SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that total nonfarm payrolls were nearly unchanged over-the-month in September, down -2,200 (0.0%) to 6,162,600. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -13,300 to -2,200. The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs increases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+1,200), Information (+1,200), Leisure and Hospitality (+900), and Other Service
ALTON - Community members are invited to the Alton Eagle Ice Festival in January, where you can meet live eagles, watch fire performers, enjoy an ice-carving competition, and more. From 4–10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, various locations across Alton will host Eagle Ice Fest events and fun. The main base is at FLOCK Food Truck Park, the National Great Rivers Museum and the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Many downtown small businesses will als
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500.00 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship eac
SPRINGFIELD – Southern Illinois University Medicine has launched a national search for its next dean, provost and CEO. The search will be conducted in partnership with Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm specializing in academic medicine and higher education leadership. Isaacson, Miller was selected after a competitive process for its depth of experience placing health care leaders, strong record with comparable roles and high-touch, tailored approach to executive recruitment.
SPRINGFIELD – Struggling to find the right holiday gift for a child? Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has one. Invest in a young person’s future by contributing to their Bright Start 529 college savings account. “Every time you make a Bright Start contribution, that kid sees that you believe in them. That’s a powerful message to hear from a loved one – you know that they have what it takes to pursue higher education when they finish high school,”
ST. LOUIS — Home fires increase significantly during the holiday months, often sparked by cooking accidents, unattended candles or unsafe decorations. The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis urges everyone to take simple steps to stay safe while celebrating – from keeping a close eye on what’s cooking to checking holiday lights and decorations for hazards. By taking precautions now, families can help prevent tragedies and enjoy a safer, happier holiday season. “One
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Friday evening on Walnut Street. At approximately 9:11 p.m. on December 12, 2025, officers from the Cahokia Heights Police Department responded to the 3900 block of Walnut Street in Cahokia Heights, St. Clair County, Illinois, after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a 67-year-old white male with an apparent gunshot wound. The man was transported to a local hospital,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a bipartisan letter, signed by 44 states, to congressional leaders requesting additional funding for the security of federal judges, who are increasingly facing threats and hostile incidents targeting them, their families and courthouse staff. “The safety and independence of our judiciary is vital to democracy,” Raoul said. “Threats against federal judges have more than doubled in recent years. Judges and their families should
MADISON COUNTY — Several children will officially join their forever families on Friday, December 19, during a joyful adoption day ceremony at the Madison County Courthouse. Among the most meaningful moments of the day will be the adoption of four brothers who will remain together, joining a relative who stepped forward to keep the siblings united. This year’s celebration also serves as a significant milestone for Attorney Tom Benedick, who will participate in his final adoption docke
GLEN CARBON — Students at Father McGivney Catholic High School are spreading holiday cheer by providing Christmas gifts for local families in need through the schoolwide “Change a Child’s Christmas” project. Led by McGivney’s Chapter of the National Honor Society, the initiative partnered with Brightpoint, a community organization in Granite City, Illinois. Each of the school’s 16 Houses sponsored a local family, raising a total of $9,000 to purchase gifts an
ALTON - It won’t be long before the iconic American Bald Eagles return to their winter homes in southwest Illinois so make plans now to take your winter eagle watching adventure to the next level with a guided eagle watching shuttle tour available in Alton starting Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Every January, experts anticipate as many as 1,000 bald eagles will migrate to the area reclaiming their winter roosts along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway just outside St. Louis
EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Rotary Club honored Maya Hatch as the Student of the Month for December 2025. The recognition took place recently at Edwardsville High School, where Hatch was acknowledged for her achievements. The presentation included Edwardsville High School teacher Emily Brown of the World Language Department, Edwardsville Rotarian Monica Snook, and Edwardsville Rotary President Kai Redmon. Hatch was recognized in the presence of these community members and school representatives
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at EAWR High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of EAWR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000.00 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. December's winner is Brooklyn Ruot. Brooklyn is a Senior at EAWR and is
ST. LOUIS — Time is critical for patients this December. The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply steady over the busy holiday season. Types O positive, O negative, and B negative blood donors are especially needed now and in the coming weeks. During the winter months, the chance of severe winter weather can compound an already challenging time for donors to be able to come out and give. In fact, last week’s
GRANITE CITY — Officer Tyler Timmons of the Granite City Police Department has been released from the hospital and is recovering well following a shooting on Dec. 5, 2025, Granite City Chief of Police Gary Brooks said on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Officer Timmons returned home Friday night with a massive procession of law enforcement vehicles and a large U.S. flag draped above a Granite City highway by fire trucks. Timmons was shot in the afternoon of Dec. 5 while responding to a call in th
O’FALLON, Ill. – The holiday season has always carried deep meaning at Andria’s Steakhouse. It is a time filled with familiar faces, shared meals, and traditions that span generations. But for many families, the holidays also bring reminders of who is missing. Grief has a way of showing up quietly at the table, especially in December. This year, we are choosing to acknowledge it, honor it, and respond with care. On December 15 and December 29, Andria’s will host two
EDWARDSVILLE - Miccah Butler, a senior shooting guard for the Edwardsville boys basketball team, is off to a tremendous start in the new season and is one of the key players for the Tigers in the 2025-26 season, where the team has started 4-2, and currently 1-1 in the Southwestern Conference. In the first few games of the season, Butler is averaging 12.3 points and 0.5 rebounds per game, along with four assists and a steal. In a Dec. 5 game at East St. Louis, he led the team with 22 points,
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - St. Charles County Ambulance District Lieutenant Sarah McCarthy, a 23-year veteran of emergency medical services, died Dec. 9, 2025, following complications from a medical emergency while on duty at Station 12 in St. Peters. McCarthy, 48, first experienced chest pain on Nov. 21, 2025, and was transported by colleagues to Missouri Baptist Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. After a setback in her recovery on Dec. 4, 2025, she was transferred to Barnes Hospital
ALTON - Confluence Wealth Management recently welcomed nearly 200 guests to their annual client appreciation Christmas party, where they raised $6,195 for the Alton Location of Wreaths Across America. Confluence Wealth Management, a locally owned financial planning and wealth management firm affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, works with Riverbend residents throughout the community. Co-owners Jack Hoelscher and Robert Diaz were excited to see many of their clients come
CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians. To ensure the highest safeguards for patients, the law is effective in September of 2026, which affords participating health care providers and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) significant lead time to implement stringent
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