One of musical theater’s most popular and populist shows returns to Springfield this weekend with Springfield Theatre Centre’s revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Got "Milk"? To Peoria-area moviegoers, the answer is no. And they don't have "Frost/Nixon," "Revolutionary Road," "The Wrestler," "Rachel Getting Married" or "Gran Torino," either.

Herbs had a health benefit for Liz Fiorenza before she ever started using them for medicinal purposes. She included herbs in the formal gardens she began planting 15 years ago as stress relief from her job as a nurse. Now, they are her hobby and her business as well as the flavorings for her cooking and first line of defense against illness for herself and her family.

The Illinois House’s impeachment committee will resume work Thursday in a session that could go a long way toward determining when the House will vote on whether to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

It was warm and dry Tuesday inside Horton Field House at Illinois State University as the Morton High School marching band practiced its routine for the presidential inaugural parade for the first time.

Military homecomings are always special, but for Tech. Sgt. Mark Rodgers, who missed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, this one is even more so. Rodgers and about 20 others with the 182nd Airlift Wing arrived home Tuesday after spending nearly two months in Afghanistan. This planeload plus another one due back next week are the last in a series of rotations for the air wing, said Col. William "Robbie" Robertson, the wing's commander.

With a list in hand, Amanda Starnes appeared as if she knew exactly what to look for while scouring the clothing racks at Goodwill Industries. "I have eight shut-ins that I help to serve, and I know them pretty well," the Peoria woman said. "I look for something that just kind of speaks to me, and I can say, 'yes, that's a good choice for Bob or Anna.'"

The watchword in business, here in central Illinois and around the country, is "uncertain" when anticipating what 2009 will bring. After a year that brought a global market meltdown along with billion-dollar bailouts for U.S. financial and automotive industries, economists have various opinions on what the troubled economy will bring in 2009.

A funny thing happened to ethanol on its way to national stardom: The corn-based fuel became the heavy. The U.S. government wants 11 billion gallons of ethanol this year to help offset the nation's reliance on imported oil, yet Time magazine recently described the use of cropland for fuel "an environmental and economic catastrophe."

While the trials and tribulations of the Big Three auto makers got most of the attention in 2008, electric cars are expected to make news in 2009. "All of the auto makers are working on electric vehicles in some form," said Jennifer Watts, spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C.-based Electric Drive Transportation Association.

Potatoes and cheese. Apples and pork. Chocolate and mint. Some flavors are commonly paired in recipes because they have a natural affinity. But what is the next tomato and basil?

As the economy tightens its grip on Americans’ wallets, businesses look for alternate ways to be good neighbors to nonprofits. Tom Muldowney’s clients are giving less to charity this year. It’s not because they want to give less, but because they have less to give. His advice? Get creative.

Dave White was reminded during construction why a hilltop just off Interstate 55 south of Springfield was selected as the site for a wind turbine that is expected to begin churning out electricity this week.

Despite the impending transition to digital television, consumers nationwide are suppressing the urge to buy shiny new flat-screen TVs. But not in the Rock River Valley. Local sales have been largely strong thanks to the digital changeover and falling prices for high-definition TVs.

Single mother Janessa James’ full-time job is her job search, and the computer lab on the second floor of the Rockford Public Library’s main campus is her office. James, a former legal aide, is among the many Rock River Valley residents leaning on their local public libraries while money is tight at home.