Good morning, Springfield.

Springfield organizations are experiencing higher food demand as SNAP changes and economic strains empty shelves at micro pantries.

PBJ Springfield and Springfield Catholic Charities report record service numbers (donations of canned goods are being encouraged) to keep up with community needs.

A Springfield convenience store sold a $550,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket on Aug.

17 at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh on Outer Park Drive. The store earns a $5,500 bonus (1% of the prize) and the winner has one year to claim the prize.

Tierra Lee and her children have been living in hotels since a contractor water-jetting job damaged their Springfield home in April 2025.

A local group is extending their temporary housing until Sept. 4 while settlement approval remains pending.

Alternative parking options at the state fairgrounds are raising funds for local groups including first responders, veterans, and animals as Unhinged Motorcycle Club, the Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club, and the Animal Protective League offer parking with fees around $5 — rainy weather has reduced some spaces.

A Springfield lottery player won a $550,000 jackpot in Monday's Lucky Day Lotto drawing after buying the winning ticket at HyVee Fast and Fresh on MacArthur Boulevard, and the store earned 1% of the jackpot.

Ameren Illinois and Illinois State University have announced a partnership to boost renewable energy research and projects in our area — the initiative is set to support local power solutions.

A Springfield resident won a $550,000 jackpot in Monday midday's Lucky Day Lotto drawing when a ticket purchased at HyVee Fast & Fresh on MacArthur Boulevard turned out to be the winner.

The Illinois Lottery also reported nearly 7.5 million winning Lucky Day Lotto tickets sold statewide this year.

Republic Services told city council that a web site error affected 1-2 percent of Springfield customers, resulting in $50 bills instead of the correct $15; the issue will be fixed by the end of the month (impacted residents will receive credits).

At the Illinois State Fair yesterday morning at the Orr Building, 300 people from 52 countries took oaths and finished paperwork to become citizens (marking the ceremony's third occurrence), while elected officials urged them to be an engaged voice by registering to vote.