Fall Guide 2026

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

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Central Illinois Community Calendar

Route 66 100 Year Anniversary Guide

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 10th-11th- Carve For the Carillon
Friday, October 23rd- 24th- Zoolie Ghoulie

Lifestyle

2 days ago in Lifestyle

There’s an easy way to get rid of all the reusable bags piling up in your home

The environmental impact of a reusable bag is relatively small, so ending up with a sizable stash isn't a significant problem. Still, paring down can declutter cupboards and lead to a smaller collection that'll actually get used. As for the excess, donate to food banks and thrift stores.

1 week 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.

2 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

Sports

55 minutes ago in Sports

Giants QB Jaxson Dart is expected to have season-ending knee surgery, AP source says

Fresh

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to have season-ending surgery on his left knee, according to a person with knowledge of the details of the injury.

58 minutes ago in Sports, Trending

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown to accept plea deal on attempted murder charge, his lawyer says

Fresh

Former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown plans to accept a plea deal on an attempted murder charge in Miami that avoids prison, as part of an agreement that his lawyer said Wednesday was too good to turn down.

9 hours ago in Sports

Alvarez hits 41st homer and drives in 3 as Astros blank Mariners 7-0 to tie Rangers atop AL West

Yordan Alvarez resumed his Triple Crown push with a home run and three RBIs as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 7-0 on Tuesday night to pull even with Texas atop the AL West.

1 day ago in Sports

Jaxson Dart injures his knee as several Giants stars get banged up in loss to Rams

If there were a list of most important New York Giants, seemingly all those key players got hurt at some point during a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, starting with quarterback Jaxson Dart injuring his left knee during his team's first series.

2 days ago in Sports

Justin Verlander is retiring. With a work stoppage on the horizon, how many others might join him?

The 43-year-old Justin Verlander has already announced this is his final year. Some other prominent players may also have made — or might be making — their last appearances in the major leagues.

2 days ago in Sports

Injuries to Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels deprive the NFL of 2 young stars

Caleb Williams was carted off the field with a hamstring injury. Jayden Daniels needed a cart after he dislocated his elbow again. Williams and Daniels already were linked together as Heisman Trophy winners selected with the first two picks of the 2024 NFL draft.

National

1 day ago in National

California farmers are struggling to sell grapes as demand for wine drops

It's harvest time in California wine country, but many growers are struggling to sell their grapes as changing drinking habits have caused demand to plunge. The decline is forcing some growers to tear out vineyards that their families have grown for generations.

5 days ago in National, Trending

Early voting begins in US midterm elections that could flip control of Congress

In-person voting for this year's midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues.

2 weeks 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 weeks ago in National, Trending

Anthropic researcher resigns with warning about the dangers of AI development

An Anthropic researcher said he is resigning from the company over concerns the artificial intelligence firm and its competitors are not acting responsibly in AI development, echoing concerns raised inside and outside of the industry about the technology's potential to elude human control.

Local News from Capitol City Now

12 minutes ago in Education, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local

Bringing suicide and suicide prevention ‘Out of the Darkness’ this weekend

Fresh

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Expert suggests being direct with someone who may be thinking about suicide.

25 minutes ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

New book focuses on Central Illinois’ role in Route 66 history, untold stories

Fresh

Cover of "Stories from Route 66 in Central Illinois"

"Stories from Route 66 in Central Illinois" is out now.

40 minutes ago in Crime, Local

Crime of the Week: Help needed identifying man who damaged Springfield restaurant’s A/C system

Fresh

This suspect damaged the air conditioning system at Pita-Or-Bowl.

Damage done at Pita-Or-Bowl.

5 hours ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local, National

She lived to see ‘Deb’s law’ take effect. Now she can choose how she dies

Deb Robertson, a leading advocate for a medical aid-in-dying law named after her in Illinois, pauses during an interview in her home in Lombard, Ill., on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)

She shared her story publicly and traveled from her home near Chicago to Springfield, the state capital, to convince lawmakers it was vital to legalize medically assisted death.

6 hours ago in Business, Food Scene, IL State News, Local, National

McDonald’s plans $8.5 billion modernization by 2036

The Chicago burger chain also said it plans to introduce grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps and experiment with products like egg bites and bowls to meet the needs of customers who are seeking healthier options.

Entertainment

9 hours ago in Entertainment

Robert Pattinson brings ‘To Catch a Predator’ to life in new film ‘Primetime’

When Robert Pattinson first got the script for "Primetime," a dramatization of NBC Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" and the controversial sting operation that would lead to its cancellation, he was amazed it hadn't been made into a movie already.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

How Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ became the longest-running No. 1 hit of all time

Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas," a simmering, midtempo, country-and-then-some heartbreak song released last October, is indisputably 2026's biggest hit.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Trending

Hayden Panettiere died from accidental overdose involving fentanyl, coroner says

Hayden Panettiere had been released from a drug rehabilitation facility in Malibu, California, just weeks before her overdose death from a mixture of illicit and prescription drugs, according to a coroner's report obtained by The Associated Press.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford, dies at 27, family representative says

Presley Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on Sunday at age 27, a family representative said. Gerber died at a rehab facility, according to online records of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

5 days ago in Entertainment

Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders

Jon Stewart says he never really decided to focus his charity efforts on first responders and their families. It just happened. The award-winning host of "The Daily Show" said he wanted to feel useful and support people who dedicated their lives to helping others.

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