Tornado Damage Assessments, Changing Gas Prices, and Weekend Events in Kankakee County - Friday, June 12th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West provides a comprehensive breakdown of the severe weather aftermath affecting communities across Illinois and Northwest Indiana. This episode covers the ongoing storm damage assessments, local structural impacts, and the current status of power restoration efforts by major regional utility providers.

Beyond local infrastructure updates, the episode features the latest AAA fuel reports highlighting notable shifts in gas prices across multiple counties and state lines. Listeners will also get an insider look at upcoming community events happening throughout Kankakee County this weekend, followed by an analytical look at the intensifying legislative tug-of-war between Illinois and Indiana leadership over the future development of the Chicago Bears stadium. The broadcast concludes with a concise summary of professional regional baseball, basketball, and hockey performances.

Note: Critical details, specific county figures, and event timelines are updated frequently. Listen to the full episode to get the complete, detailed report and localized safety updates.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Folks across the area once again assessing storm damage today. Series of tornado warnings issued across the area with tornadoes spotted either aloft or on the ground in several areas Wednesday night. Worst of the storms seem to have spared Kankakee County at this time, but storm damage being reported in Streeter, Watseeka, Hopston, and in Newton and Benton counties, northwest Indiana. Over in Livingston County, officials reporting severe damage from at least one tornado that passed through the South Streeter area, damage around Emmington and campus. In Iroquois County, damage from a suspected tornado has caused several power outages and storm-related damage. Facebook posts from the Watseeka police say damage has closed several streets on the south side of the city. Iroquois County Courthouse will be closed today. Down in Hoofston, emergency managers say storm spotters saw a tornado just south of Illinois 9 and South Sixth Avenue. Damage assessment is ongoing in that area. Trees and power lines reported down in several communities over in northwest Indiana. Most of the power outages in our area from Wednesday night storm have been taken care of by Comed, with only a few outages still reported near Moments, Beecher, and Piotone. Damage from the tornadoes in Livingston County causing massive outages in that area around Streeter. Few reported over near Redick as well. Ameron is dealing with several outages across the southern portion of our listening area. Some 4,000 Ameron customers without power this morning in Iroquois County alone. NIPSCO is reporting widespread outages across northwest Indiana. Outages reported in Kentland, Brook, Morocco, Lake Village, Lowell, and Damott. No word on when power might be restored to those areas. Little good news on this Friday as gas prices continue to fall. Triple A says the average cost for a gallon of regular no-lead gas four dollars forty-two cents across the land of Lincoln. That's down twenty-one cents in the past week. Gas in the Kankakee area said to be running $4.32 on average, down 60 cents in the past month, still about a buck ten more expensive than it was at this time last year, though. Triple A says gas running $4.23 on average in Iroquois County, $4.51 on average in Ford County, $4.29 in Grundy County, $4.12 a gallon on average in Will County. Across the state line, Triple A says a gallon of gas running $3.25 on average in Newton County, $354 in Benton County, $348 in Jasper County. Triple A says a gallon of gas running $3.37 on average across the Hoosier State. Indiana's gas tax has been suspended through July 7th. Plenty to do in Kankakee County this weekend with a look at a few of the events. Here's Angelina Gere, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

SPEAKER_00 2:35

Tonight, kick back at Locavore Farms, Thursday harvest hangs in Grant Park from 6 to 10 PM. Enjoy farm fresh food, craft drinks, live music, animals, and plenty of room to relax. Saturday morning, head downtown for the Kakakee Farmers Market from 8 until noon. Shop fresh produce, handmade goods, and plenty of delicious grab and go treats. Then blast off at Strickler Planetarium. Beyond the Sun begins at 4:30, followed by the Dark Matter Mystery at 6 and 7.30. Admission is only $5. And Sunday, Rev Things Up in Mantino at Heroes Hogs and Hot Rods. This free festival starts at noon with cars, live music, barbecue, vendors, strongman competitions, and veteran resources. All supporting Project Headspace and Timing. Farm Fresh, locally made, out of this world, and full throttle. Planned your weekend at VisitKankakeeCounty.com.

SPEAKER_01 3:32

Indiana's bid for the Chicago Bears facing renewed challenges from Illinois. Indiana News now's Joe Olery has more.

SPEAKER_02 3:39

During a recent public appearance, Governor Mike Braun was asked about the Bears' plan to focus stadium development efforts in Hammond. Braun largely repeated previous comments about Indiana's role in the discussions and didn't disclose any major new developments. I'm Joe Ullery, Indiana News Service.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

In sports, Cubs won, Cards lost, Sox got rained out. Cubs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Rockies in Colorado last night. There in San Francisco, taking on the Giants starting this evening. White Sox game with the Braves in Chicago rained out. It'll be made up August 20th. Sox host the Dodgers this weekend. Cards lost to the Mets 5-4 in New York. The Cards at the Twins this weekend. Chicago Sky on a three-game losing streak that after losing to the Indiana Fever 114-106 last night in overtime. The Sky next hosts the Liberty on Wednesday. Carolina Hurricanes one win away from taking the Stanley Cup that following last night's 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Game six Sunday in Las Vegas. Knicks could wrap up the NBA title. They visit the Spurs tomorrow night. And the NASCAR series continues Sunday at Pocono Raceway. That is a look at news and sports here on this Friday. Have a good rest of your day and a great weekend. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.