News
Box turtles are back for the summer. Here's how to help them survive another year
5+ hour, 10+ min ago (877+ words) In spring, box turtles emerge from their underground winter dens. Drivers across the Midwest and Great Plains may spot them on the roads. The creatures are particularly vulnerable this time of year to getting hit by cars or plucked from…...
How do data centers benefit the places where they're built? Local mayors give mixed reviews
4+ day, 7+ hour ago (1253+ words) The Illinois General Assembly continues to debate what to do about data centers as the artificial intelligence business keeps booming, and communities complain about their energy bills, noise and environmental impacts. Data centers are warehouse-like buildings that house computer servers…...
These citizen scientists track frog calls to monitor ecosystem health
1+ week, 13+ hour ago (958+ words) HOMER " On a drizzly day at Homer Lake Forest Preserve east of Champaign-Urbana, Morgan Duerksen-Balk walked around a wetland where frogs normally mate this time of year. The loud and constant trill of the frogs" calls permeated the air. Mating…...
Learning platform Canvas subject to ransomware attack ahead of U of I final exams
1+ week, 1+ day ago (130+ words) University 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 Shiny Hunter has hacked Canvas, a leading online course system. The attack has affected…...
Today 11am-6pm: Blowing Dust Advisory in Central Illinois
1+ week, 4+ day ago (156+ words) IPM Newsroom Today 11am-6pm: Blowing Dust Advisory in Central Illinois The National Weather Service in Central Illinois has issued a Blowing Dust Advisory for central Illinois for Monday 11: 00 a. m. -6: 00 p. m. Hazardous driving conditions are expected due to locally reduced visibility. Champaign, Coles, De…...
Gusty winds and severe storms expected in central Illinois on Monday
2+ week, 4+ day ago (93+ words) IPM Newsroom Gusty winds and severe storms expected in central Illinois on Monday From the National Weather Service in Central Illinois: All of Illinois remains in a level 3 (enhanced) risk of severe weather on Monday. All severe hazards are possible,…...
Periods of showers and thunderstorms to continue rest of the week
1+ mon, 9+ hour ago (89+ words) Updated Wednesday April 15, 2026 at 10: 35 a. m. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue today. Temperatures are expected to dip this weekend." Updated Tuesday April 14, 2026 at 9: 45 a. m. Spring-like weather continues in Central Illinois with a few showers." Updated Monday April 13, 2026 at 10: 30 a. m. While the weather has…...
Most American prairies are gone. These people are working to bring them back
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (1185+ words) American prairies are a threatened ecosystem, but they're not completely lost. Across the central U. S. , people are working to preserve and restore the native landscapes. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates about80% of original grassland ecosystems in the U. S. are gone, and the…...
Is Spring making its way to Central Illinois? Temperatures to hit near 80 degrees this week
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (102+ words) IPM Newsroom Updated Monday March 30, 2026 at 1: 45 p. m. In an unexpected turn of events, temperatures will warm up Monday and reach almost near 80 degrees today and tomorrow. Chance of rain and thunder will increase later in the day Tuesday, according to IPM…...
'Cow vision' goggles let farmers see the world on four hooves " and may improve animal welfare
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (1094+ words) From farm to processing plant, people working in animal agriculture try to keep stress down for cattle, pigs and other livestock. But it requires an understanding of how these animals see the world, according to Ashlynn Kirk, the program manager…...