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13 hours 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.

19 hours 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.

19 hours 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.

6 days 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.

6 days 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.

6 days 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.

7 days 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.

1 week ago in National, Trending

USPS unveils Route 66 centennial stamps, born from a photographer’s 42 trips

The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday is releasing eight stamps marking significant parts of the road in each of the states it traverses, passing by vintage diners, gas stations and motels — many since preserved or restored — along with breathtaking vistas and wide horizons of the open road.

Sports

12 hours ago in Sports

Sinner matches Djokovic record with 31st straight Masters win. Coco Gauff reaches Italian Open semis

The records keep coming for Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked Sinner beat qualifier Andrea Pellegrino 6-2, 6-3 to reach the Italian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday and match Novak Djokovic's record with a 31st consecutive Masters Series victory.

13 hours ago in Sports, Trending

30 days out, Los Angeles is ready for the World Cup. The playing surface? Not just yet

The U.S. men open at SoFi Stadium (to be known as Los Angeles Stadium) against Paraguay on June 12, the first of eight matches to be played at the NFL stadium in Inglewood. The field was all dirt on Tuesday.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

Big House Ballgame at Old Joliet Prison kicks off Route 66 festivities

A player from the Joliet Slammers gives away a foul ball to spectators at the kickoff baseball game on April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Julia Levy)

The Joliet Slammers played the Gateway Grizzlies before fans celebrating Illinois and Hollywood history.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, History, IL State News, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

‘More than just a road’: Illinois communities celebrate Route 66’s centennial (WITH PHOTOS)

A Route 66 centennial logo ornament hung on display at Cozy Dog Drive In. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Chloe Park)

Museums, diners and roadside attractions spruce up as the ‘Mother Road’ turns 100.

18 hours ago in History, IL State News, Sports

White Sox legend Dick Allen takes center stage in new documentary series

Dick Allen, right, is the subject of a new documentary.

Historian Dr. David Fletcher highlights Allen’s impact on baseball, civil rights, and Chicago sports history.

18 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears undrafted rookie receiver Squirrel White retires

The move comes after White participated in rookie minicamp over the weekend.

19 hours ago in Sports

What might LeBron James do next? He has plenty of options for next season and beyond

LeBron James has options. He could stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. He could decide to join another team. He could even retire and end the longest career in NBA history. He knows all this. He just doesn't know the answer.

19 hours ago in Sports

2026 NFL schedule: Bills stadium debuts Week 2, Cowboys at Giants Week 1, vs. Eagles on Thanksgiving

The Buffalo Bills' first regular-season game in their new stadium will be against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 17 and will kick off Amazon Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football" schedule. The matchup was one of three announced by the NFL on Monday as NBC, Fox and Prime Video made their upfront presentations to advertisers.

Lifestyle

15 hours ago in Business, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

‘One of America’s most beloved legacy brands’ is looking at locating in Springfield

HoneyBaked Ham says it wants to locate in Springfield.

HoneyBaked Ham is looking at opening more locations in a number of states, including Illinois.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

Big House Ballgame at Old Joliet Prison kicks off Route 66 festivities

A player from the Joliet Slammers gives away a foul ball to spectators at the kickoff baseball game on April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Julia Levy)

The Joliet Slammers played the Gateway Grizzlies before fans celebrating Illinois and Hollywood history.

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

Illinois earns top emergency preparedness ranking, jumping from middle to high performance tier

State of Illinois flag

Illinois has earned a top-tier emergency preparedness ranking from Trust for America's Health, jumping from the middle performance category in 2025 to high performance in 2026.

21 hours ago in Lifestyle, Local, Sports

New basketball court at Boys and Girls Clubs location means more than just play

Kids and others play basketball on a court newly installed at the Boys and Girls Club location at 15th and Monroe.

Local officials cut a ribbon Monday on a new basketball court at the club location near 15th and Monroe.

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

Meet Glitch — Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control Dog of the Week

Glitch -- Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control Dog of the Week

Glitch can become your new bestie!

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

Meet Kelli & Kerri — Meow Mobile Cats of the Week

Kelli and Kerri - Meow Mobile Cats of the Week

Take them home together!

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Pediatricians group finds kids of all ages need regular recess for physical and mental health

Recess isn't just a fun break for grade schoolers. It's crucial to good health and good grades for kids of all ages. That's the message from a leading pediatricians group, which just released the first new guidance in 13 years about this unstructured time at school and how it needs to be protected.

5 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Olivia and Liam top the list of most popular US baby names for the seventh year running

Olivia and Liam for a seventh year in a row topped the list of names for babies born in the United States in 2025. The Social Security Administration annually tracks the names given to girls and boys in each state, with lists dating back to 1880.

Local News from Capitol City Now

10 hours ago in Crime, Local

Christian County man denied pretrial release after not guilty plea for shaking a child

21-year-old Bryan Klee faces between 6 to 30 years in prison if found guilty.

10 hours ago in Crime, Local

Macoupin County man sentence to 16 years for child sexual abuse materials

38-year-old Jacob Rogers was arrested in April 2022 and sentenced Tuesday after a guilty plea.

12 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Tracy speaks to manufacturers, merchant groups in Springfield

Man in a dark suit and red tie speaking at a wooden podium with a microphone, stands before a blue curtain.

"Don't vote crazy; vote for Tracy!"

14 hours ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Local

Transit project continues moving on, Van Meter says

Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter speaks on WTAX.

Sangamon County Board Chair, Andy Van Meter stopped by the WTAX Morning NewsWatch to give us some insider on all the projects that are coming to the capital city.

15 hours ago in Business, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

‘One of America’s most beloved legacy brands’ is looking at locating in Springfield

HoneyBaked Ham says it wants to locate in Springfield.

HoneyBaked Ham is looking at opening more locations in a number of states, including Illinois.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, History, IL State News, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

‘More than just a road’: Illinois communities celebrate Route 66’s centennial (WITH PHOTOS)

A Route 66 centennial logo ornament hung on display at Cozy Dog Drive In. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Chloe Park)

Museums, diners and roadside attractions spruce up as the ‘Mother Road’ turns 100.

Entertainment News

12 hours ago in Entertainment

Man pleads guilty to Atlanta auto break-in that led to theft of unreleased music by Beyoncé

Kelvin Evans, 41, entered guilty pleas in Fulton County Superior Court to entering an automobile and criminal trespass. He was sentenced to two years in prison, according to news outlets. He was scheduled to go on trial this week.

14 hours ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Local

Transit project continues moving on, Van Meter says

Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter speaks on WTAX.

Sangamon County Board Chair, Andy Van Meter stopped by the WTAX Morning NewsWatch to give us some insider on all the projects that are coming to the capital city.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

Big House Ballgame at Old Joliet Prison kicks off Route 66 festivities

A player from the Joliet Slammers gives away a foul ball to spectators at the kickoff baseball game on April 30 at the Old Joliet Prison. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Julia Levy)

The Joliet Slammers played the Gateway Grizzlies before fans celebrating Illinois and Hollywood history.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, Food Scene, History, IL State News, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide, Sports

‘More than just a road’: Illinois communities celebrate Route 66’s centennial (WITH PHOTOS)

A Route 66 centennial logo ornament hung on display at Cozy Dog Drive In. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Chloe Park)

Museums, diners and roadside attractions spruce up as the ‘Mother Road’ turns 100.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Rick Riordan unveils new ‘Camp Half-Blood’ novels, starting this fall

Starting this fall, fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" books can discover some adventures that took place at the demigod training facility Camp Half-Blood when Percy himself wasn't around.

20 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Eurovision song competition starts with the first semifinal after boycott over Israel

Competition starts Tuesday at the Eurovision Song Contest, with divisions over Israel's participation hanging over the 70th birthday of the over-the-top pop music extravaganza.

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13 hours ago in Sports, Trending

30 days out, Los Angeles is ready for the World Cup. The playing surface? Not just yet

The U.S. men open at SoFi Stadium (to be known as Los Angeles Stadium) against Paraguay on June 12, the first of eight matches to be played at the NFL stadium in Inglewood. The field was all dirt on Tuesday.

2 days ago in Sports, Trending

2026 NFL schedule: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants is Week 1 Sunday night game

The Dallas Cowboys are set to visit the New York Giants in the first Sunday night game of the 2026 NFL season on Sept. 13. The league on Monday announced the Week 1 matchup of NFC East rivals at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.