(EFFINGHAM) The investigation is continuing into multiple vehicle traffic crashes that occurred at around
1:30 Sunday afternoon on Interstate 70, in Cumberland County, near Greenup. The massive pileup, which
involved at least forty (40) vehicles, caused I-70 to be shut down, with all traffic diverted to U.S. Route 40, to allow the many area first responders to help those involved. IDOT reported that the eastbound lanes were reopened at around 8:30 last night, but the westbound lanes were still closed, likely until sometime today. No word is available yet from the Illinois State Police concerning injuries to those involved.
(SPRINGFIELD) Once ranked tops in the country for entry level wage growth over inflation, way back in
1935, Illinois has now fallen to number 39 compared to other states. According to nation’s wage tracking
website, BrilliantMaps.com, several southern states are among the biggest winners of increasing their
entry level hourly wages over the past 89 years. The report shows that most northern and western states
barely saw their inflation-adjusted starting wages improve. Since 1935, South Carolina, Mississippi,
Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia have all increased their average entry level hourly wages by 150 percent
or more.
(SPRINGFIELD) As the sale of weight loss drugs skyrocket around the nation, the Illinois Attorney
General’s Office is warning the public, buyer beware. The warning for consumers is about misleading
advertising by medical spas, wellness centers, online retailers, & social media sellers that imply they’re
offering name brand GLP-1 medications or generic versions of name brand medications, when in reality
they are offering compounded drugs instead. Sales of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have
soared, with over 1.6 million prescriptions issued in Illinois last year, nearly a 14% hike from the year
before. The most prescriptions went to adults ages 55 to 65 (29%), followed by seniors age 65 and older
(26%).
(MATTOON) An area downstate Coles County man is being recognized as a hero for saving a driver from
their burning car. The Mattoon City Police Department recently noted Mr. Anthony Crum for grabbing a
baseball bat from his car and smashing in a window in a separate vehicle after stopping at the scene
because the other vehicle was on fire. Crum said he thought the smoke-filled car was empty when he approached it, until he heard pounding on the windows. The other unidentified driver suffered only minor
injuries.