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8+ hour, 17+ min ago (654+ words) FARGO " The FCS first-round playoff game was in hand for Illinois State in the fourth quarter and about all that was left was to shake hands with host Southeastern Louisiana and head back to Normal, Illinois. The problem for the Redbirds was they encountered another opponent: Mother Nature. A snowstorm in the Midwest grounded the ISU team plane, so it was back to a hotel and another night in Hammond, Louisiana. A distraction in the routine of a postseason football team? On the contrary, said head coach Brock Spack. "Actually it was better," he said. "We were much more rested. We got a good night's sleep. It was the best thing for us to do because there was no guarantee of us landing and where would they send us, St. Louis? Then you have to find buses and we would…...

15+ hour, 7+ min ago (182+ words) Follow Illinois on SI's live tracker for all the signings, information, updates and analysis on the newest Illini during the early signing day period Illinois scored one of the biggest victories of the 2026 recruiting cycle on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period, when it flipped four-star interior offensive lineman Micah Smith from UCLA to add yet another foundational piece to what has become an all-timer of an Illini class. Bielema's excitement over the signings has made it clear how much he believes in this group. He has talked often about wanting players who arrive ready to elevate the program, and Smith checks every box. He is physically mature, technically advanced and competes with the kind of toughness Illinois desperately needs to reclaim. For the Illini, this wasn't just a flashy recruiting flip " it was a response. A…...

21+ hour, 17+ min ago (151+ words) There is a recall for more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese sold in 31 states and Puerto Rico because of the potential for metal fragment contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said that the various shredded cheeses were recalled by Great Lakes Cheese Co. The cheese products are sold under private store-brand labels at several retailers, including Target, Walmart and Aldi. The recall includes various cheeses such as mozzarella, Italian style, pizza style, mozzarella and provolone and mozzarella and parmesan. The recall has a Class II classification, because the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA's website. An FDA says ingesting metal fragments may cause injuries such as dental damage, laceration of the mouth or throat, or laceration or…...

1+ day, 1+ hour ago (504+ words) Illinoisans next year will celebrate the United States" 250th birthday with new public murals, a student art contest and initiatives to get residents and tourists alike to historic sites, the state announced Wednesday." As President Donald Trump toys with bringing a UFC wrestling match to the White House next year to commemorate the 250th " and coincide with his own 80th birthday " Illinois this week put forward a more restrained approach." Still, Gov. JB Pritzker framed the celebrations expected at museums, libraries and historic sites statewide as a way for the state to stand up for democratic values "at a time when it seems many of our founding principles are being challenged." "It is more important than ever to loudly reaffirm our belief in the power and the promise of our constitutional democracy, to send a clear message of our willingness to defend our…...

1+ day, 13+ hour ago (278+ words) STANTON, Ky. (LEX 18) " An Illinois couple is making the holidays brighter for hundreds of families in Powell County through their annual toy and coat drive at Bowen First Church of God. Steve and Sally Whaley travel from Lexington, Illinois year after year to host this community event, driven by what they see as a clear need in the area. "We just see the need in this area compared to where we come from," Steve said. The couple operates through their non-profit, Servants of our Lord Ministry, and has partnered with local organizations to bring more than 1,000 brand new items to this year's event. Their mission extends beyond the holiday season. The Whaleys maintain a warehouse in Clay City and are pre-approved by Midwest Food Bank to serve 31 food pantries each month in Stanton and surrounding areas. "It just makes me…...

1+ day, 13+ hour ago (607+ words) CHICAGO " Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill Tuesday that he said will protect Illinois residents from "junk science" undermining evidence-based vaccine regulations at the federal level. The bill will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health director, currently Dr. Sameer Vohra, to issue state-specific guidelines with input from the state's Immunization Advisory Committee, a group of doctors, nurses and public health professionals that advise the director. It will also allow the committee to issue guidance that differs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including to approve vaccines for seasonal respiratory illnesses including the flu, COVID-19 and RSV and routine vaccines MMR and Hepatitis B vaccines. IDPH will now be able to form guidelines using a combination of the CDC's guidance, recommendations from the World Health Organization and other medical and scientific disease prevention experts " and require that immunizations…...

1+ day, 17+ hour ago (223+ words) The stage is set for an epic clash Tuesday night as the Fenwick Friars (10-3) and East St. Louis Flyers (9-3) bring matching four-game winning streaks into the IHSA Class 6A state championship at Hancock Stadium in Normal. Fenwick enters riding the momentum of a heart-stopping 28-27 overtime victory against Nazareth Academy in the semifinals, showcasing their resilience in pressure situations. Meanwhile, East St. Louis demonstrated overwhelming force in its semifinal appearance, dismantling St. Laurence 50-7 in a statement performance that has put the rest of the state on notice. With identical records and contrasting paths to the final " Fenwick surviving by the narrowest of margins while East St. Louis has been steamrolling opponents " this championship matchup promises to deliver an intriguing contrast in styles as both programs seek to cap their impressive playoff runs with a state title. Opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT…...

1+ day, 17+ hour ago (36+ words) The Village Institute in Aurora helps newcomer families including refugees and immigrant families from all over the world. The Village Institute in Aurora helps newcomer families including refugees and immigrant families from all over the world....

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (38+ words) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday was expected to sign a bill aimed at protecting vaccine access in Illinois. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday was expected to sign a bill aimed at protecting vaccine access in Illinois....

2+ day, 1+ hour ago (78+ words) After students and faculty were evacuated from Aurora School on Monday due to high carbon monoxide levels, school officials have provided an update on the situation and what has been done to prevent incidents like this in the future. After students and faculty were evacuated from Aurora School on Monday due to high carbon monoxide levels, school officials have provided an update on the situation and what has been done to prevent incidents like this in the future....