Report: New data centers could create more than 120K Illinois jobs
by Maggie Dougherty and Ben Szalinski October 1, 2026 A new study predicts data centers expected to be built in Illinois over the next decade would create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. But many are skeptical the touted benefits will live up to their promises or outweigh the…
Read MoreMarion woman duped out of $318K in elaborate gold-bar scheme
by Soph Levinson, William Mize and 2 others BENTON — A 78-year-old southern Illinois woman was alarmed when a popup message appeared on her computer in April warning that it had been compromised. She Googled the number for Microsoft support and called the first option that appeared in her search results. The man on the…
Read More25 years ablaze: SIU’s ‘Fire Dawgs’ inspires land management careers
byJourney ShortandSaluki Local Reporting Lab On a clear spring morning in southern Illinois, a group of students stands at the edge of the woods near Lake Murphysboro in rural Jackson County. They wear bright yellow fire-resistant shirts, green pants, heavy boots and helmets. Each person carries a tool, a hoe, shovel or drip torch. Everything…
Read MoreIn a flash, history tumbles down
byAdam GuntherandSaluki Local Reporting Lab CHESTER — Hundreds of people gathered along the riverfront Monday morning to watch the 80-year-old Chester Bridge come down. Then, in a matter of seconds, it was gone. Explosives ripped through the old bridge, sending it crashing into the Mississippi River as cheers rose from the crowd. A piece of…
Read More104-year-old Illinois farmer retires
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek After decades spent working in agriculture, stepping away from farming was not a decision Donnie Peterson could make overnight. “It wasn’t easy, but I realized it was time to let go,” said Peterson, who is retiring at 104. Born in 1921, Peterson grew up on his family’s farm near Aledo. He…
Read MoreIllinois farm cultivates the crunch in potato chips
By KIM HILL FarmWeek Like many farms in Illinois, Neumiller Farms grows the state’s top crops, corn and soybeans, along with green beans and other produce. But the potato reigns supreme for this family farm, which plants about 3,000 acres of potatoes each year. A significant portion of their harvest becomes potato chips for major…
Read MoreFor Your Health — Can Your Breakfast Help Lower Cancer Risk?
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Don’t sleep on the cancer prevention benefits of a healthy breakfast. Whether it’s oatmeal, whole-wheat toast, berries in Greek yogurt or other healthy combinations, starting the morning with simple, whole foods is a great way to help lower the risk of cancer while also energizing your day…
Read MoreFor Your Health — Health and Wellness Tips for Cancer Survivors
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way. Maybe we have friends or family who’ve been diagnosed, or maybe you’re one of the 18 million people in the U.S. living as a cancer survivor. Given cancer’s seriousness, its extent can certainly feel concerning, especially…
Read MoreFor Your Health — At Any Age, We Can Cut the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Recent headlines have pushed colorectal cancer back to the top of news feeds with the unfortunate passing of actor James Van Der Beek. Like Chadwick Bozeman, who died of the disease in 2020, Van Der Beek was diagnosed at a relatively young age, part of a troubling…
Read MoreFor Your Health — What to Know About GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss and Health
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center As many of us know, keeping weight in check can be hard. And national numbers certainly reflect this. Rates of overweight and obesity in the U.S. have steadily climbed since the early 1980s. The impact this has had on health and well-being is very significant. Weight gain…
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