Urbana testing out new road design on part of Lincoln Avenue to improve pedestrian safety - IPM Newsroom The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that includes a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.

The city of Urbana is testing out a new road design on a portion of North Lincoln Avenue as part of an effort to make the corridor safer to travel through.

Urbana residents will soon be opted in to an electric aggregation program. Here’s what you need to know - IPM Newsroom Urbana residents have been automatically opted in to an electrical aggregation program, unless they've already opted out.

The city entered into an agreement with the supplier, Direct Energy, through an electric aggregation program. The program allows the city to pool residential and commercial electricity accounts to negotiate a bulk rate.

Barbara and Terry England appear in studio to record their message for the Spring Radio Fund Drive. The logo for Illinois Public Media appears behind them.

It’s day 2 of our Spring Radio Fund Drive!🌱 We are so grateful to the Friends of WILL—community members like Terry and Barbara England. Because of them and because of people like you, local public media can continue to thrive in central Illinois. 🌱 Please join them in supporting IPM at willgive.org

Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds - IPM Newsroom New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.

The recent study at Ohio State University found that across North America, more than 120 bird species are experiencing decline, and of those, more than half are experiencing accelerated decline.

Ebertfest’s ‘Last Dance’ honors founder and namesake Roger Ebert after festival’s 27-year run - IPM Newsroom Last year, Ebertfest organizers had said they wouldn't be coming back, but they pivoted and made a final return for the “Last Dance” event on April 17 and 18, featuring nine film screenings plus a pla...

Following the films, a panel of cast, writers, and directors participated in a live Q&A. Guests included John Goodman, Judy Greer, and Stephen Helstad and Edd Benda, the directors of the dark comedy “Chilli Finger.”

"Because of YOU, amazing music plays 24/7" with a photo of a live classical performance in studio.

Today we are launching our annual Spring Radio Fund Drive! 🌷🌷🌷 We’re grateful for the Friends of WILL. Because of people like you, NPR, PBS, and the music you love continue to serve our community. We’re asking you to support it now with a gift today. Visit willgive.org.

Illinois Public Media recognized with four statewide broadcasting awards, including Best Small Market Radio Station - IPM Newsroom The judges considered material produced between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.

Illinois Public Media won four Crystal Mic Awards from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association on Saturday night. Radio and television stations from across Illinois entered the contest. Winners were tiered by whether the station is in a small or large market.

House approves Pritzker initiative to regulate social media algorithms - IPM Newsroom A bill to regulate social media companies and the features they make available to minors is advancing in the Statehouse. Gov. JB Pritzker proposed the bill, which is designed to make social media scro...

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House voted 82-27 to pass House Bill 5511, also known as the Children’s Social Media Safety Act. Gov. JB Pritzker proposed the bill, which is designed to make social media scrolling less addictive for children.

Regardless of their stance on the war, Iranians in C-U feel silenced by those who disagree with them - IPM Newsroom Some Iranians in the U.S. say they support the war to get rid of the violent Iranian regime. Others are not as hopeful, citing numerous examples of failed external military interventions for democrati...

“It really hurts,” Shekari said. “This war directly is hurting me, I can’t sleep at night… My family is there. Everybody I knew, all of my friends — they are there. And being told ‘you’re pro-violence’ or ‘you’re happy about what’s happening in Iran’ hurts so much.”

Champaign Public Library marks 150 years of growth, access and community impact - IPM Newsroom The library will celebrate its 150th anniversary all year. National Library Week will be one of the biggest celebrations, from April 19 through April 25.

Founded in 1876, the Champaign Public Library celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Celebrations will take place all year long, with National Library Week being one of the biggest, from April 19 through April 25, said Salem Gebil, marketing manager at Champaign Public Library.

CUrbanism Club uses data and art to draw attention to Champaign-Urbana’s housing needs - IPM Newsroom CUrbanism Club used data from the city of Champaign — plus photography, paintings and collages — to highlight steps toward meeting local housing needs. The interactive art exhibit highlighted policies...

A local group that advocates for land-use reform and walkable cities is hoping to bring attention to the housing needs of Champaign-Urbana.

It’s been 20 years since the NCAA banned Chief Illiniwek from championship games. Some students want U of I to move on - IPM Newsroom The University of Illinois retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007, without picking a new mascot. Native American faculty say the inaction is damaging.

“There are kingfishers that live over in Boneyard Creek [on campus]. They’re native to Illinois and North America, but kingfishers are found all over the world — just like our students are,” Klaudia Babel said.

‘One Last Dance’: What Ebertfest meant to local film buffs YouTube video by Illinois Public Media

The co-founder and the director of the famous local film festival discuss its history, this weekend’s festivities, and the future of the event.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell on downstate Illinois, data centers, and future goals - IPM Newsroom Gov. JB Pritzker picked Christian Mitchell to serve as his running mate as he seeks a third term in office. Mitchell sat down with The 21st Show to discuss why he wants to be lieutenant governor.

IPM’s Brian Mackey and @21st.show recently sat down with Christian Mitchell to discuss why he wants to be lieutenant governor and what his policy priorities would be.

Back in 1999, Roger Ebert started an annual film festival in his hometown. Now, Ebertfest is coming to an end, at least in its current form.

Today we’ll talk with co-founder and host Chaz Ebert about its history and this weekend's final festival.

We're live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer

Faculty strike at University of Illinois Springfield continues into second week - IPM Newsroom The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement over salary increases despite the help of a federal mediator and eight bargaining sessions having taken place between tenured and tenure-track facu...

“From our perspective, the university is not dealing with us in good faith when it comes to the demands around compensation,” union president Dathan Powell, an associate theater professor at UIS, told Capitol News Illinois.

Move over, Hollywood! Central Illinois gets in on filmmaking action | Illinois Public Media For the longest time, Los Angeles has been the capital of the filmmaking industry in America. But that’s been changing in recent years. In Illinois, more than 700 million dollars were spent on film pr...

For the longest time, Los Angeles has been the capital of the filmmaking industry in America. But that’s been changing in recent years. In Illinois, more than 700 million dollars were spent on film production just last year. Central Illinois has had a share of that.

Illinois Men's Basketball: Wagler to the NBA; other players transferring in and out - IPM Newsroom Wagler thanked the city of Champaign and the university for all the support this season.

Illinois men’s basketball is facing a wave of roster changes after its Final Four run.

Freshman standout Keaton Wagler has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after averaging 18 points per game, while Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks is set to join the Illini next season.

A panel including experts specializing in history, political science, and geopolitics as well as Iranian-Americans join the discussion on @21st.show

Waymo begins testing in Chicago as bill seeks to legalize autonomous vehicles - IPM Newsroom For the last year, legislators in Springfield have been trying to work through a variety of issues raised by skeptics of the autonomous vehicles, known as AVs.

In downtown Chicago, people have been spotting Google’s Waymo automated vehicles testing and mapping the Windy City’s streets. For now, the autonomous vehicles must be driven by a human, as the industry seeks the endorsement of state lawmakers.

How to keep your garden blooming in spring weather | Illinois Public Media Spring gardening can sometimes feel like a battle against the elements. Today we talk about how to keep your garden blooming this season.

Spring gardening can sometimes feel like a battle against the elements. On this episode of "Weather Realness," learn from the experts on how to keep your garden going this spring.

Players, fans in Indianapolis and C-U mourn after Illinois' historic basketball season comes to an end - IPM Newsroom Fans and players alike reckoned with the Fighting Illini men's basketball team's loss to UConn Saturday night in Indianapolis, bringing the team's historic season to an end.

Players and community members were heartbroken following the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team’s 71-62 loss to the UConn Huskies. The bitter defeat leaves Illinois falling short of a National Championship berth after making it to the team’s first Final Four in 21 years.

What you need to know as Illinois appears at NCAA Final Four for the first time in 21 years | Illinois Public Media For the first time in 21 years, Illinois Men's Basketball is playing to the Final Four after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. The last time the Illini advanced to the Final Four was in 2005.

@21st.show is live now with all you need to know as Illinois appears this weekend in the NCAA Final Four! Tune in to WILL-AM 580 or stream online: will.illinois.edu/21stshow/

Why the Illinois men's basketball team's European recruitment strategy has paid off - IPM Newsroom "The Balkan Bloc," a group of six players from Southeast Europe, have helped Illinois punch its ticket to the Final Four. They come from a region with a long history of basketball culture.

“Coach Underwood’s strategy is really smart. It’s capitalizing on a place where there are, where the sport is just unbelievably popular,” Peter Wright, an associate professor in the Slavic Languages and Literature department said. “There’s just a really large pool to draw from.”

University of Illinois police prepare for Saturday’s Final Four game - IPM Newsroom Few incidents occurred last weekend when Illinois beat Iowa to move onto the Final Four, according to the University of Illinois Police Department.

“We’re going to be working on limiting vehicle and pedestrian interactions, keeping people where they need to be on the sidewalks, vehicles where they need to be in the roadway and helping managing those interactions,” said UIPD Captain Jason Bradley.

Local organization receives advocacy award to support child sexual abuse prevention efforts - IPM Newsroom Morning Edition Host Kimberly Schofield sat down with Jaya Kolisetty, RACES executive director, to discuss the Darkness to Light Advocacy Award and the organization's services

RACES provides free and confidential support for sexual abuse survivors and is one of 22 recipients of the Darkness to Light Advocacy Award.

Jaya Kolisetty, RACES executive director, spoke with IPM’s Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield about the award and the organization’s services.

'Quiet leader': Former middle school coach, teacher remember University of Illinois men's basketball star from way back when - IPM Newsroom Before he became a point guard for the Illini, senior Kylan Boswell went to Edison Middle School in Champaign.

Before he became a point guard for the Illini, senior Kylan Boswell went to Edison Middle School in Champaign.

Marc Changnon was the eighth-grade basketball coach at Edison. He said Boswell stood out in sixth grade for his skills — and for how unselfish and caring he was.

LISTEN LIVE: Supreme Court hears arguments in Birthright Citizenship case - IPM Newsroom The Supreme Court will weigh and hear arguments on whether Trump can deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

The Supreme Court will weigh and hear arguments today starting at 10 a.m. ET on whether Trump can deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily. 🎧 Listen through the link below:

Transgender people are looking for safer places to live. Some have found a home in central Illinois - IPM Newsroom Amid increasingly hostile laws and rhetoric targeting transgender people in the United States, many of them seek to move to places they feel safer. Aaron Slayton is one of many who have made a new hom...

In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, we wanted to highlight and reshare the work of one of our Illinois Student Newsroom journalists. This piece highlights the lives of transgender and nonbinary people who have moved to central Illinois in search of a safer, more welcoming place to call home.

Judge blocks Trump's executive order to end federal funding for PBS and NPR A federal judge agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for NPR and PBS.

The operational impact of U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss' decision was not immediately clear — both because it will likely be appealed and because too much damage to the public-broadcasting system has already been done, both by the president and Congress.