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National News

5 days ago in National, Trending

Prosecutors to retry Alex Murdaugh in deaths of wife and son after high court overturned convictions

Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and life sentence for the deaths of his wife and son were overturned Wednesday by the South Carolina Supreme Court because the court clerk at his trial suggested he was guilty. But the disgraced lawyer won't be leaving prison anytime soon.

6 days ago in National

Denver airport security missed trespasser who was killed by plane on runway

Workers at Denver airport initially missed a security breach by man who scaled an 8-foot perimeter fence and crossed a runway where he was hit and killed in a fiery collision by a plane with 231 people on board, authorities said Tuesday.

7 days ago in National

US consumer prices jump as Iran war sends energy prices rapidly higher

The Labor Department's consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025, according to data released Tuesday. On a month-to-month basis, April prices rose 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4% during the month; the month-over-month gain was down from 0.9% increase from February to March.

7 days ago in National

Hegseth is facing a new round of questioning from Congress on the Iran war and more

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Congress on Tuesday about the Trump administration's end game for the Iran war, the conflict's costs and its impact on diminishing weapons stockpiles.

2 weeks ago in National

US will start revoking passports for thousands of parents who owe child support, AP learns

The U.S. State Department will begin revoking the U.S. passports of thousands of parents who owe a significant amount of unpaid child support. The department told The Associated Press on Thursday that the revocations would begin Friday and be focused on those who owe $100,000 or more.

2 weeks ago in National

A note a former cellmate says he found after Epstein’s suspected suicide attempt is released

A note Jeffrey Epstein's former cellmate claimed he found after the millionaire sex offender's first suspected jail suicide attempt was made public Wednesday, years after being sealed and locked in a courthouse vault as part of an unrelated legal dispute.

2 weeks ago in National, Trending

Clarence Thomas becomes the second longest-serving justice in Supreme Court history

The first baby boomer on the Supreme Court hit a milestone on Thursday, becoming the second-longest serving justice in history at a time when his influence has never seemed greater.

2 weeks ago in National, Trending

Some iPhone owners could get up to $95 payment after Apple agrees to settle case for $250 million

Owners of some iPhones are in line to get cash payments of up to $95 from Apple after the company on Tuesday reached a $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit for false advertising of its artificial intelligence capabilities.

Sports

7 hours ago in Sports

Aaron Rodgers hits the practice field after signing 1-year deal to stay with the Steelers

The 42-year-old four-time NFL MVP made a surprise appearance on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice field Monday for the start of voluntary organized team activities, jogging out in a white No. 8 jersey shortly after finalizing a 1-year deal to return to the club he guided to an AFC North championship last winter.

10 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

White Sox catcher Kyle Teel tweaks his right knee while on a minor league rehab assignment

FILE - Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel looks on during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., file)

White Sox manager Will Venable said the issue occurred during Teel's last at-bat Saturday in his fourth game with the Knights.

11 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Cubs send right-hander Javier Assad to minors to stretch out as a starting pitcher

Chicago Cubs pitcher Javier Assad throws to the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 8, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Chicago also brought up left-hander Ty Blach from Triple-A and transferred right-hander Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list.

11 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Munetaka Murakami looks right at home with young Chicago White Sox

Baseball player in White Sox pinstripe uniform swings a bat during a game, wearing a protective face mask and helmet with number 5 visible.

Murakami is the fourth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox.

12 hours ago in IL State News, Local, Sports

Governor: Chicago mayor is ineffective

Pritzker: Johnson has no plan for Bears and comes to Springfield too late to pitch for Chicago.

13 hours ago in Sports

Aaron Rai runs away with the PGA Championship, first English-born winner in more than a century

Aaron Rai was just another name among a dozen others who had reason to believe the PGA Championship was theirs for the taking Sunday at tough Aronimink.

13 hours ago in Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder becomes the 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVPs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Sunday for the second consecutive year. He became the 18th player to win at least two MVP awards and the 14th to win them in back-to-back fashion.

13 hours ago in Sports

Mitchell scores 26 and the Cavaliers rout the Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 to reach the East finals

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Lifestyle

14 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Summer travelers who relied on Spirit Airlines may struggle to find budget alternatives

Days after Spirit Airlines shut down in the middle of the night, a lawyer for the defunct budget carrier stood before a bankruptcy judge and apologized to the price-conscious customers who might struggle to find affordable flights in its absence.

2 days ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National, Sports

Cardinals manager Marmol buys tickets for fans to continue shirtless revelry at Busch Stadium

Fans cheer and wave their shirts above their heads during the fourth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

“Last night’s atmosphere was electric. Let’s run it back this weekend,” Marmol said in a social media post. “I’ll buy tickets for fans who want to sit in the right field Loge and bring the energy.”

2 days ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Downtown Springfield filled with celebration during PrideFest 2026

Springfield PrideFest Parade

“It brings a gathering place to the community,” Geist said. “Sometimes in smaller areas, it can be hard to see all the pride around here, but having a festival for it, it’s just one big gathering place.”

4 days ago in Agriculture, Business, Farm, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Central Illinois shoppers feeling the pinch of rising costs

"There's no way around it, and it just seems like it's just going up and up and up," Garecht said.

4 days ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National, Sports

WWE pins BOS Center

Cardiff, Wales - September 3rd 2022: WWE Champion Roman Reigns holding up the championship belt in the ring at WWE Clash at the Castle

Ticket sales start May 20.

5 days ago in Lifestyle, Local, Pet of the Week

Meet Storm — APL Cat of the Week

Gray tabby cat lying on an orange towel next to a white ceramic bowl, gazing at the camera with green eyes.

Storm is full of meaningful affection for the right people.

5 days ago in Lifestyle, Local, Pet of the Week

Meet Birdie — APL Dog of the Week

Black dog wearing a pink bandana with colorful patterns standing near a chain-link fence in a yard.

Full of energy and ready to come home to you!

5 days ago in Entertainment, Fall Guide, Food Scene, History, Lifestyle, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

STARSHIP to perform at Springfield Route 66 event

STARSHIP will perform Nov. 11 in Springfield as part of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration at Route 66 Motorheads.

"We Built This City" for a Route 66 celebration.

Local News from Capitol City Now

8 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Chamber head talks state budget and small business awards

Mike Murphy, CEO, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

CEO Of The Chamber, Mike Murphy was on The WTAX Morning NewsWatch to discuss everything that's happening in our capitol city. 

8 hours ago in Entertainment, History, Local

“I Remember Mama” plays in Petersburg this weekend

"I Remember Mama" performed by Theatre in the Park

A comedy/drama about a family of Norwegian immigrants.

10 hours ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, National

Stalled surveillance bill highlights tension between privacy and public safety

Urban street scene beneath an elevated highway, with a dark car parked near concrete pillars and green Michigan Avenue signs nearby; a red Security Alert sign is mounted on a beige column.

Backers no longer pushing bill that would have prohibited police from using facial recognition software this session.

11 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

IL House panel learns about data centers and the energy they use

Man in a suit and red tie sits at a conference desk, reading notes into a microphone during a formal meeting.

Ameren and CUB testify.

11 hours ago in Business, Education, IL State News, Local

Killeen: U of I is good for business

Older man in a suit giving a speech at a lectern labeled 'President Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, A Doubletree by Hilton' against a blue curtain backdrop with a microphone nearby.

The university, says its president, drives the business climate in many ways.

12 hours ago in Business, Local

Opinions split on fines for Springfield parking violations

Reverse-angle parking

Proposal would double fines, but city already collects money despite parking being free.

Entertainment News

7 hours ago in Entertainment

Cannes standout ‘Paper Tiger’ reveals a new side to Miles Teller

James Gray's "Paper Tiger" has been one of the standouts of this year's Cannes. And at the center of the warm reception for "Paper Tiger" — which premiered Saturday and is one of only two films by American filmmakers competing for the Palme d'Or — is Miles Teller.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, History, Local

“I Remember Mama” plays in Petersburg this weekend

"I Remember Mama" performed by Theatre in the Park

A comedy/drama about a family of Norwegian immigrants.

13 hours ago in Entertainment

Barbra Streisand won’t attend Cannes Palme d’Or ceremony after a knee injury

Barbra Streisand announced on Sunday that she will not attend the Cannes Film Festival 's closing ceremony later this week where she was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or, after sustaining a knee injury.

13 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Ella Langley dominates the ACM Awards and Cody Johnson wins entertainer of the year

Cody Johnson won entertainer of the year, but it was Ella Langley's night from the start. The first honor of the Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday was for the coveted song of the year, given to Langley for the crossover hit "Choosin' Texas," presented to her by Michael Bublé.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Downtown Springfield filled with celebration during PrideFest 2026

Springfield PrideFest Parade

“It brings a gathering place to the community,” Geist said. “Sometimes in smaller areas, it can be hard to see all the pride around here, but having a festival for it, it’s just one big gathering place.”

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

New Wings exhibit traces Paul McCartney’s reinvention as husband, father and bandleader

The largest collection of Paul McCartney's personal artifacts ever publicly displayed is part of a new exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame centering on his life after The Beatles.

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Trending

13 hours ago in Trending, World

Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship docks in the Netherlands for disinfection

The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put international health authorities on alert.

14 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Summer travelers who relied on Spirit Airlines may struggle to find budget alternatives

Days after Spirit Airlines shut down in the middle of the night, a lawyer for the defunct budget carrier stood before a bankruptcy judge and apologized to the price-conscious customers who might struggle to find affordable flights in its absence.