ALTON – The Alton Amphitheater is heading into the 2026 season with a new production partner as the venue plans to welcome back multiple mainstay events. Alton City Council members unanimously approved a series of amphitheater-related resolutions at their March 11, 2026 meeting. These include two event requests for the Mississippi Earthtones Festival and the Porch Café Music Festival in Honor of Bud Summers, as well as the engagement of Contemporary Productions for the 2026 Alton
ALTON - Charges have been filed against an Alton resident after a man was fatally shot in the early morning of March 10, 2026, in the 700 block of Oakwood Estates, Alton Police said on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Alton Police Department said the victim was identified as John T. Anthony, 42, of Alton. Police said the case was presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, led by State’s Attorney Tom Haine, and that charges were issued in connection with the shooting.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) were joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 39 of their Senate colleagues today in pressing the Department of Defense for answers on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran, that reportedly killed at least 168 people and the civilian casualties
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - A brief tornado with peak winds of 94 mph moved through rural parts of southern St. Clair County early March 11, 2026, damaging mainly trees and outbuildings, the National Weather Service survey crews in St. Louis have determined. The EF-1 tornado hit rural areas near Marissa, Lenzburg, and St. Libory in St. Clair County. Survey crews said the tornado’s path length was 2.6 miles and its maximum width was 300 yards. No injuries or fatalities were reported in the St.
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, slammed Senate Republicans for blocking a bill that would fund every agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—except U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and the Office of the Secretary—while negotiations continue to rein
SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening research efforts to help fight childhood cancer and improve outcomes for young patients across Illinois. Senate Bill 3954 would create the Illinois Pediatric Cancer Fund, a special fund within the State Treasury Department dedicated to supporting research, prevention, and treatment efforts related to pediatric cancer. The fund would provide grants to physicians, hospitals,
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined a coalition of 19 governors from across the country urging congressional leaders to take action following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling which found that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. In a joint letter to Congressional leadership, the Governors warned that sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration over the past year have caused significant economic
ST. LOUIS — A former Florissant, Mo., police officer who illegally searched the phones of 20 women for nude photos during traffic stops was sentenced Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,681 in restitution, according to information from the U.S. District Court. The U.S. District Court reported that Julian Alcala, 31, pulled the women over while on duty, in uniform, and in a marked police vehicle between Feb. 6, 2024, and May 18, 2024. Alcala took mobile
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in leading a bipartisan push to increase access to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for Veterans pursuing apprenticeships. The Senators’ Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act would allow Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries pursuing On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Apprenticeship (APP) programs to have access to the full
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today criticizing the Trump Administration for disregarding Americans’ concerns with the rising costs of food, power, housing, health care, and more. President Trump has previously dismissed the affordability crisis we are facing in the U.S. as a “hoax.” “Our job as elected officials is to give Americans a helping hand to afford these necessities. Sadly, the Administration has
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure to increase access to life-saving mental health resources and strengthen suicide prevention efforts across the state. “This measure takes crucial steps to ensure help is always within reach for those in crisis,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This will give residents additional resources they may need to stay safe and feel supported.” Belt’s measure would require numerous public buildings across Illinois
MORO, IL. - The National Weather Service in St. Louis has confirmed that two EF-1 tornadoes moved through the Metro East early Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, including one in Moro, Illinois, and the other in St. Clair County. Jayson Gosselin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, confirmed the information. More will be in another story about the St. Clair County tornado. According to NWS officials, the first confirmed tornado traveled 1.6 miles and had peak winds
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), today reintroduced the Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act , legislation that will establish an interagency committee tasked with improving coordination of federal oversight of for-profit colleges to ensure that students are not scammed out of an education and into a mountain
CHICAGO - The Illinois Poison Center (IPC), the nation’s oldest poison center, joins poison centers around the country to raise awareness about poison dangers and educate the public on ways to further protect their loved ones during National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), which runs from March 15 – 21. This year’s theme is “When the Unexpected Happens, We’re Here for You.” For more than 70 years, poison centers have provided vital information and resources
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today launched IHDAccess Home ( Access Home ), a new program offering up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers statewide. The initiative expands IHDA’s popular Access mortgage suite and is designed to help more working families achieve homeownership amid rising housing costs. This announcement follows Governor Pritzker’s proposed FY27 Budget
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in support of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which is being targeted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over recommendations that run counter to the Trump administration’s preferred policies. The coalition filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit filed by the Illinois-based AAP challenging the FTC’s improperly motivated demands that the organization turn over extensive
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 will host a Senior Breakfast on Friday, April 17 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at Edwardsville High School for senior members of the District 7 community. The new event is designed to strengthen relationships with senior residents while providing an opportunity to hear district updates, meet administrators, ask questions, and engage in conversation about District 7 schools. Guests will also enjoy a special performance by the Edwardsville
SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened local park district leaders from Springfield, Champaign, and Grandview to celebrate the successful award of state funding that her office helped them secure. In recent months, Congresswoman Budzinski’s office has held a series of workshops to assist local organizations and municipalities with identifying and applying for grants – specifically Illinois’ Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD
ALTON – OSF Medical Group’s diabetes and endocrinology program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. This recognition affirms that OSF Medical Group consistently meets the ADA’s national standards for high-quality diabetes care, providing patients with effective self-management education and support. “This recognition from the American Diabetes Association is an important validation o
ALTON - Senior Services Plus offers a Rock Steady Boxing program for individuals with Parkinson’s, and the community can come together to celebrate the boxers and learn more about local resources at an upcoming event. From 4–6 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, Senior Services Plus will offer their “Raise a Glove” event. The evening starts with a health fair from 4–5 p.m. featuring informational booths from local organizations to help people with Parkinson’s
stLouIST