Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a court dismissed a motion for summary judgment filed by the drugmakers seeking to toss key elements of an ongoing drug price-fixing case. Illinois and a coalition of nearly all states and territories filed three antitrust lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and executives that allege conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and unreasonably restrain the trade of generic drugs, accounting

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Springfield entrepreneur Rafael Joseph is bringing a new level of innovation to residential roofing with the recent launch of SmarT coaT, a system designed to extend the life of aging roofs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. A Navy veteran and founder of Seraphim, Rafael has spent more than two decades improving housing through sustainable technologies. Drawing on his experience as a Trident II missile technician aboard the USS Pennsylvania, Rafae

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health today released the following statement from Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in response to the actions of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): “Since universal newborn vaccination began in 1991, hepatitis B infection among U.S. children dropped by 99%. Today, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to remove its long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will hold a hearing next Thursday, December 11, to receive sworn testimony directly from the Trump Administration’s Department of Defense (DoD) on Trump’s unlawful and unconstitutional domestic deployments of American military troops to intimidate Americans in their own communities. “Across the United States, Donald Trump has illegally

ALTON - Attorney Keith Short has some practical advice for anyone who is in a car accident. “The number one thing I would tell people to do is, as soon as possible after the accident, make a log of everything you can remember about it,” he said. “The absolute first mistake, absolutely, is not recording everything you can immediately after it occurred. That means going to the doctor and saying, this happened, and telling them the truth. Telling the police officer the

JERSEY - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of November are Michael Roberts (11) & Myla Stamper (10). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, that acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each

ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy , a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, joined forces with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Springfield Urban League, and other local agencies for an expungement and sealing summit on Oct. 18 at Community Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Jacksonville. “It is rewarding to dedicate time to this worthwhile cause, helping attendees overcome the barriers to self-improvement, education and re-enterin

COLLINSVILLE — Zack Jenny has been named the 2025 Firefighter of the Year by Collinsville Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2625. Jenny, a firefighter and paramedic with the City since 2018, was recognized for his significant contributions to the department. Jenny serves as the chair of the ambulance committee and leads ambulance maintenance efforts. In addition, he is an active member of the Madison County Technical Rescue Team and the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard. The

SPRINGFIELD - Several initiatives spearheaded by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will take effect in the new year. “This past legislative session delivered some big wins for Illinoisans that will make a real difference in their everyday lives,” Giannoulias said. “These laws move us closer to our goals of making our roads safer, ensuring our libraries have the tools they need to serve their communities and creating a more efficient and responsive government.”

ALTON — About 50 to 60 students from the Alton School District shopped alongside police officers Saturday morning, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Alton Target store during the annual Shop with a Cop event, an initiative designed to strengthen community ties and create positive experiences between law enforcement and local youth. Each child received $200 to spend on gifts, with many choosing presents for siblings and parents as well as items for themselves. The toy and electronics sections were especiall

GRANITE CITY - Photographer Brayden Cook of BC Photography in Granite City captured drone footage and images of the large-scale police operation around 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Cook noted that officers responded to a tip that the suspect was hiding under a back porch, but the individual was not found there. At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, a Granite City police officer was shot near the Pizza Hut located at 2811 Madison Avenue. In response, more than 100 law enforcement officers launche

ALTON - The Alton Police Department officially welcomed Officer Mathew Wilson to its ranks at the beginning of November. Wilson, who has been attending the Illinois State Police Academy, was sworn in to serve the Alton community. The Alton Police Department expressed confidence in Wilson’s performance at the academy and highlighted its anticipation for his contributions to maintaining professionalism within the force. “We look forward to having him serve the Alton community

ALTON – An Alton Police investigation has led to a local man’s arrest after police found messages of him grooming and soliciting someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child. Charles D. Sanders, 52, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 4, 2025, with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 3 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From Oct. 17-25, 2025, Sanders allegedly knowingly solicited an individual he believed to be

ST. LOUIS/CHICAGO - Theta Hughes, 27, was reported missing after last being seen at the St. Louis Amtrak station on the morning of Dec. 3, 2025. Authorities say Hughes boarded a train at 6:35 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2025, in St. Louis and was scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 11:40 a.m., but she never reached her destination. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, she was found and reported recovering in a hospital near Chicago. Hughes was last spotted near Union Station on the 500 block of West Jackson Boulevard

BUZZ MAGAZINE – For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, your odds in Illinois are not good. And while we commonly associate Christmas in the Land of Lincoln with cold weather, the average highs on Santa’s big day are surprisingly moderate. The National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having at least an inch of snow on the ground by 6 a.m. on Christmas morning. In much of the state, that happens less than half of the time. For the St. Louis metro area, historically

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 delayed dismissal for some students on December 5, 2025, following an incident in the community earlier that day. A Granite City Police officer was shot around 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in an incident near Pizza World in Granite City, just down the street from Granite City High School. Granite City School District officials credited the Granite City Police Department for their cooperation and communication during the event,

BUZZ MAGAZINE – Most people have fond childhood memories of varying places and experiences. Sadly, too many have seen the places that held those memories succumb to disrepair and ultimately demolition. Such was about to happen to the Lincoln Square Theater in Decatur just a few years ago until Lavelle Hunt and friends stepped in. Designed by the distinguished local architectural firm of Aschauer and Waggoner, the theater was built in the captivating Art Nouveau and Beaux Arts styles,

MARYVILLE – A man accused of fleeing from police is among two Missouri residents facing felony charges in Madison County after allegedly possessing stolen vehicles. Wardell Wilson, 38, of Florissant, Mo. was charged on Nov. 14, 2025 with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony. Wilson was allegedly knowingly in possession of a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan bearing a Missouri registration number on April 15, 2025 which he reportedly knew had been stolen.

GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel announced it will restart one of its blast furnaces at Granite City Works, leading to new job opportunities in the Metro East region, Gov. JB Pritzker said, and he is ecstatic about the decision. The decision, driven by consumer demand, will bring new, good-paying jobs and significant investment to the facility, Pritzker stated in a news release. He credited collaboration among the state government, community members, elected leaders—including Congresswoman

ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that John A. Barnerd, firm partner and management committee member, was named to St. Louis Small Business Monthly magazine’s “Top People To Know in Southern Illinois” list for 2025. Published every December, the list recognizes and celebrates Southern Illinois influencers who are helping to drive the success of regional businesses.