Tom Ackerman is a reporter at various publications, including Smile Politely Magazine and The Star newspaper. He covers a range of topics, with a focus on regional interest and world news, food and beverages, climate change, and government and politics. Tom's work has been featured in notable outlets such as USA TODAY, the Chicago Tribune, and Yahoo News.
Preston is the artificial intelligence that powers the Intelligent Relations PR platform. Meet Preston
Springfield, United States (Local)
Not enough data
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.
This information evolves through artificial intelligence and human feedback. Improve this profile .
After some heated debate, Springfield city council members moved to spend $1.1 million on ShotSpotter technology.
Beautiful fall days keep rolling through the end of the week. We'll enjoy plenty of sunshine with highs in the upper 60s to around 70° Thursday and Friday.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Looking for a DJ for your event or wedding? SJ-R readers on the best DJs for events and weddings in the 2025 Official Community's Choice Awards
We're staying dry and unseasonably warm this week as high pressure dominates. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with highs consistently in the mid to upper 70s, well above normal for late October. Change is on the way later in the weekend with a rain chance on the rise as we edge into November and daylight saving time ends. Hopefully we can keep it dry Saturday for Halloween trick or treaters.
By: Tom Ackerman
Voters on Nov. 3 will decide whether to re-elect a Republican for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives or opt for a Democrat political newcomer.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Four people were injured in a residential explosion that police have called an arson.
Our run of very warm and very dry late October days keeps on keeping all the way through the end of the month. Expect morning clouds to give way to afternoon sunshine Wednesday with highs once again topping out in the mid 70s, right around 10° above normal. We'll edge into the upper 70s Thursday and Friday with some pushing 80°, still mostly sunny and dry. This will be an ideal start for the Breeders'Cup out at Keeneland. Saturday will see increasing clouds with isolated late day showers possible; we should be able to keep it dry for Halloween trick or treaters. Showers and storms are likely to wrap up the weekend and start off November with much needed rain and much cooler air inbound next week.
Central Illinois voters will decide whether to re-elect a Democrat in the U.S. House or choose a Republican with local government experience.
Springfield State Journal-Register Oct. 28, 2026, 4:04 a.m. CT
The BoS Center could see changes to its nearly 50-year-old arena.
