Music

3 days 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.

1 week 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."

1 week 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.

1 week 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.

2 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.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Frank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top who kept the tempo for the band's biggest hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs" and "Gimme All Your Lovin,'" has died. He was 77.

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

Matchbox Twenty mishap at Illinois State Fair

Swinging microphone stand hits a band member in the head.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, followed by Taylor Swift

Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations, the network announced Tuesday. The pop superstar has been nominated in every decade of her musical career. She has 19 competitive MTV VMA wins and in 1986 became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award.

Lifestyle

1 week 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.

1 week 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.

2 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.

2 weeks ago in Lifestyle

The best fabric for extreme heat? It’s more complicated than you think

When it's really hot out, getting dressed seems pretty simple: Wear something light, loose and made for summer. But textile researchers say it's actually a little more complicated than that.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Winning ticket for $1 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Illinois

A Powerball ticket sold at a gas station in western Illinois was the sole winner of the $1 billion jackpot, ending a three-month drought without a top-prize victor.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle

3 big questions to ask your aging parents

One of the toughest things to go through as an adult is helping your parents as they get older. Life is finite, and both you and your parents might be reluctant to talk about what type of support they might need. But as difficult as these conversations can be, it's important to make time for them.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle

Heading off to college? Here are some tips for managing your finances

Heading off to college is exciting, but it also involves new adult responsibilities. That makes it a great time to start getting comfortable with credit, building healthy spending habits and learning how to manage money.

3 weeks ago in Lifestyle

With the right preparation, international trips with babies are possible and even fun

Traveling with babies and toddlers can be daunting for parents. Questions about air travel, what to pack and safety are often top of mind, especially on long-distance flights and international trips.

National

8 hours ago in National

Top US doctors offer updated flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, aiming to ease confusion

Leading U.S. medical groups are urging people to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this fall, banding together Wednesday to issue shot guidelines — and highlight the science behind them — saying they hope to ease confusion caused by the Trump administration's changing advice.

12 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National

Judge orders federal logging project halted in Shawnee National Forest

Ruling finds Biden administration’s approval violated Endangered Species Act.

12 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Sky guard Skylar Diggins to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury

Diggins, a South Bend, Indiana, native who turned 36 on Aug. 2, had knee surgery in October.

12 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears should have their NFC North title tested, with Lions, Packers, Vikings all poised for rebounds

Their NFL-record seven wins after trailing in the last two minutes of regulation included a stunner over the Minnesota Vikings, whose go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds left was washed out by a kickoff coverage gaffe that led to a 56-yard return and game-winning field goal by the Bears as time expired.

Sports

12 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Sky guard Skylar Diggins to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury

Diggins, a South Bend, Indiana, native who turned 36 on Aug. 2, had knee surgery in October.

12 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears should have their NFC North title tested, with Lions, Packers, Vikings all poised for rebounds

Their NFL-record seven wins after trailing in the last two minutes of regulation included a stunner over the Minnesota Vikings, whose go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds left was washed out by a kickoff coverage gaffe that led to a 56-yard return and game-winning field goal by the Bears as time expired.

13 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles see team poised for another run despite injuries

The major reason is quarterback Caleb Williams' development in his second season under coach Ben Johnson and third year overall.

13 hours ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Jackson Koivun added to American team for Presidents Cup 3 months after leaving college

“I'm just happy he took a chance on me. I'm going to give it my all,” Koivun said.

15 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida

Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge Wednesday following a rollover crash in March near his home in Florida where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.

Entertainment

8 hours ago in Entertainment

Meet the 2026 ‘Dancing With the Stars’ cast

The newest cast competing for the Mirrorball Trophy on "Dancing With the Stars" was unveiled Wednesday, featuring the usual complement of entertainers, reality stars and athletes ranging from gold medalists to a Savannah Bananas player.

15 hours ago in Entertainment

Ariana Grande steps out of the spotlight with gratitude at tour closing

Ariana Grande's final words, before she stepped offstage and out of the spotlight, were for her fans. Addressing the crowd during her last concert in London Tuesday before she takes a break from the public eye, the singer was full of emotion and gratitude.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Amid backlash, museum cancels planned Met Gala exhibit on fashion designer John Galliano

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is canceling its planned exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano — plans that had led to bitter backlash from the Jewish community and beyond because of the designer's past antisemitic and racist statements.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur

A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Aaron Sorkin hits refresh on Facebook in ‘The Social Reckoning’ — Fall Movie Preview

When Aaron Sorkin made 2010's "The Social Network," he had heard of Facebook, he said at the time, "the way I've heard of a carburetor." Sixteen years later, he has a much deeper idea of what Mark Zuckerberg's social media empire has become.

Local News from Capitol City Now

9 hours ago in History, Local

Sangamon Co Historical Society ‘Cemetery Walk’ is October 4

Learn about six people of note who are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

12 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National

Judge orders federal logging project halted in Shawnee National Forest

Ruling finds Biden administration’s approval violated Endangered Species Act.

13 hours ago in IL State News, Local, National

He captivated millions on TV. Now Archbishop Fulton Sheen is one step closer to sainthood

Pope Leo XIV — a native Illinoisan like Sheen — greenlighted the beatification in February after years of delays.

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Trending

15 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida

Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge Wednesday following a rollover crash in March near his home in Florida where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur

A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.