From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. As the Central Illinois Regional Airport juggles a number of current capital projects, it is getting ready for the next big upgrade. Airport director Carl Olsen says that will be a $24 million rehabilitation of the east-west runway. That pavement was last rehabbed in 1998.

From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. As the Central Illinois Regional Airport juggles a number of current capital projects, it is getting ready for the next big upgrade. Airport director Carl Olsen says that will be a $24 million rehabilitation of the east-west runway. That pavement was last rehabbed in 1998.

And with the increased use by heavy large aircraft, annual wear and tear is beyond what we can do with regular maintenance and upkeep. Olson says funding for the project will come from federal and state aviation infrastructure spending plus local capital money that comes mainly from passenger ticket fees. Bloomington and Normal police say they're seeing more and more realistic looking fake guns, especially among juveniles. The issue came to the forefront following the fatal police shooting of a 15 year old suspect in February.

And with the increased use by heavy large aircraft, annual wear and tear is beyond what we can do with regular maintenance and upkeep. Olson says funding for the project will come from federal and state aviation infrastructure spending plus local capital money that comes mainly from passenger ticket fees. Bloomington and Normal police say they're seeing more and more realistic looking fake guns, especially among juveniles. The issue came to the forefront following the fatal police shooting of a 15 year old suspect in February.

The teen was carrying a BB gun that's made to look identical to its bullet firing twin. Officers didn't know it was fake. Bloomington police spokesperson Officer Bryce Jansen says they've come across imitation guns frequently. There's many cases a year where, you know, a juvenile will have a realistic gun sitting on the backseat or in their backpack. Federal rules don't require any markings on BB guns to denote their fake. Illinois merely prohibits sales to those under 13.

The teen was carrying a BB gun that's made to look identical to its bullet firing twin. Officers didn't know it was fake. Bloomington police spokesperson Officer Bryce Jansen says they've come across imitation guns frequently. There's many cases a year where, you know, a juvenile will have a realistic gun sitting on the backseat or in their backpack. Federal rules don't require any markings on BB guns to denote their fake. Illinois merely prohibits sales to those under 13.

The city manager of Normal says the town is still trying to figure out where people now living in a homeless encampment just off South Main Street will go at the end of the month. The tiny tent city will have to vacate for a construction project, and city manager Pam Rees says the town is trying to help make that easier.

The city manager of Normal says the town is still trying to figure out where people now living in a homeless encampment just off South Main Street will go at the end of the month. The tiny tent city will have to vacate for a construction project, and city manager Pam Rees says the town is trying to help make that easier.

We did agree.

We did agree.

To provide waste receptacles on a temporary basis to help try and clean up that site.

To provide waste receptacles on a temporary basis to help try and clean up that site.

Rees says the town is also trying to connect Home Sweet Home Ministries with property owners in the town to see if there are locations to explore that could help bring services to the unhoused and normal.

Rees says the town is also trying to connect Home Sweet Home Ministries with property owners in the town to see if there are locations to explore that could help bring services to the unhoused and normal.

And the Illinois Senate has passed a plan to prevent artificial intelligence from replacing instructors at community colleges. The bill would still allow instructors to use AI to help, but it can't be the only source used to teach. Opponents worry the ban takes away an option for community colleges to teach subjects they would not be able to offer otherwise, but the bill's sponsor, Senator Mike Porfirio, says it's about helping students and teachers. I'm Ben Howell.

And the Illinois Senate has passed a plan to prevent artificial intelligence from replacing instructors at community colleges. The bill would still allow instructors to use AI to help, but it can't be the only source used to teach. Opponents worry the ban takes away an option for community colleges to teach subjects they would not be able to offer otherwise, but the bill's sponsor, Senator Mike Porfirio, says it's about helping students and teachers. I'm Ben Howell.