HIGHLAND - Noemi Abbati, an exchange student from Italy currently attending Highland High School, is making a notable impact on the student body this semester. According to Todd Strong, a social studies teacher at the school, Abbati’s openness in sharing her culture and perspectives is helping to break down stereotypes and labels among students. Strong nominated Abbati for a Rising Star honor. Abbati, who excels academically despite facing the challenges of studying unfamiliar subjects,
ALTON - Senior Services Plus, Inc. (SSP), located at 2603 N. Rodgers Avenue in Alton, will host a "Meet the Legislators" panel discussion on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM. Proudly sponsored by AARP Illinois, the event will feature District Director Brian Zilm from U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski's office, State Senator Erica Harriss, and State Representative Amy Elik. These legislators will discuss key topics and issues impacting the older adult community, followed b
EDWARDSVILLE — Austin L. Mullins, 22, of Alton pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Jacob “Jake” Wall, 23, of Wood River, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. The shooting occurred on July 24, 2023, during a party in Wood River. The State's Attorney's Office said Mullins admitted to fatally shooting Wall in connection with the incident. Mullins entered the plea in Madison County Circuit Court before Judge
ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as winter weather further impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Individuals who may be eligible are urged to give blood and platelets as soon as it is safe for them to travel to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed. The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. The recent storm impacting half the U.S. population has canceled blood drives in nearly every state
NEW BADEN, Ill. — A search and recovery operation was launched Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, afternoon after a man fell through the ice of a pond near Clinton County Line Road and Renth Road and did not resurface. The New Baden Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Monday to the scene, where a male individual was reported to have fallen through the ice. A dive team from the Swansea Fire Department was called in shortly after, and multiple fire departments and emergency
ALTON - As 2026 begins, Glisson Law is proud to announce a significant contribution to a Donor Advised Fund, reinforcing the firm’s long-term commitment to supporting local and national nonprofit organizations. Through this fund, Glisson Law will make monthly charitable contributions, ensuring sustained and meaningful community support for years to come. A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a philanthropic vehicle that allows charitable contributions to be distributed thoughtfully and sustainably
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Conservation Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Conservation Achievement Scholarships, which will award up to four one-time scholarships of $2,000 each to Illinois high school seniors committed to conserving the state’s natural resources. The scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated sustained, voluntary dedication to preserving, protecting, enhancing or promoting Illinois’ lands, waters and wildlife. One scholarship is
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker announced today a $50 million grant opportunity is available through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. The funding will support the Community Health Center Construction Grants for Federally Qualified Health Centers and look-alikes at a time when the Trump administration is cutting critical healthcare funding. The grant opportunity expands access to healthcare services by facilitating the construction or renovation of community-based health care facilities,
SPRINGFIELD – As winter weather brings extreme cold across Illinois, fire safety officials are urging residents to use extra caution when heating their homes. Frigid temperatures often lead people to rely more heavily on heating systems and alternative heat sources, which can increase the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if proper safety precautions are not followed. In 2024, Illinois fire departments responded to 9,860 carbon monoxide (CO) related calls across the
CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today awarded more than $17 million in funding to 39 program recipients, serving up to nearly 2,000 community members statewide, to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The program creates a qualified talent pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades. “Here in Illinois, we’re investing in our world-class workforce and creating opportunities
SPRINGFIELD – The Secretary of State’s office is making it easier and faster for Illinois-based commercial trucking firms to renew their federal registration credentials by expanding online filing and payment options. Companies with fewer than 250 vehicles can now complete International Registration Plan (IRP) renewals online by uploading their IRS-issued Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) Form 2290 and submitting payment electronically. Once required documents are confirmed, registration
SPRINGFIELD – This is Identity Theft Awareness Week and Comptroller Mendoza is offering advice to help consumers protect themselves. “One of the most important things to remember is that ID theft can happen to anyone, even your children” Comptroller Mendoza said. “That’s why it’s so important to safeguard personal information and keep an eye on bank accounts and credit cards.” Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal or financial information
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services has extended the Code Blue level 4 activation level through Friday morning, meaning 600+ emergency shelter beds, in addition to the baseline of 400, are available in the city day and night, and transportation to shelter will continue. More than 600 emergency shelter beds have been available every day since Friday, Jan. 23, and capacity has not been exceeded during the level 4 activation. Walk-up shelter remains available at
SPRINGFIELD – Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Patrick Ewing collectible basketball cards and comics featuring the Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Spawn are just some of the notable items available at the online ICash auction Jan. 23-Feb. 1, 2026. “Valentine’s Day may never be the same,” said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, whose office oversees unclaimed property in Illinois. “Whether your valentine collects coins, comics, or cupids,
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of colleagues in releasing the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) newly-completed report on systemic failures at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that resulted in years of deficient medical care. The report was requested in December 2023 after the death of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, an eight-year-old girl with sickle cell and congenital
FREEBURG - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has named a local salon, Cut Color & Create, as his ‘Business of The Month’ for January. Rep. Schmidt presented salon owner Jill Marmon with a certificate from the House of Representatives that recognizes her dedication to supporting the community with salon services. “Jill is doing a tremendous job with her small business in Freeburg and has been a staple in the community for over thirty years,” said Schmidt.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Trump’s lawless masked agents publicly and remorselessly executed another American citizen in broad daylight yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight announced that she will seek to force the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to deploy criminal investigators and other personnel to conduct transparent and independent investigations, in coordination with state law enforcement authorities, into
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in December, up +0.2 percentage point from November, and down -0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised November unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in December, up +11,800 (+0.2%) to 6,159,300. The November
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the fall 2025 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. The following students earned a place on the list: Granite City, IL Ella Wilmsmeyer Isa Wilmsmeyer Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Terrell Jackson, 22, of Florissant, Mo., has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies following a head-on crash that killed two passengers and injured two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers, authorities said Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The charges include: Two counts of Murder 2nd Degree - Felony Murder - During Perpetration/Attempted Perpetration/Flight from Perpetration of a Felony, a Person Dies Two counts of Assault
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