🌱 Patch AM: How do Asian students at UIUC compare to the rest of Illinois?

Hello again Champaign! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How do Asian students at UIUC compare to the rest of Illinois?
• How U of I's dual-credit classes could jump-start local teens' college plans
• Which Champaign County trail should you explore for the 2026 Trails Challenge?

Also on today's calendar: Film Discussion - 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the fish blush ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Champaign Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Champaign Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Champaign.

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warm, temps: high: 89, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Hot with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 91 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Champaign County's six-year bachelor's degree completion rate for Asian students was 88.5% by 2024 (chambanasun.com) — Asian students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign posted an 88.5% six-year bachelor's completion rate for the 2018 cohort, outpacing the statewide rate. The data, drawn from federal statistics, highlight both Champaign County's strong performance and persistent racial gaps in college completion nationwide.
   

2. University of Illinois offers dual-enrollment classes to 21 Illinois high schools (wandtv.com) — Based in Champaign, the University of Illinois is expanding its Dual Credit @ Illinois program this fall, offering four introductory-level courses to 21 high schools statewide. Several central Illinois schools, including nearby Rantoul Township High School, can now give students low- or no-cost college credit and early exposure to potential careers, with more details and the full school list available online.
   

3. Nearby trails worth trekking (news-gazette.com) — Champaign County residents can dive into the 2026 Trails Challenge, exploring more than 30 local forest preserve trails using the Goosechase app to track missions and progress. From wetlands rich with migratory birds to oak savannas and the Urbana-to-St. Joseph Kickapoo Rail Trail stretch, the piece highlights nearby spots perfect for walks, wildlife watching, and quiet time outside.
   

4. Hear Theo Lawrence's Bill Anderson Collaboration 'Today Is A Good Day' (antimusic.com) — Country artist Theo Lawrence is set to perform with Alison Krauss and Union Station at Champaign's State Farm Center on September 13, bringing his new song "Today Is A Good Day" to local fans. The show is part of a broader fall tour that also includes major venues in Chicago, Nashville, Austin, and beyond, following his recent Grand Ole Opry debut.
   

5. Big 10: Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? (news-gazette.com) — Local voices from Champaign-Urbana recall exactly where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, from classrooms in Rantoul to fire service in Champaign and dorms at the University of Illinois. Their memories capture the fear, disbelief, and community solidarity that followed, and how that day reshaped their sense of safety and civic responsibility 25 years later.
   

📸 Around Champaign

Subscribe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Champaign

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday September 10
• Film Discussion: 9/11 - Reclaiming Ground Zero →
  Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
  6:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday September 8
• The Renewal Room
  Ujima Retreat Center, 4303 S High Cross Rd, Urbana
  8:30 am
• UPBringing | Session #1 | LGBTQ+ 101
  The UP Center of Champaign County, 1001 S Wright St, Champaign
  5:30 pm
Wednesday September 9
• Walk-In Interviews
  Express Employment Champaign, 1001 N. Mattis Ave, Champaign
  9:00 am
Friday September 11
• Film Discussion - 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero →
  Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
  4:00 pm
Monday September 14
• Comfort Keepers of Central Illinois Ribbon Cutting
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, 411 Clarendon Ct., Savoy
  11:00 am

📣 Champaign Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday September 7
• Girls Golf @ Charleston
  Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
  4:00 pm
• Volleyball vs. Danville * all levels
  Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
  5:00 pm
• JV Football @ Mahomet
  Central High School Champaign, IL 61820
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• The Renewal Room
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Ujima Retreat Center 4303 S High Cross Rd Urbana, IL 61802
  8:30 am
• Communications & Marketing Professionals Resource Group
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 303 W. Kirby Ave. Champaign, Il. 61820 Large Conference Room
  9:00 am
• BASEBALL vs. Unity
  Jefferson Middle School Champaign, IL 61821
  4:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Garage sale
  This weekend: Saturday, Sunday, Monday September 5 -7 800 block of Stratford Drive. 8 AM -2 PM (Nextdoor Holiday Park)
• Seeking your recommendations on used car dealers in the champaign.
  Urbana and surrounding areas. Also who to avoid. (Nextdoor Southside)

• Parkland College posted a job opening for Entry-Level Police Officer in Champaign. Apply here.
• Arbor Lodging posted a job opening for Area Director of Sales in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.

Ok Champaign! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: It saw the ocean's bottom! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook