What if a simple shift in perspective could improve your mental health, deepen your relationships, and even boost your physical well-being? Research shows that gratitude—the act of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life—holds transformative power. Yet, it remains an underutilized practice in many people’s daily routines. Understanding the multifaceted benefits of gratitude can inspire meaningful changes in how we approach each day. The Science Behind Gratitude
November 14th is a day rich with history, marked by events that have shaped the course of nations, ignited scientific progress, and left lasting cultural legacies across the globe. Moving back to 1889, November 14th witnessed a foundational moment in the world of sports with the establishment of the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund). This organization laid the groundwork for the development of football (soccer) as a structured sport in Germany, eventually leading to
Friday will bring a bright and sunny day with a high of 78 and a low of 58. Winds will come from the south-southwest at 9 to 18 mph gusts. Morning lows will feel cool at 54 early but warming through the afternoon make it a pleasant day to be outside. There is no rain expected, and skies will be clear to partly cloudy overnight. Saturday will be mostly sunny and very warm with a high near 75 and a low around 40. Winds will pick up a bit, blowing from the west-southwest at about 13 mph with gusts
EDWARDSVILLE — Illinois State Police Troop 8 is responding to a crash at the intersection of Edwardsville Road/Illinois Route 143 and Bender Road. The incident has led to the closure of eastbound Edwardsville Road, with traffic being diverted south onto Wanda Road. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to seek alternate routes if possible. The crash occurred on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, and authorities are managing the scene to ensure safety and restore normal traffic flow.
ST. LOUIS — Approximately 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing in the St. Louis area have voted to ratify a new five-year contract, ending a strike that began Aug. 4, 2025. Members are scheduled to return to work Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Boeing manufacturing plants in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah. The agreement includes a 24% wage increase over the life of the contract and a $6,000 signing bonus,
BRIGHTON - Congratulations to the following Class of 2026 students who were selected as Illinois State Scholars: Gage Alexander, Ava Ballard, Bram Beuttel, Taylor Cairns, Madelyn Egelhoff, Madelyn Gordon, Wyatt Lahr, Miranda Lenger, Kinley Lucas, and Amelia Walden. These top-performing high school seniors are selected by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission based on their ACT or SAT test scores and class rank.
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is restoring full USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now that the federal government shutdown has ended. IDHS anticipates that the remaining benefit payments will be made over the coming days, with all SNAP recipients receiving their full November benefits by Nov. 20. The lapse in SNAP funding created unnecessary hardship for 1.9 million Illinoisans and businesses who rely on this federally funded program.
ST. LOUIS — Gateway Arch Park Foundation (“the Foundation”) announced today that demolition is officially underway at the former Millennium Hotel site at 200 S. 4th St., marking yet another step forward for this downtown development. As the structures come down, the Foundation is launching a story-collecting initiative to honor and preserve the countless memories held at the former hotel, in all its iterations. The Foundation’s demolition partner, Spirtas Wrecking Company
OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS – On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany. Frerichs reunited Army Rifleman James R. Bennett’s medal with niece Patti Knies during a ceremony at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. It is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart , an unprecedented mission to reunite the military
GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees recently approved an updated 25-year vision for the village’s future. Village Board members voted unanimously on Nov. 12, 2025 to approve the Glen Carbon 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update . A comprehensive plan essentially serves as a framework for municipalities to guide future policy decisions regarding economic growth and development. The first section of Glen Carbon’s new comprehensive plan outlines the village’s strengths, such a
ALTON - Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Maine on Thursday night, Nov. 13, 2025, as geomagnetic storm conditions continue, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are expected to be visible across parts of the northern United States on Nov. 13, 2025, as charged particles from recent solar eruptions interact with Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions create colorful waves of
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior golfer Rachel Johnson, who was one of the top girls golfers in the St. Louis area this past season, signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, to play for Butler University in Indianapolis during a ceremony at the auditorium of the Jon Davis Wrestling Center. Johnson completed her successful senior season by winning the IHSA Class 2A regional for the third consecutive year, shooting an even-par 72 to win the O'Fallon regional at Tamarack Golf Course in Shiloh
ALTON – In response to the ongoing government shutdown and the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits, Senior Services Plus will provide one free hot meal per day, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meals are available to SNAP recipients of any age as well as to unpaid or furloughed federal workers due to the government shutdown. There is no application or proof of need required; meals must be picked up in person at SSP’s Alton location, 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. Guests
ALTON - Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu invites the community to come together for a “party.” From 4–8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, you can stop by Alton Elite for their grand opening celebration. Free food and drinks, live music, activities for kids and four grand prize giveaways promise a fun evening for all. Owner Adam Marburger noted that the new martial arts academy is the go-to spot for learning life lessons and improving your jiu-jitsu skills. “It’s a place
ALTON - Robert E. Ryan, a World War II veteran and longtime attorney from Alton, died early Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the age of 102. Ryan died at 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Surrey Place in Chesterfield, Mo. Born Sept. 23, 1923, in Alton, Ryan was the son of Martin G. and Mary Therese (Flynn) Ryan. He served as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. In May 1944, his B-17 bomber was shot down near Normandy, and he was captured as a prisoner of war in Germany.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on her vote against Congressional Republicans' funding bill. “My constituents deserve a better deal – one that addresses Republicans’ manufactured healthcare crisis and prevents skyrocketing premiums. This deal failed to deliver those results – and therefore I could not support it. “Soaring premiums in Central and Southern Illinois are forcing families in my district
PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that one lane in each direction of Interstate 270 between Illinois 203 and Illinois 111 in Madison County will close this weekend for guardrail installation. The closure will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and all lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane closure. Drivers are urged to reduce
CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 16 attorneys general, took action to defend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, including many who have lived, worked and raised their families in the United States for years. In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Raoul and the coalition urge the court to uphold a lower court’s ruling that found the administration’s
ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) held a press conference today to call out Governor JB Pritzker for his political posturing. Last month, Governor Pritzker directed his agencies in Executive Order 2025-05 to identify immediate spending reductions, but blamed the Trump Administration rather than his own for the need to rein in spending. Governor Pritzker gave his agencies a deadline of October 23rd to identify areas to cut.
ALTON — A rear-end collision occurred Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, 2025, at the intersection of Golf and Homer Adams in Alton, involving a truck and another vehicle, authorities said. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford reported that a vehicle struck the back of a truck in the crash. "The driver and passenger of the vehicle that struck the back of the truck were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," Chief Ford. Further details about the cause of the accident were
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