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Route 66 100 Year Anniversary Guide

Upcoming Events

Friday July 10th- Taylorville: An Unofficial Live Tribute
Friday, July 17th-18th- Chatham Jaycees Sweetcorn Festival

National News

3 hours ago in National

The Onion’s new parody of Alex Jones’ Infowars starts with $100,000 to Sandy Hook families

The satirical news site The Onion isn't waiting to take possession of Infowars to launch a parody of Alex Jones ' conspiracy platform. More than a year after first trying to buy Infowars, The Onion on Thursday will debut a send-up under its own website with plans to give some of the revenue to families of the victims in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

3 hours ago in National

US employers pull back on hiring in June amid elevated inflation, global turmoil

U.S. employers slowed hiring last month and added only 57,000 jobs, less than half the previous month's total and a sign companies still have a cautious economic outlook.

1 day ago in National, Trending

Americans step out for their nation’s 250th in a proud moment sown with division and doubt

One of the stars of the American firmament once advised citizens of all stripes how to express their love of country. Mark Twain's long-ago words capture how Americans are stepping out this week to wish their nation a happy milestone birthday.

2 days ago in National

Forecasters cite ‘dangerous’ conditions as heat scorches Midwest while on its way to the East

Nature's oven was on high Tuesday for millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes states as intense heat and humidity baked the regions with no immediate relief before the misery shifts to the eastern U.S.

2 days ago in National, Trending

Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits

A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump's executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

6 days ago in National

Utah restricts fireworks, declares state of emergency as largest US wildfire grows

Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States' largest wildfire mushroomed in size.

1 week ago in National

Key inflation gauge jumps to 3-year high in latest sign of affordability challenges

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for President Donald Trump and his political party as midterm elections near.

1 week ago in National

Savannah Guthrie says family remains ‘in agony’ over missing mom, begs the public for tips

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie made an emotional appeal to viewers Tuesday to come forward with any information about her missing mother, a day after news organizations said a ransom note received months ago had indicated that she was dead.

Sports

3 hours ago in Sports

Taylor Fritz wins match and style points at Wimbledon. De Minaur also advances

A well-dressed Taylor Fritz impressed again at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating compatriot Patrick Kypson 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the third round as Princess Kate visited the All England Club.

3 hours ago in Sports, Trending

U.S. beats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to round of 16 and keep its World Cup dreams alive

Malik Tillman stepped up for a free kick with a bloody sock and a new right boot after being stepped on by an opponent as the United States scrambled to protect a one-goal lead, down a man in a World Cup knockout round.

21 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Spieth returns to John Deere with an eye on Royal Birkdale practice and FedEx Cup standings

Jordan Spieth hits from the fairway on the 14th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Thursday, June 18, 2026.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

For only the second time in the 11 years since he last won the John Deere Classic, Spieth is returning to the Deere and will skip the Scottish Open the following week.

21 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

NBA free agency: Norman Powell to Chicago in another All-Star move as teams continue shaping rosters

FILE - Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)

Powell spent this past season in Miami, where he became an All-Star for the first time and averaged 21.7 points in 58 games with the Heat.

21 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Blackhawks defenseman Bowen Byram agrees to a $75 million, 6-year extension

FILE - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) controls the puck against Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, April 23, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

The 25-year-old Byram was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on June 23.

2 days ago in Sports

Haaland scores deciding goal as Norway wins its 1st World Cup knockout game, beating Ivory Coast 2-1

Erling Haaland scored the deciding goal in the 86th minute and Norway won a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time, advancing to the round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

2 days ago in Sports

Serena Williams begins Wimbledon comeback on Centre Court in her return to singles

Serena Williams is back on Wimbledon's Centre Court for her first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old Williams was given a standing ovation Tuesday as she walked onto the grass court where she won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

2 days ago in Sports

LeBron hits free agency: James not returning to Lakers, plans to play 24th season elsewhere

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, which means another decision awaits. A mere 16 years after his first famed "decision" — the one that saw him leave Cleveland for Miami — James is getting ready to change uniforms once again.

Lifestyle

19 minutes ago in Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

What’s the perfect American hot dog? Depends where you grew up

Fresh

Child wearing a bright hat takes a big bite of a hot dog with pickle and vegetables outdoors, close-up view

Chicago-style hot dogs are grilled over an open flame. The steamed buns almost always have poppy seeds. No ketchup is allowed.

22 hours ago in Agriculture, Education, Farm, Food Scene, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Bloom where you’re planted; Celebrating a bumper crop of community gardens in Illinois

State Senator Doris Turner (right) watches a community gardener tend to her plot at the Illinois State Fairground Community Garden. She tasted a freshly-grown pea plant.

"It reminds us where our food comes from, encourages healthy lifestyles, and creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together."

1 day ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Pet of the Week

Local Veterinarian urges pet owners to take precautions during holiday heat wave

Pet owners may underestimate how quickly animals can overheat, particularly during periods of high heat and humidity, Peterson said.

2 days ago in Agriculture, Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

‘Miles of Smiles’ this year’s Illinois State Fair theme

"Miles of Smiles" celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

2 days ago in Business, Education, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

Pritzker signs bills on environmental standards, in-state tuition

Gov. JB Pritzker signs a bill into law. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)

Law banning interchange fees also pushed back to at least next year.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Nutrition apps can help build healthy habits. For some users, their gaming features carry risks

Green means go, red means stop. Trophies or confetti come with good performance, and people who fall behind get nudged to do better. Those brightly colored engagement tactics long ago jumped from smartphone games to everything from online shopping to sports betting and classrooms. So it should come as no surprise that many nutrition-tracking apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom also use gaming features to keep users coming back.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

How to talk about money with your kids

At the grocery store, Jamie Corum sets a two-minute timer for her 10-year-old daughter to look around. Then she resets it to 10 minutes so her daughter can choose one thing to buy, making sure she considers her budget and how much tax she'll have to pay.

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

Stars, stripes and shopping carts: What Americans buy for the Fourth of July in Illinois

Cheeseburger with bacon and melted cheese on a bun, served on a red plate with corn on the cob and patriotic decorations in the background.

Instacart compiled July 4th shopping trends in Illinois

Local News from Capitol City Now

19 minutes ago in Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

What’s the perfect American hot dog? Depends where you grew up

Fresh

Chicago-style hot dogs are grilled over an open flame. The steamed buns almost always have poppy seeds. No ketchup is allowed.

5 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Pritzker: FEMA is limited in how much it can help IL

Governor JB Pritzker talks with storm cleanup workers in Effingham Wednesday, July 1.

Governor says cuts have changed agency's focus.

5 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

How outdoor workers have dealt with the recent high temperatures

Workers with USIC identify areas for fiber optic lines while trying to beat the heat.

"If you feel like you're doing too much, then get in the truck with the air on, get some water, take breaks," Patterson said.

19 hours ago in Crime, Food Scene, Local

Crime of the Week: Help needed solving restaurant burglary in Springfield

June 14 break-in at Gabatoni's.

20 hours ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Local

July 4th celebration at the ALPLM

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Joe Crain, representing the ALPLM stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss anything and everything that they are doing this Saturday!

20 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local

INTERVIEW: New Department of Early Childhood launches full operations

Panel of professionals speaking into microphones during a formal meeting or conference, with a woman in the foreground gesturing as she talks.

New Department of Early Childhood launches full operations.

Entertainment News

3 hours ago in Entertainment

California to institute Bruce Lee Day, a first for a Chinese American in the state’s history

Martial arts icon Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco, will become the first Chinese American in California history with an annual namesake day.

20 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to host their wedding Friday at Madison Square Garden, AP source says

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will have their wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the security plans.

20 hours ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Local

July 4th celebration at the ALPLM

Joe Crain, representing the ALPLM stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss anything and everything that they are doing this Saturday!

1 day ago in Entertainment

Los Angeles medical examiner says former child actor Daveigh Chase died of AIDS

Former child actor Daveigh Chase's death on June 16 was due to AIDS, the office of the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported. The cause of death for Chase, 35, was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, according to online medical examiner records from this week that listed her last name as Schwallier.

2 days ago in Agriculture, Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

‘Miles of Smiles’ this year’s Illinois State Fair theme

"Miles of Smiles" celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Blake Lively wants $8 million in legal fees from Justin Baldoni after ‘It Ends With Us’ dispute

Blake Lively is seeking $8 million in legal costs from actor and director Justin Baldoni after resolving their dispute over the acrimonious production of their 2024 film "It Ends With Us."

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