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Prosecutors in Chicago charge man with stabbing ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old son to death

CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors in Chicago have accused a man of stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old son to death. Prosecutors announced on Friday that the 37-year-old man had been charged with murder, attempted murder, home invasion and armed robbery in connection with the attack, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Prosecutors alleged during a court hearing that the…

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Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals

Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris, IDOR Chief Economist Rubina Hafeez and Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Director Alexis Sturm take questions from the House Revenue and Finance Committee in Springfield on Thursday. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki) By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and…

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Machinery versus manpower: Illinois meat processors weigh technology

RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek   As demand for locally produced meat grows and a quality workforce becomes more difficult to obtain, the meat processing sector is taking a closer look at areas where technology can replace human labor. The Illinois Association of Meat Processors (IAMP) held a joint convention with the Indiana Meat Packers and Processors…

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U of I establishes one of the largest research fields in the U.S.

HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek   One of the largest tile-drained test plots in the country will be located at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) thanks to a massive investment from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Studies (ACES). This new research field, the Alma Mater Plots, will sit on approximately 55 acres and host…

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Are all peanut butters the same?

Modern grocery stores put their predecessors to shame in regard to the number of items available for purchase. Gone are the days when grocery stores featured roughly 12 aisles and shelves stocked primarily with food and beverages. Modern grocery stores are much larger and feature everything from traditional groceries to kitchen essentials, clothing, and more.…

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Prairie Farmer names 2024 Master Farmers

HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Prairie Farmer selected four new recipients of the Master Farmer award. The award is noted as agriculture’s lifetime achievement award and honors exceptional agricultural production skills, commitment to family and service to their communities. Chris Hausman, Champaign County:  Hausman and his wife, Evonne, are Champaign County Farm Bureau Members from Pesotum. They…

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Farm enthusiast shares ag history treasures

Phyllis Coulter FarmWeek A travel enthusiast, writer, and farmer’s wife found the perfect lifestyle fit. She travels, explores agricultural treasures, and shares her stories with others. Cindy Ladage has been doing this in one form or another for more than 30 years. Keeping up with the times, nowadays, she shares her stories on a blog…

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Illinois organizations to receive $28.8M to feed underserved populations

Illinois will use $28.8 million in federal money to buy locally-produced food and distribute it to those in need, state officials announced Tuesday. “Food access is fundamental to healthy and prosperous communities,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Thanks to the cooperation and support of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Illinois EATS Program is dispersing…

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Severe storms, tornadoes kill 3 in central US

By STEFANIE DAZIO and LISA BAUMANN Associated Press For most of central Illinois, including Christian County, tornado sirens sounded throughout the day on Thursday. There were several reports of large hail (see Page 8) and some damaging wind, but for the most part, the area was spared too much damage. However, it was a different…

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Southern Illinois GOP congressional candidates race to win the hearts, minds of Trump conservatives

JOHN O’CONNOR AP Political Writer CASEY, Ill. (AP) — At a local restaurant meet-and-greet, Darren Bailey led his audience in prayer, then suggested reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before failing to find an American flag in the room. The stars and stripes were spotted on Brandon Baston’s T-shirt and Bailey summoned the 37-year-old Walmart employee…

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