Tri States Public Radio

01/15/2026

Wage inequities persist in Illinois’ workforce, although data suggests the state, on average, is doing better than others, according to a new report from the University of Illinois.

Analysis of wage and demographic data from Illinois businesses shows some improvement, but inequity remains

01/15/2026

Since Thomas Jefferson signed it into law in 1807, the Insurrection Act has only been invoked about 30 times. The last instance was over three decades ago. During his second term, Trump has repeatedly brought up the idea of invoking the statute.

As protests grow over violent ICE enforcement actions in Minneapolis, the president said he could invoke a centuries-old law that would give him sweeping powers to deploy the military in U.S. cities.

01/15/2026

After a tense day of confusion and backroom negotiations, the Trump administration moved Wednesday night to restore roughly $2 billion in federal grant money for mental health and addiction programs nationwide.

For 24 hours, it was unclear which mental health and addiction programs would survive and who would still have jobs when the dust settled.

01/15/2026

The city of Burlington is asking residents for input about the future of Dankwardt Park Pool. The city-operated pool has served the community for decades. But due to the age and condition of the facility and pool liner, the city is evaluating options. READ MORE: https://bit.ly/49IUtqz

01/15/2026

Overall, the $10.9 billion request would be a slight decrease from the current budget of just over $11 billion. But that is only because funding for early childhood education, which totals nearly $750 million this year, is being shifted in the upcoming year to the newly created Department of Early Childhood, an initiative Gov. JB Pritzker pushed in 2024

The Illinois State Board of Education voted to approve a budget request for the upcoming fiscal year that calls for only a minimal increase in K-12 education spending, a reflection of the state’s tightening fiscal condition. Overall, the $10.9 billion request would be a slight decrease from the cu...

01/14/2026

"How do we manage to stay sane — and stay alive — during this heinous time in America? One thing I discovered is that a lot of us are watching squirrel videos." - Commentator Beth Howard.

Commentator Beth Howard says these are trying times in the U.S. But she’s found a welcome distraction from the troubling headlines.

01/14/2026

"We’re excited to see where we can go,” said Victoria Livingston, Executive Director of the Prairie Hills Land Bank Authority.

The Prairie Hills Land Bank Authority will seek a $1 million federal grant to clean up the former Haeger Pottery property in Macomb.

01/14/2026

The state’s Democratic leaders didn’t go into specifics about what changes, if any, they’re currently considering.

Some of Illinois’ top Democrats say they’re open to considering targeted changes to Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act this spring if a forthcoming judicial report says they’re needed. Both Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, say the changes would be nar...

01/14/2026

This year’s artists-in-residence are John Raymond, a Grammy-nominated trumpeter celebrated for his innovative approach to jazz, and S. (Sean) Carey, a versatile, multiple Grammy Award-winning, multi-instrumentalist best known for his dynamic work with Bon Iver.

The residency connects Knox students and the Galesburg community with world-class jazz artists for a week of workshops and collaborative activities. It will culminate in a free concert at the Orpheum Theatre.

01/14/2026

Human skeletal remains found in October 1966 in rural western Illinois have been identified as a California teenager who went missing the previous year. READ MORE: https://bit.ly/49Dedvw

01/14/2026

The sweeping study by the Brookings Institution's Center for Universal Education includes focus groups and interviews with K-12 students, parents, educators and tech experts in 50 countries. It found that using AI in education can "undermine children's foundational development" and that "the damages it has already caused are daunting," though "fixable."

A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.

01/13/2026

Ashley England was on pretrial release for a separate charge of drug possession when her car crossed the double center line in the 1300 block of North Lake Storey Road and collided with another vehicle on Nov. 22.

A Galesburg woman has pleaded not guilty to aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, and drug possession in a fatal crash late last year on Lake Storey Road.