National News

6 hours ago in National

Justice Department opens investigation into E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of assault: AP source

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who has said Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store 30 years ago, lied during the course of civil litigation against the Republican president, according to a person familiar with the matter.

6 days ago in National

FDA staff blindsided by move allowing more e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches onto US market

Senior officials in the Food and Drug Administration's tobacco center were blindsided by a recent decision that opens the door to allowing more unauthorized electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches onto the U.S. market, The Associated Press has learned.

1 week ago in National

What to watch in Tuesday’s primaries as Trump’s endorsement is put to the test

Is there a future in politics for Republicans who cross President Donald Trump? The signs this year suggest no, and Trump has convinced his voters to defeat his adversaries again and again.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

3 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.

Sports

2 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Mallory Swanson returns to the USWNT first the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics

Swanson was included on the U.S. roster for the first time since October 2024. She recently returned to her club team, the Chicago Stars, after taking time off for the birth of her daughter in November.

5 hours ago in Sports

Baseball players ask for expanded free agency, salary arbitration rights, almost doubling minimum

Baseball players fired the opening salvo Wednesday in what is expected to be long and contentious labor negotiations, asking for expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum and increasing the money high-revenue teams share with the less-wealthy clubs.

6 hours ago in Sports

Hurricanes beat the Canadiens 4-0 to move within a victory of the Stanley Cup Final

Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven scored in a 2:47 span late in the first period and the Carolina Hurricanes moved within a victory of the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Wednesday night.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

Summer Baseball is back

Summertime Baseball is back! Jamie Toole Chief Storyteller of The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes stopped by The WTAX Morning NewsWatch

1 day ago in IL State News, National, Sports

White Sox place Noah Schultz on 15-day IL, recall prospect David Sandlin from Triple-A

“It's just something that you want to catch before it gets worse,” said Schultz, who added that he tried playing through a similar injury last season.

1 day ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Cubs All-Star left-hander Matthew Boyd is scheduled for the first of two rehab starts on Sunday

Boyd has been on the injured list since May 4 with a torn meniscus in his left knee that required surgery.

1 day ago in Sports

Iga Swiatek improves career record at French Open to 42-3 as she reaches 3rd round

Iga Swiatek has improved her career record at the French Open to 42-3. The four-time champion eliminated 35th-ranked Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round on Wednesday.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

The Blue Wave from tiny Curaçao is making World Cup history

Before the tournament even begins, Curaçao has already crafted a story like none other in World Cup history. A tiny island country — autonomous territory, if you prefer — of about 156,000 residents in the Caribbean is now the smallest, both in terms of population and land mass, to make it to soccer's biggest stage.

Lifestyle

1 hour ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Lawmakers approve bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters

Fresh
E-bike on the country road at sunset

Speed limits and age restrictions part of new limits.

6 hours ago in Lifestyle

Why your co-worker might be listening to music tuned to 432 hertz

Music recorded in 432 hertz (cycles per second) is taking off on social media platforms and music streaming services, where users can find an increasing number of tracks and playlists employing the alternate tuning, everything from meditation soundscapes to reggae songs recorded by Ziggy Marley.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

Summer Baseball is back

Summertime Baseball is back! Jamie Toole Chief Storyteller of The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes stopped by The WTAX Morning NewsWatch

22 hours ago in Lifestyle

Independent bookstores are multiplying, although many people still think they’re dying out

Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, is used to strangers expressing sympathy when they learn what she does for a living. "It's all so funny," she says. "When I tell them I run the trade association for independent stores, they'll say, 'It's just so sad that they're disappearing.'

1 day ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Music, National

Thank you for being a friend: ‘Golden Girls’ to perform in Springfield

Updated
"Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue"

The Springfield show is, so far, the only Illinois stop as part of a fall tour starting September 30 and continuing through November 28.

1 day ago in Business, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Bipartisan AI safety, privacy bills await action in Illinois House

While some people hate the idea of AI, lawmakers know the technology is here to stay and Illinois must regulate it.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

You should be dancing, yeah. Moving to music offers all kinds of benefits as you age

Moving to music is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Medical professionals say it doesn't matter if it's Western line dancing, ballroom steps, salsa, tap, Zumba at the gym, or with a group

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

Meet Teresa — Meow Mobile Cat of the Week

Lovely, and ready to go home with you!

Local News from Capitol City Now

1 hour ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Lawmakers approve bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters

Fresh
E-bike on the country road at sunset

Speed limits and age restrictions part of new limits.

1 hour ago in Entertainment, Local, Music

‘Mamma Mia!’ takes the stage at The Muni

Fresh

Performances the next two weekends at The Muni.

1 hour ago in IL State News, Local, National

Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill

Fresh
Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, speaks on the House floor May 27. His bill would make Illinois the third state to regulate frontier AI models. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)

The measure aims to promote accountability among the most powerful AI models.

2 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National

State Sen. Dale Fowler says he’ll step down at end of legislative session

Fresh
State Sen. Dale Fowler watches Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State speech on Feb. 18, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

The Harrisburg Republican has served his southern Illinois district for a decade.

2 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Reducing gas tax, prepping for future shortfalls among late budget sticking points

Fresh
Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, discusses the budget at a news conference at the Statehouse on May 27, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Ben Szalinski)

Republicans call for lower spending and taxes as progressive Dems seek new revenue.

3 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local, National

Independent bookstores are multiplying, although many people still think they’re dying out

The owners of The Book Loft Oak Park, another Chicago-area store that opened last summer, acknowledge some nerves about a nearby Barnes & Noble coming soon.

Entertainment News

1 hour ago in Entertainment, Local, Music

‘Mamma Mia!’ takes the stage at The Muni

Fresh

Performances the next two weekends at The Muni.

8 hours ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

Summer Baseball is back

Summertime Baseball is back! Jamie Toole Chief Storyteller of The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes stopped by The WTAX Morning NewsWatch

22 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Matthew Perry’s assistant gets more than 3 years in prison for central role in his ketamine death

Matthew Perry's live-in personal assistant, who had a central role in the "Friends" star's descent into ketamine addiction and injected him with the fatal dose of the drug, was sentenced Wednesday to three years and five months in prison.

1 day ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Music, National

Thank you for being a friend: ‘Golden Girls’ to perform in Springfield

Updated
"Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue"

The Springfield show is, so far, the only Illinois stop as part of a fall tour starting September 30 and continuing through November 28.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

The Chicks announce intimate ‘Taking the Long Way’ 20th Anniversary Tour. ‘This is our lives’

Call it a comeback, a crossover moment, or both. Twenty years ago, The Chicks released their blockbuster 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" — their first full-length after the country music industry turned their backs on them — and one of the biggest of their career.

2 days ago in Entertainment

What tastes like a Korean pancake and is purple all over? An Oreo inspired by K-pop group BTS

Oreo is teaming up with K-pop supergroup BTS for a bit of marketing dynamite that capitalizes on consumers' growing interest in global flavors.

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Trending

22 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Matthew Perry’s assistant gets more than 3 years in prison for central role in his ketamine death

Matthew Perry's live-in personal assistant, who had a central role in the "Friends" star's descent into ketamine addiction and injected him with the fatal dose of the drug, was sentenced Wednesday to three years and five months in prison.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

The Blue Wave from tiny Curaçao is making World Cup history

Before the tournament even begins, Curaçao has already crafted a story like none other in World Cup history. A tiny island country — autonomous territory, if you prefer — of about 156,000 residents in the Caribbean is now the smallest, both in terms of population and land mass, to make it to soccer's biggest stage.