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Fourth of July Fireworks and More

Mom's Monday's- Win a 4-Pack of Passes to Knights Action Park

WDBR Mom's Mondays with Knights Action Park

Hot Weather Cooling Centers

Win Route 66 Drive-in tickets with Movie Mania!

Win a Car Seat with Onward Injury Law

Upcoming Events

Friday July 10th- Taylorville: An Unofficial Live Tribute
Friday, July 17th-18th- Chatham Jaycees Sweetcorn Festival

Music

1 week ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Music, Sports

Ticket bots, ‘predatory’ loans are in Pritzker’s crosshairs

Singer performing on a colorful neon-lit stage in a sparkling blue sequined dress, holding a glittery microphone.

Governor wants to make it easier for "families to just enjoy a night out."

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

Usher says tour with Chris Brown is about more than 2 stars. He makes the case for R&B in stadiums

As Usher prepares to launch a stadium tour with Chris Brown, he says the criticism and legal troubles surrounding the singer never factored into his decision to embark on the tour.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Clive Davis, music industry starmaker, has died at 94

Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry's most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94.

2 weeks ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Local, Music, National

‘A home for hope’: Obama Presidential Center christened in grand opening ceremony

Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

The project, under construction on Chicago’s southside since 2021, will open its doors to the public on Friday.

2 weeks ago in Business, Entertainment, Food Scene, Lifestyle, Local, Music

Bus Stop is latest attempt for a downtown bar

Friends raising beer mugs in a toast at a bar or restaurant, foam on top and warm lighting in the background.

The building at Fifth and Monroe was most recently Whiskey Jack's.

2 weeks ago in Entertainment, Lifestyle, Local, Music

It’s time to get ‘All Shook Up’

It's time to get "All Shook Up" Out at The Muni this weekend! Stars of the show, Actor Madi Sweeney and Dancer Bri'ara McKinney stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss the upcoming performance!

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music, Trending

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at age 36

Taylor Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night at age 36. "It was instinctual. No one taught me how to do it," she said of songwriting through a raspy voice she attributed to screaming along to the night's performances and Wednesday night's historic NBA game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

3 weeks ago in Agriculture, Entertainment, Farm, Food Scene, Lifestyle, Local, Music

Sangamon County Fair returns Wednesday

Sangamon County Fair returns Wednesday with rides, livestock shows, and family entertainment.

Lifestyle

22 hours ago in Business, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, National

Salon chain wants to add more Illinois franchise locations, including in Springfield

An example of a Phenix Salon Suites location.

A location in Springfield is to be determined.

1 day ago in Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

What’s the perfect American hot dog? Depends where you grew up

Child wearing a bright hat takes a big bite of a hot dog with pickle and vegetables outdoors, close-up view

Chicago-style hot dogs are grilled over an open flame. The steamed buns almost always have poppy seeds. No ketchup is allowed.

2 days ago in Agriculture, Education, Farm, Food Scene, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

Bloom where you’re planted; Celebrating a bumper crop of community gardens in Illinois

State Senator Doris Turner (right) watches a community gardener tend to her plot at the Illinois State Fairground Community Garden. She tasted a freshly-grown pea plant.

"It reminds us where our food comes from, encourages healthy lifestyles, and creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together."

2 days ago in Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Pet of the Week

Local Veterinarian urges pet owners to take precautions during holiday heat wave

Pet owners may underestimate how quickly animals can overheat, particularly during periods of high heat and humidity, Peterson said.

3 days ago in Agriculture, Entertainment, Food Scene, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

‘Miles of Smiles’ this year’s Illinois State Fair theme

Route 66 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

"Miles of Smiles" celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

3 days ago in Business, Education, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Sports

Pritzker signs bills on environmental standards, in-state tuition

Gov. JB Pritzker signs a bill into law. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Maggie Dougherty)

Law banning interchange fees also pushed back to at least next year.

3 days ago in Lifestyle

Nutrition apps can help build healthy habits. For some users, their gaming features carry risks

Green means go, red means stop. Trophies or confetti come with good performance, and people who fall behind get nudged to do better. Those brightly colored engagement tactics long ago jumped from smartphone games to everything from online shopping to sports betting and classrooms. So it should come as no surprise that many nutrition-tracking apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom also use gaming features to keep users coming back.

3 days ago in Lifestyle

How to talk about money with your kids

At the grocery store, Jamie Corum sets a two-minute timer for her 10-year-old daughter to look around. Then she resets it to 10 minutes so her daughter can choose one thing to buy, making sure she considers her budget and how much tax she'll have to pay.

Entertainment News

21 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

The best movies of 2026 so far, from ‘Project Hail Mary’ to ‘Rose of Nevada’

It's been a curiously seesawing first six months. The movies have been dominated as much by 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Curry Barker as they have 79-year-old Steven Spielberg.

1 day ago in Entertainment

California to institute Bruce Lee Day, a first for a Chinese American in the state’s history

Martial arts icon Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco, will become the first Chinese American in California history with an annual namesake day.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to host their wedding Friday at Madison Square Garden, AP source says

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will have their wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the security plans.

2 days ago in Education, Entertainment, History, IL State News, Local

July 4th celebration at the ALPLM

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Joe Crain, representing the ALPLM stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss anything and everything that they are doing this Saturday!

2 days ago in Entertainment

Los Angeles medical examiner says former child actor Daveigh Chase died of AIDS

Former child actor Daveigh Chase's death on June 16 was due to AIDS, the office of the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported. The cause of death for Chase, 35, was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, according to online medical examiner records from this week that listed her last name as Schwallier.