WHOI-TV (East Peoria, IL)

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Today, September 12, is the day Heart of Illinois ABC merges with 25 News Now. All the news on WEEK-NBC 25.1 and WEEK-ABC 25.2 will originate from the 25 News set.

MCLEAN COUNTY (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Three candidates have submitted applications to take over the role of State’s Attorney in McLean County. It comes as incumbent Don Knapp is set to take over as judge following the last election. Ericka Reynolds from Heyworth, currently serves as the Assistant State’s Attorney in the county already. She also served in the same position in Woodford County.

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Local activists are ready to tell the story of the fight for clean air in the Peoria area. Monday is the premiere of the documentary film ‘Dangerous Neighbor.’ It tells the story of the decade-long struggle leading up to a legal victory against the Edwards coal plant, sued over its pollution and contributions to poor air quality around it. The legal decision against it lead to more than $8.6 million going towards local environmental efforts and community funds.

(AP) – Anthony Varvaro, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who retired in 2016 to become a police officer in the New York City area, was killed in a car crash Sunday morning on his way to work at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in Manhattan, according to police officials and his former teams. Varvaro, 37, was an officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

NEW YORK (AP) — Walking out for his first Grand Slam final at age 19, Carlos Alcaraz bumped fists with fans leaning over a railing along the path leading to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Moments later, after the coin toss, Alcaraz turned to sprint to the baseline for the warmup, until being beckoned back to the net by the chair umpire for the customary pre-match photos. Alcaraz is imbued with boundless enthusiasm and energy, not to mention skill, speed, stamina and sangfroid.

PEORIA HEIGHTS (Heart of Illinois ABC) - An annual event is raising awareness of local veterans’ service by bringing them together in one place. Saturday, the sixth annual ‘Armed Forces Celebration Day was hosted at Pour Brothers bar. The event is a collaboration between the Peoria Heights American Legion, VFW, and Navy Marine Club, ocused on bringing awareness to local vet organizations around the community while raising money for a different veterans charity every year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, taking part in a somber wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon held under a steady rain and paying tribute to “extraordinary Americans” who gave their lives on one of the nation’s darkest days. Sunday’s ceremony occurred a little more than a year after Biden ended the long and costly war in Afghanistan that the U.S. and allies launched in response to the terror attacks.

LONDON (AP) — For many people around the world, the word corgi is forever linked to Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Diana once called them a “moving carpet” always by her mother-in-law’s side. Stubby, fluffy little dogs with a high-pitched bark, corgis were the late queen’s constant companions since she was a child. She owned nearly 30 throughout her life, and they enjoyed a life of privilege fit for a royal pet.

DURHAM, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - A newborn baby in North Carolina received the first known partial heart transplant. According to Duke Health, living arteries and valves from a donated heart were fused into a baby’s heart on April 22. Duke officials said the surgery was performed on Owen Monroe, a 5-pound newborn. “As harrowing of an experience as it was for our family, we knew from the beginning that Owen was in the best hands,” said Nick Monroe, Owen’s father.

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Fans of all things feline have the chance to catch some cats in the area this weekend. Exposition Gardens is hosting the Annual Cat Show for lovers of all breeds and types of cats. The event included vendors selling supplies, with some owners even selling kittens. Close to 150 cats are in-house to view, from Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Siamese, and more.