A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. David Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court. He previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool to examine the newly peeled coating. Hearn, 67, said he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride. Trump has said federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool following a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Read moreFormer Olympian indicted on felony charge in what Trump called Reflecting Pool vandalism
WARRENSBURG, Ill. (WAND) - Warrensburg officials are working on a water main leak in part of the village on Thursday. Read moreWarrensburg officials working on water main leak, boil order expected
Prosecutors say a skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement. The couple was arraigned on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges Thursday, a day after the spectacle at the skyscraper. A court complaint noted the danger to officers who climbed part of the way up the antenna to intercept the two. Known as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, they were the subjects of a 2024 Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” As they left court, Beerkus told journalists that, in his words, “We believe in love.” Read moreCouple charged with felonies for Empire State Building climb-turned-proposal
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Former Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley died Saturday, according to the Park District. Read moreFormer Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley dies
ImpactLife is looking for blood donors over the holiday weekend, with a "critical" need for type O donations. Read moreImpactLife seeks donors to help stabilize holiday weekend blood supply
Iran’s joint military command has warned that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response.” The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command was aired on Iranian state television Thursday. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran. The statement said any failure to comply with the navigation protocols will be met with an immediate response from the armed forces. It also said the continued presence of U.S. fighter jets over the strait “causes insecurity in this waterway and threatens regional security.” Read moreIran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response'
Lanes are reopening where possible across Illinois for Independence Day holiday travel. Read moreLanes reopening where possible across Illinois for holiday travel
The city of Springfield has adjusted its waste collection hours due to the extreme heat. Read moreSpringfield adjusts trash pickup hours during extreme heat
The Lake Mattoon Beach is set to reopen after closing due to higher-than-normal E. coli bacteria in the water. Read moreLake Mattoon Beach reopens after closure due to E. coli levels
Another very hot and sunny day with the heat index over 100 degrees by noon. Read moreDangerous Heat and Storm Threat Heading to Central Illinois
A former Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool. David Hearn, a former Olympic canoe racer, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in Washington, D.C. court. He previously told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool to examine the newly peeled coating. Hearn, 67, said he stopped by the pool during a 64-mile bike ride. Trump has said federal authorities made “multiple arrests” of people he said were vandalizing the Reflecting Pool following a $14-million-plus rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Read moreFormer Olympian indicted on felony charge in what Trump called Reflecting Pool vandalism
WARRENSBURG, Ill. (WAND) - Warrensburg officials are working on a water main leak in part of the village on Thursday. Read moreWarrensburg officials working on water main leak, boil order expected
Prosecutors say a skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement. The couple was arraigned on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges Thursday, a day after the spectacle at the skyscraper. A court complaint noted the danger to officers who climbed part of the way up the antenna to intercept the two. Known as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, they were the subjects of a 2024 Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” As they left court, Beerkus told journalists that, in his words, “We believe in love.” Read moreCouple charged with felonies for Empire State Building climb-turned-proposal
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Former Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley died Saturday, according to the Park District. Read moreFormer Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley dies
ImpactLife is looking for blood donors over the holiday weekend, with a "critical" need for type O donations. Read moreImpactLife seeks donors to help stabilize holiday weekend blood supply
Iran’s joint military command has warned that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response.” The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command was aired on Iranian state television Thursday. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran. The statement said any failure to comply with the navigation protocols will be met with an immediate response from the armed forces. It also said the continued presence of U.S. fighter jets over the strait “causes insecurity in this waterway and threatens regional security.” Read moreIran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response'
Lanes are reopening where possible across Illinois for Independence Day holiday travel. Read moreLanes reopening where possible across Illinois for holiday travel
The city of Springfield has adjusted its waste collection hours due to the extreme heat. Read moreSpringfield adjusts trash pickup hours during extreme heat
The Lake Mattoon Beach is set to reopen after closing due to higher-than-normal E. coli bacteria in the water. Read moreLake Mattoon Beach reopens after closure due to E. coli levels
Another very hot and sunny day with the heat index over 100 degrees by noon. Read moreDangerous Heat and Storm Threat Heading to Central Illinois
Experts recommend planning walks for times of day when the temperature drops to avoid burning your pet's paws. Read morePawsitively hot outside: Taking care of your pets during a heat wave
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will temporarily move DMV services in Charleston to the city's public library after the storms forced the local facility to close. Read moreDMV services moving to Charleston public library after storms damage main facility
The Illinois State Fair unveiled its theme for the 2026 event on Tuesday: "Miles of Smiles." Read more'Miles of Smiles': Illinois State Fair unveils theme for 2026 festivities
HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois have teamed up for a new room to help support local families. Read moreHSHS St. John's, RMHC open Ronald McDonald House Family Room
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement Monday following the Supreme Court's decision on mail-in ballots. Read more'Win for democracy': IL AG Kwame Raoul praises Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots
Councilmembers discussed a lengthy agenda of ordinances and resolutions to address economic development in the city. Read moreCity of Marshall working to tackle housing and development
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Communities across central Illinois are holding celebrations for Independence Day and America's 250th birthday. WAND has compiled a list of Fourth of July celebrations, including fireworks, parades, and festivals, taking place across the area. Read moreFireworks, parades & more: Where to celebrate Independence Day across central IL
As temperatures rise, cities and counties across central Illinois have resources for people and families looking to get out of the heat. Read moreWhere to find cooling centers in central Illinois
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Former Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley died Saturday, according to the Park District. Read moreFormer Decatur Park District Commissioner Bob Brilley dies
Happy tails is back! Every Wednesday, WAND will feature animals from the Decatur & Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation (DMCASF). Read moreWAND's Happy Tails featuring Fajita, a puppy and a kitten
The Decatur Police Department's 2026 National Night Out celebration is set to return in August. Read moreDecatur Police Department's 2026 National Night Out set for August
LIVINGSTON, Ill. (WAND) - This month's Girls Trip segment brought Caroline Reese and Alivia Colon to one of Route 66's most iconic roadside stops—the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston. Read moreGirls Trip: A Sweet Stop at the Pink Elephant on Route 66
