Fall Guide 2026

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 10th-11th- Carve For the Carillon
Friday, October 23rd- 24th- Zoolie Ghoulie

National News

3 days ago in National

Judge orders White House to restore access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Reporters still blocked

A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's ban of three news outlets from the White House, ordering early Thursday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico must have their access restored. Reporters from all three outlets, however, said they remained blocked a few hours after the ruling.

5 days ago in National

California farmers are struggling to sell grapes as demand for wine drops

It's harvest time in California wine country, but many growers are struggling to sell their grapes as changing drinking habits have caused demand to plunge. The decline is forcing some growers to tear out vineyards that their families have grown for generations.

1 week ago in National, Trending

Early voting begins in US midterm elections that could flip control of Congress

In-person voting for this year's midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues.

2 weeks ago in National, Trending

US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks

Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity.

3 weeks ago in National, Trending

Anthropic researcher resigns with warning about the dangers of AI development

An Anthropic researcher said he is resigning from the company over concerns the artificial intelligence firm and its competitors are not acting responsibly in AI development, echoing concerns raised inside and outside of the industry about the technology's potential to elude human control.

3 weeks ago in National

Cyclospora outbreak followed years of declining FDA foreign inspections

A nationwide outbreak of cyclospora tied to contaminated lettuce has heightened safety concerns about imported food, while underscoring a longer-term trend: U.S. regulators are conducting fewer international inspections to catch contaminated produce before it lands on American plates.

3 weeks ago in National

Mistrial is declared in Lindsay Clancy child killings case after jury deadlocks

A judge in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial declared a mistrial Friday after jurors failed to reach a verdict in a case that sharply divided many Americans over whether the Massachusetts woman should be criminally responsible for killing her three young children.

3 weeks ago in National, Trending

Gloria Steinem, a potent voice of US feminism and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became one of the most visible symbols and potent voices of the U.S. women's movement and a fierce advocate for feminist causes for over six decades, has died. She was 92.

Sports

8 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Pope Leo XIV declines to credit himself for White Sox playoff return

The 71-year-old pontiff's sporting interests extend to tennis, too.

8 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

DJ Williams throws 2 TDs as Southern Illinois cruises past Murray State 46-6

The Salukis (3-2), ranked No. 24 in the Stats Perform poll, have won three straight against FCS opponents since their Week 0 loss to West Florida.

8 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Jeremiah Smith ties Ohio State record with 4 TD catches as No. 7 Buckeyes beat Illinois 42-19

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Another home game, another record for Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. After becoming OSU’s career leader in…

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Cubs clinch 2nd straight playoffs trip by beating Marlins 2-1 as Crow-Armstrong joins 40-40 club

Seiya Suzuki homered for the Cubs (88-71), who assured themselves of one of the NL's three wild card berths.

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Eagles look to add to perfect start by stopping the Bears’ rushing attack on Monday night

If Williams and Bagent are unable to play, Case Keenum is expected to start for Chicago.

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

After three straight 100-loss seasons, the improbable White Sox are headed back to the postseason

The White Sox clinched no worse than one of three AL wild-card spots with the rout in Kansas City.

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

On a milestone afternoon for Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs earned second straight playoffs trip

“That was the most emotion I think I’ve ever experienced on a baseball field,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It wasn’t relief, it wasn’t anxiety. It was a sense of gratitude.”

2 days ago in Education, Health & Wellness, Local, Sports

D-186 rethinks hot weather policy

A board member is concerned about conditions at a Sept. 12 football game.

Lifestyle

7 hours ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

How much does memory care cost in Illinois?

A Place for Mom reports on memory care costs in Illinois and across the country.

24 hours ago in Business, Education, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Best colleges in Illinois

Stacker compiled a list of the colleges in Illinois using data from Niche.

2 days ago in Education, Entertainment, Fall Guide, History, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

October events in Springfield include history lessons, Route 66 conference

Living history, and a Route 66 conference, are among the activities for the public in Springfield in October.

3 days ago in Fall Guide, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Major League Cozy Dog eating will be a part of the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival this weekend

Patrick Bertoletti shows off his Nathan's Hot Dog Eating championship belt in Chicago, his home town.

Professional eaters from all over North America will take part.

4 days ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

New book focuses on Central Illinois’ role in Route 66 history, untold stories

Cover of "Stories from Route 66 in Central Illinois"

"Stories from Route 66 in Central Illinois" is out now.

4 days ago in Lifestyle, Local

Lead concerns prompt soil testing at Taylorville park

Manners Park Dining Hall in Taylorville, which is currently closed.

Officials say Park Field 1 is off-limits while additional soil samples are tested.

5 days ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Illinois’ 8 interstate visitor information centers to close at month’s end

The visitor information center at the Prairie View Rest Area off Interstate 57 is one of the eight sites set to close at the end of the month. The rest stops in those locations will continue operating. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)

The state says the centers’ role has evolved over time as travelers’ needs change.

5 days ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Bill to keep AM radio in cars passes U.S. House, goes to Senate

Close up of car infotainment screen with Bluetooth option. Toronto, Canada - February 19, 2026.

Car manufacturers say "no" to AM Radio, while radio says "yes."

Local News from Capitol City Now

7 hours ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

How much does memory care cost in Illinois?

A Place for Mom reports on memory care costs in Illinois and across the country.

7 hours ago in Local

Springfield Fire Department honors 3 firefighters with Hometown Hero Award

Three Springfield firefighters awarded Hometown Hero Award.

Driver engineer Devin Gilman and firefighters Pete Miller and Firefighter Nick Saccaro were recognized this week for their quick thinking, sound judgment and exceptional teamwork under extreme conditions.

7 hours ago in IL State News, Local

As early voting begins, officials seek to reassure public about election security, integrity

Kent Redfield, left, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, moderates a discussion about election security and integrity Friday, Sept. 25, with Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich, center, and Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

Mail balloting goes forward as normal after Trump’s failed attempt to federalize the process.

7 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local, National

25 years ablaze: SIU’s ‘Fire Dawgs’ inspires land management careers

Nathan Speagle walks along the edge of a burn unit as he and other members of The Nature Conservancy’s Illinois Chapter control burn portions of the Shawnee March 25, 2026, in Makanda, Illinois. (Lylee Gibbs for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab)

More than 1,000 students have completed the program over the past quarter century.

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

Prosecutor accused of misconduct in ‘Broadview Six’ case resigns, says US attorney ‘scapegoated’ her

“I was a convenient target to be scapegoated and publicly vilified,” she wrote.

23 hours ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local

‘Out of the Darkness Walk’ raises more than $35K for suicide prevention efforts

More than 250 people getting ready to participate in the annual "Out of the Darkness Walk" at the UIS Student Union Saturday, September 26.

"You matter to me."

Entertainment News

24 hours ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Bertoletti wins first-ever Cozy Dog eating contest at 66 fest

Patrick Bertoletti won the inaugural Cozy Dog eating competition at the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Saturday, September 26.

Chicagoan Pat Bertolettti wins first competition with 51 dogs down.

2 days ago in Education, Entertainment, Fall Guide, History, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

October events in Springfield include history lessons, Route 66 conference

Living history, and a Route 66 conference, are among the activities for the public in Springfield in October.

4 days ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

New book focuses on Central Illinois’ role in Route 66 history, untold stories

"Stories from Route 66 in Central Illinois" is out now.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Music

Lionel Richie is taking a break from performing following a heart procedure

Manchester, Tennessee USA - 06-14-2014: Lionel Richie and his band perform at Bonnaroo Music Festival

Richie was scheduled to perform with Earth, Wind & Fire Saturday in San Francisco, Sept. 30 in Chicago and Oct. 3 in Columbus, Ohio.

4 days ago in Entertainment

Robert Pattinson brings ‘To Catch a Predator’ to life in new film ‘Primetime’

When Robert Pattinson first got the script for "Primetime," a dramatization of NBC Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" and the controversial sting operation that would lead to its cancellation, he was amazed it hadn't been made into a movie already.

4 days ago in Entertainment, Fall Guide, Local