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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — So many of our stories over the year had videos from breaking news to investigative pieces to stories featuring Central Illinois. Which video clips were the most popular?
Here are the most watched videos on WCIA.com in 2024.
| 1. Teenagers killed in Shelby Co. UTV crash identified: Three teenage girls died in Strasburg in July after their UTV struck a grain hauler. We told you about the accident and the support school officials offered to family, friends and classmates of the girls. |
| 2. Mahomet community remembers the Masons following triple homicide: Three members of a Mahomet family were shot and killed in December. The suspect later travelled to a Chicago suburb with weapons where he was killed by a police officer. A team of WCIA journalists shared the latest details from law enforcement and the mourning of the community. |
| 3. Four dead in crash with semi and SUV on I-57: State Police said four people are confirmed dead in a semi vs. SUV crash on I-57 near Tuscola in May. We reported the southbound lanes were expected to be shut down for hours. |
| 4. Union Pacific ‘Big Boy’ coming to Central Illinois: One of the famous steam engines paid a visit to Central Illinois in September. WCIA shared opportunities for residents to view the historic train across the region. |
| 5. High schoolers’ TikTok prank goes too far in Fisher: In Fisher, high school seniors took a prank popularized on TikTok too far in April. A parent and grandparent shared their concerns with our team of the teenagers playing a game known as “senior assassin.” |
| 6. Quaker Oats Factory set to close in Danville, more than 500 laid off: The Quaker Oats factory in Danville closed permanently in the summer. The company confirmed to WCIA the news of the closure in April. |
| 7. How to tell if cicadas are ready to emerge in your yard: A rare cicada emergence took place this year. University of Illinois Extension explained how to tell if they’re set to appear in your yard. |
| 8. Several Hardee’s restaurants close across Central Illinois: In late January, multiple Hardee’s restaurants closed suddenly, including five in our viewing area. WCIA talked to a spokesperson for the company who said the decision was not made lightly. |
| 9. Decatur substitute teacher arrested for ‘inappropriate relationship’ with 6th grader: A substitute teacher within the Decatur Public Schools district was placed under arrest after police said she had a “sexual encounter” with a student in her Mt. Zion home. |
| 10. Body camera video of Sonya Massey’s shooting released: State Police have released the body camera footage from both of the deputies that responded to Sonya Massey’s residence when she was shot and killed on July 6. |