National News

6 hours ago in National, Trending

Presidents Day 2026: Here’s what’s open and closed on the holiday

Government offices, the stock market and schools are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day, but most big retailers are open. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules online for stores in your neighborhood.

3 days ago in National

Inflation measure falls to nearly five-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool

A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering some relief to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years.

4 days ago in National

Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota

The immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths is coming to an end, border czar Tom Homan said Thursday.

5 days ago in National

Alex Murdaugh continues to insist he didn’t kill wife and son as he gets another day in court

Alex Murdaugh has admitted he is a thief, a liar, an insurance cheat, a drug addict and a bad lawyer. But even from behind bars he continues to adamantly deny he is a killer.

5 days ago in National

Trump administration says El Paso airspace closure was tied to Mexican cartel drones

The Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday morning, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure that would have grounded all flights to and from the airport.

5 days ago in National

Attorney General Bondi will face questions from Congress on Epstein and investigation of lawmakers

Attorney General Pam Bondi will face questions from lawmakers Wednesday over the Justice Department's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein that have exposed sensitive private information about victims despite redaction efforts.

6 days ago in National

Gov. Tim Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end within days

Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota will end in "days, not weeks and months," based on his recent conversations with top Trump administration officials.

6 days ago in National

FBI releases first surveillance images of masked person on Nancy Guthrie’s porch

Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie released the first surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person with what looked like a handgun holster on her porch the night she went missing more than a week ago.

Sports

5 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Bold new US trio eyes Olympic figure skating gold while serving as role models for a new generation

The trio of U.S. women targeting Olympic figure skating gold Tuesday night are not the dainty ice princesses of yesteryear.

5 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend

If you still didn't like the NBA's newest All-Star Game format, you probably just don't like All-Star games. That seemed to be the sports sphere's consensus after the U.S.-against-the-world, round-robin tournament Sunday produced three thrilling mini-games and several impressive individual performances.

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

Shelby Miller agrees to $2.5 million, 2-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, AP source says

Miller has agreed to a $2.5 million, two-year contract with Chicago, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.

3 days ago in Sports

Chris Paul, the ‘Point God,’ retires as All-Star weekend begins, ending a 21-season NBA run

Chris Paul, the "Point God" who was a 12-time All-Star selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement on Friday in the capper of a 21-season career that will surely merit induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

3 days ago in Sports

A healthy Shohei Ohtani eyes the one major award he hasn’t won — a Cy Young Award

Shohei Ohtani is a five-time All-Star, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a two-time World Series winner and a World Baseball Classic champion, giving him a sparkling baseball resume that no current player can touch. The only major honor he hasn't won? A Cy Young Award.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Sports

Taylor Swift rumors spiked ticket sales for Pebble Beach golf tournament

Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.

3 days ago in Business, IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Prediction markets love sports, but the feeling isn’t exactly mutual

FILE - Advertisements by the American company Polymarket predict a victory for Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova, File)

The rapid growth of sports offerings on prediction markets — called event contracts — has captured the attention of the four major North American sports.

3 days ago in Olympics, Sports

Norway’s Klaebo makes history on skis, ties all-time Winter Olympics gold record

Friday the 13th will be remembered as a lucky day for Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo. Norway's cross-country skiing star tied an all‑time Winter Games record by winning his eighth gold medal Friday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The 29‑year‑old claimed victory in the men's 10 kilometer interval‑start race, for his third gold at the 2026 games.

Lifestyle

7 hours ago in History, Lifestyle, Local

Springfield museum celebrates 100 years of Route 66

Visitors can also find tributes to Springfield legends, including Len Trumper, known for bringing major acts like KISS and REO Speedwagon to the city, and Bessie Paoli, the first woman to own a car and race in the Indianapolis 500.

The museum and restaurant opened eight years ago, transforming what was once a condemned Stuckey’s restaurant into an international attraction.

1 day ago in Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Local

Weight loss – small steps, whole foods, and getting support can make a big difference

Weight loss

Developing one habit at a time and making small changes can help goals become long term success.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Weekend Rundown

My Heart’s Downtown is designed to make you fall in love with Downtown Springfield all over again

My Heart's Downtown is a family-friendly event to celebrate local businesses and bring people back to Downtown Springfield.

3 days ago in Business, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Logan County receives $465k grant for Route 66 tourism

Lincoln's Director of Tourism, Scott McCoy, said a significant portion of the grant money will go towards completing the Museum of Route 66.

The grant is part of the City of Lincoln and Logan County's plan to beef up Route 66 attractions ahead of the 2026 tourism season.

4 days ago in Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Local

February is ‘Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month’

Studie show 1 in 3 teens are victims of dating abuse and violence and aren't even aware.

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

‘Passport to Illinois’ now available as America’s 250’s birthday begins

Gabrielle Lyon, Ph.D., chair of the Illinois 250 Coalition, unveils a "Passport to Illinois" Wednesday, February 11, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

56 areas and pieces of history are featured -- including Springfield.

6 days ago in Business, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Route 66 Centennial celebrations officially underway

Route 66 near Illinois Capitol

Springfield is getting a share of $4 million in grants to help fund Route 66 100th anniversary celebrations.

Local News from Capitol City Now

4 hours ago in Business, Local

Insurance business to start grant program

Cheri Plummer's CLP Insurance Solutions will take a portion of whatever profits she makes this year and put them toward a grant program payable in 2027.

4 hours ago in Crime, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local, National

Teen daughter of a Chicago man detained in an immigration case dies from a rare cancer

The teenager had been diagnosed in December 2024 with the aggressive form of soft tissue cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

7 hours ago in History, Lifestyle, Local

Springfield museum celebrates 100 years of Route 66

Visitors can also find tributes to Springfield legends, including Len Trumper, known for bringing major acts like KISS and REO Speedwagon to the city, and Bessie Paoli, the first woman to own a car and race in the Indianapolis 500.

The museum and restaurant opened eight years ago, transforming what was once a condemned Stuckey’s restaurant into an international attraction.

7 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local

Rochester High School investing in vape detectors to curb student vaping

Rochester Rockets signs

The vape monitors will be connected to an app, sending real-time alerts to staff when vapor is detected, including nicotine and THC. 

8 hours ago in History, IL State News, Local

Penny shortage causes headaches for retailers in the Land of Lincoln

Springfield native Mary Disseler is a long-time volunteer at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, where she educates visitors about the legacy of America’s 16th president. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Erika Tulfo)

For many Illinoisans, it’s a sentimental ending to see “Honest Abe’s” coin disappear.

Entertainment News

5 hours ago in Entertainment

Powered by women, ‘Wuthering Heights’ digs up $34.8 million at the box office for a No. 1 debut

Emerald Fennell's bold reimagining of "Wuthering Heights" brought crowds of women to movie theaters this weekend.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Sports

Taylor Swift rumors spiked ticket sales for Pebble Beach golf tournament

Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.

3 days ago in Entertainment

After 800 episodes, ‘The Simpsons’ creators look back — and ahead

Eight hundred episodes, 37 seasons, and one four-fingered family that refuses to age. As "The Simpsons" hits a milestone few series have ever glimpsed this weekend, the architects behind Springfield are reflecting on the choices that turned crude 1987 shorts from "The Tracey Ullman Show" into a cultural juggernaut.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Weekend Rundown

My Heart’s Downtown is designed to make you fall in love with Downtown Springfield all over again

My Heart's Downtown is a family-friendly event to celebrate local businesses and bring people back to Downtown Springfield.

4 days ago in Entertainment

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni go to New York in required effort to avoid trial

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni came to a New York courthouse on Wednesday to see if her lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of the 2024 romantic drama "It Ends With Us" could be settled before a May trial.

5 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

James Van Der Beek, the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star who later mocked his own hunky persona, has died at 48

James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in "Dawson's Creek" and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. He was 48.

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Trending

5 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Good game, bad dunk contest. The highs and lows of an eventful NBA All-Star weekend

If you still didn't like the NBA's newest All-Star Game format, you probably just don't like All-Star games. That seemed to be the sports sphere's consensus after the U.S.-against-the-world, round-robin tournament Sunday produced three thrilling mini-games and several impressive individual performances.

6 hours ago in National, Trending

Presidents Day 2026: Here’s what’s open and closed on the holiday

Government offices, the stock market and schools are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day, but most big retailers are open. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules online for stores in your neighborhood.