Two hours west of Chicago is the Nachusa Grasslands, replanted by the Nature Conservancy. Noel Brennan reports on the restored prairie and the animals that graze there.

Chicago

The Nachusa Grasslands in northern Illinois, managed by the Nature Conservancy, represent one of the few remaining tall grass prairies in the state. Over 4,000 acres have been restored, and since 2014, a herd of about 100 bison has been reintroduced to the area, marking the return of the species to Illinois after more than a century.

Researchers monitor the impact of bison grazing on the prairie, noting benefits such as shorter grasses that support various birds, insects, and small mammals. The bison also contribute to the ecosystem by creating micro-habitats and providing nesting material for birds. The restoration project aims to rebuild the prairie landscape and its ecological functions.

Inside restored grasslands with a bison herd

Finally, this evening, a rare glimpse of Illinois history. In tonight's Weekend Journal, CBS's Noel Brennan takes us to a unique place where the past is being carefully rebuilt for the future. We're looking at a beautiful morning on the prairie here at Nechesa Grasslands. In northern Illinois, a gateway opens to the past. There's really only a few thousand acres of tall grass prairie like this left in Illinois. But when Elizabeth Bach rolls over the rolling hills of Nechesa Grasslands near Franklin Grove. This is our normal way to get around the preserve, yeah. She sees the future. And that future is built on the foundations of our past. A foundation where the prairie flourished and buffalo roamed. Just a couple hours west of Chicago, there's more than 4,000 acres of restored tall grass prairie and one herd of bison. Grazing is something, especially from bison, that's been absent from the state of Illinois since the 1870s. But in 2014, the Nature Conservancy, a global environmental non-profit, brought bison back. As a research scientist, Elizabeth studies how the herd of about 100 bison impacts the prairie. This is the best part of my job, is to get to be out here and I look at these plants every year. Every spring, as calves are born and flowers bloom, she checks on plots of plants in areas where bison graze and where they don't. Areas where the bison are grazing heavily will keep a shorter structure for the grasses and plants there and that's a good thing for certain types of birds and insects and small mammals and reptiles. Just by grazing and wallowing. Where they roll around on their backs. The big mammals create micro-habitats. We are seeing changes in the abundance of certain insects like ground beetles and dung beetles. And when they shed their winter coats, bison help birds build their homes. The birds will pick it up and weave it into their nests. At Nachusa Grasslands, the buffalo roam and restore. Noel Brennan, CBS News, Ogle County, Illinois.

President Donald Trump called Elon Musk's plans to form a new political party "ridiculous," launching new barbs at the tech billionaire.

Washington

Trump criticizes Musk's new 'America Party' as feud grows

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Hunt

Death toll from Texas floods rises to 82, dozens still missing

BRICS leaders set to discuss key global political issues, but questions over the bloc’s cohesion arose as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin opted to skip the summit.

State of Rio de Janeiro

Global Tariffs

BRICS group slams tariffs, Iran conflict at summit in Brazil

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Middle East Conflict

Trump gets set to host Netanyahu amid Gaza ceasefire talks

The search for missing children from a girls' summer camp hit by flash floods in Texas entered a third day on Sunday, as rescuers faced the threat of more flooding and the death toll in the region reached at least 67.

Texas officials face questions over flood warnings

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Texas campground owner describes flash floods: "It was just chaos"

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says he has formed a new political party after falling out with U.S. President Donald Trump over the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

Elon Musk launches 'American Party'

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Doha

Israel, Hamas delegations resume truce talks over Gaza in Doha

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Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader makes first public appearance since war started

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Death toll rises as search for Texas flood survivors continues

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Death toll from Texas flooding rises to 43

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Athens

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Cambridge

Unemployment surges as employers replace new hires with AI

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Gondomar

Thousands gather to bid farewell to Liverpool's Diogo Jota

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Melbourne

Australian-American actor Julian McMahon dies, 56

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Israeli hostage negotiation team to fly to Doha to hold talks with Hamas

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Hatay

Turkiye’s wildfires declared national emergency

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Kerrville

Rescues continue in central Texas after deadly flash floods

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Kerr County

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Ödemiş

Turkiye wildfires: At least two dead as fires burn for eighth day

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Jerusalem

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U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.