National News

24 hours ago in National

A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government’s files public

For much of two decades, police, FBI agents and prosecutors investigated allegations that Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused underage girls. Now, the Justice Department has released much of what they found to the public.

1 day ago in National

No public sign of a response to Savannah Guthrie’s message to her mother’s kidnapper

There was no public sign early Thursday of a response to NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's message to her 84-year-old mother's kidnapper.

2 days ago in National, Trending

Man who tried to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course gets life in prison

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison after a federal prosecutor said his crime was unacceptable "in this country or anywhere."

2 days ago in National

Trump’s border czar announces 700 immigration officers to immediately leave Minnesota

The Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday.

3 days ago in National, Trending

‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers to help bring her missing mom home

"Today" show host Savannah Guthrie is asking for prayers to help bring home her 84-year-old mother, whom authorities in Arizona believe was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will.

4 days ago in National

Black History Month centennial channels angst over anti-DEI climate into education, free resources

In the 100th year since the nation's earliest observances of Black History Month — which began when scholar Carter G. Woodson pioneered the first Negro History Week — celebrations will go on. The current political climate has energized civil rights organizations, artists and academics to engage young people on a full telling of America's story.

4 days ago in National

5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and father return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, who were detained by immigration officers in Minnesota and held at an ICE facility in Texas, were released following a judge's order and returned to Minnesota on Sunday, according to Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro.

4 days ago in National

Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers’ backlash

President Donald Trump said Sunday he will move to close Washington's Kennedy Center performing arts center for two years starting in July for construction, his latest proposal to upturn the storied venue since returning to the White House.

Sports

4 hours ago in Education, Local, Sports

Before sunrise, Springfield Figure Skating Club chases big dreams on the ice

A Springfield Figure Skating Club member takes to the ice at the Nelson Center.

The Springfield Figure Skating Club is hosting its showcase, "Spotlight On Ice: Hits and Heroes," next month.

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Former Prairie Star Esteban Hernandez signs Minor League contract with Atlanta Braves

Esteban Hernandez

Hernandez was signed as a free agent on Feb. 3, 2026, and was assigned to the Florida Complex League (FCL) Braves on Feb. 4.

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Austin Hays looking to play every day with the Chicago White Sox

FILE - Cincinnati Reds' Austin Hays celebrates after scoring on a single from Sal Stewart during the first inning in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card baseball playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Hays joins an outfield group that also includes Andrew Benintendi and Luisangel Acuña, who was acquired from the New York Mets in the Luis Robert Jr. trade.

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Arturas Karnisovas launches Bulls’ rebuild with series of trades at deadline

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, center loses control of the ball as Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“Being in the middle is what we don't want to do,” Karnisovas said Thursday. “I think we’ve seen that for the past four years and we want to change that.”

6 hours ago in Sports

Lindor, Correa off Puerto Rico’s WBC roster over insurance coverage, Báez for marijuana test

Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were left off Puerto Rico's roster for the World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage and Javy Báez for a positive 2023 marijuana test, while defending champion Japan entered a top group Thursday led by World Series champions Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

6 hours ago in Sports

Matthew Stafford edges Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he's returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.

6 hours ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

The Milan Cortina Olympics will start with a four-site and two-cauldron opening ceremony

An unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago.

6 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training, pumps fist after successful run

A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful downhill training run on Friday — two days before the race.

Lifestyle

24 hours ago in Lifestyle

Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns

Rent can eat up an entire paycheck at the start of the month, so a growing number of renters are turning to a financial product that promises relief by letting them split the bill — for a price.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

‘Rookie of the Year’ star to be at Lucky Horseshoes’ ‘Legends Classic’

Thomas Ian Nicholas attends the Primitive War film premiere in 2025.

Thomas Ian Nicholas will both pitch and perform in his band.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours

If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what's local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don't travel as far. It doesn't get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden.

2 days ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Coldest Februarys in Illinois since 1895

Stacker compiled a ranking of the coldest Februarys in Illinois since 1895 using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald's is embracing the trend this Valentine's Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount's Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 McDonald's gift card to buy McNuggets.

1 week ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Record snowfalls in Illinois history

Stacker compiled a list of the biggest snowfalls in Illinois history using data from National Centers for Environmental Information.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

Where are those darn keys? Tricks for remembering where you put things

With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and those gloves left behind at the coffee shop, there are simply more things to lose in winter. That's not counting your misplaced keys at home or those exasperated moments looking for your phone when you say, "I just had it!"

Local News from Capitol City Now

3 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Gas price spike possible

The state opted out of a waiver in hopes of approval for E-15.

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

IL bill could create IDPH health misinformation response unit, offer public health literacy grants

Health

The proposal also calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to work with the Department of Public Health to create guidance for schools to teach health literacy in comprehensive health courses.

4 hours ago in Education, Local, Sports

Before sunrise, Springfield Figure Skating Club chases big dreams on the ice

A Springfield Figure Skating Club member takes to the ice at the Nelson Center.

The Springfield Figure Skating Club is hosting its showcase, "Spotlight On Ice: Hits and Heroes," next month.

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Former Prairie Star Esteban Hernandez signs Minor League contract with Atlanta Braves

Esteban Hernandez

Hernandez was signed as a free agent on Feb. 3, 2026, and was assigned to the Florida Complex League (FCL) Braves on Feb. 4.

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Proposal: No ICE in IL police forces

Sen Johnson: "We cannot afford to have ICE agents infiltrate our outstanding law enforcement departments."

4 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Austin Hays looking to play every day with the Chicago White Sox

FILE - Cincinnati Reds' Austin Hays celebrates after scoring on a single from Sal Stewart during the first inning in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card baseball playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Hays joins an outfield group that also includes Andrew Benintendi and Luisangel Acuña, who was acquired from the New York Mets in the Luis Robert Jr. trade.

Entertainment News

24 hours ago in Entertainment

Not just pups this time: ‘Puppy Bowl’ embraces older dogs

This year, the Puppy Bowl isn't just about puppies. Older dogs are getting some attention, too. There will be a halftime showdown between Team Oldies and Team Goldies, offering a showcase for senior dogs as a reminder that they also need adoption and love.

24 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Fans race to learn Spanish before Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

Bad Bunny is expected to perform the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday entirely in Spanish — which has inspired fans to quickly learn the language.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Jon Hamm on hosting NFL Honors and ‘fellow Pisces’ Bad Bunny’s moment: ‘I applaud him as an artist’

When Jon Hamm first attended the NFL Honors, the league's annual awards show was still finding its footing. It was a relatively new addition to Super Bowl week that had yet to fully define what it would become.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

‘Rookie of the Year’ star to be at Lucky Horseshoes’ ‘Legends Classic’

Thomas Ian Nicholas attends the Primitive War film premiere in 2025.

Thomas Ian Nicholas will both pitch and perform in his band.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Penny the Doberman pinscher wins the 150th Westminster dog show

A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. show dogs' most coveted prize — and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Super Bowl LX ads feature AI, weight-loss drugs and celebs from George Clooney to Kendall Jenner

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the battle off the field for advertisers to win over 120 million-plus viewers will be just as heated as the rivalry between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

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Trending

6 hours ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

The Milan Cortina Olympics will start with a four-site and two-cauldron opening ceremony

An unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the Milan Cortina Games on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago.

6 hours ago in Features, Trending

3 fans. 60 Super Bowls. This might be their last time going to the big game

It just wouldn't feel like the Super Bowl for them if they weren't all there. And this might be the last time they all do it. That's what three old friends were coming to grips with just before this year's Super Bowl. The trio of octogenarians are the only fans left in the exclusive "never missed a Super Bowl" club.