Music

13 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

MusiCares to honor U2 as 2027 Persons of the Year at a star-studded Grammy-weekend gala

MusiCares will honor Irish band U2 as its Persons of the Year at a February gala kicking off Grammy Awards weekend. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. will be celebrated at a Feb. 5 dinner and tribute concert at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Ella Langley leads Country Music Association Awards nods, with mentor Miranda Lambert close behind

Ella Langley, riding the wave of her crossover megahit "Choosin' Texas," leads the nominations for the 2026 Country Music Association Awards with nine nods, followed by her mentor Miranda Lambert with six.

1 week ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Music

‘STOMP’ coming to UIS PAC to kick off 2027

"STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments."

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Dolly Parton estate announces 2-day festival ‘Dollyfest’ to celebrate her legacy

Dolly Parton is not done yet. The estate behind the icon, who died of cancer last week at age 80, has announced Dollyfest, a two-day festival to be held in Nashville and London across two consecutive weekends in 2027.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Illinois State Fair Guide, Local, Music

Dolly Parton’s central Illinois connections

From Petersburg to the Illinois State Fair to the former Assembly Hall in Champaign, "I don't think there will ever be another Dolly Parton."

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music, National

Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations, dies at 80

Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, her publicist said in a statement.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Australia’s music industry bans AI-generated tracks from official charts

Australia's recorded music industry will bar tracks wholly generated by artificial intelligence from official charts as burgeoning generative technologies threaten artists' livelihoods, a representative said on Tuesday.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

After losing a friend and writing ‘Say So,’ Dan + Shay are back with the autobiographical ‘Young’

The lead single from Grammy Award-winning duo Dan + Shay's forthcoming album "Young" is a hard pivot from the wedding songs that make up so much of the country pair's discography.

Lifestyle

14 hours ago in Lifestyle

In an age of instant answers, educators say there’s a case for letting kids struggle a little

When children forget their lunch, can't solve a math problem or don't know how to get somewhere, the instinct for parents can be to step in immediately. But sometimes, the problem is an opportunity.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Girl Scouts’ first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January

Man's best friend is getting some love from the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the USA said Tuesday its first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

New Apple CEO unveils latest iPhone lineup, including a foldable model called Duo

Apple on Wednesday unveiled its latest generation of iPhones, including a widely anticipated foldable version called Duo.

3 days ago in Lifestyle

Families’ interest in their kids’ education is falling around the globe as scores drop, test shows

Families' interest in their kids' education is falling in many high-income countries as school systems struggle with plunging test scores, according to newly released results from a standardized test taken by 15-year-olds around the world.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

Nod if you’ve heard this: Bobblehead dolls are an American favorite

Any head can bobble - entertainers, athletes, politicians, animals, fictional characters, even your own if you get one personalized. Kitschy, kind of funny, kind of clever, ubiquitous as giveaways at places like baseball games, who doesn't love a bobblehead? America most definitely does.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle, Trending

How to reset your child’s sleep schedule for back-to-school season

After a summer of vacations and late nights, it's time to set those back-to-school alarms. A good night's sleep helps students stay focused and attentive in class. Experts say it's worth easing kids back into a routine with the start of a new school year.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle

3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold

Condensed college programs have exploded in popularity. As of this spring, 26 U.S. states have a college that offers at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor's, according to the nonprofit research group RAND. Advocates say these programs are a solution to the college affordability crisis and a godsend for non-traditional students.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle

Fall books: Fiction takes the spotlight in bookstores during the midterm season

Midterm election news will fill the headlines this fall, but, among book buyers, fiction will likely have top billing.

National

5 hours ago in Education, History, IL State News, Local, National

Pritzker, Duckworth, other Illinoisans mark 9/11 anniversary

A ceremony centered around volunteerism was held in Chicago.

6 hours ago in Crime, Local, National

Second registered sex offender sought by Sangamon County arrested

Randall Knott, 55, was arrested Thursday.

6 hours ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, National

Southern Illinois man who printed unregistered 3D guns sentenced to eight years

Defendant tells judge he had ‘hurt no one' while his lawyer pleaded for 'mercy.'

6 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears, Panthers look to continue to progress under still-developing No. 1 overall draft picks

Both teams were eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams.

6 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has a calf injury going into Week 1

The wide receiver showed no signs of any issues as he went through drills in the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to reporters.

7 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local, National

In an age of instant answers, educators say there’s a case for letting kids struggle a little

There is a downside to that convenience, said Dr. Dana Suskind, a professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Chicago and author of the book “Human Raised.”

Sports

6 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears, Panthers look to continue to progress under still-developing No. 1 overall draft picks

Both teams were eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams.

6 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has a calf injury going into Week 1

The wide receiver showed no signs of any issues as he went through drills in the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to reporters.

7 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Cubs hope to have shortstop Dansby Swanson back from oblique injury in a week

Swanson, a smooth-fielding two-time All-Star, went on the injured list on Monday, Aug. 17 with a a left oblique strain.

7 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears coach Ben Johnson returns to North Carolina for Week 1 matchup with the Panthers

Johnson leads the Bears into North Carolina for their season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

14 hours ago in Sports

High-profile injuries already adding up 2 games into the NFL season

Sam Darnold played just five snaps. A.J. Brown will be sidelined for a while. De'Zhaun Stribling was carted off the field. High-profile injuries are adding up just two games into the NFL season. It's not even Sunday yet.

1 day ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Big Ten expanding its enhanced replay review coverage beyond Friday games

The Big Ten had announced last week it would offer these enhanced replay reviews during Friday night telecasts. The Big Ten adjusted that plan Wednesday by saying it will cover all conference games, as well as home nonconference matchups that have Big Ten officiating crews.

Entertainment

13 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

MusiCares to honor U2 as 2027 Persons of the Year at a star-studded Grammy-weekend gala

MusiCares will honor Irish band U2 as its Persons of the Year at a February gala kicking off Grammy Awards weekend. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. will be celebrated at a Feb. 5 dinner and tribute concert at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

13 hours ago in Entertainment

Snoop Dogg brings the VMAs back to Los Angeles as host for Sept. 27 show

The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to the West Coast this month and they've got a very West Coast host — Snoop Dogg.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Ella Langley leads Country Music Association Awards nods, with mentor Miranda Lambert close behind

Ella Langley, riding the wave of her crossover megahit "Choosin' Texas," leads the nominations for the 2026 Country Music Association Awards with nine nods, followed by her mentor Miranda Lambert with six.

3 days ago in Entertainment

It’s ‘Pitt’ vs ‘Pluribus’ in drama and ‘Hacks’ vs ‘Widow’s Bay’ in comedy at the upcoming Emmys

It's "The Pitt" versus "Pluribus" and "Hacks" against "Widow's Bay" at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday night. The stars of all four shows — Noah Wyle in "The Pitt," Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus," Jean Smart in "Hacks" and Matthew Rhys in "Widow's Bay" — look to be runaway favorites for the top acting awards.

4 days ago in Entertainment

An Elon Musk documentary and a Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem thriller premiere at Venice

A slew of high-profile films are debuting Tuesday at the Venice Film Festival, including Alex Gibney's Elon Musk documentary, a psychological thriller with Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, and a drama from Casey Affleck.

Local News from Capitol City Now

5 hours ago in Education, History, IL State News, Local, National

Pritzker, Duckworth, other Illinoisans mark 9/11 anniversary

A ceremony centered around volunteerism was held in Chicago.

6 hours ago in Crime, Local, National

Second registered sex offender sought by Sangamon County arrested

Randall Knott, 55, was arrested Thursday.

6 hours ago in Crime, IL State News, Local, National

Southern Illinois man who printed unregistered 3D guns sentenced to eight years

Defendant tells judge he had ‘hurt no one' while his lawyer pleaded for 'mercy.'

6 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Judge declines to block Illinois’ ‘medical aid in dying’ law ahead of Sept. 12 start

Disability rights advocates alleged law is discriminatory, needs more state oversight.

6 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Attorney general reaches settlement to reduce Nicor Gas request by 63%

But advocates say it’s a compromise, ‘not a clear win for customers.'

7 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local, National

In an age of instant answers, educators say there’s a case for letting kids struggle a little

There is a downside to that convenience, said Dr. Dana Suskind, a professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Chicago and author of the book “Human Raised.”

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Trending

14 hours ago in National, Trending

US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks

Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Girl Scouts’ first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January

Man's best friend is getting some love from the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the USA said Tuesday its first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January.