Many family members of both the victims and Butler were present for the hearing, with victims' family calling out that the 25-year sentence was too lenient. news-gazette.com/news/pop-up-pa…

The jury asked a clarifying question about some evidence just now as we approach the five-hour mark…. Most courthouse employees have left for the day or are about to, except for those connected to this trial. Thrilling stuff.

VERDICT INCOMING!

Have you been following the story of the 70-year-old naked gunman apparently loose in the Gibson City/Sibley area? I sure have. Illinois State Police performed another targeted sweep this afternoon... Still no David D. Jordan. The details via The News-Gazette news-gazette.com/news/another-s…

With National Hispanic Heritage Month and Champaign-Urbana’s Welcoming Week around the corner, some local Latino leaders have concerns about safety at events amid increased ICE arrests. Others say this is no time to hide. via The News-Gazette news-gazette.com/news/local/com…

Central IL law-enforcement agencies don't believe their automated license-plate readers were used by federal agencies despite recent news that Flock Safety illegally allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access data from Illinois. via The News-Gazette news-gazette.com/news/local/cou…

NEW via Luke Taylor at court: 'I was hoping to stab the officers so they would kill me.' news-gazette.com/news/champaign…

this was a good outcome but it is mind blowing that an elected official or two (pretty clear who it was from watching the meeting) thought they could just slide this by. without Luke Taylor's reporting, no one would have known. support local journalism.

After a Rantoul man was arrested for his alleged involvement in a crash that led to the death of an Urbana woman over a week ago, members of the victim’s family said they felt relief. Reporting by Luke Taylor: news-gazette.com/news/local/cou…

Sentencing hearing for Alex Muanambuta, convicted of a brutal murder and attempted murder in a Champaign stabbing incident last year, happening now. Catch up as we await the results: news-gazette.com/news/local/cou… via The News-Gazette

Alex Muanambuta will serve 100 years for the murder of Nathan Gudeman of Champaign and attempted murder of Katy Lassy. Lassy testified at his sentencing, describing her trauma - and then headed off to coach a Centennial boys swim meet. news-gazette.com/news/rantoul-m… via The News-Gazette

At the Champaign Unit 4 school board meeting this evening, during which a vote will be held to appoint Geovanny Ponce as the district's new superintendent. Board members are speaking now; two have raised concerns about the salary being offered to Ponce. The News-Gazette

“There is no magic, and there's no one pill or one recipe,” said Geovanny Ponce on helping schools succeed. “I think it's a community work.” The News-Gazette