Five at 5: Helping Hurricane Harvey victims and 4 other stories to see

Aug. 31--Helping others when disaster strikes is a natural impulse across the nation, and sometimes it can seem equally overwhelming when trying to find a way to assist. We have some sources.

Four other stories to see are the Farm Bill and NAFTA taking center stage at Farm Progress Show, report on 2015 Bloomington plane crash, judge postpones murder sentencing and high school football picks.

5 ways to help Hurricane Harvey victims

The deadly Hurricane Harvey is the heaviest tropical downpour ever recorded in the continental U.S., dumping close to 52 inches on the Houston region. Thousands are left homeless, and donations are being accepted to help them.

Here's how Central Illinois can help the victims.

Farm Bill, NAFTA talk of Farm Progress Show

The message ringing in the ears of the U.S. House Agricultural Committee came from a Piatt County family farmer. "Crop insurance is working, don't screw it up," the man said to laughter at a Farm Bill listening session in Richland Community College's Shilling Auditorium.

While President Donald Trump recently called the North American Free Trade Agreement the "worst trade deal ever made," Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said it has been good for farmers and the agriculture industry.

NTSB reports on Bloomington plane crash

Loss of control by the pilot, darkness and poor visibility caused the April 7, 2015, plane crash that killed seven men near Central Illinois Regional Airport, investigators said.

"The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause of this accident to be the pilot's failure to maintain control ... which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin," according to a final report on the crash.

Judge postpones sentencing in murder case

The young man accused of firing the shots that murdered a Decatur woman was ready to accept spending the next 45 years of his life behind bars, but a judge has his doubts.

The plea deal worked out with Darion L. Evans, 18, and his attorney, Daniel Fultz, was placed on hold at a Macon County Circuit Court hearing Wednesday.

Staff previews Week 2's top football games

Each week has intriguing stories, and these games make the cut for top match-ups.

Here are the Herald & Review sports team's picks for the Decatur-area high school football games you don't want to miss for Week 2.

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