Emily Boyer

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman has taken on another leadership position. He is the newly elected president of the Illinois Municipal League, which is a leading advocacy group for cities across the state.

Western Illinois University has received $9.5 million from the state of Illinois for capital improvement projects. But, that's just a drop in the bucket of what it would take to address the backlog of deferred maintenance.

Even though the new school year is underway, many school districts in the region are still trying to hire teachers. Regional Superintendent of Education John Meixner said almost every district downstate has struggled to fill vacant teaching positions.

Western Illinois University is still trying to secure its financial footing due to the two-year state budget impasse and declining student enrollment. President Jack Thomas has said repeatedly that everything is on the table when it comes to making cost saving measures. But it turns out there is one exception:  the furlough program.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner brought his re-election campaign to the McDonough County Republican headquarters, where he said he wants to make more state  funding available for higher education.

Annette Carper said she was a little surprised when Mayor Mike Inman asked her to apply for an open seat on the Macomb City Council.

Western Illinois University’s president used his State of the University address during Thursday's University Assembly to say this will be a year of change at the institution.

The newest building at Western Illinois University isn't located on the main campus in Macomb but rather at the school's golf course.

Western Illinois University is currently undergoing a period of change, but this is not the first time and likely won't be the last.  

Western Illinois University laid out its plans for restructuring and realigning its academic offerings during a much anticipated news conference on Monday.

A few details are emerging about the layoffs at Western Illinois University, which were authorized by the Board of Trustees during a special meeting late last week. A total of two dozen faculty members and two other employees in academic affairs are losing their jobs.

The owner of the Macomb Pet Land was in court Wednesday to hear the charges against her. Jessica Spangler faces nine counts of aggravated animal cruelty after police removed 41 dead animals and rescued 56 living animals from her pet store late last month.

On the popular reality television show Survivor, contestants are sent to a remote location and put through a series of difficult physical and mental challenges. They fight to outwork and outsmart their opponents in order to earn the title of Survivor.        

There are 24 people from across the country trying to accomplish the same this weekend on a property located just outside of Macomb.

Western Illinois University will receive $47.2 million under the state's budget for Fiscal Year '19, which begins July 1, 2018.  That reflects a 2% funding increase for public higher education across the state.  WIU President Jack Thomas told Tri States Public Radio that the slight funding increase is helpful following several years of financial uncertainty including the two year state budget impasse. 

Faculty and staff at Western Illinois University have voted to ratify a new employment contract. Western's Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider the agreement during a special meeting Friday.

The owner of Macomb Pet Land, Jessica Spangler, faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals after the Macomb Police Department found 41 deceased animals inside her store and removed 56 neglected animals from the site.

The franchise group Aggressive Developments owns and operates the McAlister's Deli that opened in Macomb this spring. The restaurant is the group's 11th McAlister's Deli and its most successful opening to date.

In a news release, the company said it will transfer production of its 250 Series vinyl windows from Murray, Kentucky to Macomb, Illinois. According to Pella, the 250 Series is one of its most popular products. 

Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas was in Idaho Thursday for a job interview. He is a finalist in the search for the next president of Boise State University.

Western Illinois University and the union representing the university's faculty and staff released a joint statement Tuesday night regarding their ongoing contract talks. The two sides said they are close to a reaching a tentative agreement following Monday's mediation session.

The union representing faculty and staff at Western Illinois University marched through the heart of campus Monday afternoon demanding a fair contract from the administration.

Faculty and staff at Western Illinois University have voted to authorize a strike.