Local News

A chance of showers this afternoon and tonight--chances of rain throughout the weekend
We have more rain in the forecast for today and tonight. Our weather forecast for today calls for a chance of showers this afternoon with a high of 68. Then, a chance of showers for tonight with a low of 50. Meanwhile, what was originally going to be a dry weekend will now see chances of rain in every daypart. Shower...
10h ago
Centralia man sentenced to time in prison in Fayette Co Court
A Centralia man has been sentenced to time in prison in Fayette County Court. On Wednesday, 25 year old Michael T. Foutch of Centralia had his probation revoked and was sentenced by Judge Nathan Frisch to 2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
10h ago
Illinois budget talks--GOP seeks cuts, no tax hikes with less than one month left
With less than one month left before the deadline to approve a $55 billion Illinois state budget, taxpayers still haven't seen the finalized plan on how their money will be spent. May 31st is the deadline to pass a budget with simple majorities. Senate Appropriations Vice Chairman, State Senator Laura Murphy, said the...
10h ago
Illinois senators pass measure allowing farmers to destroy crop-damaging deer
The Illinois Senate has approved legislation which would allow farmers to destroy deer which impact crop yields. Senate Bill 710 provides expanded deer permitting for agricultural landowners. State Senator Patrick Joyce spoke on the Senate floor Thursday. Fowler said farmers in his district have lost tens of thousands ...
10h ago
ISP Updates Investigation Into Deadly Crash At After School Camp In Chatham
(Chatham, IL) -- State police are releasing more details about the investigation into the deadly crash this week at an after school camp in Chatham. ISP Director Brendan Kelly says some evidence has indicated the possibility of a medical emergency leading up to Monday's crash. A vehicle crashed into the YNOT After Scho...
10h ago
Judge Delays Retrial For Ex-AT&T Boss Paul La Schiazza
(Chicago, IL) -- A federal judge is delaying the retrial of the former AT&T Illinois president accused of trying to bribe ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan until next year. The judge set a new trial date for Paul La Schiazza for January 22nd, 2026. The retrial was originally scheduled for June 3rd. The judg...
10h ago

Two Tornadoes in Fayette Co on Wednesday--One an EF-2 Tornado near Shobonier
From the National Weather Service-- A tornado developed about 2 miles southeast of Shobonier Illinois at 648 PM CDT on April 30th. The tornado moved northeast through rural Fayette County and dissipated at 659 PM about 2 miles west-southwest of Gatch Lake. Maximum winds were were estimated at 114 mph making it an EF-2 ...
May 01, 2025

Two Tornadoes in Fayette Co Wednesday-- one was an EF-0 Tornado near Pope Township
From the National Weather Service---- A weak tornado developed just northeast of Carlyle Lake in rural Fayette County around 630 PM CDT on April 30, 2025. The tornado moved northeast continuing through rural Fayette County near Pope Township. The tornado lifted at around 638 PM CDT. Maximum winds were estimated at 80 m...
May 01, 2025

Chance of Showers & Storms for Today and Tonight
We have a chance of showers and storms for today and tonight. But, no mention of any severe weather. We have a chance of showers and storms today--mainly this afternoon--with a high of 73. Winds from the south will gust better than 25 miles per hour today. Then, there is a chance of showers and storms for tonight wi...
May 01, 2025

Fayette County Sheriff gives report on damage found from Wednesday night's Severe storms/Tornado
Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens has provided a report on the damage that has been found as of this time from Wednesday night's Severe Storms and Tornado. Sheriff Stevens says that five properties were found that sustained damaged in an area over 2 miles. The properties were houses with outbuildings and were dest...
May 01, 2025

Video of Severe Storm/Tornado on Wednesday night in southern Fayette County
Video is from Kinzie Johnson, who submitted to I70 Media. She lives on 1000 Avenue in Fayette County and was able to capture this.
May 01, 2025

Photos from Wednesday night's Severe Storm/Tornado in southern Fayette County
Photos from Wednesday night's Severe Storms/Tornado in southern Fayette County. Photos provided by Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens and Kinzie Johnson.
May 01, 2025

Vandalia School Board swears in 4 members for new terms, Re-Organizes
The Vandalia School Board has re-organized for the next few years. At a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, four board members who were re-elected in the April 1st Election--Kevin Satterthwaite, Therese Tate, John Campbell and Joe Lawson--were sworn in for their new terms. Meanwhile, the School Board also elected n...
May 01, 2025
Proposed IL climate task force won't tackle policy-driven outmigration
State lawmakers have proposed a Climate Displacement Task Force to study how potential population shifts could affect Illinois. The House Energy and Environment Committee approved Senate Bill 1859 Tuesday. State Rep. Blaine Wilhour questioned what the proposed group would consider. The bill now goes to the House floor....
May 01, 2025
Johnson In Springfield Seeking State Funds For Chicago
(Chicago, IL) -- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing Governor Pritzker and other state leaders for more state funding for Chicago. The mayor was in Springfield yesterday to meet with Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch and Governor Pritzker. Johnson said he had "productive convers...
May 01, 2025