As area schools pause their meal programs for summer, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is stepping in to ensure local children remain nourished through the break. Beginning Friday, July 25, CUPHD’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will offer free breakfast and lunch to children ages 1 to 18. The […]
Author: Dani Tietz
Trump Administration Unveils Sweeping AI Action Plan Sparking Concerns Over Deregulation and Corporate Influence
The Trump administration has released “America’s AI Action Plan,” a comprehensive 25-page policy document containing over 90 federal actions designed to strengthen U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence development. The plan outlines three strategic pillars: accelerating AI innovation, building AI infrastructure, and leading in international AI diplomacy and security. The plan represents […]
Over 100 Humanitarian Organizations Issue Urgent Call for Gaza Aid Access as ‘Mass Starvation’ Spreads
More than 100 international humanitarian and rights organizations issued a stark warning on Wednesday, declaring that “mass starvation” is spreading across Gaza as aid workers themselves now join the same food lines as civilians, risking their lives just to feed their families. The coalition of 109 organizations, including major groups […]
Champaign County Home Sales Cool in June; Median Prices Hit Record Highs
Champaign County’s housing market took an unexpected turn in June 2024, typically the busiest month for home sales. Only 233 homes were sold across the county—a sharp decline of 34% compared to June 2023, when 353 homes changed hands. Year-to-date sales also reflect a slowdown, down 10.1% from the first […]
Illinois Attorney General Leads Coalition Urging Congress to Ban Concealed ICE Tactics
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in a call for Congress to enact new restrictions on how federal immigration agents operate, particularly criticizing the use of masks and unmarked vehicles by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The coalition issued a collective letter […]
Johnson Signals No House Vote on “Epstein Files” Before Recess
On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson ruled out holding a floor vote this week on any measure to force the public release of the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein records. Johnson told reporters, “My belief is we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing, and […]
CBO Estimates Trillions in Deficit Growth in Final Look at Big, Beautiful Bill
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently looked at the Republican Party’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and explained what it could mean for the U.S. government’s finances over the next 10 years (2025–2034). The CBO says this bill will add almost $3.4 trillion more to the national debt by 2034. The government […]
Florida Immigration Detention Centers Under Scrutiny for Abusive Conditions
A new report released on July 21 by Human Rights Watch, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Sanctuary of the South documents extensive allegations of abuse, overcrowding, and inadequate medical care at three Florida immigration detention centers: Krome North Service Processing Center, Broward Transitional Center, and the Federal Detention Center in […]
Extreme Heat Grips Champaign-Urbana: Public Health Officials Urge Caution
Central Illinois faces a wave of dangerously high temperatures and humidity this week, with heat index values projected to reach between 105–112°F. The National Weather Service anticipates the most severe heat on Wednesday and Thursday, with intense conditions possibly lingering through the weekend. Overnight temperatures are expected to offer minimal relief, […]
Trump Signs GENIUS Act into Law
The GENIUS Act, officially titled the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, has become the first major federal law creating a comprehensive framework to regulate dollar-pegged cryptocurrency stablecoins in the United States. The GENIUS Act passed through Congress with bipartisan support, passing the Senate 68-30 and the […]
