EDWARDSVILLE — With doors wide open to neighbors experiencing homelessness and those less fortunate, Madison County shared a Thanksgiving meal rooted in compassion and community. Madison County employees served a free Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in the cafeteria of the Madison County Administration Building. The event was funded entirely through donations from elected officials, local business owners, and county employees, with no taxpayer dollars used. “This
EDWARDSVILLE — Snowfall began early Saturday morning, Nov. 29, 2025, in the Edwardsville area, resulting in nearly six inches of accumulation by 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, which emerged as the leader in the Metro East. Shown above are images of the depth and drifting of snow in the Edwardsville area on Saturday morning. Local news outlets encouraged people to share snow-related photos by emailing news@riverbender.com or texting (618) 623-5930 for publication in
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general in expressing opposition to a renewed effort by Congress to ban states from enforcing any state law or regulation addressing artificial intelligence (AI). Raoul and a bipartisan group of attorneys general successfully opposed a similar proposed ban over the summer. However, recent reporting indicates that lawmakers may be considering inserting a state AI law ban into a military funding proposal.
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul secured an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ensuring the DOJ will not apply harmful restrictions to critical Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) services supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Last month, Attorney General Raoul co-led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general suing the DOJ over unlawful new conditions that threatened to cut off critical legal services for
ST. LOUIS — The National Weather Service in St. Louis reported significant snowfall across the region early Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, with accumulations reaching up to close to 6 inches in some areas, leading to hazardous travel conditions. The National Weather Service in St. Louis said snow began around 3 a.m. Saturday in the Metro East area, with amounts varying notably between locations. In Illinois, as of 8 a.m. on Saturday, the NWS said Edwardsville recorded 5.7 inches, Granite City
When a child is struggling to breathe, it can be one of the most frightening experiences for a parent or caregiver. Labored breathing, known as respiratory distress, can develop quickly and may signal a serious underlying illness. Knowing what to look for, and when to seek care, can make all the difference in protecting your children. “It’s important for parents and caregivers to know the signs of labored breathing, also known as respiratory distress,” says Kelsey Grimes,
O’FALLON, Ill. — Expecting a bundle of joy? New and expectant moms and their families will be treated to a holiday baby shower of educational resources about pregnancy, newborns, child safety and more at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s Women and Infants Center’s “Bundles for Babies” event on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital’s lobby. “Our Women and Infants staff and providers will be on hand to answer
BELLEVILLE — Three students from Alton High School delivered a standout performance at the District 6 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Festival held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Belleville West High School. Quinn Halliday on trumpet, Morgan Alexander on horn, and Wesley LeBrun on percussion represented their school and band program during the event. Their participation contributed to the festival’s showcase of regional student musicians. The festival, a gathering
PONTOON BEACH — In an effort to ensure that unhoused individuals in Madison County remain safe and warm during bouts of extreme cold, Madison County Transit (MCT) will provide emergency transportation to overnight warming locations when those locations activate due to temperatures reaching 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. At its meeting last Thursday, the MCT Board of Trustees approved utilizing on-duty extra-board drivers to pick up individuals from MCT bus stops and stations and transpor
SAINT LOUIS - Winterfest has returned to St. Louis. Gateway Arch Park Foundation will host Winterfest from now until Jan. 11, 2026, in Kiener Plaza. Complete with ice skating, igloos, lights, markets, special events and more, Winterfest promises to be a fun experience for families and couples to enjoy. “We are just excited to have everybody down,” said Camille Brooks with the foundation. “The rink is set and ready for everybody to come hang out with us. The backdrop,
MADISON COUNTY — Alice Pierce, 28, has been charged with four counts of child pornography, a Class X felony, following an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrimes Division. The investigation began Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after the division received multiple Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an unknown individual was in possession of and disseminating child pornography. Detectives served multiple search
Winter weather arrived in Illinois early on Saturday, November 29, 2025, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions across the region, according to the Illinois State Police and the National Weather Service. The snowfall began Saturday morning, with a few inches already on the ground by 7:30 a.m. The National Weather Service forecast predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow in central and northern Illinois, with accumulating snow expected to persist into Saturday. The NWS said the snow is moving fro
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man reportedly seen on video burglarizing a garage and stealing a dirt bike before fleeing from police faces felony and misdemeanor charges. Grant S. White Jr., 26, of Granite City, was charged with one count each of residential burglary (a Class 2 felony), unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony), and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). White allegedly entered a Granite City residence without legal
ALTON — Two women and a man were bitten by a pit bull Thursday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2025, at a residence on Hale Drive in Alton, prompting a multi-agency emergency response. The Alton Fire Department received the alarm at 12:36 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for two subjects bitten by a pit bull in the 2300 block of Hale Drive. The Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief and eight total AFD personnel responded, including ambulances 1843 and 1844 and engine 1811, along with an Alton Police
SPRINGFIELD – As hunters prepare for the second firearm deer season of 2025 and additional hunting seasons, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) cautions everyone to be mindful of rules and best practices surrounding the use of technology in the field. This includes the use of drones for recovering wildlife, artificial intelligence for reviewing hunting laws, and e-bikes to access hunting sites. Drones The use of unmanned aircraft, or drones, for any aspect of hunting
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting California’s motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit demanding complete, unredacted voter registration information. The brief, filed in U.S. v. Shirley Weber, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, explains that the federal government’s demand is part of a larger effort to build a master database containing sensitive information
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Joseph Ward, of Belleville, Illinois, recently earned the Korean Defense Service Medal for serving on active duty in support of the defense of South Korea while assigned to Commander, Naval Forces Korea (CNFK). Ward graduated from Belleville Township High School East in 1996 and has served in the Navy for 29 years. “Any award a senior leader gets is based on the success of the team,” Ward said. “The team here at U.S
SPRINGFIELD - It’s that time of year, when deals are aplenty and everyone makes their wish lists. But it’s important not to go overboard and to make sure you are shopping safely. “Everyone wants to find the perfect presents for their loved ones, but you also don’t want to close out the year with an overdrawn bank account and a mountain of credit card debt,” said Comptroller Mendoza. The concern is real. The National Retail Federation is predicting retail holiday
ROXANA — The Roxana School Board announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that Dr. Courtney Castelli will become the district’s new superintendent beginning in 2026, succeeding Debra Kreutztrager, who is retiring at the end of the current school year. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Castelli’s appointment. She currently serves as superintendent of the Smithton School District in Smithton, Missouri, which has an enrollment of 535 students. Castelli brings more than 20 years of experienc
EDWARDSVILLE – Whether you prefer joyful holiday concerts, classic movies, outdoor festivals, ice skating or a grand tree lighting, it’s all happening in Edwardsville. “The holidays are a special time in Edwardsville, with a fantastic mix of family-friendly events and opportunities to celebrate the season,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, whether you like cozy indoor fun or want to explore some crisp, cool outdoor attractions.”
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