Tom Ackerman is a reporter at various publications, including Smile Politely Magazine and The Star newspaper. He covers a wide range of topics, focusing on regional interest and world news, with particular attention to federal legislation, climate policy, and ClimateTech. Tom's work has been featured in notable outlets such as USA TODAY, Yahoo News, and the Chicago Tribune.
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Springfield, United States (Local)
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Tom Ackerman's coverage focuses primarily on local weather and seasonal events, with an emphasis on tragedy and house & home topics. To effectively reach out to him, consider providing insights related to upcoming local weather patterns, significant seasonal events or developments in the community that align with his themes. Additionally, if your pitch ties into how weather impacts local events or relates to house & home topics within his geographic focus of Kentucky and Lexington, it may grab his attention.
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Springfield State Journal-Register May 22, 2026, 3:46 a.m. CT Memorial Day is Monday, May 25.
One person is dead and another was arrested following a two-car crash Thursday in Lincoln.
By: Tom Ackerman
A 14-year-old boy died after being hit by a car over the weekend in Springfield. Authorities say the boy was riding his bike when he was hit.
By: Tom Ackerman
A teenage boy from Springfield died in a car crash in McLean, Illinois over the weekend.
We're stuck in a stagnant, unsettled pattern midweek with more scattered showers and storms likely Wednesday and near normal highs in the upper 70s. Watch for strong afternoon, evening storms that could produce damaging wind, but the main concern is heavy rain. Persistent rounds of showers and storms have left much of the area waterlogged; any additional moderate to heavy rain could lead to localized flash flooding. A flood watch is in effect along and north of I-64 until Thursday morning. We'll slowly dry out later this week with a few lingering showers Thursday and a nice looking weekend in the works.
By: Tom Ackerman
Springfield State Journal-Register A court document shows that a settlement has been reached between the owner of the Wyndham hotel and its insurance company.
By: Tom Ackerman
SPRINGFIELD – A room full of Illinois lawmakers honored its outgoing senior U.S. Senator with memories, stories of mentorship, leadership and integrity.
Active weather takes a break, and we'll calm down and dry out the rest of the week. Expect morning clouds giving way to afternoon sunshine Thursday with slightly above normal highs in the low 80s. A cold front slides south keeping moisture tamped down and with a northeast wind we'll cool off a bit too. We'll stay mostly to partly sunny with highs in the mid 70s through early next week.
We're starting off the weekend mostly to partly sunny, warm and dry with highs in the low to mid 80s. A round of showers will push north overnight, increasing cloud cover and sparking a round of showers way down south that aren't likely to make it that far north. A cold front will drop south Saturday morning, pulling cooler and drier air behind it. We'll end up mostly cloudy in the morning with afternoon sunshine and cooler highs in the mid to upper 70s. Sunday wraps up the weekend quietly with partly sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s.
A bill that aims to protect Illinois drivers and save them money has passed both chambers and will be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk.
