Journal Star (Peoria)
Attorney sues owners of closed high rise
An attorney who represented the owners of a shuttered Peoria high rise has filed a lawsuit against its owners in Peoria County Circuit Court over unpaid legal fees. The Leiter Group, led by Peoriabased attorney Thomas Leiter, filed the lawsuit against...
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‘Very significant complaint’
PEORIA — A convenience store situated along Knoxville Avenue will not be allowed to sell alcohol, despite narrowly receiving site approval following weeks of debate at City Council. Mayor and liquor commissioner Rita Ali denied the liquor license...
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New York AG will lead Cornell investigation
New York Attorney General Letitia James, the state’s top lawyer known for investigating President Donald Trump, will lead the Cornell University gangrape investigation, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the evening of Oct. 1. “New information has raised...
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30 events in October
As we enter fall in central Illinois, the calendar is packed with plenty of fundraisers, musical acts, comedy shows, spooky fun and more. Here are 30 things to do in the Peoria area in the month of October. 1. Zach Williams in concert Christian rock...
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Breast cancer walk moves to new location in 2027
Susan G. Komen Central Illinois announced Tuesday that its annual More Than Pink Walk will be held at Dozer Park next year, ending a 41-year stint at the Metro Centre. The 2027 walk will be held on May 8 at the home of the Peoria Chiefs, with Komen...
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Major Senate bill would overhaul college sports
WASHINGTON – A major bipartisan bill to overhaul college athletics nationwide passed the Senate, clearing a key hurdle and setting up a potentially divisive political showdown in the House of Representatives. The Protect College Sports Act, which aims...
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U.K. probes alleged plot involving U.S. airbase
FAIRFORD, England – British police said on Sept. 28 they were investigating whether individuals acting for a foreign state were involved in an apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the United States but said five suspects they had arrested would...
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Peoria Heights breaks ground on $8.1M water filtration plant
PEORIA HEIGHTS — Work on the village of Peoria Heights' new water filtration plant, one that will be the largest public works project in the village's history, officially began on Friday with a ceremonial groundbreaking. The $8.1 million water...
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Durbin reflects on early losses, major accomplishments
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski recalled that U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin advised her when she was running for office about the power of telling a story. “I think that is probably the most powerful way to articulate to people how public policy makes...
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Historic moment
Thousands descended on St. Louis on Thursday to witness Archbishop Fulton Sheen take another step toward sainthood, as he was officially beatified by the Catholic Church, the first American-born bishop to be honored in this way. An estimated 50,000...
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5 things to do in Peoria this weekend
September is full of activities. Here are five events you might want to check out in the Peoria area this weekend. An evening of comedy with Michael Blaustein Michael Blaustein, one of the fastest rising stand-up comedians working today, will bring...
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‘We still haven’t found her’
Peoria police Chief Brad Dixon said Tuesday the search for a Peoria woman missing for nine years is now considered a “death investigation,” although hope still remains she will be found alive. During a news conference at the Peoria Police Department...
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Two Illinois universities ranked among nation's 10 best colleges
U.S. News and World Report has released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings, and two Illinois schools have fallen slightly from national favor since the release of the 2026 rankings last September. However, Northwestern University and the University of...
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Dave’s Hot Chicken nears Peoria opening
Cassidy Waigand Bold colors adorn the exterior of what will soon be Dave’s Hot Chicken, as the nationally known chicken brand prepares to welcome Peorians. The city’s first storefront is expected to open at 4205 N. Sterling Ave. within the next 30...
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Peoria hospitals to merge Nov. 1
PEORIA – On Nov. 1, two hospitals in the area will unite. Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Proctor Hospital are slated to “begin operating as one hospital with two campuses,” a Sept. 18 press release noted. The change is effective Nov....
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‘Miracle baby’ from central Illinois has role in beatification
Bonnie Engstrom is likening the lead-up to the beatification ceremony for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to that of preparing to get married. In many ways, while she isn’t the primary focus of the ceremony, she, her husband, Travis, and her son, James,...
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Trump to face skeptical world leaders at meeting
WASHINGTON – When President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations a year ago, he touted the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites just months earlier as “totally obliterating everything” and said he had brought peace between Israel and...
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‘TRULY TAILORED’
PEORIA – A “truly tailored” food and drink concept is coming to Northwoods Mall. Crazy Pop, which began as a pop-up concept based out of Prophetstown earlier this year, announced plans to open within the mall’s food court. Prophetstown sits about an...
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U.S. human rights scores plummet
In the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, how is the U.S. government performing in terms of human rights? Listening to politicians, it can be difficult to know. On one hand, some have pointed to a number of potential human rights abuses committed...
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USPS mail ballot changes blocked
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 14 declined to let the U.S. Postal Service tighten the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the November midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. The ruling was a loss for President Donald Trump,...
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Bailey gets Trump endorsement
President Donald Trump called Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey a “very good candidate” and said he is “all for Bailey.” Speaking on Sept. 13 outside Airforce One, a reporter asked Trump if he would be willing to meet with Bailey, who is...
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City marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11
PEORIA — “We remember.” That was the moniker of the morning Friday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum as a large crowd, including dozens of Peoria first responders and civic leaders, gathered to honor the memory of those killed in the 9/11 terrorist...
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Facing opposition
Twin Towers Mall was at the center of a lengthy debate at Peoria’s Liquor Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 8 – with concerns raised by commissioners, a former tenant and a member of the city’s legal department speaking on behalf of mayor and liquor...
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25th anniversary of 9/11 commemorated
As the United States marked 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Americans across the country gathered to honor the nearly 3,000 people who perished and to reflect on the day that forever changed the nation. Loved ones of those...
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A GENERATION OF AFTERSHOCK
Aquarter-century later, 9/11 still echoes. h The worst terrorist attack in U.S. history has been followed by other seismic events, from a once-in-a-century global pandemic to the rise of artificial intelligence that is transforming commerce, education...
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Peoria councilman against developer incentives for Bradley University area
PEORIA — A new tax-increment financing district that hopes to spur nearly $80 million in developments near Bradley University was approved in Peoria on Tuesday night, but it faced steep opposition from the city councilman whose district would...
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Coming soon
The Peoria area has already welcomed more than two dozen food and drink establishments this year. And as we near the end of 2026, even more openings are on the horizon. Here’s a look at the restaurants and coffee shops working to open in the Peoria...
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Iran vows to respond to U.S. military strikes
DUBAI – Iran threatened on Sept. 7 to retaliate against any new U.S. attacks on its assets, warning that the energy production chain in the region was “sprawling, accessible and exposed” and that U.S. oil and gas companies there shared that...
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Iran aims to tackle economic issues
DUBAI – Iran said it will step up efforts to tackle problems created by the U.S. sanctions that are crippling its economy, while a senior Iranian official warned of a “painful response” if it comes under further attack. Six months after U.S.-Israeli...
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‘A gray area’
When Andrea Taylor meets up with friends, alcohol isn’t typically her drink of choice. h THC beverages are. h One might hear THC – the part of cannabis responsible for the high – and think of products sold at dispensaries. The drinks Taylor (and many...
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Gloria Steinem dies at 92
Civil rights activist and journalist Gloria Steinem died Sept. 2, at age 92, according to her official Instagram page. Steinem “passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her,” the post read....
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PRESS UNDER PRESSURE
In his White House Correspondents’ Association dinner speech on July 24, President Donald Trump made his usual diatribes against the news media. He derided the “failing” New York Times and reiterated his complaint that CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins...
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Whistleblower warns of ‘chaotic’ mail ballot plan
A whistleblower is warning that the technology developed by the U.S. Postal Service to carry out President Donald Trump’s order exerting federal control over mail ballots could “derail the midterm elections,” saying it hasn’t been properly tested and...
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20 events to enjoy in Peoria this month
As summer ends and fall begins in central Illinois, the calendar is packed with special events and popular annual festivals. Here are 20 things to do in the Peoria area in the month of September. 1. Bark in the Park 2026 The Peoria Humane Society’s...
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CANTON SCHOOLS RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Jean Burnstine, right, Director of Educational Partnerships with Solution Tree, presents a display flag to Lincoln Elementary principal KiLee Lidwell-McFerren and the staff during a ceremony this month in the Canton school’s gymnasium. Lincoln and two...
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Don’t believe rumors that Moser’s is closing
PEORIA – Reports of a shoe store’s demise have been greatly exaggerated on the internet. Moser’s Shoes owner Steve Fawley wants people to know the store, founded in 1918, is still open. He had to make an announcement after seeing incorrect information...
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Glacier collapse may have triggered flood
The volume and speed of the wall of mud, boulders and debris that rushed more than 60 miles down a river through Nepal on Aug. 26 shocked even experienced researchers who study mountains, glaciers and waterways in the Himalayas. “The force of this...
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Dolly Parton shined in Springfield visits
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The legendary voice behind “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You,” who shared her success story from the rural mountains of East Tennessee to superstar riches, Dolly Parton, has died. She was 80 years old. Bryan Seaver,...
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LOVE, ALWAYS
In addition to a legendary music career that earned 11 Grammy Awards, Dolly Parton appeared in more than 20 films, including “9 to 5,” “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.” Dolly Parton, the “Queen of Country” singing and...
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DUCKS GALORE
TOP: A group of young kids work at gathering plastic ducks after the 38th annual Center for Prevention of Abuse Duck Race fundraiser on Aug. 22, at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. ABOVE: A giant duck entertains the crowd during the race. UPPER RIGHT:...
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Local group founder informs and connects Illinoisans with weather
From sunny skies to dreary days, Carlos Wyant has kept Illinoisans informed on weather outlooks for nearly a decade now. The founder of Illinois Storm Community group and Illinois Weather Community page on Facebook, Wyant has long had an interest in...
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IVF journey sparked rise as influencer
PEORIA — Kayla Boyd is on a journey that has become a labor of love. Hers is a love story, really, shared with millions of people she’s never met. The Washington native is a salon owner. She is a wife. She is a sister and a daughter. And she is an...
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Bailey looks for unity among GOP at event
SPRINGFIELD – Where did all the money go? That’s what Republican nominee for Illinois governor Darren Bailey posed to a crowd of supporters at Republican’s Day at the Illinois State Fair. “The latest state budget spends nearly $56 billion, yet...
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Coming together
SPRINGFIELD – It was Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair, but the focus this year wasn’t on the governor. Outgoing U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, received thanks and standing ovations throughout the day on Aug. 19. “I’m sad that Dick...
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Trump plan could hit science funding
Most Americans don’t read the rules that govern the federal grants funding science. Those rules, called the Uniform Guidance, shape how cancer research is funded, graduate students are trained, clinical trials are sustained, universities stock their...
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Dunlap High School receives national recognition
Zach Roth Dunlap High School has been named one of Illinois’ top 50 high schools, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s best educational institutions. Dunlap was ranked the 48th best high school in the state,...
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The pain of history
SPRINGFIELD – Kathryn Harris admitted it was an emotional moment for her, scooping soil and putting it into a 5gallon jar labeled “Scott Burton, Sangamon County, Illinois, August, 1908.” Burton and William Donnegan were both Black men lynched by white...
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Lattes & energy drinks
DUNLAP – A new coffee shop has officially opened its doors to the community. Dame Fine Coffee held its grand opening at 407 S. Fourth St. – just across from Dunlap High School – on Friday, Aug. 14. Its online menu features energy drinks, coffee and...
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Peoria mall sees multiple stores open in 2026
PEORIA – Northwoods Mall is home to a variety of businesses – from small, local shops to nationally known brands. Visitors will find dining, home décor, clothing and more. Over time, of course, the makeup of the mall evolves as tenants come and...
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Gunshot detection tech ignites controversy
When gunshots ring out on America’s streets, bystanders face an instant, high-stakes dilemma. h Do I call the cops? Were those even gunshots? Maybe it was just fireworks. h Every moment of hesitation risks a delay in medical treatment or gives a...
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‘Electric rates cannot go up’
PEORIA – The number of people seeking help with their energy bills, particularly senior citizens, has risen in the Peoria area this year, according to information shared at an energy roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen on Wednesday. Sorensen,...
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City Council approves controversial South Peoria housing project
PEORIA — A controversial long-term supportive housing project that faced opposition from neighbors in South Peoria will move forward after receiving strong support from the Peoria City Council. The council voted 8-2 on Tuesday night to approve the...
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Pritzker, Bailey differ over property tax relief
SHIRLEY — Illinois’ Republican nominee for governor Darren Bailey has a plan to lower property tax bills in Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker, his Democratic opponent, does not think the plan would ever actually work in the state. Pritzker and Bailey both...
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Taylor Farms recalls jalapeño products
Taylor Farms has recalled a variety of food products containing jalapeños linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak. The affected products were sold in 26 states at grocery stores including Kroger, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Hannaford...
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Military bases delay toxic PFAS cleanup
It’s been almost five years since Brandi and Brad Hyatt found out the well at their home next to an Army base in Washington is contaminated with “forever chemicals.” h They started using bottled water for everything from making coffee to rinsing off...
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‘RECIPE FOR DISASTER’
PEORIA — A controversial long-term supportive housing project proposed for South Peoria had its first official public hearing on Thursday at the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in which community members lamented the plans. The proposal,...
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Reports: U.S. missile supply badly depleted
The war on Iran has severely depleted key U.S. missile stockpiles and left the nation and its allies in a vulnerable position for potentially years to come, several experts and reports say. U.S. missile stockpiles were low before President Donald...
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7 Brew opening 62 drive-thrus in August
Hannah Hudnall and Saleen Martin 7 Brew announced plans to open 62 new coffee stands in more than two dozen states in August, including two new Illinois locations, according to USA TODAY. The drive-thru-only beverage chain also said customers at...
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Two gas stations seeking to sell alcohol face opposition
PEORIA – Two gas stations along Knoxville Avenue seeking site approval for alcohol sales were met with opposition when representatives went before the Peoria Liquor Commission on Monday, Aug. 3. The BP stations, situated at 2312 N. Knoxville Ave. and...
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Caterpillar stock price jumps after raising growth forecast
Caterpillar raised its annual revenue growth forecast after beating second-quarter profit estimates on Tuesday, benefiting from a buildout of AI data centers that has spurred demand for its power-generation and construction equipment. Shares of the...
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‘WE are STRONG’ Fans revel in new professional baseball league
SPRINGFIELD — Sean Plaskett and his 7-year-old daughter, Shawn, drove 1,700 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, to Springfield to be part of the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural game at Robin Roberts Stadium Aug. 1. Plaskett said his daughter’s...
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RUNNING IN THE RAIN
xThe Memphis-to-St. Jude runners get a hero’s welcome as they complete their journey Aug. 1 at the Peoria Civic Center in Downtown Peoria. More than 200 runners departed from the St. Jude campus for the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run, a 465-mile...
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HONORING HERITAGE
Nationally known beer brand Pabst Brewing Co. once boasted a significant presence in Peoria Heights, employing more than 1,000 people at its height and purportedly serving more than a million beers at its bar, The 33 Room. The company’s local brewing...
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Attack sparks fears wars could merge
WASHINGTON – Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States insisted that leaders in Kyiv are not playing “a game of chess” with their recent drone strike on an Iranian ship and have no interest in leveraging their conflict with Russia into a wider, global...
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Caterpillar investing up to $10M in future workforce
EDWARDS – Caterpillar may have moved its global headquarters to Texas, but the company retains a significant presence in Illinois. The manufacturing giant on Wednesday announced its most recent investment in the state: allocating up to $10 million to...
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Peoria developers aim for revival of the Madison Theater
PEORIA — New restaurant and hotel developments coming to Main Street in Downtown Peoria have a larger goal in mind, according to its developers: The return of the Madison Theater. Developers Jeff Giebelhausen and Gerald Ritterbusch, who are...
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Oman presents Iran with Hormuz plan
DUBAI – Oman has presented Iran with a plan backed by Gulf states to manage the Strait of Hormuz, including collecting voluntary fees for using it, a Gulf source and a Western diplomat told Reuters on July 28. The plan could serve as a basis to end...
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Peoria proposes selling downtown parking lot
PEORIA — The city is planning on selling a downtown parking lot to a developer who is revamping a strip of properties along Main Street. City staff is presenting a plan to the Peoria City Council that would sell the surface parking lot at the corner...
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Chef reunites with a well-known bar
Soul food is back at Castle’s Patio Inn. So is the chef who brought the cuisine to the longtime neighborhood bar in 2021. Shaun Gist, who goes by Shaun Chef, returned to Castle’s kitchen in early May. “I’m happy I’m back here,” Gist said. “I’m happy...
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Politics, humor and death threats
Editor’s note: Story contains explicit language. PEORIA — Ruben Ramirez found himself in a situation that was no laughing matter late last summer in Chicago. But the Pekin High School graduate and rising stand-up comic turned the experience into a...
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U.S. strikes shipping point on the Red Sea
DUBAI – U.S. missiles struck targets across Iran, reaching as far as its Caspian coast, on July 24 after President Donald Trump vowed “major military punishment” for Tehran and its Houthi allies in Yemen for extending the war to a second major shipping...
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The Athletic predicts a big 2026-27 from Bears wide receiver Luther Burden
Mike Pendleton There is plenty of excitement around the Chicago Bears heading into the 2026 season, coming off Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach where they won 11 games, their first NFC North title since 2018, and picked up their first playoff...
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Peoria partnership creates ‘lasting benefits’ for Warehouse District
PEORIA – A new series of string lights are lighting up summer nights in the Warehouse District as part of a public-private collaboration with the city. The String Lights Project has been set up in the 800 block of Southwest Adams Street as part of a...
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Wigginton not guilty in DUI case
PEORIA— Peoria Heights mayor Matt Wigginton was found not guilty by a Peoria County jury in his DUI case. He declined to comment immediately after the trial concluded Monday, July 20. The jury took roughly 45 minutes to come to a not guilty verdict...
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LOVE & PRIDE
A model with Peoria Fashion Week Academy displays some Pride merchandise during a fashion show at the River City Pride Festival on July 18, on the Peoria riverfront. Fans are impressed by drag king Apollo Venom Summers’s performance during the River...
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