Good morning, Peoria.

Peoria firefighters responded at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday to a house fire on the 6600 block of North Talisman Terrace—rescuing a dog and confirming that all occupants had evacuated safely while damage was estimated at $80,000 and the cause appears unintentional.

Peoria's Riverfront Museum will host America 250 next year featuring historical documents in custom cases built by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma through its Henley Custom company — a partnership expected to boost the tribe's economy.

The exhibit includes items like the first newspaper printing of the US Constitution and an Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln and will open January 31 next year.

Ameren Illinois asked for a $128.8 million gas rate increase, marking its fourth raise in seven years amid rising energy bills.

Two judges recommended cutting the increase by about $44 million—Illinois Commerce Commission will decide on the proposal by Dec. 1.

Illinois may stop issuing SNAP food assistance on November 1 if the federal government remains closed, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services and the USDA; nearly 1.9 million users rely on the fully funded program (which gets over $350 million monthly) for groceries.

Dr. Edward M. Barksdale Jr. gave a keynote in Peoria yesterday at OSF HealthCare’s Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center where he explained that medical simulation can help health care practice new methods to save lives and build stronger community ties (he is a professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine).

Moonlight Mischief Canvas Painting

6-8:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Wine purchase available — Enjoy a fun-filled evening painting a spooky cat under the harvest moon.

Zootober: Halloween Fright Fest at Peoria Zoo

6-9 p.m. — Peoria Zoo — $12 per person — Experience Halloween thrills with family-friendly activities and spooky fun after dark.

Boo-tiful Builds: Halloween Clay Workshop

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35.00 – $40.00 — Create spooky Halloween-themed clay projects in a fun hand-building class.

Frankenstein at Corn Stock Theatre

7:30 p.m. — Corn Stock Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a captivating performance of the classic tale of Frankenstein.

Halloween Wheel Throwing Party

6:30-8 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45 — Spin spooky magic on the pottery wheel and create your own Halloween-themed masterpiece.

Thanksgiving Turkey Clay Hand-Building Class

1-3 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45.00 – $90.00 — Celebrate the season by sculpting your own clay turkey masterpiece for a unique holiday keepsake.

High Profile Athletes & Midwest Bucks 2026 7v7 Tryouts

5:30-7 p.m. — Peoria Stadium — Free entry — Showcase your skills in a competitive 7v7 football tryout event.

Foster Family Information Session

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Central Illinois Friends Community Center — Free entry — Discover the process of becoming a licensed foster family and support youth in need.

Textured Pumpkin Clay Hand Building Class

4-6 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35 — Get into the fall spirit while hand-building your own unique ceramic pumpkin.

Quad City Storm vs. Peoria Rivermen

7:15-9:15 p.m. — Peoria Civic Center — Enjoy a competitive ice hockey matchup between local favorites.