Good morning, Springfield.

Illinois youth livestock exhibitors were recognized yesterday at the Governor’s Sale of Champions at the State Fair when Gov. JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker purchased the $105,000 Grand Champion Steer — whose meat will be donated to Feeding Illinois — to support scholarship programs and future livestock projects.

The Springfield Area Arts Council + City of Springfield invite community members to nominate local arts supporters for the 23rd Mayor’s Awards for the Arts.

Submissions are accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 and winners will be honored at a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced a 0.2 percentage point drop from June to July, showing a 4.9 percent unemployment rate per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Sectors with the largest payroll gains include Private Education + Health Services, Trade, Transportation and Utilities, and Professional and Business Services.

The Kidzeum (of Health and Science) was awarded nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to plan a new STEAM center in the old Cliff Hotel building above its renovated entrance.

The museum will seek community input to complete an initial plan by next year.

At the Illinois State Fair Director's Lawn, local GOP leaders held their annual GOP Day picnic and rally on Thursday where they criticized Gov. Pritzker’s policies, citing family, faith & affordability issues while urging local youth to join the party ahead of upcoming elections.

Local parents gathered today in Springfield for a town hall on gun violence to discuss community safety measures.

St. John's Hospital says families discussing organ donation early may ease the grief process, and it partners with Gift of Hope to match donors with recipients who need help; a donor can potentially save up to eight lives and restore sight to two others.

The Alan G. Birtch, MD, Transplant Services at Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sept.

19 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Southwind Park, celebrating 20 years of support for transplant patients (registration is open online until Sept. 4).

District 186 kicks off its 2026 high school football season today in the north end — Springfield High hosts Cahokia as Eisenhower High sits out, adjusting opponents' schedules, while officials urge fans at the Women's Pro Baseball League game at Robin Roberts Stadium to leave bags home for faster entry.