IPR

Five employees of Pop-Up Chicken Shop lost their jobs on the Fourth of July after telling owner Aaron Francis they wouldn't work without the time-and-a-half listed in the company's employee handbook.

Tracy is running against Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Carolyn Moon, who took the board chair position this month, is the first person from outside the Chicago area to serve in the role.

Historically, the American Heart Association's focus has been on Champaign and Peoria. Dr. Colleen Blackburn wants to change that — including the renamed and repositioned Central Illinois Heart Ball fundraiser.

A Morton farmer faces a potential $250,000 fine by the Illinois Department of Agriculture for allegedly applying pesticides on a farm near the Bethel Lutheran School while the school hosted an outdoor event.

There will no doubt be apple pie on the menu at many July 4 celebrations this year. There is every year. This quintessential American fruit, however, has varying cultural weight in different regions of the country. That's according to folklorist Lucy Long, author of the new book, Sweet, Tart, & Golden — Apples in the Midwestern Imagination.

Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger will visit Illinois State University on Oct. 1 to screen his 2024 documentary "The Last Republican" followed by a conversation with the WGLT newsroom. It's co-hosted by WGLT and The Dirksen Congressional Center.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says a national housing bill is likely to become law even though President Trump is holding it hostage. The president last week canceled a signing ceremony for what's called the 21st Century Road to Housing Act until Congress acts on his voting security bill.

The National Weather Service confirmed 172 tornadoes have struck the state this severe weather season. That's an all-time state record, and the most for any state in the U.S. this year.

An extended run of hot temperatures and high humidity is forecast to arrive across Central Illinois on Sunday and last through most of the week.