When I was a little kid, I had no problems with vegetables. Between carrots, cucumbers, celery and even broccoli, I ate it all. Now as a sophomore in college, veggies have recently become my number one enemy.

I’ve got to admit: For me, being a girl is pretty awesome.

To celebrate the release of In Lincoln’s Shadow, a walking tour of downtown Urbana, the city of Urbana and the Lincoln Legacy Committee are hosting a reception and an “inaugural walk” on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.

In Wednesday's newscast, The Daily Illini talks about test preparation efforts going on through the Counseling Center, headliners for next week's PINK Party, the latest in trials stemming from the investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and an apparent assassination plot involving a Saudi Arabian diplomat.

Kid Cudi and Girl Talk will both perform at the Victoria's Secret PINK Party on Oct. 20.

The University might have more incentive to improve on graduation rates or other performance-based outcomes in the coming years.

MERGE (Mentoring Engaging Restoring Growing Equipping), an organization created by Carla Green, business office pastor at the Vineyard Church, is hosting its monthly conference on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Vineyard Church, 1500 N. Lincoln Ave, in Urbana.

In Tuesday's newscast, The Daily Illini talks about efforts to improve test writing, a grant received by the University's campus in Chicago to combat cancer and the Champaign City Council's plans for the next two years.

A crime alert was sent out Monday about an aggravated robbery that occurred at an Espresso Royale location in Champaign.

In Monday's edition of the newscast, The Daily Illini talks about a local Occupy Wall Street protest, a rally on the Quad for the 10th anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan and the Illini football team becoming bowl eligible.

The No. 1 Illini volleyball team remains undefeated at 17-0 after beating Penn State 3-2 on Saturday.

The Urbana-Champaign Comic Book Convention will take place Oct. 9 at the Eastland Suites Urbana on 1907 N. Cunningham Ave. The convention is admission free and will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.