Good morning, Springfield.

UIS is packing over 3000 meals today for National Day of Service in Springfield + the effort supports local community service.

Home Sweet Home Ministries launches its annual Big Give Thanksgiving food drive in Springfield this fall.

The ministry seeks nonperishable food donations to help local families in need (drop-off locations will be shared soon).

Underwater archaeologist Kamau Sadiki (a board member of Diving With a Purpose) will share his discoveries about slave shipwrecks on Sept.

17 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield; reservations are required for this free program.

Springfield Public Schools faced challenges with bus routes early this school year when board member Micah Miller had no bus for his child, but officials say on-time performance has risen from 85% to 90% and plan more updates using data from Google Maps + driver reports.

Illinois will add 600 MW of battery storage to power half a million homes by 2030 under a new procurement auction following the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act — renewable energy advocates see this as a key first step in bolstering grid reliability.

Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Joe Roesch will host a passport registration event at Lincoln Library (326 S.

7th Street) on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Attendees must bring valid photo ID, a certified birth certificate copy, payment for fees, and an approved passport photo; those unable to attend may apply during regular office hours.

State Sen. Doris Turner secured $820K to fund workforce training programs that help residents gain skills for in-demand careers.

As part of an $11M award from the Job Training and Economic Development Program, $600K went to One On One and $220K went to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (D-Springfield).

Springfield’s city council is voting today on a proposal to convert old railroad tracks near Sangamon and Eighth streets into greenways that would link Lincoln Park to the State Fairgrounds.

If approved, the project (worth $4.1 million overall) would unlock an $820,000 share from state grant funds.

Springfield Memorial Hospital expanded its animal-assisted therapy program, DOGtors on Call, with four newly certified therapy dogs (including longtime favorite Kylo) to help patients improve their mental health, funded by a grant from the Springfield Memorial Foundation.