout the state.

Old prescription bottles in medicine cabinet
Local
5 months ago
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office hosts Drug Take Back Day

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26.

Police scene tape
Crime
5 months ago
Springfield man arrested in connection with fatal shooting of Camren White

White was shot in the 800 block of West Lenox on April 7. 

Aerial view of the Illinois State Capitol dome and Springfield skyline under a dramatic sunset
Local
5 months ago
Helicopter flyover, ground scans planned for downtown Springfield

The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize public infrastructure, improve service delivery and lay the groundwork for future smart city technologies.

UIS
Education
5 months ago
UIS students affected by visa terminations

Some international students and recent graduates at the University of Illinois Springfield have had their visa status terminated, according to a message from Chancellor Janet L. Gooch.

SMTD bus
Local
5 months ago
Illinois transit agencies face funding shortfall, SMTD urges state support

Like many businesses and organizations in today’s economic climate, public transit agencies like SMTD are facing rising costs.