Jeannine Otto

DU QUOIN, Ill. — For Du Quoin native Luke Davison, being named manager of the Du Quoin State Fair was like coming home again.

DU QUOIN, Ill. — A variety of popular musical acts, a full slate of harness racing and motorsports and an array of food and product vendors will reflect all the tastes of southern Illinois for the 2024 Du Quoin State Fair.

“We have an event theme every year and a T-shirt and this year's theme is one that I think everyone will enjoy,” said Julia Leahy, the executive director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce in north-central Indiana.

When it comes to terminology, words matter and when it involves two very separate fuels, Scott Fenwick, technical director for Clean Fuels Alliance America, wants to make sure the public knows the difference.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — While recent actions may have led fans — and foes — of biodiesel, including soy biodiesel, to start writing the renewable fuel's obituary, one biodiesel cheerleader isn't ready to send flowers.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A bottle of Windex led Jessica Rutkoski from a high school in rural Wisconsin to working on crop research and improvement around the globe and back to Midwest wheat fields.

By ALBERS, Ill. — For Cliff Behrmann, bacon runs in the blood. Behrmann is the owner of Behrmann Meat and Processing, a business started by his maternal grandfather and Behrmann's father.

MONTICELLO, Ill. — While most farmers' planters have been cleaned and put away and their focus is now on harvest, Eric Miller's planter — along with his combine, grain cart and tractors — is ready to go.

AMBOY, Ill. — A garden tool that will be making an appearance in many yards and gardens can also help prevent combine fires.

Low rainfall levels throughout the Midwest in the late summer and early autumn have caused water levels on the upper and lower Mississippi, as well as the Illinois, Missouri and Ohio rivers, to drop.