CARBONDALE, Ill. (HEARTLAND NEWS) – Aviation enthusiasts, families, and community members soared into a night of celebration as the Southern Illinois Airport Authority marked a major milestone.

The Southern Illinois Airport Authority (SIAA) hosted its Big Bang Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This celebrating 76 years of aviation history with food, games, community fun and a massive fireworks display.

The festivities began at 6 p.m. at the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, with fireworks lighting up the night sky after dark.

For more than seven decades, the Southern Illinois Airport has served as a gateway to the region, helping connect Southern Illinois residents to destinations near and far while supporting education, business, and aviation training opportunities.

Organizers invited the public to help celebrate the airport’s 76th birthday with an evening designed for all ages.

Whether guests were longtime aviation fans or simply looking for a fun summer outing, the event promised plenty of runway-worthy entertainment.

The highlight of the evening was a large fireworks display expected to illuminate the skies above the airport after sunset.

Attendees were encouraged to arrive early, set up lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities before the fireworks take flight.

The show will provided a fitting finale to an evening celebrating the airport’s legacy and future.

Visitors also enjoyed food and drink specials from St. Nick’s Restaurant, helping keep guests fueled throughout the celebration.

Games and family-friendly activities were also planned, entertaining children and adults alike.

The birthday bash served as both a celebration of aviation and a thank-you to the community that has supported the airport throughout its history.

Officials say the event offerd a chance to reflect on the airport’s contributions to Southern Illinois while bringing residents together for an evening of summertime fun.

INDIANAPOLIS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 26 points and the Indiana Fever thumped the Sparks 111-87 with two of the league’s top scorers sidelined on Saturday night.

Caitlin Clark, averaging 21.2 points and 8.2 assists for Indiana (11-8), missed the game with a back injury but shouldn’t be sidelined for long, according to coach Stephanie White.

Kelsey Plum, second in the league with a 23.9 points per game scoring average, is expected to miss at least four weeks for the Sparks (8-10) with an injury to her left leg.

Nneka Ogwumike had 17 points and seven rebounds and Dearica Hamby scored 15 for the Sparks, who became the first team in league history to surrender 110-plus points in back-to-back games.

Mitchell made nine of 13 shots — four of six from three-point range — and all four of her free throws. She hit two three-pointers and added a three-point play in the third quarter, scoring 13 to help Indiana up its lead to 33 before cruising to the finish.

Aliyah Boston scored 15 of her 17 points and grabbed all seven of her rebounds in the first half to help Indiana build a 57-37 advantage. Tyasha Harris — starting in place of Clark — scored 16, while Monique Billings added 15 points. The Fever shot 55.2% overall while making 10 of 19 from distance and 27 of 33 at the foul line.

Football season continues to grow closer, and a clear sign of that is the preseason recognition for top talents coming to life.

The Iowa Hawkeyes once again have a roster featuring future NFL talent that can compete at the highest level in the collegiate ranks.

Entering 2026, the Hawkeyes feature five stars making an appearance on the preseason All-American and All-Big Ten teams from Phil Steele, one of the nation’s top college football analysts.

Phil Steele Preseason All-American selections

Receiving the highest honors of the bunch is Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper, a Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-American.

Pieper, who snubbed the NFL draft this past year, which would have seen him drafted, elected to come back to the Hawkeyes for another season. His talent is through the roof, and he is garnering first-round NFL buzz as well.

Getting a nod as a Preseason Third-Team All-American is the versatile Zach Lutmer, who will do a little bit of everything for Iowa, from playing cornerback to safety to even a linebacker-esque role at times.

Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten selections

Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten honors, of course, include Kade Pieper and Zach Lutmer, First-Team and Second-Team All-Big Ten selections, respectively.

Also appearing as a Preseason Second-Team All-American is another Iowa offensive lineman, Trevor Lauck. Returning, just like Pieper, Lauck enters 2026 with expectations higher than before to be a steadying presence up front.

Eli Ozick, Iowa’s kicker who transferred in from North Dakota State, earned Third-Team All-Big Ten recognition, while tight end DJ Vonnahme received a nod as a member of the Fourth-Team All-Big Ten team.

Did Phil Steele get it right?

Yes and no.

Kade Pieper belongs in the All-American conversation. He is that good and should be dominant for Iowa on the offensive line. This is the good.

Putting Zach Lutmer as a Third-Team All-American is understandable, but a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection feels like we are underselling just how good Lutmer can be for Iowa this year.

The one that stands out the most is where DJ Vonnahme is slotted in. Leading Iowa in receiving yards last year with limited action, he proved he can be the go-to target in the passing game.

With an offseason under his belt and more time in Tim Lester’s offense, Vonnahme looks to be a featured weapon for the Hawkeyes’ offensive attack.

I am not sold the Big Ten has four tight ends that will be better or featured more than DJ Vonnahme will be for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow