Category Archives: Local News
Marion County Sheriff's Department investigating three burglary theft cases
The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating three weekend theft reports. The sheriff's department was called to the 4700 block of Hicks Road in Alma to a burglary and theft report. Deputie...
Jun 01, 2026 Flashing lights are pictured on an Illinois State Police car. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Randy Houser to Bring Country Hits to the Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand on September 7
Country music powerhouse Randy Houser is headed to the Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand on Monday, September 7th, bringing his unmistakable voice and chart-topping catalog of hits to Southern Illinois f...
Jun 01, 2026
Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2026 Article Summary Democrats largely joined together to support the Fiscal Year 2027 budget as Republicans warned the plan will harm the state's finan...
Jun 01, 2026
Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urged
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2026 Article Summary Illinois lawmakers approved a budget after 4 a.m. Monday that includes the full $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding for...
Jun 01, 2026
Illinois lawmakers fail to pass Bears bill despite goal line push
by Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2026 SPRINGFIELD - Despite a Hail Mary heave from the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative session, state lawm...
Jun 01, 2026
Lawmakers pass bill to shield abortion information from digital medical records
by Nikoel Hytrek and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 31, 2026 Article Summary In the final week of the session, a handful of laws to protect reproductive rights passed th...
Jun 01, 2026
Area Republican Legislators Unhappy with More Taxes and Bigger State Budget
Not a single Republican lawmaker voted for the $56-billion budget that was sent to the Governor early Monday morning, including area lawmakers. State Senator Jason Plummer says eight years under Gover...
Jun 01, 2026 Pictures of Money / CC
Marion County Board Member Steps Down; Will Seek Seat in Different District
Marion County Board member Brock Waggoner has resigned from his District One seat. Waggoner's short note, submitted on Friday, only said that it was to confirm his decision to step down. The Marion Co...
May 31, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Lake Centralia Burn Victim Airlifted to Springfield Hospital
A burn victim from an unknown incident on Lake Centralia resulted in a man being airlifted to St. John's Medical Center in Springfield for treatment. The Salem Fire Protection District was called earl...
May 31, 2026
Centralia Man Hurt in Car-Motorcycle Crash
A 20-year-old Centralia man was injured when his motorcycle struck a deer on McNeilly Road in rural Walnut Hill Friday night. Mitchell Miller of Mt. Moriah Road was taken via private vehicle to SSM He...
May 31, 2026
