1 week ago in World

Firefighters scramble to contain fires outside Athens before winds and high temperatures return

Firefighters west of Athens raced to exploit a break in high winds on Tuesday, working to strengthen containment lines as forecasters warned that stronger gusts and rising temperatures would return in the coming days.

1 week ago in National

Musk likely to face tough questions during SpaceX’s first earnings call as a public company

Investors in Elon Musk's space company get a chance to question him Tuesday after SpaceX issues its first quarterly earnings since going public.

1 week ago in Entertainment

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos lead $200M project to save 100 of globe’s most threatened species

Foundations funded and co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched an initiative committing $200 million to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species, including endangered lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs and echidnas.

1 week ago in Sports

Top FIFA officials Wenger and Grafström distance themselves from Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan

Two senior FIFA executives — coaching great Arsène Wenger and CEO-like secretary general Mattias Grafström — distanced themselves Tuesday from their boss Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.

1 week ago in Lifestyle

School backpack overload: Heavy bags can strain kids’ bodies

Backpacks can be fashionable and functional, but they can also be too heavy — weighed down by digital devices, musical instruments, sports equipment and more. Some kids carry home a laptop or tablet and textbooks, too.

1 week ago in Business, IL State News, National

25 states sue over Trump’s new tariffs, calling them ‘pretext’ to replace his old ones

Illinois has joined the lawsuit.

1 week ago in Business, Food Scene, IL State News, Local, National

McDonald’s posts strong second quarter profit, names new chief of US operations

The Chicago burger chain earned $2.36 billion, or $3.32 per share, for the three months ended June 30. A year earlier it earned $2.25 billion, or $3.14 per share.

1 week ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Taylorville approves ordinance regulating battery storage facilities

"It's a pretty restrictive ordinance. So, I don't know offhand if there's any place in Taylorville that would meet the requirements of the ordinance to house the battery storage," said Mayor Bruce Barry.

1 week ago in Education, Local

How parents can help prepare their households for back-to-school

Gradually adjust bedtimes and wake-up times; also, emphasize reading.

1 week ago in Business, Education, IL State News, Local

Back-to-school sales tax holiday

It starts Friday and runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.

1 week ago in Sports

Notre Dame and USC agree to resume football rivalry with a 4-game series starting in 2030

The Notre Dame-Southern California college football rivalry will start again in 2030. The schools announced Monday they have agreed to a four-game home-and-home series. Notre Dame will play in Los Angeles on Aug. 31, 2030, and the Trojans will visit South Bend, Indiana, on Aug. 30, 2031. The meetings in 2032 and 2033 will be played in the first three weeks of the season.

1 week ago in Sports

MLB trade deadline: Red Sox add Adley Rutschman, Phillies land Luis Arraez

The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies took big swings Monday ahead of baseball's trade deadline, with the Red Sox adding three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman a few hours after the Phillies picked up three-time batting champion Luis Arraez.

1 week ago in National

25 states sue over Trump’s new tariffs, calling them ‘pretext’ to replace his old ones

Twenty-five states sued the Trump administration Monday over its latest tariffs, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes the Supreme Court struck down in February.

1 week ago in Local, Plumbing Expert

More than 50 years of experience: Why Springfield chooses Rick Ray & Sons Plumbing

A half-century of plumbing experience is hard to beat!

1 week ago in Automotive Repair Expert, Lifestyle, Local

Why more Springfield drivers are choosing Law Automotive for complete vehicle care

Springfield-area drivers count on Law Automotive.

1 week ago in Business, IL State News, Local

Get a fresh start with RISE Springfield

Members of RISE Springfield were on The WTAX Morning Newswatch.

1 week ago in IL State News, Illinois State Fair Guide, Local

IL Treasurer Frerichs is prepared for State Fair auction

It's a tribute to the late Judy Baar Topinka.

1 week ago in Business, Education, Health & Wellness, IL State News, Local

CORRECTION: Pritzker signs new laws requiring businesses to accept cash, pay employees for jury duty

Governor signed 87 bills on Friday.

1 week ago in IL State News, Local, National

Judge denies Trump administration access to Illinois voter data

Law does not give DOJ ‘general auditing power’ over state election officials.

1 week ago in Lifestyle, Local, Pet of the Week

Meet Chaos — Friends of SCAC Dog of the Week

"...a fantastic, sweetheart of a dog."