Darren Bailey stops in Riggston and Waverly

By Gary Scott on January 7, 2026 at 9:53am

One of a half-dozen Republicans who would like to run for Illinois Governor this fall made a campaign stop in Scott County Tuesday morning. Darren Bailey spoke to a group of about 25 at the Grab N Grow Greenhouse and Witty Farm Store in Riggston. He later made a stop in Waverly. Bailey ran unsuccessfully […]

Local families relying on certain social services programs to feel Federal funding freeze

By Benjamin Cox on January 6, 2026 at 10:24pm

Illinois families who rely on child care and social services could soon face serious disruptions after the Trump administration announced a freeze on billions of dollars in federal funding on Tuesday. Federal officials confirmed late Tuesday a pause on funding tied to three major programs: the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Temporary Assistance for […]

Riverton woman and young daughter die in Interstate interchange crash in Springfield

By Benjamin Cox on January 6, 2026 at 10:01pm

A Riverton woman and her young daughter died on Tuesday morning in a crash on the interstate in the middle of Springfield. Illinois State Police and emergency personnel in Springfield responded to a reported fatal crash at the Interstate 55 and Interstate 72 interchange at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. I-55 southbound was shutdown for a […]

JPD make arrest in connection to West Beecher shots fired incident

By Benjamin Cox on January 6, 2026 at 9:51pm

The Jacksonville Police announced the arrest of a Jacksonville man in connection to a shots fired incident into a residence near Beecher Hi-Rise on Monday evening. According to a press release, at 8:23 p.m. on Monday, the Jacksonville Police Department received numerous calls of shots fired in the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue. Upon […]

Former Lobbyist, State Rep Reports for Prison

By Harold Smith on January 6, 2026 at 9:03am

A former lobbyist, state representative and Quincy native has reported to federal prison. A number of news outlets, including the Muddy River News, report that Michael McClain last week reported to a federal facility in Lexington, Kentucky. McClain was sentenced last year to two years in prison for conspiring with executives with Commonwealth Edison to […]

JPD respond to shots fired incident in front of Beecher Hi-Rise

By Benjamin Cox on January 5, 2026 at 11:09pm

At approximately 9:30 p.m. tonight, officers with the Jacksonville Police Department responded to the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue for a report of shots fired. During the investigation, officers discovered evidence that shots had been fired. Officers were able to determine that no one was injured from the incident. This incident remains under investigation […]

Menard Co. Sheriff seeking info on Greenview burglary

By Benjamin Cox on January 5, 2026 at 5:23pm

The Menard County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information leading to the identification/arrest of suspects responsible for a burglary/theft that occurred north of Greenview along Illinois Route 29. On Sunday, January 4 from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 6:50 a.m., unknown suspects removed padlocks from storage containers by force and stole property. Additionally, unknown suspects committed criminal […]

Study: Downstate Illinois heading for power crunch

By Benjamin Cox on January 5, 2026 at 1:12pm

Downstate Illinois could be heading for a serious electricity shortage within the next decade. A new study from three Illinois state agencies warns that the Ameren Illinois region — which serves much of central and southern Illinois and operates within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, power grid — is projected to face capacity […]

Bright Yellow Billboards Target Congresswoman Mary Miller Across West-Central Illinois

By Benjamin Cox on January 5, 2026 at 12:58pm

Bright yellow billboards criticizing 15th District Congresswoman Mary Miller appeared early this morning across multiple counties in west-central Illinois, signaling the launch of a coordinated political campaign ahead of the 2026 election cycle. The billboards, erected in Adams, Coles, Macon, and Morgan counties, read: “Mary Miller Has Failed Illinois.” According to organizers, the signs were […]

Johnson and Johnson Vets

By Gary Scott on January 5, 2026 at 10:25am

A new veterinary clinic held its official ribbon cutting ceremony this morning on North Prairie. The clinic is located at 610 North Prairie, and is owned by Brian Johnson and his wife, Martha. Brian Johnson says he and his wife do offer a mobile clinic. He says the idea occurred to the couple that services […]