1 hour ago in National

Trump executive order tries to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday aiming to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War — a long-telegraphed move aimed at projecting American military toughness around the globe.

2 hours ago in Sports

MLB’s regular season enters its final 3 weeks. Here’s a look at the playoff picture and awards races

The 2025 season has produced a surprising show of parity through the first five months of the regular season. While most of the league's big spenders — teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and New York Mets — are in good position to make the playoffs and do damage in October, they haven't been as dominant as many expected.

2 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

This year’s song of the summer is a ballad, not a banger. Here’s what that says about us

For the past 14 weeks and counting, the top Billboard spot has been held by a love ballad: Alex Warren's "Ordinary." As Berklee College of Music professor and forensic musicologist Joe Bennett notes, the February release is "a fair bit slower than the mean average for the Hot 100, or for a historical song of the summer."

3 hours ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Champaign man arrested after knife attack injures three first responders

Champaign Police officers arrived within minutes and found two firefighters and one paramedic suffering from serious stab wounds.

3 hours ago in IL State News, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Powerball jackpot soars to $1.7 billion as Illinois players win big

In Wednesday night’s drawing, an Illinois Lottery player from Aurora claimed a $1 million prize after matching five numbers.

3 hours ago in Local, Pet of the Week, ZZZ App Top Stories

Meet Tavy — APL Cat of the Week

Tavy is mellow and loves a warm blanket!

4 hours ago in Local, Pet of the Week, ZZZ App Top Stories

Meet Buster — APL Dog of the Week

Buster is "sweet" and "a social butterfly"!

4 hours ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, National, ZZZ App Top Stories

Trump’s promised immigration crackdown in Chicago could last about six weeks, suburban official says

Although details about the promised Chicago operation have been sparse, local opposition is already widespread and is building in the suburbs. State and city leaders have said they plan to sue the Trump administration.

4 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Illinois delegation traveling to Japan for annual conference

Governor JB Pritzker will not attend, blames the Trump Administration.

5 hours ago in Education, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Warren’s LLCC swan song

"There are many people out there who may want to go get a four year (degree) but aren't ready in their lives," said Charlotte Warren, who is retiring after this school year.

6 hours ago in Business, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Elkhart coal mine closed after CWLP moves contract to another company

CWLP shifted business away to another mine in 2024.

8 hours ago in Sports

Defending champion Eagles edge Cowboys 24-20 in wild, lightning-delayed NFL season opener

Through spit and rain, a ceremony and a setback, Jalen Hurts and the Super Bowl champion Eagles weathered the storm and showed why they're again a favorite to hoist a second straight Lombardi Trophy.

8 hours ago in Sports

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the U.S. Open women’s final

On Saturday, when she faces No. 8 Amanda Anisimova in the final, the No. 1-seeded Sabalenka will be trying to become the first woman to claim consecutive championships at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams got three in a row from 2012 to 2014.

8 hours ago in Entertainment

Julia Roberts, Anna Wintour, Ralph Lauren and more pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes.

8 hours ago in Entertainment

Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show ‘Weather Hunters’

This fall, everyone's favorite weatherman is getting a kick out of launching his own educational cartoon TV show — "Weather Hunters," which premieres Monday on PBS Kids.

10 hours ago in History, Local, ZZZ App Top Stories

Demolition to begin this month at Pillsbury site in Springfield

The demolition will include 160 silos and 500,000 square feet of buildings.

10 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local, National, ZZZ App Top Stories

A wildly popular 15-year-old computer whiz is becoming the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint

In the lead-up to Acutis' canonization on Sunday, it's all Acutis, all the time at the Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish and school in Chicago.

11 hours ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local, National, ZZZ App Top Stories

Trump administration investigates Medicaid spending on immigrants in Democratic states

Illinois is included in the reported investigation.

11 hours ago in Education, Local, Sports, ZZZ App Top Stories

UIS chancellor named to special NCAA committee

The university says in a news release Janet Gooch will serve on the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity, and Impact.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

Justin Bieber announces ‘Swag ll’ will arrive Friday

Never say never... again? In July, Justin Bieber surprised fans by releasing his seventh studio album, "Swag," hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts. It turns out, he wasn't done yet. On Thursday morning, Bieber shared that "Swag II" will arrive on Friday.