Good morning Springfield! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Crime of the Week: Help needed identifying suspected cable-cutter (capitolcitynow.com) — Springfield police and Crime Stoppers are asking for help identifying a man who allegedly cut an internet cable from a utility pole in the 700 block of West Miller on July 30. If you recognize the white male seen tampering with wires around 5:30 p.m., you can submit an anonymous tip by phone, online, or through the P3 app for a possible cash reward.
2. Local schools adapting to new state technology guidelines (newschannel20.com) — Springfield School District 186 is tightening how it handles cyberbullying and student phone use under new Illinois laws and statewide AI guidelines. Local leaders stress teaching "digital citizenship," warning students and parents about AI-generated explicit images and emphasizing that AI should support, not replace, real classroom work and relationships. Nearby Williamsville-Sherman schools are adopting similar rules and parent partnerships.
3. Water main break floods downtown Springfield streets (sj-r.com) — A major water main break in downtown Springfield flooded Monroe Street, cut power to hundreds of CWLP customers, and lowered water pressure from Enos Park to Lanphier High School. Several local businesses, including Dumb Records, Gallina's Pizza, The Bus Stop bar, and the Kidzeum, suffered flooding or closures as city crews and Mayor Misty Buscher assessed damage and began overnight repairs.
4. SMMC News & Events Blog (uillinois.edu) — Students in Springfield can build real-world money skills through FIN 514, a graduate personal financial planning course at the University of Illinois Springfield that focuses on creating comprehensive financial plans. The blog also outlines similar personal finance classes in Urbana and Chicago, encouraging students across the system to plan ahead for future semesters and seek out financial education opportunities.
5. Catholic church obtains injunction against assisted suicide law (wandtv.com) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked Illinois' new physician-assisted suicide law after a request led by Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield. The order shields Springfield-based Catholic hospital systems from being required to provide information or referrals that conflict with church teaching. The injunction, agreed to by the state, lasts while the case proceeds.
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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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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