Local Headlines

MENDOTA – A former Mendota High School teacher was taken into custody after an investigation into sexual misconduct with a student, Friday. According to the Mendota Police Department, they and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services opened a criminal investigation into

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — A lawyer says the family of a Chinese scholar will ask a federal jury to recommend that the man convicted of abducting and killing her be put to death. The jury found former University of Illinois doctoral student Brendt Christensen guilty Monday in the kidnapping and

SPRING VALLEY – An SUV veered off of the roadway and into a ravine in Spring Valley, Monday. According the the Spring Valley Fire Department just before 1 p.m., they and mutual aid from Ladd and Peru were called to 600 east Cleveland Street with EMS for a rescue of two occupants trapped in

Current Illinois State University student-athlete and LaSalle-Peru High School graduate Rachel Hickey posted an impressive performance at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships Sunday evening in Miramar, Florida, clocking in at 4:30.93 in the 1,500-meter race to finish in second place. With that

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge decided to appoint a special prosecutor Friday to investigate the decision by Cook County prosecutors to dismiss all charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of lying to the police by claiming he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Illinois state troopers are teaming up with truck drivers in the Chicago area to crack down on distracted driving. The (Joliet) Herald-News reports the “Trooper in a Truck” program has troopers riding along in the cabs of commercial motor vehicles to better spot

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A union representing thousands of Illinois state workers says its members have approved a four-year contract that offers lump-sum payments and a series of raises. AFSCME Council 31 says workers will get $625 for each of the past four years worked. There will be a 1.5%

DWIGHT, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill that would ban privately operated immigrant detention centers. A center had been proposed for Dwight in Livingston County. Mayor Jared Anderson tells radio station WJBC that it would have provided more than 300 jobs. Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — State health officials say they’re adding a screening for a rare hereditary disorder that affects the brain, nervous system and adrenal gland test for all newborn babies in Illinois. Adrenoleukodystrophy affects about 1 in 20,000 births. The Illinois Department of

LAPORTE, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a man struck his 15-year-old brother in the head in northwestern Indiana because he was upset about the teen vaping indoors, causing a skull fracture that led to his death. The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports that a recording of a hearing in the