🌱 How a central Illinois undergrad turned campus research into a Ph.D. path

Good morning Mount Zion! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a central Illinois undergrad turned campus research into a Ph.D. path

Also on today's calendar: Table for Ten - May 15, 2026 and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Breezy and not as warm, with a high of 69 and low of 43 degrees.
• Thursday: Pleasant with plenty of sun, temps: high: 70, low: 54.
• Friday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 82 and low of 64 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Firebird grant supports undergraduate atomic physics research (herald-review.com) — Illinois State University physics major James Aygun used a FIREbird grant to conduct cutting-edge research on how intense lasers interact with atoms and molecules, leading to a published paper and a spot in Purdue’s doctoral program. While the piece mainly highlights ISU opportunities, it appears alongside other Decatur and Mount Zion headlines, underscoring how nearby students can access serious research experience without leaving central Illinois.
   

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📸 Around Mount Zion

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Mount Zion

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday May 14

• State of the Community Luncheon - May 14, 2026 →
  Mt. Zion Convention Center, 1400 Mt Zion Pkwy, Mt Zion
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Friday May 15

• Table for Ten - May 15, 2026 →
  The FourNine, 111 East Village Parkway, Mt Zion
  11:30 am
• Springfield Varsity Baseball @ Mt. Zion →
  Mt. Zion Junior and Senior High School, 305 and, Mt Zion
  4:30 pm

Tuesday May 19

• Ribbon Cutting for SIU Medicine - May 19, 2026
  Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 101 S Main St #102, Decatur
  11:30 am

Tuesday May 26

• PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL →
  Business Center of Decatur, 2121 S Imboden Ct, Decatur
  9:00 am

Monday June 8

• Mt. Zion - Brazilian Soccer Camp →
  Goodwin Park, 1030 North Ct, Mt Zion
  9:00 am
• Mt. Zion - Brazilian Soccer Camp - Mt. Zion, IL 2026 →
  Goodwin Park, 1030 North Ct, Mt Zion
  9:00 am
• Mt. Zion - Brazilian Soccer World Cup Camp →
  Goodwin Park, 1030 North Ct, Mt Zion
  9:00 am

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📣 Mount Zion Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday May 16

• A History of Bicycling in Illinois →
  Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Ln, Decatur
  2:00 pm

Monday May 18

• Track Banquet →
  Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
  5:00 pm

Tuesday May 19

• Ribbon Cutting for SIU Medicine - May 19, 2026
  Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 101 S Main St #102, Decatur
  11:30 am

Saturday May 23

• Run The World - Tribute to Beyonce and Destiny's Child →
  Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 2686 E Cantrell St, Decatur
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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🗞 Nearby News

Decatur

• The Salvation Army Celebrates National Salvation Army Week in Decatur (nowdecatur.com)
• 2 charged with murder after woman found dead in Decatur fire (wandtv.com)
• Grand jury returns murder indictments against Decatur couple (herald-review.com)

Macon

• Unit 5 again named among best communities for music education (herald-review.com)

Sullivan

• Sullivan school officials weigh stricter classroom phone enforcement (wandtv.com)

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Ok Mount Zion! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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