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.
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.
1 week ago in Lifestyle
Budget-friendly, sustainable ways to build your dream Halloween costume
Intuit TurboTax reports on budget-friendly, sustainable Halloween costumes, suggesting to repurpose existing clothes, swap with friends, thrift strategically, DIY props, and invest in one key piece for authenticity.
2 weeks ago in Lifestyle
6 ways to plan fall and holiday travel after the hottest summer on record
Vogo reports that over 70% of U.S. travelers plan to adjust their fall and holiday trips to avoid extreme heat, focusing on cooler destinations and budgeting for comfort.
2 weeks ago in Lifestyle, Trending
Pope speaks with Putin, denouncing recent attacks as he shows recovery from lung surgery progressing
Pope Leo XIV gave strong indications Friday that he was recovering well from lung cancer surgery and was very much in charge of running the Catholic...
Entertainment
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.
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.
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.
Rewind Spotlight
Donations Needed at Central Illinois Food Bank
Can you help? Central Illinois Food Bank on E. Cook Street is in need of, well, food. YOU can be…
Fall Guide 2026
Welcome to your complete Guide to Fall in Springfield and surrounding areas! Think of this page as your hub for…
Central Illinois online news site CapitolCityNow.com is here!
The ultimate local news experience for Central Illinois is here with CapitolCityNow.com! Stay informed with trusted reporters and anchors from…
Save big on your favorite Springfield places with Springfield Real Deals!
Springfieldrealdeals.com is your chance to get half off some of your favorite Springfield places! Deals go on sale most Fridays…
Central Illinois Community Calendar
Check out all the fun events happening in Springfield, IL! Visit our CapitolCityNow.com community calendar
Friends and Neighbors Apply Now!
We love being a part of (and supporting) Central Illinois charities and non-profits! Are you a nonprofit organization with an…
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.