Mental Health Providers Testify in Harris Murder Trial, Paxton Emergency Declaration, and Vote by Mail Applications Out - Wednesday, August 19th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, defense attorneys present their case in the murder trial of Xandria Harris in Kankakee County Circuit Court. Testimony from psychiatric and substance abuse specialists outlines mental health diagnoses, domestic trauma assessments, and evaluations of battered women's syndrome relating to the December 2021 shooting death of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and the severe wounding of Officer Tyler Bailey.The update also covers severe storm cleanup and flood recovery across Indiana, where state officials urge residents to document property damage by dialing 211 to assist emergency managers in determining scope and securing potential state or federal relief. Additional reporting includes NIPSCO power restoration progress, Paxton's state of emergency declaration, French Consul General Charlotte Montel's visit to Bourbonnais, vote-by-mail voter notices from Kankakee County Clerk Dan Hendrickson, a Crime Stoppers request regarding a Manteno hardware store burglary, and regional sports scores for the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and Bears.Listen to the full episode for complete details, interviews, and comprehensive reporting on these stories.Episode artwork photo by: Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette.Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)The voices you trust, beyond the dial.