Mae Antar

Urbana

News Reporter at WILL-TV (Urbana, IL)

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Articles

U of I funding to help showcase cancer research through theater

2 weeks ago | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

CHAMPAIGN — Nearly half a million dollars from the the 2025-2026 iteration of the University of Illinois Chancellor’s Research Program will go towards seven different initiatives. That includes a project that aims to showcase cancer research through theater. is receiving $75,000 to look into cancer disparities in underrepresented groups. Azlan Guttenberg Smith, one of the community researchers on the project, said they are interviewing cancer survivors, patients, doctors and family members.
'Laced with uncertainty': rehired Veterans Affairs worker expects she'll lose her job again

4 weeks ago | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

DANVILLE — As someone who comes from a family of veterans, Chris Huffman says she has always wanted to give back to those who served. She’s been doing administrative work at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Danville for nearly two years. When she was fired in February — one of thousands terminated by the Trump administration — she was two months of short finishing her probationary period. Her dismissal left her devastated and unsure of what to do next.
Local activists march in downtown Champaign after Israel breaks Gaza ceasefire

1 month ago | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

https://ipmnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gaza-Protest-Champaign-Audio.wavCHAMPAIGN — Nearly 200 people marched through downtown Champaign Tuesday after Israel resumed air strikes in Gaza, breaking a temporary ceasefire. Protesters marched from West Side Park on city streets into the downtown and back. The Champaign Urbana Muslim Action Committee, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Urbana Champaign Jews for Ceasefire organized the event.
New plaza in downtown Champaign on track to open this summer

1 month ago | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

CHAMPAIGN — The city of Champaign is on its way to completing construction on the first phase of its new downtown plaza this summer. The project broke ground last year at the corner of Neil and Washington Street. The city is converting a surface parking lot into a plaza that will have bench swings, new landscaping and a performing arts stage. “My hopes for the space are just that people come out and utilize it, you know,” said Lacey Rains Lowe, planning manager and staff lead on the project.
Dozens protest on the streets of Champaign for the rights of transgender people

2 months ago | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

CHAMPAIGN – More than a hundred people gathered on Saturday to march through the streets of downtown Champaign waving multi-colored Pride flags. https://ipmnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NEWS20250203_TransProtest_Wrap.wavThey protested recent executive orders by President Donald Trump, targeting transgender and nonbinary people with a series of executive orders.
Local Muslims and Arabs have anxiety and aspirations for a second Trump term

Jan 5, 2025 | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

URBANA – According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza has left more than 45,000 Palestinians dead. It is unclear how President-elect Donald Trump will address the conflict when he returns to office on January 20, 2025. That has left local Muslims and Palestinians with mixed feelings.
'Trying to hold on to hope': Local Jewish and Palestinian communities remember October 7 one year later

Oct 8, 2024 | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

https://ipmnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/vigils.mp3CHAMPAIGN– Vigils and gatherings were held around the country and in Champaign Monday to mark one year since an attack by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel. Hillel and the Chabad Center came together on the University of Illinois Quad to mourn those lost and those still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. An estimated 101 people are still in captivity including seven Americans, the State Department said in a press briefing.
U of I grad running as write-in candidate for congress

Oct 2, 2024 | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

https://ipmnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/greenparty-2.mp3URBANA – A candidate for Illinois’ 13th congressional district is now running as a third-party write-in candidate. Chibu Asonye, 27 grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2018. She currently serves as a residence director at the university. Hi @AOC @briebriejoy, I'm Chibu Asonye! I am a down-ballot candidate for Illinois Greens, running for US House Rep for #IL13.
Pastor-led grocery store officially opens in Danville food desert

Aug 19, 2024 | ipmnewsroom.org | Mae Antar

DANVILLE – Long-time Danville resident Versey Dyson-Speights bumped into the owner of Heavenly Square Grocery outside his store. “Pastor Miller, y’all are sold out of what I need,” Dyson-Speights told New Life Church of Faith pastor Thomas Miller. “Now I have to go way across town.”Dyson-Speights needed turkey, and the only other groceries in the neighborhood are convenience stores.
University of Illinois student charged with mob action for pro-Palestine encampment

Jul 10, 2024 | ipmnewsroom.org | Anulika Ochuba |Mae Antar

URBANA – Yafa Issa is the first University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student to be charged for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus at the end of the 2024 school year. Issa, 18, was arraigned at the Champaign County Circuit Court on Tuesday. She faces up to three years in prison if she is found guilty of the Class 4 felony of mob action.