EDWARDSVILLE/COLLINSVILLE — The Madison County Republicans kicked off the holiday season with generosity and purpose, launching a baby supply drive in support of ThriVe Metro East Community / Vitality Women’s Clinic during their Christmas Party held at The Outlet by Edison’s in Edwardsville. The Christmas Party welcomed a full house of attendees and marked the official start of the fundraiser, as guests came together to donate much-needed baby supplies for local women and
ALTON — Dylan Dudley has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Alton High School boys basketball program since becoming head coach, leading the Redbirds from struggling seasons to competitive success. The Redbirds appear destined for big success in 2025-2026 under the coach. Dudley said a large part of the turnaround was the dedication of his players, their families, and his assistant coaches. After posting a 4-23 record in the 2021-2022 season and 6-25 in 2022-2023, Alton improved
What if a week-long celebration could serve not just as a festive occasion, but as a guiding philosophy for building stronger communities and fostering personal growth? Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday observed by millions, does exactly that. Often overshadowed by mainstream holidays, Kwanzaa holds profound significance through its foundational principles that resonate far beyond the seven days of celebration. The Origins and Purpose of Kwanzaa Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga,
December 26th has been a date marked by events of profound impact and wide-ranging significance across the globe. From natural disasters that reshaped landscapes and societies to cultural milestones that continue to inspire, this day offers a rich tapestry of history worth exploring. Arguably the most impactful event associated with December 26 occurred in 2004, when a devastating undersea earthquake struck off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This magnitude 9.1–9.3 earthquake
ILLINOIS – Direct Source Seafood LLC announced a recall of approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp imported from Indonesia due to possible contamination with cesium-137, a man-made radioactive isotope. The shrimp, sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands, may have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions that exposed the product to low levels of cesium-137. Two-pound bags under the Waterfront Bistro brand were sold at Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, and Lucky
EDWARDSVILLE – Local authorities have charged three individuals in separate but similar felony cases of possession of stolen vehicles. Scott H. Butler, 30, of Shipman, was charged in two separate felony cases of motor vehicle offenses filed on Dec. 16, 2025. Butler was charged in the first case with a Class 2 felony count of offenses related to motor vehicles after allegedly knowingly possessing a stolen 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX1000 motorcycle bearing an Illinois registration number on
ALTON – A St. Louis man faces a felony charge after driving in Alton with a fake “PRIVATE” license plate while his driver’s license had been revoked. 43-year-old Howard A. Penn of St. Louis was charged with a Class 2 felony for possession of a stolen title/certificate/license plate and a Class A misdemeanor for driving while his license had been revoked or suspended on Dec. 22, 2025. Penn is accused of knowingly possessing a forged or counterfeit license plate and operating
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Police are investigating a shooting early Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2025, at The VIP Club, a nightclub located on the 4700 block of Bond Avenue in Cahokia Heights. Law enforcement agencies from Cahokia Heights, Fairmont City, Sauget, and the Illinois State Police responded to the incident. The Illinois State Police Forensic Services is assisting with the investigation, according to a statement released Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. At least one person may have been shot inside
HAZELWOOD, Mo. - Tony’s Donuts & Cafe’s Hazelwood location suffered significant interior damage from a fire on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025 , prompting the business to temporarily close the affected site while continuing operations at its Maryland Heights location. The fire broke out at the Hazelwood shop, located at 6045 Howdershell Road, according to officials from the Robertson and Hazelwood fire departments, who responded to reports of a commercial structure fire
Friday starts off mostly sunny and warm with temperatures around 43 in the morning. By afternoon, highs will reach a comfortable 64. Winds pick up from the WNW at 10 to 20 mph gusts. As evening falls, expect partly cloudy skies with areas of late-night fog and temperatures dropping to 43 overnight with a chilly feels like near 38. Saturday begins with some morning fog, then it turns partly sunny with highs around 61 and lows at 58. Winds come from the southeast at 10 to 22 mph gusts. Showers appea
SPRINGFIELD - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has announced that it recently achieved national reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation (C.O.A.) during its centennial year celebration. This accomplishment signifies that Catholic Charities has successfully implemented best practice standards in the field of human services. C.O.A. evaluated all aspects of Catholic Charities’ programs, services, management, and administration. Since 1925, Catholic
SPRINGFIELD – This holiday season, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 law enforcement agencies are joining forces for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The effort reminds the public that law enforcement will adopt a zero-tolerance approach, focusing not only impaired drivers but also seat belt violations, speeding, distracted driving and other traffic offenses. From rural routes and small-town streets to
ILLINOIS – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of attorneys general opposing the Trump administration’s efforts to gut data reporting and recordkeeping requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of widely used toxic chemicals that do not naturally break down in the environment, more commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” In a comment letter sent to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, the attorneys
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a federal judge ruled the U.S. Department of Education acted unlawfully by abruptly discontinuing grants to fund extra mental health professionals in K-12 schools. The decision came after Raoul and a coalition of 16 attorneys general filed a lawsuit in July arguing the department violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) when it told grantees in April that it would discontinue the mental health grants program because they
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE - Team Scott has selected 20 community leaders from the St. Louis metropolitan region to join its 2027 Class of Honorary Commanders. The Honorary Commander program provides a two-year, in-depth orientation to the missions, programs, and assets of Scott Air Force Base. It aims to educate and increase community leaders' knowledge and understanding of the military and the installation. The program matches each honorary commander with a military counterpart to build one-on-one
SPRINGFIELD – December has arrived with its usual charm, weather, and holiday zeal. Now is the time for gatherings, celebrations, meals and conversations, and a reminder to plan ahead throughout the winter season. December is recognized as “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month,” an awareness campaign for the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. During the holiday season, alcohol consumption often increases which can quickly lead
HAZELWOOD, Mo. — A fire on Christmas night caused significant damage to Tony’s Donut and Cafe, a popular local business. The Robertson and Hazelwood fire departments responded to reports of a commercial structure fire at 6045 Howdershell Road on December, 25, 2025. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the building. A ladder truck was deployed to access the roof, and crews cut a hole to ventilate the structure. The interior of the shop sustained smoke and
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration quietly implemented a policy banning the VA from providing abortion care to Veterans and their families—including in cases of rape, incest or to protect the health of the mother—despite widespread opposition from advocates and the Veteran community: “Our Veterans risked their lives to safeguard our freedoms. And yet a man who has never
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to ensure the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot issue a declaration that baselessly and unlawfully threatens health care professionals who provide medically necessary gender-affirming health care to young people. The secretary’s declaration falsely claims that certain forms of gender-affirming care are “unsafe
WOOD RIVER - Riverbend kids had the opportunity to enjoy a shopping spree with the Alton branch of the NAACP. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2025, 25 kids from across the Riverbend region met with NAACP leaders at the Wood River Walmart. Each child was paired with an adult and had $200 to spend however they wanted. NAACP Youth Council President Tori Porter noted the importance of giving kids this opportunity to celebrate the holidays. “We try to help them out, or at least put smiles on the
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