From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said part of this spring’s agenda will be picking up unresolved initiatives from the fall, which includes insurance reform

Mendota honored its 1995-96 state team, Putnam County has increased its win total, freshmen are making an impact and more in the NewsTribune boys basketball notebook.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Streator girls basketball’s Audrey Arambula!

The Seneca boys wrestling squad picked up dual victories over Prairie Central and Streator on Monday, while the Fieldcrest boys and girls basketball teams dropped games in the McClean County/Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The L-P girls bowling team beat Hall, plus more in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

From Capitol News Illinois: The crisis comes from changes in federal Medicaid policy that were enacted last year as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which slashes one of the main funding tools many states have used for four decades to fund their share of the cost

The Chicago Bears reportedly already lost of a coach from its staff a day after their season ended Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly hired running backs coach Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator on Monday.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood welcomed 14th District constituents to her new DeKalb office this weekend.

Chicago Bears players met with reporters at Halas Hall on Monday a day after their season ended in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. Here are four of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch will host a genealogy presentation by the Daughters of the American Revolution at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School has announced its 2nd quarter honor roll for the 2025-2026 school year.

The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans “can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life,” the Illinois Department of Aging said.

The Chicago Bears ended their playoff run Sunday night with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the season-ending loss and what's next

The Illinois State Police releases latest results of its efforts to combat vehicle theft and hijacking.

The Streator Public Library will host a variety of programs for children, teens and adults from Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.

The Chicago Bears' storybook season came to a stunning end Sunday night in their 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round at Soldier Field. Here are the five big takeaways from a stunning season-ending loss.

The Chicago Bears couldn't mount one more comeback for the ages Sunday night. Chicago's storybook season came to an end with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round.

The Rotary Club of Princeton has announced that scholarship applications for 2026 are now open.

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse:

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse:

MVK 8th-grade boys basketball team wins IVC West conference tournament

All Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend. Food can be bought through the La Salle VFW.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will be active and is expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in their NFC divisional matchup.

Seneca defeated Sandwich 64-56 on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 at Seneca High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

La Salle-Peru Township High School will celebrate its 2025 Hall of Honor inductees the weekend of Jan. 23-24.

Hall High School has announced its 1st semester principal’s list for the 2025-2026 school year, recognizing students for academic excellence.

Applications must be completed and submitted to the Regional Office by 4 p.m. on April 16. Applications are available at roe35.org.

Northern Illinois is expected to have a cold weather advisory early Monday.

For prospective homebuyers eyeing the real estate market in the area of the Illinois Valley, here's what sold for $500,000 or under over the past week.

From Capitol News Illinois: Each letter from the Trump administration cited concerns that Illinois was providing benefits to immigrants lacking permanent legal status, but none provided proof

The Rotary Club of Ottawa Sunrise has recognized two high school seniors as January Students of the Month.

At the risk of being labeled naïve and unrealistic, I am exploring in this week’s column a reality I have experienced myself on many occasions.

Putnam County High School has announced its 2nd quarter high honor roll, recognizing students for academic excellence.

Putnam County High School has announced its 2nd-quarter honor roll, recognizing students for their academic achievement.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Jan. 11-17. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Mendota's Paxton Bauer advanced to sectional in bowling, the Fieldcrest boys and girls basketball teams advanced in the HOIC tournament and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Seneca’s Raiden Terry at 120 pounds and Sandwich’s Cooper Corder at 150 both captured titles at Saturday’s Comet Classic Tournament in Braidwood hosted by Reed-Custer. Plus, more results around the Times area.

Ottawa fended off a late rally to collect a 44-41 victory over Morris on Saturday.

Mendota sophomore Karson Doyle was voted NewsTribune Athlete of the Week after turning in one of the top performances in program history with 36 points in a game.

Ongoing search efforts are scheduled to resume with the assistance of the Illinois Conservation Police.

The Ottawa Fire Department extinguished an apartment complex fire in a multi-use building early Saturday, rescuing two residents from the structure.

A single-family home in Big Grove that sold for $255,000 tops the list of the best real estate deals in the Illinois Valley in the past week.

From Capitol News Illinois: The four candidates preached unity after years of intraparty conflict, called for an end to the state’s robust protections for immigrants and took aim at Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker

Meat and dairy groups praised the new guidelines, while the American Soybean Association released a statement noting its concern the report calls into question the process of soybean oil extraction.

Bureau Valley took a one-point halftime lead and played the Tornadoes to a tie game late in the fourth quarter before Alex Foutch hit a game-winning 3-pointer to lift Abingdon-Avon to a 47-45 Lincoln Trail Conference win at the Storm Cellar Friday night.

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is inviting residents across the 38th Senate District to participate in her annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive.

Not going to Soldier Field for the big game? Check out these sports bars in northern Illinois where you can catch all the action and enjoy food and drink specials.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announced that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the state of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2026-2027 academic year.

For the first time ever, the Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle is hosting a romantic dinner. The dinner will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Feb 14 on the mansion’s main level.

An Oglesby man was sentenced Thursday to 13 years in prison for a firearm charge filed in connection with a 2024 shooting in La Salle. The victim survived.