College Cafeterias Go Tray-less
Thursday, September 4, 2008 @6:06pm CST
Reported by: Stacey Morgan / WCIA 3 News
College students are carrying a heavy load these days, and we aren't talking classes.
Bigger Picture: Illinois' Mutual Aid Network
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 @3:24pm CST
Reported by: Charles Vance/WCIA 3
A state-wide program is making a difference in the wake of Hurricane Gustav and right here at home.
Fire crews from Champaign and Savoy shipped out to Louisiana this morning.
It's all part of MABAS, a system that connects emergency workers all across Illinois and several other states.
Heat Closes Down Schools Early
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 @7:02pm CST
Reported by: Stacey Morgan / WCIA 3 News
High temperatures cooked classrooms around Central Illinois today. A number of schools closed early because of it.
Christmas Shopping in August
Friday, August 29, 2008 @5:25pm CST
Reported by: Jenny Gastwirth WCIA 3
Trick or treaters aren't out yet, but watch our for Santa Claus. Stores are pulling out Christmas decorations so holiday shoppers can stock up early.

Bigger Picture: Baby Boomer Vote
Thursday, August 28, 2008 @6:30pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
The final night of the Democratic National Convention is tonight.
We've got the Republicans meeting next week.
So what group of voters could this election come down to?

Hi-Tech Math Lessons
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 @7:13pm CST
Reported by: Stacey Morgan / WCIA 3 News
Kids are getting excited about math, with the help of some new technology.

Bigger Picture: Commonly Misspelled Words
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 @4:57pm CST
Reported by: Charles Vance/WCIA 3
Think you're a good speller?
A new study has a list of five words that may prove you wrong.
Bigger Picture: Dance Dance Revolution
Monday, August 25, 2008 @4:53pm CST
Reported by: Amber Jenne/WCIA-3
Students at Charleston Middle School will be working up a sweat in p.e. this year by playing a video game.
The Bigger Picture: Stepfathers Do A Better Job Than Biological Dads?
Friday, August 22, 2008 @5:18pm CST
Reported by: Matt Franzblau/WCIA-3 News
A Recent Study in Urban At Risk Neighborhoods Says Yes
Bigger Picture: Donating Your Eggs
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 @1:12pm CST
Reported by: Amber Jenne/WCIA-3
Now more than ever, women are doing what they can to make ends meet.
Bigger Picture: Lowering Drinking Age
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 @6:32pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
There's a debate about the drinking age that has some un-expected supporters.
College presidents from some of the countries best-known universities are saying students should be able to drink at 18.

Bigger Picture: Olympic Fever
Monday, August 18, 2008 @6:30pm CST
Reported by: Charles Vance/WCIA 3
Olympic fever is sweeping the country as U.S. athletes grab medal after medal and we're seeing a side effect of that fever right here in Central Illinois.
That's because the fever has more kids than ever signing up for sports.
Artificial Eye Invented at U of I
Friday, August 15, 2008 @5:48pm CST
Reported by: Tinisha Shade WCIA 3
Science has come a long way when it comes to prosthetics
Bigger Picture: Whites No Longer a Majority
Thursday, August 14, 2008 @2:23pm CST
Reported by: Amber Jenne/WCIA-3
The face of our country is changing faster than first thought.

Botox Business
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 @6:30pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
Even with the economy down, people are still finding the money to spend on the non-essentials like beauty products.
Doctors say Botox sales are better than ever.

The Bigger Picture: Scientists Make People Invisible
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 @3:45pm CST
Reported by: Matt Franzblau/WCIA-3 News
What Would You Do If You Couldn't Be Seen By Others?
Bigger Picture: How Young is Too Young?
Monday, August 11, 2008 @3:17pm CST
Reported by: Amber Jenne/WCIA-3
Many parents are getting out that back-to-school list, but the newest supply this year might be a bit surprising: a cell phone.
Doggy Space
Thursday, August 7, 2008 @5:43pm CST
Reported by: Tinisha Shade WCIA 3
There's a new way for dog friend to keep in touch. Doggyspace
The Bigger Picture: "Goodnight Bush"
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @2:19pm CST
Reported by: Amber Jenne/WCIA-3
A remix of a popular children's book is causing a few laughs and some controversy.

Bigger Picture: TiVo vs. The Dish Network
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 @6:48pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
For TV lovers this just may be great news.
This week the Dish Network announced it's not giving in to competitor TiVo
The two companies have been in a patent lawsuit for years.

The Bigger Picture: School Supplies More Expensive?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 @4:31pm CST
Reported by: Matt Franzblau/WCIA-3 News
Times Are Tight, But One Group In Villa Grove Is Making It Easier On Parents’ Wallets
The Bigger Picture: Do You Believe In Aliens??
Monday, August 4, 2008 @1:24pm CST
Reported by: Matt Franzblau/WCIA-3 News
NASA Scientists Found Proof of Water On Mars
Bigger Picture: Oblivious Texters
Thursday, July 31, 2008 @6:15pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
Emergency room doctors are warning people about the dangers of text messaging.
Doctors issued an alert this week saying there's rise in injuries and even deaths as a result of people sending text messages while driving walking and biking.

Alcohol Abuse
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 @5:24pm CST
Reported by: Nikki Arseneau/WCIA-TV
Illini basketball player Jamar Smith's recent troubles involving drinking have raised questions about alcohol use in young adults.

Bigger Picture: Daycare Babies
Monday, July 28, 2008 @6:34pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
A new study says children in daycare may be exposed to some bad eating habits.
It says babies who aren't fed by mom and dad tend to gain more weight.
Researchers at the University of Illinois did the study.
They looked at more than eight thousand 9-month olds.
And studied how they were fed. They found infants in part-time childcare gained almost a half a pound more weight than ones care for by mom or dad.

Budget Cuts for Substance Abuse Treatment
Monday, July 28, 2008 @4:48pm CST
Reported by: Charles Vance/WCIA 3
Recent budget cuts by Governor Blagojevich have people across the state scratching their head.
The governor cut $55-million from the Department of Health and Human Services including $43-million set aside to treat substance abuse.
Bigger Picture: Consent Searches
Friday, July 25, 2008 @8:02pm CST
Reported by: Erin Maloney/MyCFN & WCIA 3 News
Some civil rights groups are calling for police agencies in Illinois to stop searching cars during routine traffic stops. They're called consent searches. The study says minority drivers are stopped and searched more often than whites.
Dogs for Kids with Autism
Monday, July 21, 2008 @5:41pm CST
Reported by: Cortney Hall
Experts say dogs are working wonders with kids with autism.
That's why one Villa Grove family is tryign to get one for their son.

Life's 411: Digital Generation
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 @10:43pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
They've been dubbed the "digital generation" and this year's batch of incoming college freshmen make even upperclassmen feel old.

Life's 411:Dog Resort
Thursday, August 14, 2008 @11:02pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
After a long, hard day aromatherapy and massage sound great.
But what about our furry friends?
For Life's 411 WCIA Three's Cortney Hall looks at how you can pamper your pooches.
Life's 411: Living Together
Thursday, August 7, 2008 @11:06pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
Does loving together always translate to living together?
A new study published in USA Today finds more couples who are living together are not married.
Bret Lemoine asks if living together is more than just "playing house."

Life's 411: Blogging
Monday, August 4, 2008 @11:03pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
The popularity of blogging has exploded in recent years.
Experts even say a new blog is created every three seconds.
But what's the big deal?
For Life's 411 WCIA 3 Cortney Hall finds that a lot of bloggers use the internet as a form a therapy.

Life's 411: Doodling
Friday, August 1, 2008 @10:46pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
It's what many of us do when our mind wanders.
But what do your doodles say about you?
WCIA Three's Cortney Hall finds out for Life's 411.

Life's 411: Text Dating
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 @10:56pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
Gone are the days you wait for a phone call from a date.
Now days it'll most likely be a text message that you get.
For Life's 411 WCIA Three's Cortney Hall talks to young singles about how text messaging has changed the dating scene.

Life's 411: Recession Proof
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 @10:48pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
With rising gas and food prices the economy is what seems to be on everyone's mind.
So how can you become "recession proof" in these uncertain times?
WCIA 3 Cortney Hall finds out in Life's 411.

Life's 411: Chrysler Hot Spots
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 @10:40pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCAI 3 News
Chrysler is trying to turn its vehicles into wireless hot spots.
Life's 411: Googling a Person
Thursday, June 19, 2008 @10:47pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
It's something most of us have done.
Curious about a neighbor, a co-worker, or even a first date, we've launched an internet search on that person.
Life's 411: Facebook Dating
Friday, May 30, 2008 @10:48pm CST
Reported by: Nancy Foreman/WCIA 3 News
Millions of people are declaring their love online by using Facebook.
Just a click and you can tell the world if you're available or taken.
For Life's 411, WCIA 3 Cortney Hall asks if sharing your love life online is sharing too much.

Emma, Rachel and Nicole
Thursday, May 15, 2008 @11:44am CST
Reported by: Jennifer Roscoe/WCIA-3 News
Girl scouts pour their hearts into making a room a home.

Your chance to win with the O'Brien Auto Park WCIA 3 Viewers Club card just got better! Every day we're going to post one lucky Viewers Club number somewhere in "In The Know" on IllinoisHomepage . If you find your Viewers Club number on one of the expert pages, call in to claim your $100...it's that easy! The number changes every day and you've got to call in to (217)356-8333 before 5:00pm the next business day to claim your prize. You don't have a Viewers Club card? They're free, either stop by the new O'Brien Auto Park of Urbana or register on the Viewers Club page here on IllinoisHomepage.

Springfield's local news is myNews at 9 on myWCFN.  Click here to see the latest!