Good morning, Peoria! In today’s edition: Flu variant k risk, Scott’s Law expansion, giant-screen Contact (1997), and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Who faces higher risk: Local flu cases are rising, with aggressive variant K in the mix. The E.R. is seeing about 10 cases a day, and the CDC reports about 7.5 million since October — see symptoms and vaccine advice.

Roadside safety rules broaden: Illinois expanded Scott’s Law to cover more than emergency vehicles, adding protections for tow trucks, road crews, and pedestrians. First responders welcomed the change, with fines starting at $250 — read the full story.

Drivers see pump relief: Peoria area gas prices have fallen to an average of $2.80 a gallon, down 5.3 cents from last week and 27.9 cents compared with a month ago, according to GasBuddy — see the cheapest local station.

Philadelphia pioneer’s enduring legacy: Built in 1837, the John C. Flanagan House is Peoria’s oldest home, offering a rare look at early city life, including a 1920s lampograph, and it remains open for tours — discover the house’s history.

Longstanding store plans move: UFS Outlet, a nearly 60-year fixture on Southwest Adams Street near Downtown Peoria, will open a new location soon at the former Big Lots site. Owner Gerard Wiegand says the move is to better serve its 25 employees and offer a more convenient spot. Find out where it’s moving.

Refresh your cozy corners: When your place needs charm without the chaos, Relics delivers a smart mix of vintage finds, small-batch candles, cheerful garden bits, and locally made gifts that make shelves and side tables feel intentional. Pop in, browse a few minutes, and leave with something that sparks joy.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🍺 Clay Hand Built Beer Steins @ Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Trade scrolling for sculpting at Obed and Isaac’s, where you’ll hand-build a beer stein between sips and stories. A friendly instructor keeps it easy, you add the personality, and in three weeks your fired, glazed masterpiece returns to upgrade your porch beers.

💃 Fox Trot Dance Workshop @ Ignite Church | Tuesday (1/13) at 7:00 PM – Trade your Netflix queue for a Foxtrot tune-up, with Abraham and Anna easing you through that smooth, slow, slow, quick, quick. Beginner or rusty, you will glide to Sinatra, Bublé, and Natalie Cole, comfy shoes required, no flip flops, $25 solo, $45 couple.

🐾 Lend a Helping Paw @ Elevate Trampoline Park | Thursday (1/15) at 10:00 AM – If your house doubles as a foster home for rogue tennis balls, bring them on Thursdays in January. Donate pet supplies to help a shelter, and snag two hours of jump time for ten bucks a jumper. Good deed, tired kids, and happy paws.

🎶 The Listening Room: Director’s Cut @ Third Chance Bar & Lounge | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Third Thursday at Third Chance means a deep-dive Listening Room, this time spotlighting Reagan Pace. Think less bar noise, more story time, with songs, background, and likely surprise collaborations; bring takeout like a pro, or lean into dollar dogs, hot pizza, and cheap snacks.

🎬 Contact (1997) @ Peoria Riverfront Museum | Thursday (1/15) at 6:30 PM – A night at Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Giant Screen means revisiting Contact, the 1997 Zemeckis gem where Jodie Foster parses a whisper from Vega and our inner science nerd. It’s smart, sweeping, and surprisingly heartfelt, like stargazing with popcorn, patience, and good knees.

🩺 Healthy Start Fair @ Children’s Home Association of Illinois | Friday (1/16) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re navigating newborn nights or a toddler with executive authority, swing by this low-stress Peoria pop-in, no appointment needed. Get lactation help, developmental and health screenings, car seat checks, play kits, and bilingual support, plus free snacks and giveaways. Real help, zero fuss.

🧱 Drop-In: Lego Builders Club @ Lakeview Branch Library | Friday (1/16) at 3:00 PM – When your living room is a LEGO minefield, outsource the chaos to Lakeview Branch. It’s a drop-in builders club with quiet space, plenty of bricks, and fellow mini-architects. For ages 6 to 11, you get calm, they get masterpieces.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Peoria report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 41°F – Low: 23°F – Precip: 79%

Rain and snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny. High near 41, with temperatures falling to around 35 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 34°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Most popular house this week

In Chapel Park in the highly regarded Dunlap School District, a hardwood entry and staircase frame formal living and dining rooms, a main floor den, and an eat in kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, a pantry, and an open dinette. Upstairs, a spa inspired primary suite crowns an expansive second level with a flexible fourth bedroom or playroom, and a closet can be added.

A 40×24 in-ground heated pool with diving board, new pump in 2023 and new liner in 2024, anchors a yard with landscaping, a patio, and a privacy fence. The lower level is stubbed for a bath and ready to finish. Heated garage adds year round ease.

Take a peek inside →