Good morning, Springfield.

The University of Illinois Illini Dairy Club brings back its cow milking booth at the state fair for $2 (in livestock building 25Q) to offer a hands-on experience.

Club president Amanda Kistinger said both adults and children can choose white or chocolate milk while learning a traditional skill.

The Sertoma Club donated bed shakers to help hard of hearing residents in Springfield today — a move aimed at enhancing safety and independence in local homes.

After a June EF-1 tornado forced the Animal Protective League to relocate its animals, the organization is hosting a Chicken Dinner Fundraiser on Sept.

10 at the Commodities Pavilion to raise funds for storm recovery and plans to build a new location.

Illinois State Fair attendees can try milking Cookes and Cream at booth (25Q) for two dollars, offered by the University of Illinois Illini Dairy Club who revived the experience this year.

Participants also receive a small carton of white or chocolate milk to enjoy a fun, interactive farm activity.

Ms. Peggy’s Food Service won the People’s Choice Award for its Gyro at the Golden Abe’s Fair Food Contest during the Illinois State Fair.

Fairgoers voted online (via Woodward Community Media) to choose their favorite dish, and the vendor also earned Best Non-Alcoholic Drink.

The Book of Mormon will return to Springfield for one performance at the UIS Performing Arts Center on Feb.

10 after a record-breaking run in 2023. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 via the UIS Ticket Office, online, or by calling 217-206-6160.

The Illinois State Fair enters its final weekend today with Conservation Day events featuring rides, competitions, and a performance by The Chicks at 7 p.m. Tomorrow, families will enjoy ARCA racing and a Grandstand concert by Shinedown with From Ashes to New as the fair closes.

Ameren is offering financial assistance programs to help eligible residents manage rising energy bills amid increasing costs.

Qualifying customers can apply now for support through LIHEAP+SARP and other discount measures that meet income guidelines.

Kidzeum in downtown Springfield received nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to update its second and third floors into a STEAM education center (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

The museum will ask for community input and aims to have a plan ready by next year.

Springfield council approved a contract awarding Waste Management $4,152,836 to collect landscape waste for three years; the deal calls for biweekly pickups except once a month in January and February and includes two new trucks for the service.

Chris Stone bought the former PNC Bank building near the Old State Capitol Plaza for $1.65 million and filled it with state and legal offices at 98% occupancy.

He is renovating the former AT&T building on South 7th Street while negotiating a tenant with TIF funds over five years.

Springfield high school football kicked off Friday with teams posting results, and today key games continue including Sacred Heart-Griffin versus New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central at Illinois Wesleyan University at 5 p.m.—additional contests include Decatur Unity at Pawnee at 1 p.m. and Martinsville at Kincaid South Fork at 6 p.m.