National News

1 week ago in National

Facing a ban on horse-drawn carriages, Central Park’s drivers fear for their future

The horse-drawn carriages that have cruised through Central Park for more than 150 years will soon be banished from New York City, ending an iconic tradition beloved by tourists but long opposed by animal welfare activists.

1 week ago in National

Violent Arizona storms bring possible tornado, toppled trees and golf ball-size hail

Trees fell onto homes and utility poles were knocked down by a possible tornado in a central Arizona community during a series of violent storms that moved through the state overnight into Thursday.

1 week ago in National

The Orionid meteor shower is coming. Here’s how and when to watch

The Orionids — one of two major meteor showers caused by remnants from Halley's comet — will peak this week, though a large moon will dim visibility until after it sets late at night.

2 weeks ago in National

Georgia amusement park reopens as scheduled after roller coaster death

Six Flags Over Georgia opened its gates Friday evening for the first time since a man fell to his death from one of the amusement park's towering roller coasters.

2 weeks ago in National

Cornell suspends fraternity parties, gives state police role in investigating campus assault reports

Cornell University suspended parties at fraternity houses until next year and is giving state police a role in investigating reports of sexual assault on campus in the school's latest response to outrage over its handling of a gang rape allegation.

2 weeks ago in National

A man falls to his death from a Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia

Police are investigating after a man fell to his death from a roller coaster at a Six Flags near Atlanta, watched by other visitors to the amusement park as he was catapulted from the ride.

3 weeks ago in National

Isaias strengthens into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane on track toward the US Gulf Coast

Isaias strengthened Friday into a major hurricane as it headed toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, where final preparations were being made for potentially life-threatening storm surges and high winds.

3 weeks ago in National, Trending

Hurricane Isaias is expected to get stronger on its way to Florida, Alabama and Mississippi coasts

Isaias surged toward the U.S. Gulf Coast on Thursday as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, prompting mandatory evacuations, school closures and local government shutdowns in parts of Florida.

Sports

12 hours ago in Sports

Gray scores 23 points to help hot-shooting Dream beat Valkyries 80-69 to force Game 7 of WNBA Finals

The Atlanta Dream's shooters finally found some daylight. And as a result, the Dream's goal of winning their first WNBA championship is still shining bright.

14 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Chicago Bears acquire DT Jeffery Simmons in pricey trade with the Tennessee Titans

The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday.

19 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Brewers beat the Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win the first World Series title in franchise history

The small-ball Milwaukee Brewers playing in the smallest market in the majors are World Series champions for the first time. Hey, Milwaukee: grab a brat, raise a beer and prepare for that parade.

1 day ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Illinois is team to beat in Big Ten ahead of Spartans and defending national champion Wolverines

Illinois has been tabbed the team to beat in the preseason media poll despite losing No. 5 overall NBA draft pick Keaton Wagler.

1 day ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears defensive end Montez Sweat returns from PED suspension and apologizes to teammates

“I just want to apologize to my teammates, the fan base, everybody, but I’m moving forward now,” Sweat said Tuesday.

1 day ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Blackhawks F Oliver Moore looks for more growth after positive response to healthy scratch

Moore, a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, is a key figure for Chicago as it tries to find the other side of years of rebuilding.

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

Big Ten leaders approve a rule limiting schools’ involvement in setting up third-party NIL deals

The Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act by a wide margin Sept. 28 and it now awaits a vote in the House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene Nov. 9.

2 days ago in Sports, Trending

Rays stun Brewers with 2-run rally in 12th inning and force World Series Game 5 with 4-3 win

Milwaukee was three outs from its first World Series title when Junior Camerino started the bottom of the 12th inning with a grounder to third. Thousands of Brewers fans who trekked to Tropicana Field to witness the long-awaited moment started to cheer. Not so fast.

Lifestyle

12 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Make no bones about it, the giant skeleton has become an American Halloween fixture

It reared its bony head in 2020, during that first, chaotic pandemic year that was rife with grief and fear but also toilet paper hoarding and questionable lockdown-inspired purchases. Behold Skelly, the 12-foot, 90-pound skeleton with glowing LCD eyeballs, on sale for $299 from Home Depot, just in time for Halloween — at least, if you can get your hands on one.

3 days ago in Lifestyle

Tours offer Halloween enthusiasts visits to former psychiatric hospital and funeral home

It's not enough these days for some Halloween enthusiasts to be scared by actors dressed up in spooky getups at makeshift haunted houses: They want the "real" thing.

4 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start amid high chocolate prices and affordability concerns

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start this year as U.S. consumers grapple with high living costs and eye-popping chocolate prices. Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared to the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ, a market research firm.

5 days ago in Fall Guide, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Memorial Health dietitian highlights importance of blood sugar management

Zeff encourages people to schedule regular medical appointments and get their blood sugar tested, particularly those with a family history of diabetes.

7 days ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Illinois regulators move to bring video gambling under self-exclusion program

The state’s extensive network of video gambling terminals is one of the largest gaps in the program.

7 days ago in Lifestyle

The new wedding budget: Where couples are spending more, and less

Modern Gents reports average wedding spending hit $34,200 in 2025, highlighting that couples prioritize experiences and personalization while balancing budgets amid rising costs.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

RSV vs. flu: How to tell the difference

Doctronic reports that RSV and flu, both contagious respiratory infections, have overlapping but distinct symptoms.

Local News from Capitol City Now

14 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Croke: I’ll use my voice to keep improving state finances, if elected as comptroller

That's in addition to what Croke calls "low-hanging fruit" like possibly eliminating the use of paper checks to pay bills.

21 hours ago in Local

One firefighter injured fighting blaze at Taylorville home

The firefighter was treated and released from the hospital.

22 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local

Springfield non-profit connects people with life-changing technology

Governor proclaims October 2026 Assistive Technology Month in Illinois.

23 hours ago in Health & Wellness, Local

Mental health board to field input, ideas

Board schedules two study sessions a month.

1 day ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, National

Illinois AG candidate Fioretti: I’ll do what Kwame Raoul doesn’t if elected

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Chicago Republican and Illinois Attorney General candidate Bob Fioretti says the SAFE-T Act, which…

1 day ago in Business, IL State News, Local

It’s projected to cost ComEd $3.1B to connect data centers to the grid

Consumer groups say data center developers should pay infrastructure costs up front.

Entertainment News

12 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ fame, dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who added Shakespearean gravitas to the "Star Trek" and "X-Men" franchises, has died. He was 86. Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles, following "a brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia, spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Hometown of ‘Addams Family’ creator becomes ghoulish Halloween destination

Before there was "The Addams Family," there was Westfield. Cartoonist Charles Addams, who created the eccentric, fictional family, drew inspiration for his signature macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes, historic cemetery and other landmarks of his New Jersey hometown.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

South Carolina police close investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death after coroner’s ruling

Police in South Carolina have closed their investigation into the overdose death of actor Hayden Panettiere following a coroner's finding that it was accidental. The decision was based on the medical examiner's determination as well as the findings of the investigation, Greenville police said Wednesday in a statement.

1 day ago in Entertainment, IL State News, National

Susan Saint James, Emmy-winning actor of ‘McMillan & Wife’ and ‘Kate & Allie,’ dies at 80

Born Susan Jane Miller on Aug. 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, she was raised in the northern Illinois city of Rockford, where her father had transferred for work.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Southern California

The man who has helped produce the Super Bowl halftime show is stepping into the spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the show himself. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday night that Jay-Z will be the featured performer for the halftime festivities on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

4 days ago in Entertainment

‘You Can See Everything’ surges with $19.5M at box office; ‘Clayface’ takes No. 1

DC Studios scored a modest, R-rated win with "Clayface," landing a $24 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the biggest success story in theaters remained A24's Elizabeth Holmes documentary "You Can See Everything," which pulled in $19.5 million in its first weekend of wide release.

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Trending

12 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Make no bones about it, the giant skeleton has become an American Halloween fixture

It reared its bony head in 2020, during that first, chaotic pandemic year that was rife with grief and fear but also toilet paper hoarding and questionable lockdown-inspired purchases. Behold Skelly, the 12-foot, 90-pound skeleton with glowing LCD eyeballs, on sale for $299 from Home Depot, just in time for Halloween — at least, if you can get your hands on one.

12 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ fame, dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who added Shakespearean gravitas to the "Star Trek" and "X-Men" franchises, has died. He was 86. Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles, following "a brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia, spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said.