Music

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Celine Dion thrills fans with emotional comeback concert after overcoming rare illness

She hit the high F, held it, then blew out a breath and turned to look back at the band — a quick, disbelieving glance toward her musical director. Some 30,000 people read it before they had finished screaming: Celine Dion did it.

5 days 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.

6 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.

2 weeks 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.

3 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."

3 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.

Lifestyle

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Want to lower your risk of dementia? It doesn’t involve a blood test

New blood tests that might predict Alzheimer's years before symptoms begin may sound tantalizing for people who worry about later-in-life dementia. But doctors say they aren't quite ready yet — and besides, you don't need a test before trying to lower your risk.

5 days 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.

6 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.

6 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.

7 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

22 essential questions to ask when buying a house

Ally Financial reports 22 essential questions to ask when buying a house, covering budget, property condition, neighborhood, and offer details for informed decisions.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

Budgeting for kids’ sports and back-to-school activities

CreditFresh reports on budgeting for kids' sports and back-to-school activities, emphasizing planning for total costs to avoid surprises and manage expenses efficiently.

2 weeks 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.

National

10 hours ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National, Sports

WPBL begins historic first championship series

Season 1's championship starts Wednesday.

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

Pritzker calls Operation Midway Blitz ‘terrorism’ on anniversary of its start

Pritzker claims mostly legal citizens were targeted during "Operation Midway Blitz."

13 hours ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Winner of $1 Billion Powerball jackpot from ticket bought in Quincy comes forward, remains anonymous

The winner says in a lottery news release that they didn't believe they won at first, until a family member was called.

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Caleb Williams and Bears trounce Panthers 59-37 in highest-scoring season opener in NFL history

Johnson's prolific Bears broke a franchise record for points in an opener, a mark that had stood since 1948, when Chicago hung 45 points on Green Bay at Wrigley Field.

2 days ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Kyle Larson surges to second in NASCAR postseason Chase heading to Bristol track he’s dominated

After a timely win in NASCAR’s Chase, Larson is only nine points behind postseason leader Denny Hamlin and within striking distance of a second straight Cup Series title.

Sports

10 hours ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National, Sports

WPBL begins historic first championship series

Season 1's championship starts Wednesday.

12 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Lionel Messi added to Argentina’s roster for Oct. 6 friendly that team says will be farewell match

Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all. Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni's 28-man Argentina squad ahead of upcoming home friendlies.

16 hours ago in Education, IL State News, Local, Sports

UIS marks largest group of student athletes in history

Women's flag football and expanded track program given the credit.

19 hours ago in Sports

Patrick Mahomes shines on his surgically repaired knee in Chiefs’ season-opening rout of Broncos

Patrick Mahomes' surgically repaired left knee felt so good on Monday night that he even ran for a touchdown against the Broncos. Twice.

19 hours ago in Sports

Judge hits first homer since May 24 as Yankees clinch record 61st postseason berth, 9th in 10 years

A few minutes after Aaron Judge's first home run since May, the New York Yankees clinched their record 61st postseason berth and ninth in 10 years.

19 hours ago in Sports

PGA Tour will have an elite tier and outlines the path to get there and stay there

Winners of the four majors and The Players Championship will get the same rewards as winners of the elite Championship Series events under a new competition model the PGA Tour released Tuesday as it moves toward two divisions in 2028.

Entertainment

19 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

‘Widow’s Bay’ breaks Emmys record with 14 wins including best comedy series, ‘Pitt’ wins best drama

A "Widow's Bay" wave slammed into the Emmy Awards on Monday night as the Apple TV show set a single-season record for a comedy with 14 wins, including best comedy series and best actor for star Matthew Rhys, who personally took home three trophies.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Bob Mackie, designer to the stars who dressed Cher and Marilyn and defined ’70s glamour, dies at 87

Bob Mackie, the fashion designer whose visually provocative Hollywood style defined glamour for the 1970s — including putting Carol Burnett in some of her kookiest getups and Cher in her raciest ones — died Monday. He was 87.

2 days ago in Entertainment

‘Practical Magic 2’ conjures a No. 1 box office debut with $30 million

"Practical Magic 2" conjured a box-office victory this weekend, opening atop the North American charts nearly three decades after its predecessor grew from a modest theatrical performer into a cult favorite.

2 days ago in Entertainment

‘The Pitt’ looks to repeat and ‘Widow’s Bay’ could bring an epic wave as Emmy Awards arrive

The 78th Emmy Awards are here. "The Pitt" will look to find its place in the television pantheon and "Widow's Bay" will ride a storm of buzz into the ceremony Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Celine Dion thrills fans with emotional comeback concert after overcoming rare illness

She hit the high F, held it, then blew out a breath and turned to look back at the band — a quick, disbelieving glance toward her musical director. Some 30,000 people read it before they had finished screaming: Celine Dion did it.

Local News from Capitol City Now

8 hours ago in IL State News, Local

Springfield Fire Department retains ISO Class 1 rating

Springfield Fire Department receives a Class 1 Rating following the completion of the 2026 Public Classification Review.

10 hours ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National, Sports

WPBL begins historic first championship series

Season 1's championship starts Wednesday.

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

Pritzker calls Operation Midway Blitz ‘terrorism’ on anniversary of its start

Pritzker claims mostly legal citizens were targeted during "Operation Midway Blitz."

13 hours ago in IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Winner of $1 Billion Powerball jackpot from ticket bought in Quincy comes forward, remains anonymous

The winner says in a lottery news release that they didn't believe they won at first, until a family member was called.

14 hours ago in Business, Education, IL State News, Local

First Student needs more drivers, and District 186 needs the state to pay what they’re supposed to for transportation costs

The state isn't following school code on transportation reimbursement, and First Student needs more drivers.

15 hours ago in Agriculture, Business, Farm, IL State News, Local

Spike in diesel prices hitting central Illinois truckers hard

The national average is a record $6.23 a gallon.

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Trending

12 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Lionel Messi added to Argentina’s roster for Oct. 6 friendly that team says will be farewell match

Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all. Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni's 28-man Argentina squad ahead of upcoming home friendlies.

19 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

‘Widow’s Bay’ breaks Emmys record with 14 wins including best comedy series, ‘Pitt’ wins best drama

A "Widow's Bay" wave slammed into the Emmy Awards on Monday night as the Apple TV show set a single-season record for a comedy with 14 wins, including best comedy series and best actor for star Matthew Rhys, who personally took home three trophies.