Author: Julius Garza

URBANA, Ill. — President Joe Biden announced Monday that the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB) is among 31 designated Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) — recognizing Central Illinois as a globally competitive center for innovation and job creation in biomanufacturing. Led by the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the iFAB consortium includes 30 partner organizations representing academic, industry, government, and nonprofit partners committed to catalyzing industry growth in Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties. “The iFAB designation leverages IBRL’s five years of operational success. Companies come here to prove their technologies, and our aim is for them to…

T​rick-or-treaters this Halloween will need a warm costume in parts of the eastern and central U.S., but much of the West should escape the cold temperatures. T​he good news is that there isn’t precipitation in the forecast for most areas. H​ere’s where the cold air will be: A strong Canadian high-pressure system will center itself over the central U.S. by Halloween. Unfortunately, this means temperatures much colder than average are expected, especially for the Plains. T​emperatures in the 20s and 30s are expected from parts of the Rockies into the Central Plains and Great Lakes. Slightly milder conditions are expected in…

The Government of Belize is moving forward with the implementation of the Consent Order issued by the Caribbean Court of Justice on Maya Land rights. On Monday, Cabinet held a meeting with its legal advisor, Andrew Marshalleck and Commissioner of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Greg Choc, to sensitize Cabinet members on the requirements for the implementation of the consent order. Today, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, spoke on some of the difficulties government has been having with the way certain Maya groups have been handling the situation. She stressed that Belize cannot be divided as a nation, so…

Jordan Addison found himself at the center of contested catches that proved monumental on Monday Night Football, a gritty yet flashy 22-17 victory by the Vikings over the 49ers. The Vikings rookie receiver was targeted on Minnesota’s third play of the game, but 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward ripped the ball away for an interception just three snaps into the game. Fast-forward to the end of the second quarter, and Addison wound up snatching the ball away from Ward. He spun and kept his feet at the 35 before sprinting to the end zone and crossing the goal line with seven seconds…

After one of the snowiest winters on record last year, Minnesotans may be particularly happy about the latest forecast for this upcoming winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting warmer-than-average temperatures this winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The NOAA says El Niño is in place heading into winter for the first time in four years, leading to that warmer forecast. Additionally, the agency says portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin may get slightly less precipitation this winter, particularly northern Minnesota, from Fargo and Duluth to the Canada border. While that will likely be well-received by many Minnesotans after…

The United States joined representatives from Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, and the European Union for a second high-level meeting in Constanta, Romania to accelerate Ukrainian grain exports and address the global challenge of food insecurity caused by Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and attack global food supply. Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and its recent attacks on port and grain infrastructure in Ukraine have disrupted grain markets and global food security – including in the Global South and food insecure countries around the world. Prior to Russia’s withdrawal from BGSI’s,…

The US will transfer thousands of seized Iranian weapons and rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, in a move that could help to alleviate some of the critical shortages facing the Ukrainian military as it awaits more money and equipment from the US and its allies, US officials said. US Central Command has already transferred over one million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces, it announced on Wednesday. The transfer was conducted on Monday, CENTCOM said in a press release. “The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice’s civil forfeiture claims against Iran’s…

On the eve of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa “Zhina” Amini at the hands of Iranian security forces, the United States is designating 25 Iranian individuals, three Iranian state-backed media outlets, and one Iranian internet research firm in connection with the Iranian regime’s violent suppression of nationwide protests following her death. We are taking this action in coordination with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other partners who are also imposing sanctions this week. This is the United States’ 13th round of sanctions designations in response to the regime’s brutal crackdown on protests. The United States is…

TAMPA, Fla. — On August 21, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Syria where he visited the al-Hol and al-Roj Displaced Persons Camps in northeast Syria. These visits involved interactions with camp administrators, as well as camp residents themselves, to observe first hand the current humanitarian conditions, continued improvements in camp security, and repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration efforts to return residents to their countries of origin. “Our continuing multi-national effort to repatriate the residents of the camps to their countries of origin not only enhances security and stability in the region, but, more importantly, eases…

A couple of late day showers or at thunderstorm is possible Monday. We’ll be warmer Monday but temperatures will heat up more by the end of the week. Warmer Monday; isolated late day thunderstorm After a cooler weekend, Monday will be warmer in the low to mid-80s. We’ll also have muggier dew points by the afternoon. The combination of higher dew points and an upper-level disturbance will create a couple of late day showers or a thunderstorm is possible, mainly in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Grow the Future of Public Media MPR News is supported by Members. Gifts from…