Illinois families accused of using loophole to qualify for need-based financial aid
By Pari Apostolakos, Managing Editor for Reporting
July 31, 2019
Families from the Chicagoland area have been taking advantage of a loophole to receive need-based scholarships and financial aid, ProPublica Illinois and The Wall Street Journal each reported Monday. Andrew Borst, director of undergraduate admissions, said the University began investigating this case...
Death in Champaign currently under investigation
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
July 29, 2019
An unresponsive male was discovered near an apartment complex in the 300 block of South State Street — two blocks from Campustown — on Monday morning, and Champaign police were dispatched to the area. Paramedics confirmed the male was deceased soon after arrival. Police are attempting to find...
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band to perform at State Farm Center in August
By Eunice Alpasan, Staff writer
July 27, 2019
The former drummer of The Beatles Ringo Starr will be performing with his band at the State Farm Center on Aug. 20. Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band will make a stop in Champaign as part of a 2019 tour which marks the band’s 30th anniversary. The band played their first show at the Park Central...
Juror recounts day in the life of a juror in a capital punishment case
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 27, 2019
It has now been just over a week since the jury could not unanimously decide what the punishment of the kidnapper and killer of visiting scholar Yingying Zhang’s should be. It’s a life or death decision not many people think about having to make in their lifetime. However, for 12 people this decision...
Champaign police respond to scene of shooting
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
July 22, 2019
On Monday evening, Champaign police investigated the 1000 block of North James Street at approximately 5:02 p.m. A 35-year-old man who suffered a life-threatening gunshot in the abdomen was found at the scene and transported to a hospital to receive treatment. His condition is unknown. The police...
Bring island life back home at ‘C-U in the Prairibbean’
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
July 22, 2019
Champaign-Urbana will experience a taste of the tropics with the 15th annual C-U in the Prairibbean concert featuring family-friendly music from award-winning tropical-rock band The Boat Drunks, preceded by performances from both The Tons O' Fun Band and the duo Jake and Jackson. The concert, hosted...
Yingying Zhang’s family gives statements after her killer is sentenced to life in prison
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 18, 2019
At around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the jury asked the court what would happen if a unanimous decision can’t be reached. At around 2:35 p.m., the court was informed a verdict had been reached. After just over eight hours of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision in what the sentencing...
Verdict reached in Christensen trial
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 18, 2019
After about eight hours of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Brendt Christensen should be sentenced to death or life in prison. Therefore, the court will be imposing a life prison sentence. Around 2:35 p.m. today Judge James Shadid read the verdict from the...
Jury presents two additional questions as deliberations continue in Christensen trial
By Samantha Boyle, News editor
July 18, 2019
As the jury continues deliberations, two questions have already come up. The jury started deliberating Thursday morning at 9 a.m. and sent the first question around 9:45 a.m. asking about what the information about the number of jurors who agree each mitigating factor will be used for. Judge James...
Jury has questions for court during deliberations for Christensen’s sentence
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 17, 2019
Since the jury started deliberations in Brendt Christensen’s sentencing, court reconvened to answer a few questions asked by the jury. The question was written down by the jury and brought out by a law clerk for both parties and the judge to look at and answer. Around 3 p.m. Wednesday, the jury’s...
Jury begins deliberations in deciding Christensen’s fate
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 17, 2019
The closing statements in the case to find justice for Yingying Zhang were finished around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. It’s been 767 days since her disappearance. On Wednesday afternoon, the jury left the courtroom to begin deliberations on what the appropriate sentence should be for Zhang’s convicted...
Testimonies on behalf of Christensen continue, defense case to rest Tuesday
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
July 15, 2019
Kind, gentle, polite and well-behaved. These are all words used to describe Brendt Christensen, the accused kidnapper and killer of University visiting scholar Yingying Zhang, in court on Monday. Taking the stand for the defense on Monday were correctional officers from the Livingston County Jail, wher...
