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Read more about the article Local ambulance response times frequently fail to meet standardsMaidely Davila
An Arrow ambulance outside of the Seven07 apartments at 707 S. Fourth St. in Champaign on April 15. Photo by Maidely Davila.

Local ambulance response times frequently fail to meet standards

Ambulance services in Champaign and Urbana have frequently failed to meet response time standards over the past year, a review of ambulance call data…

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Read more about the article Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centersChampaign County Board
Andrew Rehn, director of climate policy at Prairie Rivers Network, speaks at the April 23, 2026 county board meeting about data centers. Screenshot from meeting video captured April 28.

Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers

Last week, Champaign County officials voted to establish a one-year moratorium on new data centers on April 23, following “serious” inquiries into new developments…

Continue ReadingChampaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers
Read more about the article Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional mediaMadyson Magnus
Former newsroom and offices of The News-Gazette at 15 E. Main St. in Champaign in April 2026. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional media

On Main Street in downtown Champaign, the former News-Gazette building still stands, like a mausoleum to what is known as legacy news. Its signage…

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Read more about the article In Champaign, getting a driver’s permit requires a 6:30 a.m. alarmKaniz Fatema
The Champaign DMV, located at 2012 Round Barn Rd., on March 25, 2026. Photo by Kaniz Fatema.

In Champaign, getting a driver’s permit requires a 6:30 a.m. alarm

In 2023, the Illinois Secretary of State launched the “Skip the Line” program to lower wait times at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facilities…

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Read more about the article Despite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costsKatie Dalton
KAMS, a Campustown bar located at 102 E. Green St. in Champaign, in fall 2025. Photo by Katie Dalton.

Despite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costs

At least 128 underage University of Illinois students were so inebriated that their friends had to call 911 for emergency medical attention last fall.…

Continue ReadingDespite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costs
Read more about the article Retaliation, conflict factors in several Champaign shooting deathsDarrell Hoemann
Looking south to the Champaign Police Department Building on First Street. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Retaliation, conflict factors in several Champaign shooting deaths

Three summers ago, what began as a parking lot fight turned into a shooting where one man was killed and one woman was injured. …

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Read more about the article Champaign teams with violence prevention organization to head off shootings 
A map of shooting incidents in Champaign where someone was shot and killed from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2025. Data was obtained from Champaign Police Department.

Champaign teams with violence prevention organization to head off shootings 

The City of Champaign is starting a new street outreach program with the help of a nonprofit private firm specializing in violence prevention. The…

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Read more about the article Champaign police met with Shadow Wood residents to calm growing fear over immigration enforcement, ICEKennedy Williams
The exterior of a home in Shadow Wood. Photo by Kennedy Williams.

Champaign police met with Shadow Wood residents to calm growing fear over immigration enforcement, ICE

Residents at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, a community with many Spanish-speaking residents, have been meeting with Champaign police over concerns about immigration enforcement.…

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Read more about the article Upgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvementJose Diaz / For CU-CitizenAccess
The Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park has seen many changes during the past two decades, most notably a dramatic increase in its Hispanic population and a reduction in crime.

Upgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvement

The manager at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park said they are continuing to focus on maintenance and upgrades to streets throughout the neighborhood, which…

Continue ReadingUpgrades planned for Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park, but little city involvement
Read more about the article Plan for storm shelter in Shadow Wood mobile home park no longer under discussionRoger Morales/Hoy
The entrance to Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. File photo.

Plan for storm shelter in Shadow Wood mobile home park no longer under discussion

City plans made over a decade ago to incorporate a storm shelter for vulnerable mobile home park residents at Shadow Wood in Champaign have…

Continue ReadingPlan for storm shelter in Shadow Wood mobile home park no longer under discussion