New York, May 12, 2026 — The Wall Street Journal revealed yesterday that the Department of Justice sent grand jury subpoenas to the paper, demanding records of its journalists related to reporting about the lead-up to the Iran war. In recent months, prosecutors have also sent subpoenas to other media organizations, and to email and phone providers seeking information in leak inquiries, according to sources who spoke to the Journal.
The following can be attributed to Freedom of the Press Foundation Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern:
“The government’s investigation of The Wall Street Journal has nothing to do with ‘national security.’ It’s an outrageous attempt to silence sources, intimidate journalists, and bury the truth about President Trump’s unpopular decision to launch a war even his own generals warned against.
“We’ve seen this cowardly script before. ‘National security’ was a lie when the government tried to stop journalists from publishing the Pentagon Papers to cover up its failures, and it’s a lie now.
“These subpoenas are a direct threat to the public’s right to know, and the Journal is correct to fight them. Since the Department of Justice has abandoned the First Amendment, it’s up to the courts to restrain the government’s attempts to crush investigative journalism.
“Journalists at every news outlet across the U.S. must also harden their digital defenses now, to protect their sources from an administration obsessed with silencing critics and dismantling the free press.”
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ALTON - Martha Pfister, alderwoman for Alton’s Ward 2, says it’s “an exciting time” in the City of Alton. As summer approaches, Pfister is spending more time in her ward and paying attention to the sidewalk infrastructure and the homes. She stressed the importance of listening to constituents and having conversations about the city’s comprehensive plan, and she shared that sidewalk infrastructure and the code enforcement process are two of her top interests righ
SPRINGFIELD – As the weather warms up and more people head outside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding everyone to leave young birds and other animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. Well-intentioned people may believe they’re helping nature by taking possession of young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned. However, in nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced the launch of a new online submission option designed to simplify and modernize the way Illinois consumers file complaints against financial institutions amid a federal step back in enforcement. For the first time, the portal will accept complaints for both the Division of Banking (DOB) and the Division of Financial Institutions (DFI), creating a unified and more accessible process for
SMITHTON - State Representatives Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) recently held a Tire Recycling Event and Food Drive in Smithton. He says it was the most successful Tire Recycling and Food Drive event his office has hosted and thanked everyone in the community for their contributions. “I want to say thank you to everyone who attended the event and helped clean up the community,” said Schmidt. “We loaded three tractor trailers full of used tires and collected a significant amount
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $2.5 million in funding is available for the second round of the Economic Empowerment Centers (EEC) Grant Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “As Governor, I’m committed to building a thriving business community that values inclusivity and uplifts entrepreneurs from all backgrounds,”
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program has been granted continued accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), following a site visit in September 2025. The visit takes 2.5 days and is a peer-reviewed process where nursing educators from across the country volunteer to visit and evaluate other nursing programs. ACEN accreditation indicates to the general public and educational community that a nursing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 1346, the? Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer
ALTON - At its Annual May meeting, the Alton Community Service League announced Carol Morris as the 2026 winner of the Silver Bowl Award. The Silver Bowl is awarded to the member who has recorded the highest number of volunteer hours for the year 2025-2026. During the summer months, League members deadhead roses at the Nan Elliott Memorial Rose Garden at Gordon Moore Park. Members also assist in watering the Alto Memorial Hospital Healing Garden. Officers installed for the 2026-2027 League
Authorities seized illegal gaming machines and thousands of dollars in cash during an illegal gaming sting that targeted five Missouri businesses, including a bar in Arnold.
Paul McCartney has always seemed to have a good sense of humor, but evidently he doesn’t necessarily want to hear people making jokes about him.Comedian Jeff Ross, who executive produces Netflix's roast franchise,…
COLLINSVILLE - Lt. Wilbert "Bud" Jeremias marked the end of a long law enforcement career on Friday, May 8, 2026. He retired after more than 20 years with the Collinsville Police Department in Illinois, the department said. Jeremias began his full-time policing career on May 13, 1998, and joined the Collinsville Police Department on Oct. 3, 2005, after serving at the East St. Louis Police Department. Over his time at Collinsville, Jeremias served as a patrolman, K9 handler, detective,
EDWARDSVILLE – An out-of-state resident accused of concealing $206,000 in criminally derived funds faces money laundering and other charges in Madison County. Jose A. Nava, 46, of Fort Worth, Texas, was charged on May 4, 2026, two counts of money laundering (both Class 2 felonies) and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (a Class 3 felony). On May 1, 2026, Nava allegedly knowingly transported $206,000 in U.S. currency described in charging documents as “criminally
ALTON - This spring, students in the Alton High School Interact Club came together to raise money for the 5A's Animal Shelter and used the proceeds to purchase supplies for the shelter and create adoption starter kits for local families. The AHS Interact Club held a fundraiser competition between advisories, with the winning advisory earning a donut party. Students raised more than $450 largely through the collection of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. “We encouraged students
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey junior softball sensation Anna Kribs delivered a record-setting performance at home, going 4 for 4 with three doubles and a home run as the Panthers rolled past Highland 11-1 on Monday, May 11, 2026. With the home run, Kribs broke Jersey’s single-season school record with her 10th homer. She also set the program’s single-season RBI mark with 41. She is a Sparklight Female Athlete Of The Month for Jersey. Kribs is hitting .531 this season with 10 doubles.
Control of the U.S. House may run through a courtroom in Missouri. In a red brick courthouse across the street from the state Capitol, the seven black-robed judges of the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed the fate of a Republican gerrymander aimed at ousting U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a 10-term Democrat from Kansas City. […]
Frustrations came to a head during a town hall with Harris-Stowe President LaTonia Collins Smith, Monday night, as dozens of angry parents barraged her with questions.
ST. LOUIS - World-renowned artist Niall Horan is going back on tour, and he'll be making a stop in the Gateway City along the way next year. Horan is bringing his "Dinner Party" tour to Enterprise Center on March 27, 2027. The tour follows the release of his latest album, set to release on June [...]
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