Upgrades are complete for a $50,000 classroom makeover won by a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Thomas Metcalf School, a university lab school.

For the first time in five years, certain forms of student loan forgiveness will be taxable following a change in federal tax policy this year.

With frigid temperatures for a second straight day, Ameren Illinois and Corn Belt Energy customers on Saturday were asked to reduce their non-essential use of electricity following an emergency warning by the regional grid operator MISO. Those conservation measures were lifted around 10 a.m. Saturday.

The board that governs higher education in Illinois voted Wednesday to request $2.7 billion in general revenue funding next year, an increase of $121.6 million, or 4.6%, over the amount lawmakers approved for the current fiscal year.

A new certificate of both hands-on training and technical coursework teaches students to diagnose, repair and maintain medium and heavy-duty hybrid diesel vehicles and equipment. Students will also study electric propulsion systems.

Ridgeview High School in Colfax hosted conference rivals Flanagan-Cornell for a Midday Madness event combining sports and student safety.

Unit 5 is still working to adjust as a student support program at Cedar Ridge and Fairview Elementary schools loses federal grant funding at the end of the month.

Health care providers and educators worry a $100,000 lifetime limit on borrowing for graduate nursing programs, wrapped in the fine print of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could put a wrench in the workforce pipeline.

During a visit to Bloomington-Normal on Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he supports changing how state colleges and universities are funded, but wouldn't commit to releasing discretionary funds held back last fall.

Upgrades to ISU's aging arts complex have been discussed for decades. The project broke ground Tuesday, with $87 million in state funds helping to get it to the starting line.