3+ mon, 4+ week ago (441+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across central Illinois. Here is a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3, 2025. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is hosting their Back to School Bash! Hosted at Union Square Park, the morning is full of hands-on games and interactive learning activities. The bash features animals brought by the Henson Robinson Zoo and special visits from first responders. Where: Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St., Springfield, IL The Decatur Family YMCA will host their annual Backpack Attack. 2,000 school supply-filled backpacks will be handed out to students entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Students must be present to pick up their backpacks! The Macon County Health Department will also be offering onsite vaccinations, dental screenings, and lead testing Backpacks will…...

10+ mon, 4+ day ago (169+ words) Image Taken At Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats Men's Basketball Game, Welsh-Ryan Arena, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, Friday, December 6, 2024. Courtney Bay/Illinois Athletics (WAND) -- Illinois men's basketball is looking to avoid a three game losing streak as they welcome Northwestern to the State Farm Center Sunday Jan. 26." The last time the Fighting Illini and the Wildcats met was back in December up in Evanston where Northwestern came away with the 70-66 overtime win." Along with hoping to not get their third straight loss Illinois is also hoping to break a losing streak to Northwestern. The Illini's last win against Northwestern was January 2, 2024 in Champaign." Illinois again will be without their 7'1" Center Tomislav Ivisic who Brad Underwood said Saturday has mono and has no time table to return." When: Sunday, January 26, 2025 Where: State Farm Center, Champaign, Ill." Time: 2:00 p.m. CT Watch: Big Ten…...

10+ mon, 1+ week ago (189+ words) Image Taken At Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball Game, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, Tuesday, January 14, 2024. Courtney Bay/Illinois Athletics (WAND) -- Illinois men's and women's teams are both in action Sunday against Michigan State." #19 Illinois men's will travel to East Lansing to take on #12 Michigan State, while the women will be home against #22 Michigan State." For the men the last time they face the Spartans they lost 88-80 in East Lansing and Brad Underwood is currently 5-6 against Michigan State and Tom Izzo. And on the women's side, Michigan State holds a 46-28 edge in the all-time series." The Illini are 10-25 when playing the Spartans at home in Champaign and are looking for back-to-back wins over Michigan State for the first time since 2000-01" and 2001-02 seasons." Where: Breslin Center,"East Lansing, MI Time: 11:00 a.m. CT Listen: Busey Bank Illini…...

5+ mon, 3+ week ago (183+ words) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) " Personal information for 933 people, including564 Illinois residents, was compromised according to theIllinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. (WAND) " Personal information for 933 people, including" 564 Illinois residents, was compromised according to the" Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.The department said that HFS was the target of a phishing scam in February Emails were sent from another government email account that had previously been hacked, so they appeared trustworthy." One employee's emails and documents were compromised in the attack.All clients who were affected have been notified, according to HFS Their information included" names, social security numbers, driver's license or state identification card numbers, financial information related to child support, child support or Medicaid identification and case numbers, and date of birth." Those who think they have been affected can can email [email protected] and should contact consumer reporting agencies…...

6+ mon, 2+ day ago (259+ words) (WAND) " Comptroller Susana Mendoza's Dog Days of Summer campaign kicked off Tuesday. The effort will focus on adoptable dogs from around the state weekly through Labor Day. "I am honored to carry on the Comptroller's Critters program started by my dear friend Judy Baar Topinka, and our social media effort will help match dogs in need with people to love them" said Mendoza. Comptroller's Critters features an online database of participating shelters around the state, searchable by county. Links to shelter websites, addresses and other information is available, including tips about pet adoption and care. Illinois shelters that would like to be added to the database should email: [email protected]." "We have worked with Comptroller Mendoza's office for a number of years, and are thankful for the Comptroller's Critters program," said Jill Egizi, President of WILD Canine Rescue in Springfield. "We've…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (241+ words) A Tornado Watch has been issued for part of Central Illinois until 10 o'clock Thursday night. Thunderstorms look to develop mainly east of I-55 starting around 7 pm and should be into Indiana by 10:30 ... (WAND)- A Tornado Watch has been issued for part of Central Illinois until 10 o'clock Thursday night." Thunderstorms look to develop mainly east of I-55 starting around 7 pm and should be into Indiana by 10:30 pm.Any thunderstorm that does develop this afternoon has the potential to become severe and produce damaging winds, large hail, and tornadic activity.It is advised to park vehicles in garages and stay weather aware by downloading the WAND weather app.Have an emergency plan in place and know your safe spot in the event that a tornado warning is issued.Copyright 2025 (WAND)- A Tornado Watch has been issued for part of Central Illinois until 10 o'clock Thursday…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (129+ words) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football'head coach Bret Bielema was named to the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced Monday.' (WAND) - Illinois football" head coach Bret Bielema was named to the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc announced Monday." Bielema guided the Illini to a program-record-tying 10 wins in 2024 and is one of five Big Ten coaches on the list.Bielema signed a six-year extension in May 2025, keeping him in Champaign through 2030." Illinois finished last season ranked #16 in the AP Top 25, and returns 18 starters from its Cheez-It Citrus Bowl-winning team." Copyright 2025...

7+ mon, 3+ week ago (285+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has expanded a Tornado Watch for central Illinois on Wednesday. The watch is in effect until 10 a.m. CDT for most of the ... DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has expanded a Tornado Watch for central Illinois on Wednesday. The watch is in effect until 10 a.m. CDT for most of the WAND viewing area." A strong line of storms is moving through the state Wednesday afternoon. The WAND Weather Team is forecasting the possibility of"80 mph wind gusts, hail up to 1.5 inches (ping pong ball) in diameter and a few tornadoes with isolated intense tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center has continued the Moderate (Level 4) risk for southeastern WAND communities, while the Enhanced risk has reduced from Carlinville to Wateska and points east. Western WAND communities are now placed within a Level…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (138+ words) Desmond Claud's season-high 31 points helped snap Illinois' five game winning streak. The Illini shot just 21.9% from three-point range. USC also won the rebounding battle 37-34 and outscored Illinois ... (WAND) - Illinois Men's Basketball did not miss a beat on Wednesday without Kasparas Jakucionis.But on Saturday against USC, his absence was felt.With their best player still sidelined left forearm injury, No 13 Illinois was upset by USC 82-72 The Trojans were 14-point underdogs.Desmond Claud's season-high" 31 points helped snap Illinois' five game winning streak.The Illini shot just 21.9% from three-point range USC also won the rebounding battle 37-34 and outscored Illinois in the paint 44-30.Illinois will head to Indiana on Tuesday Opening tip is set for 6 p.m.Copyright 2025 WAND TV...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (105+ words) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, will lead a media briefing Friday to provide an update on Illinois' measles outbreak. The briefing ... Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, will lead a media briefing Friday to provide an update on Illinois' measles outbreak.The briefing will take place at 10 a.m at the" Sangamon County Health Department in Springfield.Other public health and healthcare leaders will join Vohra to discuss the status of the outbreak and the importance of" immunization in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.Additional information is available online." Copyright 2025...