WCIA: Man killed in Decatur Christmas Day shooting DECATUR, Ill.-- The Decatur Police Department is investigating after a man was shot and killed on Christmas in Decatur. Officers responded near the 900 block of W. View Street shortly after 5 p.m. for a shots fired call...

NEWS GAZETTE: Capitol News Illinois | As state regulators warn of impending energy shortfalls, capacity prices rise again Illinois’ electric grids may soon face power shortages and further price increases as fossil fuel plants go offline and data centers fueling the rise of...

NEWS GAZETTE: A career highlight: multi-generational plumber family connects on the job After 37 years working in plumbing and pipefitting, Matt Faulkner was preparing to hang up the hat on his career when he found himself on a job with a dream coworker: his son, Cameron Faulkner.

NEWS GAZETTE: Family continues historic Danville diner tradition They hope to open Madison Square Hot Dogs & More, 210 N. Logan Ave., on Jan. 1.

NEWS GAZETTE: Top of the Morning, Dec. 26, 2025 Chambana bargoers have pretty good odds of knowing Chambana bartender DYLAN ROYER: he cut his teeth on the career at Papa Del's while it was on Green Street, got in a good few years over at Seven Saints, and now…

NEWS GAZETTE: Area history, Dec. 26, 2025 Today is Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. Here are local news reports from 100, 50 and 15 years ago:

CHAMBANA MOMS: Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Tree Collections How to dispose of your live Christmas tree in Champaign, Urbana and the rest of Champaign County.

CHAMBANA MOMS: 31+ Unique Day Trips from Champaign-Urbana We identify more than 30 day trips from Champaign-Urbana that make a great adventure any time school is out — no overnight stay required.

WCIA: Urbana escape room ranked among the best in the world URBANA, Ill.-- A space full of mystery and fun in Central Illinois is being recognized on a global scale. CU Adventures in Time and Space, located in Urbana, is celebrating big success among escape room companies....

WCIA: Celebrating one year of Urbana's Health and Wellness Center URBANA, Ill.-- In the year since it opened, Urbana's Health and Wellness Center has seen more than 2,000 members join and more than 50,000 individual visits. Now, officials said they plan to celebrate the...

WCIA: Mahomet woman rings bells for Salvation Army in honor of late father MAHOMET, Ill.-- Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign can be a way for volunteers to give back. But for one Central Illinois woman, it's also a way to honor her father....

WCIA: IL Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias reveals list of 2025 rejected license plates In 2025, Illinois rejected 550 of the 55,000 applications for personalized plates due to profanity and other reasons, according to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

WCIA: HSHS St. John's Hospital hosts free holiday gift store for parents of pediatric patients SPRINGFIELD, Ill.-- The holidays are a time that many people spend at home or with family. But for those dealing with illness or injury, that's not always possible. HSHS St....

NEWS GAZETTE: The Bailey Buzz, Dec. 25, 2025 News on a local filmmaker and her short film premiere, Carle's Mobile Market, a local Danville man who has given away turkeys and hams for the holidays, and the next Danville Area Community College Scholarship application period.

WCIA: "It's really hurting us," Rising prices making service dogs harder to come by OAKWOOD, Ill.-- For people with P.T.S.D. -- walking through life can be a struggle -- and that's where a well-trained service dog can come in. But -- experts in central Illinois say --...

WCIA: Oreana man accused of threatening contractor at gunpoint DECATUR, Ill.-- A contractor doing his job in Oreana last week was left shaken, police say, when a man approached him, pulled a gun and threatened to shoot him. That man is now facing charges. Macon County court...

WCIA: Decatur man named 'Klaus' accused of battering wife days before Christmas DECATUR, Ill.-- A Decatur woman's excitement over a football game led to her husband attacking her in an act of domestic violence, police said. Ironic for the holiday season, the husband's last...

WCIA: Experts, law enforcement warn of increased human trafficking during holidays CENTRAL ILLINOIS-- Human trafficking is a $236 billion industry worldwide, and it's something that experts say increases during the holiday season. Police say around 50 million people are...

WCIA: Champaign's downtown plaza project entering final phase in 2026 CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- Businesses in downtown Champaign are already looking to the future as a major city project enters its final phase. Champaign's downtown plaza, located on Neil Street, is set to undergo...

WCIA: Last-minute Christmas shopping packs Central IL parking lots CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- It's Christmas Eve, and for those of us who haven't gotten all the gifts, time is running out. Parking lots were packed on Tuesday, and people were out walking in the nice weather to get...

WCIA: Illinois State Police marks 25 years of Scott's Law CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- Tuesday was the 25th anniversary of the event that led to the creation of Scott's Law. The Illinois State Police looked back at that event and discussed how they still deal with similar events two...

WCIA: Springfield Save-A-Lot announces permanent closure SPRINGFIELD, Ill.-- Just days before Christmas, a Springfield grocery store announced it is closing permanently. The last day of shopping is Christmas Eve. The Save-A-Lot on Clear Lake Avenue said last week that it is...

WCIA: Urbana Starbucks employees join nationwide strike after unionizing URBANA -- The only stand-alone Starbucks in Urbana is closed indefinitely after the employees joined the Starbucks Workers United union, while a nationwide strike was underway. 65 stores initially went...

WCIA: United Way of Champaign Co. launches Books with Barbers initiative CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- United Way of Champaign County is kickstarting a new literacy program, bringing books and reading materials to local barbershops. The launch of Book with Barbers is starting at A Cut...

NEWS GAZETTE: Holy Cow History | How a Jewish man created a Christmas classic Nearly 150 years after his death, just mentioning the name Parson Brownlow can trigger a reaction.

NEWS GAZETTE: Records & Radio | Pom-poms were part of WKIO's format-change plan To subscribe, click here.

NEWS GAZETTE: No sleigh for this Santa: Presents to be delivered by helicopter and firetruck thanks to 33-year tradition For the 33rd year in a row, the Eastern Prairie Fire Protection District collected toys and gifts to hand out to kids in the Loral, Woods Edge, Dobbins...

NEWS GAZETTE: Top of the Morning, Dec. 24, 2025 In Heritage High senior Rylan White's case, getting called to the principal's office is a good thing.

NEWS GAZETTE: Area history, Dec. 24, 2025 Today is Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. Here are local news reports from 100, 50 and 15 years ago:

WCIA: Highlights/scores: High school sports (12-23-25) Highlights and scores from high school basketball on Tuesday, December 23. BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES Unity Christian 72, ALAH 51 Riverton 69, Okaw Valley 30 St. Teresa 51, Heyworth 49 Maroa-Forsyth 84, Judah Christian 14...

WCIA: Humrichous, McKenzie exchange vows following Braggin' Rights win CHAMPAIGN, Ill.-- Less than 24 hours after Ben Humrichous was on the floor in St. Louis helping the Illini beat Mizzou for a third-straight season, he was in a suit getting married to former Illini...

CHAMBANA MOMS: Champaign-Urbana Weekend Planner – Holiday Joy Find some family-friendly resources for Champaign-Urbana this weekend.

NEWS GAZETTE: Santa’s Anonymous still delivering gifts – and smiles WESTVILLE — Some 49 years after Debbie Seripinas and Cindy Pataki introduced Santa’s Anonymous to Vermilion County, the Christmastime tradition is going strong as ever. Thanks to an army of Westville-area...

WCIA: Springfield man facing 10 counts of child porn crimes SPRINGFIELD, Ill.-- The Illinois State Police arrested a 48-year-old Springfield man on Monday, and he is now facing 10 counts related to child pornography crimes that allegedly occurred in April. Officials said...

WCIA: Central IL hospitals monitoring respiratory illness season, some implement visitor guidelines CENTRAL ILLINOIS-- As respiratory illness season continues, hospitals across Central Illinois are implementing new visitors' guidelines as precautions. The entire HSHS system...

WCIA: People gather at site of Urbana hit-and-run to remember victim URBANA, Ill.-- Family and friends gathered to remember a loved one after she was hit and killed by a car while walking down the sidewalk in Urbana this past weekend. The Champaign County Coroner said...

WCIA: Former Moultrie Co. Board member accused of sexual assault from 2009 SULLIVAN, Ill.-- A former Moultrie County board member accused of child pornography crimes is facing new charges for a crime that allegedly happened 16 years ago. Moultrie County court records show a...

WCIA: Dalton City man pleads guilty to possessing child porn, obstructing justice SULLIVAN, Ill.-- A man from Dalton City accused of child pornography crimes recently pleaded guilty to two of the counts that were filed against him. Moultrie County court records show Tyler...

WCIA: Urbana apartment complex hosts annual gift giving party URBANA, Ill.-- A holiday tradition that started small has grown into an annual celebration, giving kids presents while bringing neighbors together in Urbana. For the last three years, Crestview Apartments...

WCIA: Community Spotlight: Urbana Park District Celebration URBANA, Ill.-- Jameel Jones of the Urbana Park District joined WCIA 3's Taylor Mitchell to talk about an upcoming event. The park district is hosting a free event to celebrate one year of operations at the Urbana...

WCIA: Harristown awarded $1 million grant to upgrade water infrastructure HARRISTOWN, Ill.-- $1 million in federal funding is going to Harristown to upgrade its water service lines. The grant was secured by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski as part of the Community Project...

WCIA: Vermilion Advantage ready to help people impacted by local plant changes DANVILLE, Ill.-- The closing of the Hyster-Yale plant -- and the reduction of McLane Midwest in Vermilion County -- has left many looking for a job with the holidays right around the corner. But...

WCIA: Wanted person dies after police chase through Central IL, State Police car damaged CENTRAL ILLINOIS-- A wanted person died from a suspected medical emergency after State Police said they led law enforcement on a multi-county chase Sunday night. Sergeant Melissa...

WCIA: Salvation Army locations pushing to meet goals in last days of Red Kettle Campaign DECATUR, Ill.-- Each year, the Salvation Army helps 3 million people nationwide, averaging one person every second. One of their biggest fundraisers of the year is happening now -- the...

WCIA: Body found in Camargo overnight, Coroner says CAMARGO, Ill.-- Douglas County authorities are investigating after a body was found in Camargo Monday night. Lisa Edwards, the Douglas County Coroner, told WCIA that an autopsy is being performed Tuesday morning and that...

WCIA: Danville's Fischer Theatre hosts holiday movie showings ahead of Christmas DANVILLE, Ill.-- Tis the season for your favorite holiday movies, and you could take one of those in at the historic Fischer Theatre. The theatre is showing holiday movies for two days this...

CHAMBANA MOMS: Have a Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve in Champaign-Urbana Celebrate New Year’s Eve family-style, Champaign-Urbana, and ring in 2026 with flair!

NEWS GAZETTE: Bob Asmussen | Getting into the ring of things When he is asked "How are you doing?" Jeff Newton answers "I'm doing great. I'm 78 and I woke up this morning. I'm not looking at the roots. I'm smelling the flowers right now."

NEWS GAZETTE: As 50th anniversary of ISU murder approaches, independent investigators still look for answers Nearly 50 years ago, a 21-year-old Illinois State University student was found in the front lawn of her sorority house, beaten and unconscious.

NEWS GAZETTE: Top of the Morning, Dec. 23, 2025 Popular Nashville, Tenn., bar will host a pregame party for Illini fans ahead the Music City Bowl.