Educating, informing, and inspiring communities through the power of public media. Heard, seen, and experienced on WILL-AM, FM, TV, Illinois Soul, and beyond! 📍 Based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 🌍 Serving central Illinois and more!https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlvtbkw4vk2sThe Mirror, located at 508 West Elm Street, has played host to “house shows” for the past four years. The house was one of many spaces in an ever-evolving music scene in the C-U area that put on local DIY concerts in basements, living rooms and backyards. Read the full story. https://ipmnewsroom.org/historic-urbana-home-that-played-host-to-local-music-closes-its-doors/15 May 2026 17:11 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvtbkw4vk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlt557reic23This story is part of a partnership between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of @invisible.institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM News. https://ipmnewsroom.org/people-with-mental-illness-are-stuck-in-illinois-jails-awaiting-treatment-a-task-force-seeks-solutions/14 May 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt557reic23https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlr4uw5k3k2fA variety of musical performances, Japanese floral arrangements, an instrument sale and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend! 🌸🎻 WILL CALL is Illinois Public Media's weekly rundown of what's coming to the area in the world of arts, culture, and entertainment. https://ipmnewsroom.org/will-call-3/13 May 2026 20:20 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr4uw5k3k2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlqpwkfmnc2qThe city of Urbana has a new fire chief. The Urbana City Council voted Monday to appoint Steven Doggett to the position. Doggett previously served with the Urbana Fire Department for 19 years, including as an arson investigator, the city said in an announcement. https://ipmnewsroom.org/urbana-appoints-new-fire-chief/13 May 2026 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqpwkfmnc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mle53udyzs2wWe are wishing a very happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough today! He has dedicated a century and a lifetime to opening all of our eyes to the natural world, redefining how we see ourselves and our fellow creatures 🌏💚 You can catch a plethora of Attenborough documentaries this month on WILL08 May 2026 16:19 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle53udyzs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mle45nptwk2w“If you have a sharp decrease in frog species, that’s a good indication that something is going wrong in that watershed,” said East Central Illinois FrogWatch chapter coordinator Morgan Duerksen-Balk. https://ipmnewsroom.org/these-citizen-scientists-track-frog-calls-to-monitor-ecosystem-health/08 May 2026 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle45nptwk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlcanqe5pk2lUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students and teaching assistants trying to access assignments were greeted with a ransomware message Thursday afternoon. The message claimed a group called ShinyHunter has hacked Canvas, a leading online course system. https://ipmnewsroom.org/learning-platform-canvas-subject-to-ransomware-attack-ahead-of-u-of-i-final-exams/07 May 2026 22:18 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcanqe5pk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlc4xe47p22hThe state’s School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard shows coverage rates for all school-required childhood immunizations are holding steady compared to last year, and all but one of those immunizations is above the state’s 95% coverage goal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. https://ipmnewsroom.org/vaccinations-for-children-in-illinois-increased-this-school-year-data-shows/07 May 2026 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlc4xe47p22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mlbijrt36k2gUrbana Mayor DeShawn Williams completed one year in office on May 3, 2026. He ran on goals of building trust in the community and advocating for changes that residents actually want to see. https://ipmnewsroom.org/after-one-year-in-office-urbana-mayor-deshawn-williams-reflects-on-progress-and-future-goals/07 May 2026 15:06 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbijrt36k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3ml73nqqy3k25In a court filing, intervenors say the Trump administration is concealing the true purpose of its case. https://ipmnewsroom.org/doj-seeking-illinois-voter-data-to-purge-suspected-noncitizens-documents-suggest/06 May 2026 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml73nqqy3k25https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3ml4ipkjfv22yWeather and climate information is primarily reported in English. When severe weather warnings are misunderstood or misinterpreted, the consequences can be serious. Language barriers can put non-English speaking communities at risk during emergencies. Dr. Trujillo-Falcón talks to Weather Realness. https://will.illinois.edu/weatherrealness/episode/how-language-barriers-can-put-lives-at-risk-during-severe-weather05 May 2026 15:26 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4ipkjfv22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3ml2fhppymc27Protesters at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gathered outside the administration building as they demanded administrators provide greater support for immigrant students and workers. https://ipmnewsroom.org/university-of-illinois-may-day-rally-focuses-on-immigrant-student-rights/04 May 2026 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2fhppymc27https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mksrdateh22jParkland College is marking its 60th anniversary this year. The community college was established in 1966, and in its first year, enrolled more than 1,300 students who attended classes in leased buildings across downtown Champaign. https://ipmnewsroom.org/engaging-the-community-in-learning-has-always-been-our-mission-parkland-college-celebrates-60-years/01 May 2026 18:33 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksrdateh22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkqmg6gb7s2tThe story behind the cow! A cow got loose on the Main Quad of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wednesday afternoon. Campus officials say the animal escaped at around 3:30 p.m. while being loaded onto a trailer at U of I’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Large Animal Clinic. https://ipmnewsroom.org/bovine-brouhaha-at-the-u-of-i-campus-cow-caper-ends-calmly/30 Apr 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqmg6gb7s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkqlh5hvwc2bUrbana City Council member Chaundra Bishop has resigned, citing ongoing health issues that require her full attention. Bishop represented Ward 5, which includes much of northeast Urbana. During Monday’s council meeting, she spoke virtually and read from a letter thanking the city for its trust. https://ipmnewsroom.org/urbana-city-council-member-resigns-citing-health-issues/30 Apr 2026 21:43 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqlh5hvwc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mknoznww222tAt an opening event on Thursday, Dwayne Banks Jr. said the last time a photographer brought together so many local Black leaders was over 40 years ago, and the photographer was white. He said that he wanted to tell Black stories from a Black perspective. https://ipmnewsroom.org/photography-exhibit-turns-the-black-gaze-on-champaign-urbana-leaders/29 Apr 2026 18:09 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknoznww222thttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mknk3n74l225The FBI is starting a major operation Wednesday morning in Danville. Springfield FBI Acting Public Affairs Specialist Jake Griffin says it is not immigration related. https://ipmnewsroom.org/springfield-fbi-starts-sweep-in-danville-says-it-is-not-immigration-related/29 Apr 2026 16:40 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknk3n74l225https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkkt7smjec2a“All families, despite their resources available, are trying to do the best they can for their kids, and sometimes they need an extra person in their corner to help them access the resources that they need so they can provide the best care possible,” Sarah Scully said. https://ipmnewsroom.org/asking-for-help-is-a-sign-of-strength-how-one-urbana-nursery-is-redefining-family-crisis/28 Apr 2026 14:46 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkt7smjec2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkizojatt226Updated Monday April 27, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. https://ipmnewsroom.org/gusty-winds-and-severe-storms-expected-in-central-illinois-on-monday/27 Apr 2026 21:36 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkizojatt226https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkig57nops2wFederal agents are planning to be in Champaign-Urbana this week — but not for immigration enforcement. Rumors have been swirling that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be in town. Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said the rumors are not true. https://ipmnewsroom.org/champaign-county-sheriff-says-ice-will-not-be-in-town/27 Apr 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkig57nops2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkbcnxrmtc26IPM News' Abigail Bottar's feature, "Animal activists celebrate their first global ‘Sanctuary Day,'" recently aired on NPR's "All Things Considered." The piece covers the 40th anniversary of Farm Animal Sanctuary Day and a micro sanctuary in Indiana. Link: https://ipmnewsroom.org/animal-activists-celebrate-their-first-global-sanctuary-day/24 Apr 2026 19:56 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbcnxrmtc26https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mkavjqy3ds22Of the 123,994 registered voters in Champaign County, 29,101 cast ballots, for a turnout of 24%, according to data posted on the County Clerk’s website. https://ipmnewsroom.org/about-1-in-4-eligible-champaign-county-voters-cast-ballots-in-this-years-primary-election/24 Apr 2026 16:01 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkavjqy3ds22https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mk6oa2u3i223However, the plan does not include the goal of divesting the university’s endowment from fossil fuels, reinvesting financial resources in sustainable and socially responsible funds and making all investments more transparent, which were goals in the 2020 plan. https://ipmnewsroom.org/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign-chancellor-signs-2026-climate-action-plan-without-fossil-fuels-divestment/23 Apr 2026 18:45 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6oa2u3i223https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mk6dzxeh2c26Drivers in Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy between now and Saturday may encounter road closures during the upcoming Christie Clinic races. https://ipmnewsroom.org/champaign-urbana-street-closures-to-soon-begin-ahead-of-annual-races/23 Apr 2026 15:42 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6dzxeh2c26https://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mk4fwvbopc2qThe city of Urbana is testing out a new road design on a portion of North Lincoln Avenue as part of an effort to make the corridor safer to travel through. https://ipmnewsroom.org/urbana-testing-out-new-road-design-on-part-of-lincoln-avenue-to-improve-pedestrian-safety/22 Apr 2026 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4fwvbopc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mk3vj6igl22iThe city entered into an agreement with the supplier, Direct Energy, through an electric aggregation program. The program allows the city to pool residential and commercial electricity accounts to negotiate a bulk rate. https://ipmnewsroom.org/urbana-residents-will-soon-be-opted-in-to-an-electric-aggregation-program-heres-what-you-need-to-know/22 Apr 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3vj6igl22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mjznjca6wc2kIt’s day 2 of our Spring Radio Fund Drive!🌱 We are so grateful to the Friends of WILL—community members like Terry and Barbara England. Because of them and because of people like you, local public media can continue to thrive in central Illinois. 🌱 Please join them in supporting IPM at willgive.org21 Apr 2026 18:49 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjznjca6wc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ilpublicmedia.bsky.social/post/3mjzncul4722hThe recent study at Ohio State University found that across North America, more than 120 bird species are experiencing decline, and of those, more than half are experiencing accelerated decline. https://ipmnewsroom.org/bird-populations-are-shrinking-faster-in-agriculture-hotspots-including-the-midwest-study-finds/21 Apr 2026 18:45 +0000at://did:plc:ndvt3rs4ryap2ambjo3zzfx7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzncul4722h