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Jakucionis and Riley Selected Back-to-Back in First Round of 2025 NBA Draft

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    CHAMPAIGN, Ill.–  History was made for Fighting Illini Basketball on Wednesday night, as freshmen  Kasparas Jakucionis  (Vilnius, Lithuania) and  Will Riley  (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) became the first-ever one-and-done players for the Illinois program. The Illini stars were selected back-to-back in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, with  Jakucionis  taken at No. 20 overall by the Miami Heat and  Riley  going to the Washington Wizards the very next pick at No. 21 as part of a trade with Utah. Illinois stands as one of just three programs with multiple first-round picks in this year's draft, along with Duke (3) and Rutgers (2). This marks the first time in 20 years, and just the third time in school history, that Illinois has had two first-round picks in the same draft, joining 1989 (Nick Anderson and Kenny Battle) and 2005 (Deron Wiliams and Luther Head). Illinois has now had four players selected in the NBA Draft du...

Echoes on the Brick: Lincoln’s Lost Words at Rosie’s

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  On the sun-washed east side of Rosie's Pub in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, time folds quietly into color. There, painted across brick and mortar, stands Abraham Lincoln—not as the towering president of textbooks, but as a man mid-sentence, eyes lit with the fire of conviction. The mural, a vivid tribute to Lincoln’s “Lost Speech,” captures more than a moment—it captures a mystery. It’s said that on May 29, 1856, Lincoln gave an address so stirring at Major’s Hall that reporters, mesmerized, forgot to take notes. The words vanished into the air, leaving behind only the legend of their power. Locals pass by the mural every day, some slowing their steps to gaze upward. In the swirls of patriotic blues and historic reds, they imagine Lincoln’s voice echoing against the walls, as if the mural is whispering what history lost. Tourists snap photos, unaware that beneath their feet, the old foundations of Major’s Hall still sleep. On warm evenings, when the breeze cuts down Main Street...

Freedom Sings USA Retreat Brings Healing Through Song in Heyworth, Illinois

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    Freedom Sings USA Retreat Brings Healing Through Song in Heyworth, Illinois On June 17 and 18, 2025, the small town of  Heyworth, Illinois  became a stage for healing, connection, and patriotism as  Freedom Sings USA  hosted a moving two-day retreat. The event brought together U.S. military veterans and accomplished Nashville songwriters to collaborate on powerful original songs inspired by each veteran’s personal story of service, sacrifice, and resilience. Veterans  Austin Whiskers, Gary Simpkins, Del Saam, Cherish Masters, Mark Buchholz , and  Carl Johnston  opened their hearts and memories to the songwriting team, allowing deeply emotional and authentic music to emerge. These stories were then turned into songs by a lineup of renowned hitmakers including  Don Goodman, Bill DiLuigi, Bill Whyte, Steve Dean , and  Bobby Tomberlin —artists with credits spanning country music charts and decades of storytelling excellence. Joe Her...

Ty Rodgers’ Absence Leaves a Leadership and Defensive Void for the Fighting Illini

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  The Illinois men’s basketball program is facing an early setback this offseason with the news that veteran guard-forward Ty Rodgers will be out indefinitely due to a knee injury sustained during a workout session. The injury, which requires surgery, is expected to keep him sidelined for a significant portion of the upcoming season, if not all of it. Rodgers’ absence goes far beyond stats. A staple of the Illini rotation, he has been a consistent and hardworking presence on the court since his freshman year. In his second season, Rodgers started every game, bringing a gritty, physical edge to the team. He averaged over six points, grabbed more than five rebounds per game, and added a couple of assists each night. What made Rodgers so valuable was his ability to contribute in ways that didn’t always show up in the box score—defensive intensity, second-chance rebounds, and his commitment to doing the little things right. Known for his high motor and toughness, Rodgers had developed ...

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Pink Thistle Bloom: A Late Spring Spectacle in Central Illinois

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  As late spring unfolds across central Illinois, the landscape comes alive with bursts of color and movement. Among the rolling fields and prairie patches, pollinators begin their seasonal dance, flitting from bloom to bloom in search of nourishment. One such visitor is the striking  black swallowtail butterfly , its delicate wings outlined in bold black with elegant yellow spots shimmering under the midday sun. Against the backdrop of wildflowers swaying in the prairie breeze, a  pink thistle bloom  stands prominently, its spiky crown offering a rich source of nectar. This resilient native plant, often dismissed as a mere weed, plays a vital role in sustaining local butterfly populations, providing crucial nutrients for species like the black swallowtail. The butterfly hovers momentarily, its movement graceful yet deliberate. It lands softly on the thistle bloom, proboscis unfurling as it draws sweet nectar from the depths of the petals. The contrast of  black...

Guardians of Our Growth: The Vital Role of Bumble Bees at Finfrock State Habitat Area

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Finfrock State Habitat Area, a vibrant mosaic of native wildflowers and grasses, serves as a crucial sanctuary for countless species, including one of our most diligent pollinators: the Common Eastern Bumble Bee ( Bombus impatiens ). These fuzzy, black and yellow ambassadors of the insect world are a common sight from early spring to late fall, buzzing industriously from one blossom to another. Their presence at Finfrock is more than just a pleasant hum in the air; it's a testament to the health of the ecosystem and a vital cog in the machinery of nature that ultimately supports human life. Understanding their role here helps us appreciate the profound connection between these small creatures, their habitats, and our own survival. The Common Eastern Bumble Bee is a particularly effective pollinator, responsible for the reproduction of a wide array of native plants within Finfrock State Habitat Area. Unlike honeybees, bumble bees can fly in cooler temperatures and lower light levels...

Cornell Freeney on the German Wheel

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   One thing I miss about college men's basketball games is the halftime entertainment. For over 20 years, every game I covered as a photojournalist featured an exciting act. The Gamma Phi Circus was a yearly highlight at Illinois State University, captivating audiences with their dazzling performances. Sadly, if you only follow the games on social media now, you miss out on those unforgettable moments that brought the crowd together. Pictured - Cornell Freeney on the German Wheel