Morning Springfield! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
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Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Kidzeum awarded nearly $150,000 grant for new STEAM center (capitolcitynow.com) — Downtown Springfield's Kidzeum of Health and Science has secured nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to plan a new STEAM education center in its long-vacant upper floors. Museum leaders will invite community input as they design the science, technology, engineering, arts and math space over the coming year. The project aims to expand hands-on learning options for local families and school groups.
2. Meet the 'DOGtors' bringing comfort to Springfield Memorial Hospital (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield Memorial Hospital is expanding its "DOGtors on Call" therapy dog program, adding four new certified pups to comfort patients, families, and staff. Funded by a Springfield Memorial Foundation grant, the program pairs trained hospital employee handlers with their dogs, aiming to ease stress and support more patient-centered care across the hospital.
3. Illinois Claims the Corn Dog: The Story Starts in Springfield (97zokonline.com) — Springfield's Cozy Dog is being celebrated as the birthplace of the corn dog, with a special Cozy Dog Weekend at the 2026 Illinois State Fair. From a Route 66 dedication event to a Family Day photo celebration, Springfield's corn dog legacy is taking center stage and inviting locals to join the fun and debate ketchup versus mustard.
4. Pritzker signs bill improving sanitation, access to menstrual products on construction sites (wandtv.com) — A new Illinois law signed in Springfield will require construction employers statewide to provide separate restrooms, free menstrual products, and better lactation accommodations for workers. The measure, backed by Chicago Women in Trades, also sets sanitation standards, protects workers from retaliation when reporting violations, and directs state agencies to publish lactation guidance by early 2027.
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Ok Springfield! 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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
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