Local News

Chance of Showers & Storms Today--Off and On Rain Chances this weekend
We have a chance of showers and storms today. We have a chance of showers and storms during the day today with a high of 69. Winds from the southwest will gust about 20 miles per hour today. Then, gradually clearing skies for tonight with a low of 47. Meanwhile, we have off and on chances of rain and storms this week...
8h ago

City of Vandalia Small Business Awards will be handed out next month---Time running out to get businesses nominated
The City of Vandalia is planning to hand out their Small Business Awards next month. But, time is running out to get those businesses nominated. During Monday's Vandalia City Council meeting, City of Vandalia Economic Development and Tourism Director Amber Daulbaugh spoke during her report about the 7th annual Small B...
8h ago
Even with 1 month still to be reported, FY '26 is a new record for the City of Vandalia in Sales Tax Revenues
Even with one month still left out to reports, Fiscal Year 2026 is a new record for the City of Vandalia in regards to Sales Tax Revenues. Through 11 months of FY '26, the City of Vandalia has General Sales Tax Revenues of $2,355,016.70. That is a new all time high--passing last year's previous high of $2,293,685.99. ...
8h ago
Lawmakers hear debate over data center impacts including revenue, headaches
In an investigative hearing Wednesday, state representatives heard from multiple local government leaders that have data centers in their areas. The leaders spoke to some of the positive and negative impacts for residents. DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said a Meta data center in his city - which began operating in 2023 - h...
8h ago
Lawmaker pushes sales tax pause on gas as questions cloud "fragile" ceasefire
With the average Illinois gas price 91 cents per gallon higher than it was one month ago, a state lawmaker is asking for a sales tax holiday on gas purchases. State Rep. Ryan Spain says House Bill 5738 would pause Illinois' unique sales tax on gasoline for six months. AAA pegged the state's average price for a gallon o...
8h ago
Taylorville Man Faces Child Porn Charges
(Taylorville, IL) -- A Taylorville man who is a former police officer faces child porn charges. Authorities say Brian Grove was arrested following an investigation that began last month. Charges include possessing and distributing child pornography. Grove is a former Secretary of State police officer. Colin McIntyre/jp...
8h ago
Madigan's New Defense Make Case To Overturn His Conviction
(Chicago, IL) -- The defense for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making their case for why his conviction on federal corruption charges should be overturned. His new legal team took their appeal to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday. Madigan is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year fed...
8h ago

Sunny, Windy & Warm Today--NWS says Elevated Fire Danger Today
It will be sunny, windy & warm today. We are looking at sunny skies for today with a high of 76. Winds from the southwest will gust better than 25 miles per hour today. Then, we'll see partly cloudy skies for tonight with a low of 56. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in St. Louis says we have an elevated f...
Apr 09, 2026

Vandalia Mayor talks some downtown improvements during Monday's meeting
Vandalia Mayor Doug Knebel discussed two different projects with major downtown improvements for the City of Vandalia. During his report at Monday's Vandalia City Council meeting, Mayor Knebel mentioned he attended the ribbon cutting for the business re-location for Bulk Plant Resale in downtown Vandalia. He also said...
Apr 09, 2026
Vandalia Lake Beach will have Concessions 4 Days Per Week this season
The Vandalia Lake Beach will have concessions 4 days per week this upcoming season. For the past couple of years during Lake Committee meetings and updates, it has been discussed they would like to find a consistent schedule for the concessions at the beach area. Earlier this year, Tammy Flowers from Flowers Concessio...
Apr 09, 2026
FBI: Illinois' cyber crime losses reached $535M in 2025
The FBI Internet Crime Report for 2025 ranks Illinois fifth in the U.S. for cyber crime complaints and eighth in overall losses. The report released on Monday said the state's cyber crime losses totaled $535 million in 2025, up from $479 million in 2024. Carrie Crot is a supervisory special agent in the FBI's Chicago o...
Apr 09, 2026
Lawmaker calls for department reform supporting Illinois families with disabled children
A Republican state representative in Illinois is continuing his push for simpler and less burdensome paths to care for disabled residents and their families. State Rep. Charlie Meier, has been a longtime supporter of legislation aiming to help developmentally disabled residents of the state. House Bill 5129 would preve...
Apr 09, 2026
Man Charged With Murder Of Pekin Teen Who Went Missing In 2016
(Pekin, IL) -- A man is charged with the murder of a Pekin teen who went missing nearly a decade ago. Police announced that Keith Brackett was arrested yesterday on multiple counts of first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Robert Bee. The teen went missing in November 2016 before his skeletal remains were foun...
Apr 09, 2026
IDOC Launches New Educational Content Portal on Tablets
(Springfield, IL) -- The Illinois Department of Corrections is launching a new portal to help inmates receive an education. Journey to Success is a new customized educational content portal available on tablets statewide. The application contains thousands of free courses and resources that individuals in custody can a...
Apr 09, 2026

Sunny, Windy & Warmer Today
We will be sunny, windy & warmer today. We will see mostly sunny skies for today with a high of 70. Winds from the south will gust better than 25 miles per hour today. Then, we'll see mostly clear skies for tonight with a low of 53. Meanwhile, we'll be even a bit warmer on Thursday and then rain is on the way for...
Apr 08, 2026


















