WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response. Trump, who said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in her place, made the announcement on social [...]
MICHELLE L. PRICE and REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press
On March 4, 2026, shortly before 3:30pm, the US Marshals were assisting the SLMPD related to an ongoing search for a homicide suspect in the 5800 block of Wilson Avenue at the Red Roof Inn.
Whether you’re dealing with a job loss, financial woes or embroiled in relationship issues, we all suffer from stressful situations from time to time. No matter what the situation, stress is not good for our health in so many ways. It can impact our cardiovascular health, mental health, sleep and even our skin and hair. One of the biggest problems is how stress affects our gut health. Stress can cause diarrhea, constipation, bloating or make conditions such as irritable bowled syndrome o
MONROE COUNTY - Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Freeda’s Bar in Renault, Illinois, early on March 1, 2026, after a report of a large fight, and Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said video surveillance shows a 25-year-old man struck a 49-year-old man without any prior interaction as misinformation about the incident circulated online. Deputies were sent to the bar at 2071 Main Street at about 12:55 a.m. on March 1, 2026, Rohlfing said. The Waterloo Police Department assisted
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Thursday sentenced a woman who secretly took out insurance on her fiancé before having him killed to 225 months in prison. Victoria Rena Williams, 67, pleaded guilty in September to one count each of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, aiding and abetting murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Michael Grady, 70, was convicted by a jury on Monday of the same three counts. Charles Harris III, who worked
MADISON COUNTY – A Chicago-area man accused of sexually abusing someone at a Madison County rest area has been charged and released from custody. Bowala Rakkitha, 49, of Bolingbrook, Ill., was charged on Feb. 18, 2026 with one count each of criminal sexual abuse (a Class 4 felony) and aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony). Rakkitha allegedly committed an act of sexual conduct by touching a 24-year-old victim who was “unable to give knowing consent” on Aug. 18, 2025, according
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller met with Illinois Farm Bureau President Phil Nelson to discuss the agriculture economy, support for producers and the organization’s priorities for 2026, according to a statement attributed to Miller. Miller, a congresswoman, said she met with Nelson, who leads the Illinois Farm Bureau. The statement did not specify when or where the meeting took place. “It was great meeting with my friend Phil Nelson, President of the Illinois Farm Bureau,”
CARLYLE - A fundraiser has been launched to help pay funeral and memorial expenses for Sadie Tull, a 41-year-old Carlyle business owner who was found shot to death on March 4, 2026, inside her home on Fairfax Street, as the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis investigates the killing. Myrna Piehl organized the fundraiser following Tull’s death. Authorities said detectives have followed up on dozens of leads and are asking anyone with information to contact investigators. In the GoFundMe
This story was originally published by ProPublica. Republished under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 license. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem misled Congress on Tuesday about the powers of her controversial top aide Corey Lewandowski, according to records reviewed by ProPublica and four current and former DHS officials. Lewandowski has an unusual role at DHS, where he is not a paid government […]
S WANSEA - KinderCare Learning Center has officially opened its new location in Swansea, and leaders emphasize that they are much more than a daycare. As an early learning center, KinderCare offers childcare and educational programs for infants, toddlers and preschool-age children. Swansea’s Center Director, Tori Siron, explained that the center aims to provide support to the whole family while educating kids and giving them opportunities to grow. “We love welcoming all
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider is setting the record straight about his health and how he feels about former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach taking over lead singer duties on…
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump Thursday said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving the post for a job as a special envoy, following an appearance before a U.S. Senate panel this week that provoked bipartisan criticism of her handling of the department that is tasked with fulfilling the administration’s mass deportation campaign. Oklahoma […]
CARLYLE — A former Carlyle police chief has been indicted on allegations of embezzling over $100,000 to buy personal items including a diamond engagement ring and two tickets to a WNBA game in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and announced U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as his preferred replacement: “Kristi Noem was the face of an unpopular, illegal, and outright dangerous mass deportation campaign that claimed the lives of innocent Americans and terrorized many
ALTON - The Alton School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mack Ivory as the new Assistant Principal at Alton High School. Mr. Ivory holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Missouri Baptist University, as well as two Master’s degrees from Missouri Baptist University: one in the Art of Teaching and the other in Educational Administration. Mr. Ivory began his educational career in January 2020 as a Student Support Specialist in the Rockwood School
ALTON - The Alton School District Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Amanda Beiser as Assistant Principal at Alton Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. Mrs. Beiser is a proud graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Learning Behavioral Specialist, as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership. She began her teaching career in the Alton School District
The local park's parent company, North Carolina-based Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, announced Thursday that it plans to sell seven of its properties to EPR Properties, a commercial real estate firm based in Kansas City, Missouri
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