The public library is hosting a lecture series on America’s semiquincentennial and a local history display at its downtown location. Other events at its Watts-Midtown and Southwest Branches include plant crafts, painting, jigsaw puzzles, and snake encounters.

Guys and Dolls is a classic musical comedy based on Damon Runyon’s stories about gamblers and showgirls in mythical 1940s New York. It follows the intertwined love stories of high-roller Sky Masterson and missionary Sarah Brown, and craps game organizer Nathan Detroit and his long-suffering fianceé, Miss Adelaide. It premiered on Broadway in 1950, garnering a Tony Award for Best Musical and spawned a film adaption in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Frank Sinatra.

Stay active and safe this summer with practical fitness tips that support your physical and mental well-being. Learn how to exercise in warm weather while staying cool, hydrated, and healthy.

What happened 250 years ago on Independence Day and learning more about our Founding Fathers.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker talks about his reelection campaign, the recently concluded legislative session, the state budget, downstate economy, cost of living issues, data centers and more.

The American Library Association tracked thousands of books challenged in 2025.

Ruling comes one week after SCOTUS agreed to take up case against similar Cook County law

Democrat faces federal charges days after colleague resigns following internal investigation

Five employees of Pop-Up Chicken Shop lost their jobs on the Fourth of July after telling owner Aaron Francis they wouldn't work without the time-and-a-half listed in the company's employee handbook.

Starting July 1, Iowans will see a host of laws go into effect, including changes to obtaining abortion medication, higher speed limits and new age verification for adult websites.

Casey Lake is one of the latest to benefit from the state's Lake Restoration Program, which is marking 20 years of addressing water quality issues at recreation sites across Iowa.

The Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa both gained voters over the past month, while the number of voters with no party affiliation dropped significantly.

The Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas is looking for volunteers to net bumblebees and collect data that could help conserve the native pollinators. Organizers of the statewide community science project are hosting three field day trainings this month.

The majority of tornadoes this year have blasted through states in the Midwest and Southeast, including Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa. Tornado activity has been increasing east of the Great Plains in recent decades.

A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.

New federal rules for dicamba aim to help cotton and soybean farmers control weeds. But the herbicide, which can kill other crops and trees, remains controversial.

The Trump administration lowered tariffs on farm equipment last month. But with economic pressures on farmers, equipment dealers and manufacturers, the move may not bring much relief.