URBANA - Urbana High School’s boys tennis team dropped its home match to visiting Morton on Tuesday at Blair Park, falling 8-1 in a nonconference contest. The lone win for the Tigers came courtesy of Samuel Sherwood at No. 3 singles.
Sherwood earned a straight-sets victory over Morton’s Max Roosa, winning 6-4, 6-2, to account for Urbana’s only point on the day. He later paired with Xander Ashley in a closely contested No. 1 doubles match, falling to Morton’s Ryan Klopfenstein and Joal Larson in a super tiebreaker, 1-6, 6-2, 13-11.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Urbana Sam Sherwood follows through on a shot while playing against Uni-High earlier this month. The junior walked away Wednesday's match against the Potters with a victory.
Morton swept the remaining singles and doubles matches, though Urbana pushed the Potters in several spots. At No. 2 singles, Karl Bonita took the first set before falling to Larson, 5-7, 6-2, 10-2. Zach Olson came within reach of a second team point at No. 5 singles, forcing a third-set tiebreak before ultimately dropping a 6-1, 1-6, 16-14 decision to Tate Darcy.
In doubles, Urbana’s No. 2 team of Theodore Nevins and Gus Rund lost 6-2, 6-4, while Olson and Kavi Patel came up short at No. 3 doubles in a tight first-set tiebreaker before falling 7-6 (1), 6-2.
Urbana is scheduled to return to the court today, facing St. Thomas More at the Atkins Tennis Center on the University of Illinois campus. First serve against the Sabers is slated for 4:30 p.m.
A new voting bill could make name changes a voting hurdle for many women. Illinois leaders are speaking out.
URBANA - A newly revived federal voting bill is drawing renewed scrutiny, especially in Illinois, where voting rights advocates warn it could create significant barriers to ballot access.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which passed the U.S. House last week with unanimous Republican support and four Democratic votes, would require all voters to present proof of U.S. citizenship — such as a passport or birth certificate — when registering or updating their registration. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate, though no vote has been scheduled.
This is not the first time the legislation has surfaced. A previous version passed the House during the last session of Congress but stalled in the then-Democratic-controlled Senate.
Proponents of the SAVE Act argue it is essential for protecting the integrity of elections by ensuring that only American citizens can cast ballots. However, critics see it as a thinly veiled attempt to suppress voter participation under the guise of security. The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) delivered that message directly to lawmakers during a subject matter hearing before the Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee on April 22 in Springfield.
Kathy Cortez, LWVIL’s Vice President for Issues and Advocacy, testified that the legislation risks disenfranchising large swaths of the voting population by introducing new hurdles that disproportionately affect low-income individuals, women, and others who may have difficulty assembling documentation.
No citizen should have to make the choice between meeting their basic needs and exercising the right to vote
“We believe every citizen should be protected in the right to vote, and that electoral systems should encourage participation and enhance representation for all voters,” Cortez said. “The League of Women Voters opposes the SAVE Act because, by imposing inequitable economic and administrative requirements, the bill would create unnecessary barriers to voting participation.”
A major point of concern raised during the hearing was the bill’s disproportionate impact on women. Cortez explained that because many women in Illinois changed their names after marriage, the SAVE Act would require them — and not men — to produce documentation of name changes through marriage, divorce, or remarriage in order to vote.
The League also highlighted the financial implications of the legislation. For many residents living paycheck to paycheck, obtaining official documents like certified birth certificates or divorce decrees could present a real hardship.
“No citizen should have to make the choice between meeting their basic needs and exercising the right to vote,” Cortez said. “We believe that even one individual losing their ability to vote because they could not afford to comply with the requirements of the SAVE Act is one voter too many.”
Despite their opposition to the measure, LWVIL expressed a willingness to support voters if the bill becomes law. With a statewide network and long-standing relationships with Illinois' 108 election authorities, the League says it is prepared to help residents navigate any new requirements.
As the debate continues, Illinois remains a microcosm of a broader national conversation — one that pits concerns over election integrity against the practical realities of access and participation.
Before you start looking for a summer camp, consider what activities your child enjoys, whether it's sports, arts and crafts, science or outdoor adventures.
Photo: Ron Lach/Pexels
Family Features - Selecting the perfect summer camp for your child can be a pivotal experience, shaping memories for years to come. Offering unique opportunities for kids to experience independence, build lasting friendships and develop new skills in a fun and safe environment, camps can encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, try new activities and overcome challenges away from the comforts of home.
Because campers are immersed in a variety of programs, such as outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, sports, team-building exercises and more, they often return home more resilient, confident and with a sense of achievement.
Consider these tips to choose the right summer excursion for your child.
Understand Your Child's Interests and Needs
Before you start looking for a summer camp, consider what activities your child enjoys, whether it's sports, arts and crafts, science or outdoor adventures. Knowing his or her preferences can help narrow down the options.
Additionally, think about your child's personality and social needs to ensure the camp experience is tailored to his or her unique disposition. If your child is more introverted, a smaller, more intimate camp setting may be beneficial. A larger camp environment may better suit outgoing children who are eager to make new friends.
Research Camp Options and Reputations
Look for camps that offer the activities your child enjoys and have a good reputation. Read reviews from other parents and, if possible, visit the camps to get a feel for the environment. Each camp provides unique strengths, ensuring there is one for every child to enjoy and benefit from.
Check if the camps have been in operation for a significant amount of time and whether they have experienced and qualified staff. A camp with a long-standing reputation and a history of positive feedback can provide added assurance of a quality experience for your child.
Evaluate Camp Safety and Accreditation
Safety should be a top priority when choosing a summer camp. Ensure the camp is accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Camp Association, which sets high standards for health, safety and program quality.
Inquire about safety protocols, including staff-to-camper ratios, emergency procedures and staff training in first aid and CPR. It's also important to ask about the camp's policies on bullying and how they handle behavioral issues that may arise.
Consider Camp Location and Duration
Decide whether you prefer a camp close to home or if you're comfortable with your child traveling to a different region. Proximity can be beneficial in case of emergencies or if your child experiences homesickness.
Additionally, think about the length of the camp session. Some camps offer one-week sessions while others might last for several weeks or just overnight. Consider your child's readiness for being away from home for extended periods and choose a duration that aligns with your family's schedule and his or her comfort level.
To find more parenting advice, visit eLivingtoday.com.
Researchers say there's no silver bullet for mitigating the effects of heat stress on herds.
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Illinois News Connection
CHICAGO - A new study shows how extreme weather conditions negatively affect production yields on Midwest dairy farms, with a disproportionate impact on smaller farms.
Researchers at the University of Illinois studied milk production records from nine Midwest dairy farmers. Considering both temperature and humidity when measuring extreme heat, they found farms lose about 1% of milk yield annually because of heat stress, while smaller farms lose closer to 2%.
Marin Skidmore, study co-author, said when cows are in extreme heat, it can cause increased restlessness and risk of infection, and decreased appetite, which reduces milk yield and impacts bottom lines.
"To some extent, it's only 1.6%. But if you're really making every dollar from your paycheck count, because you're living in a time with high costs, then 1.6% of your paycheck being gone in a given year is meaningful," she said.
The study predicts extreme heat days to be much more frequent in years to come and milk yield losses to increase about 30% in the next 25 years.
The Midwest tends to have smaller dairy farms compared with other states, with herds ranging from 100 to 200 cows. Researchers say being able to track and compare daily milk yields across a large region with similar climates has never been done before. Skidmore said their findings suggest that larger herds seem to have some level of protection to extreme heat compared with smaller farms, which start to see impacts of heat stress at lower thresholds.
"And this is additionally concerning in the context that we're studying because we've seen a lot of dairy farm exits over the last decade or two, and many of those are small farms," she added.
While researchers say there's no silver bullet for mitigating the effects of heat stress on herds, recommendations include adjusting feeding and calving timing, and using sprinklers and improved ventilation systems.
Skidmore emphasized the need for additional support for small farms since capital costs can be particularly constraining.
"Having the access to enough capital to make these really big investments is difficult, and grants or loans to help small farms adopt some of these management technologies could be one avenue to help small farms cope with heat stress and keep them competitive," she continued.
Skidmore said more research is also needed to explore other options to best manage extreme heat on dairy farms.
Now is not the time to faint or jump from the roller coaster. Who knows how the market will perform over the next few weeks.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
You never undo your seat belt or jump from a moving roller coaster. Nor, should you when it comes to our current Stock market.
Eight years ago, if you bought a share of VOO or Vanguard S & P 500 ETF stock, you may have paid about $220 for the share. Today, as of this writing it’s worth $490.55. In other words, even with the fall of the stock market recently you have made good money on your investment. A couple of weeks back it was up to $560 which means you were flying high on your profit. Still yet, you have done well.
If you bought your share of VOO two weeks ago at $560 then you have lost $70, at least for now. You may lose some more but you have to hold tight. Don’t panic and sell now or you will have a loss. Ride it out and give the market time to settle down and rise again. If you have to cash in your stock then cash in while they are high.
Now may be a good time to buy but keep in mind the market may go down some more.
Don’t invest your grocery money in stock. This is the money you need every week for food, shelter, travel and overhead. This is not the money you spend on stock. If you do, then in two weeks you will have to sell your stock to eat and risk losing some of the money you invested. Only invest in stock what you don’t currently need for general living expenses.
Who knows how the market will perform over the next few weeks. It’s going to be a few weeks or months before the tariffs really shape up as to what is really what. The reports are that numerous countries are coming to the table interested in making deals and playing fair with the United States. This will be good for us and them. As these deals stabilize look for the stock market to become more stable once again. If Japan, India, South Korea, Canada and Mexico all level the playing field with the United States our stock market will level out. If there are more reports of industry manufacturing coming to the United States the stock market will begin to rise again.
Now may be a good time to buy but keep in mind the market may go down some more. If you bought VIG two weeks ago then you’ve already seen a significant drop. Keep in mind you only lose it if you sell it when the stock is down. I feel confident that the stock market will come back bigger and bolder than ever but it may take a few months or longer.
The stock market has averaged making about ten percent over the last fifty years. This means it has had years when it made more and years when it made less. An average of ten percent is about the best you can do on your money over the long haul.
Now is not the time to faint or jump from the roller coaster. Rely on your stable income such as Social Security, or any other stable income you may have. If you have a regular paying job you may want to stay with it a little while longer if you can and if you enjoy your work.
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Six ways Trump's budget will damage rural Americans' way of life
Right now, Congress is working on a giant, fast-track bill that would make historic cuts to basic needs programs to finance another round of tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations.
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
by Judith Ruiz-Branch
