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.

2 weeks ago in Business, IL State News, Local, National

Data centers emerging as key issue in Illinois governor’s race

State lawmakers could tackle new regulations in fall veto session after the election.

2 weeks ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson will miss about a month with left oblique strain

Chicago placed the two-time All-Star on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left oblique strain he suffered during Sunday’s loss to St. Louis.

2 weeks ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Bears sign veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport, defensive back Deantre Prince

Davenport played the last two seasons with Detroit, but was limited to 10 combined games due to chest and triceps injuries.

2 weeks ago in IL State News, Local, National, Sports

Illinois turns to new QB to keep unprecedented run going

About half the players on the Illinois roster are new to the team, which makes the Illini vulnerable to a regression.

2 weeks ago in IL State News, National, Sports

Northwestern turns to Chip Kelly to help spark offense, Chiles steps in at QB for Wildcats

QB Aidan Chiles (transfer from Michigan State), LB Kobie McKinzie (transfer from Oklahoma), DL Jamaal Johnson (transfer from UCF), TE Alex Honig (transfer from UConn) and DB Montae Pate (transfer from Weber State).

2 weeks ago in IL State News, Local, National

Area first responders pay tribute to longtime New Berlin police chief

"He was just so meticulous and patient and really knew what he was doing all around. He was an incredible individual, and I can't express how much we're going to miss him," Ray said.

2 weeks ago in Education, Local

District 186 board reviews AI guidelines

Superintendent: "Technology is not going anywhere. If we just say no to technology, no to screen time, no to AI, then we are doing a disservice to our kids and to our community."

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Music

‘The Lion King, Jr.’ a big deal for The Muni, director

It's the first fifth show of the season for The Muni, and more.

2 weeks ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local, National

Durbin touts need for blood donations, even in the summer months, during Springfield ImpactLife stop

Is the blood supply always in "crisis?" Maybe, says local doctor.

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

Illinois’ Number One bagger crowned at Illinois State Fair

Quad Cities teenager wins at IL State Fair, will head to nationals in Vegas.

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

Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade winners announced

Awards were handed out in a number of categories.

2 weeks ago in Sports

‘This is probably my last year in football,’ says Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo says this Saudi Pro League season is likely to be the last of his professional career. The 41-year-old superstar's contract with Riyadh club Al-Nassr, signed in December 2022, expires next June, and he has told Vogue magazine that another is unlikely.

2 weeks ago in Business, History, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Japan comes to Springfield this summer

Japanese visit is just one of 10-15 "familiarization tours" a year.

2 weeks ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local

‘Street medicine’ has arrived in Springfield

A four-woman team treats the local homeless.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Trending

All eyez on Tupac: Long-awaited trial begins in rapper’s 1996 killing

Opening statements are set to begin Monday in the trial of a man accused of orchestrating the killing of Tupac Shakur, kicking off weeks of testimony that will revisit what happened on a Las Vegas street nearly 30 years ago.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment

Andrew Garfield finds wonder in everyday life in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’

Andrew Garfield wants audiences to look up from their phones and remember that there is still plenty of magic in the world around them. That idea drew the two-time Oscar nominee to "The Magic Faraway Tree," a family adventure about Tim, a stay-at-home father whose family is forced to reconsider life after his wife, Polly, quits her job.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Trending

Hayden Panettiere, who starred in the television series ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, star of popular television series including "Heroes" and "Nashville," died Sunday at an apartment complex in South Carolina where she was found unresponsive, police said. She was 36.

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

Veterans have their day at the Illinois State Fair

Brig. Gen. Williams: "Military service ... teaches how to work with people who may be very different from you."

2 weeks ago in Agriculture, Entertainment, Farm, Food Scene, History, IL State News, Illinois State Fair Guide, Lifestyle, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

The year of the Cozy Dog at the Illinois State Fair

"We are going to try and break the record for the most Cozy Dogs eaten simultaneously," said Rebecca Clark, State Fair Manager.