Illinois hasn’t played its last game of the season. That’s enough reason for coach Tim Beckman to have the last laugh.

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.

Another methamphetamine lab was discovered and quickly shut down in West Frankfort on Monday after the West Frankfort Police Department responded to a call about traffic in and out of an abandoned home.

Jeremy Breckenridge and Amie D. Wilson

Here’s the link to the story at the West Frankfort Daily American.

Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has hung out a “help wanted” sign with a website to solicit resumes from people who want a job in state government once he takes office.

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.

CHICAGO (AP) — Shopping for health insurance starts all over again Saturday as a second round of enrollment begins under President Barack Obama’s health care law. Last time around in Illinois, more than 217,000 people signed up for coverage with more than three-quarters qualifying for financial assistance based on their incomes.

Here’s a link to the story.

The clock is ticking for Matt Donkin, Regional Superintendent of Schools, who has until next summer to absorb Johnson and Massac counties into the Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education #21.

Here’s the link to the story in the Benton Evening News.

Chilly temperatures and the potential of accumulating snow are in the forecast for Southern Illinois this weekend.

Skies will be sunny Friday with a high of 33, according to the National Weather Service. That’s 23 degrees colder than the usual high temperature of 56 for Nov. 14 in this area.

Overnight the temperature will drop to 20, seven degrees warmer than the all time low for this date, 13, set in 1940.

On Saturday there is a 70 percent chance of snow in the forecast with a high of 34. Accumulation is expected to be about half an inch to an inch, enough to make roads slick and potentially dangerous.

The low will drop to 25 overnight Saturday with a 60 percent chance of snow.

There is a 20 percent chance of snow Sunday when the high will reach 36. The overnight low will be 21.

There is no break from the cold expected anytime soon. The extended forecast calls for a high of 30 for Monday and the mercury will only reach 27 Tuesday.

William Farnsworth faces the charges in the death of Jeffrey Harris.

Farnsworth allegedly shot Harris, 51, with a 12-gauge shotgun Friday on Goldeneye Road in Coulterville.

Harris’ body was found in his car by Perry County Sheriff’s deputies. Farnsworth was reportedly at the scene when authorities arrived.

Bond was set at $5 million for Farnsworth on Monday. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Perry County Courthouse in Pinckneyville.

William Farnsworth

After nearly three decades with Southern Illinois University, interim Chancellor Paul Sarvela died unexpectedly Sunday evening, according to university officials.

Paul Sarvela

Here’s the link at the Chicago Tribune.