News

A lack of math skills can often scare people away from pursuing careers in the trades. Illinois Central College has a program for that.

Peoria International Airport shattered another of its own records in May.

The airport saw nearly 62,000 passengers. That’s more than any previous May in the airport’s history, and also marks its third-busiest month ever.

Director of Airports Gene Olson explained what he believes is behind the recent high volume of flyers choosing Peoria. 

Four hundred and forty. That’s the number of potential years of life lost in Peoria County last year to homicides. 

Cast Members Ed Peck and Kiana Baylor join Jenn Gordon on Out and About to talk about the award winning musical opening this weekend at the Tent in Upper Bradley Park. Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, RAGTIME weaves together the stories of a Harlem ragtime musician, a loyal upper-class wife, and a determined Latvian immigrant. Find out what went into bringing this show to life and how its message remains relevant in the 21st Century.

U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) isn’t optimistic her former rival for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District will fare any better across the Mississippi River. 

Former Republican Congressman Bobby Schilling announced earlier this week that he will run for Iowa’s Second Congressional District. 

“Well, I defeated him twice, and I think he’s got a third loss coming his way," she said. 

Schilling lost his seat to Bustos in 2012, and failed to win it back in the 2014 race. 

Proactive measures by community health organizations helped make a dent in Peoria County’s overdose death numbers last year. 

That’s according to Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson. 

The 2018 Mortality Report shows that Peoria County saw a 22 percent drop in overdose deaths from 2017. Hendrickson says there are a few factors at work.

There are a lot of different ideas for filling the grocery gap on Peoria’s South Side and East Bluff. 

Local police will permanently have to report data on the race of people they pull over or search under a new law signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Peoria Fire Chief Ed Olehy  is working to craft policies to cut down on firefighter exposure to carcinogens.

A study published Monday in the journal Nature Plants shows that plants genetically engineered to create large amounts of useful industrial enzymes can be grown under field conditions without hurting their yield.

One Central Illinois company wants to make it easier for schools to recycle food waste.

Better Earth Logistics is rolling out a new composting program for schools in Peoria and Tazewell counties. Co-founder Luke Rosenbohm said he wants to teach future generations how to cut down on wasted food. 

“America is one big pothole.”

That’s according to Obama-era Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

The Peoria Republican said Congress needs to look to his home state for inspiration on how to improve the condition of the nation’s roads, highways, and bridges.

"We need to take a page out of the Illinois book, and 30 other states around the country that have raised their own gas tax, and get a bold bill with a good vision," said LaHood. 

State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) said he is displeased with the way the capital bill quickly took shape. 

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a $45 billion infrastructure upgrade plan into law last month. 

“There was thousands of pages of bills introduced in a matter of hours that spent over $40 billion that we were supposed to vote on without anybody reading it. That’s bad form," he said. 

The Republican legislator said lawmakers were asked to vote on doubling the state motor fuel tax without getting a chance to actually know which projects would benefit. 

A recent incident in Chillicothe now has the park district asking: just what are the state’s rules for breastfeeding in or near a public pool? 

On Tuesday, a woman was breastfeeding her daughter while dipping her feet in the water at Shore Acres Pool. An employee asked her to cover up or go somewhere else. The woman claimed this broke the law. 

Chillicothe Park District Executive Director Kevin Yates said mothers are allowed to breastfeed at all of their facilities. But he said there’s a discrepancy in Illinois law when it comes to nursing near a pool. 

A bill currently awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature would close a loophole in state law that allows some massage parlors to operate without state licensing.