At Monday night’s meeting, the Champaign Unit 4 School Board encountered a wave of public concern following its decision to begin the search for a new superintendent and a permanent principal for Booker T. Washington (BTW) Elementary.
“Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses. If you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately.”
Champaign Central High School has claimed the top spot at the 2025 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Eastern National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the weekend, Central’s 24-student team topped a field of 265 high school teams, with three individual archers placing in the top five of the competition.
After a month of delays due to lack of quorum, the Champaign School District seated its new board during a special meeting Friday night. The meeting, expected to be a procedural formality, quickly turned contentious as disputes over next week’s agenda and the superintendent’s future sparked heated exchanges between board members and the public.
In response to growing interest in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects across Illinois, the Champaign County Board has established the Champaign County CO2 Sequestration Activities Task Force (3CSATF). The task force will proactively study the potential impacts of CCS on the environment and public health, and develop ordinances to regulate such activities in the county. The 3CSATF is comprised of local officials, scientists, engineers, and public health professionals.
Two leaders from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) have received national recognition for their contributions to agricultural research and innovation.
The festival is open to the local community, including science enthusiasts and curious minds. Participants can grab a drink and dive into the groundbreaking research at the Pint of Science Festival presented by researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The festival takes place from May 19 to 20. Each evening starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Cowboy Monkey and Gallery Art Bar, with more information below. UIUC researchers will bring their science to life in casual, engaging talks.
These sessions will be held at the Champaign County Public library’s Robeson Pavilion Room C, located at 200 W Green St, Champaign, IL 61820. This series can be used by people new to digital technology or those looking to enhance their online experience. It features step-by-step instructions in a supportive environment. A digital literacy expert will also be on hand to provide answers to questions and one-on-one assistance.
“Participating in ACES Family Academies with my daughter was such a meaningful experience — both as an alum and as a parent,” said Rocky Lacey-Nelson (B.S. ’97), ACES Alumni Board President. “It was incredible to see her curiosity sparked by the same college that shaped my own path. This program creates lasting memories and opens young eyes to the power of learning and discovery. We had a fantastic time last year, and we’re excited to come back!”
The trustees recognized April 2025 as Community College Month, which supports the awareness of the benefits of community colleges. It is part of a national campaign by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The primary goal, according to ACCT, is to “improve awareness of the economic, academic, and equity advantages of attending community colleges, and to dispel longtime stigmas wrongly associated with public two-year colleges.”