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WEST FRANKFORT – American Federation of Teachers, Local 817, President Tim Aldridge issued the following statement today after CUSD Dist. #168 filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against the union on September 29. “The charges filed on Monday by CUSD #168 against the teachers in AFT Local 817 are simply false. Frankly, they are a sad attempt to distract parents and our community from the board’s unwillingness to fulfill their responsibility to reach a fair agreement after five months of bargaining. "Let’s be clear: Superintendent Donkin and school board members have demanded unfair, harmful cuts that will hurt students and our schools and drive teachers to other districts. Rather than focusing on reaching an agreement that serves students, teachers, and our community, they are retaliating against teachers for exercising our legal rights and responsibilities. "As we stated in the Unfair Labor Practice charge our union filed last week, Donkin and the school

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EAST ALTON - The East Alton First United Methodist Church invites community members to their annual trunk-or-treat and haunted house. On Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, kids and families can enjoy the trunk-or-treat from 6–7 p.m. in the church parking lot. The haunted house — an inflatable maze with jumpscares — will be open from 5–8 p.m. that evening. “We’re trying to beat the rush,” said Angela Sarandis with the church. “We love doing things for the community. With us being right across the street from the school, we have to do fun things, and this is one of our fun things.” Located at 1001 3rd Street in East Alton, the church hosts many community events year-round. But Sarandis is especially looking forward to the trunk-or-treat. She said the church has hosted the Halloween event for 15 years now, starting before trunk-or-treats were popular and welcoming over 700 people every year. This year’s trunk-or-treat will featur

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BELLEVILLE — A student was taken into custody Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 2025, after being found with a firearm at Belleville East High School, authorities said. At approximately 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, a Belleville Police Department School Resource Officer and school staff were alerted by a student that another student was in possession of a firearm on campus. The Belleville Police Department said the student was immediately isolated, and a search conducted by the School Resource Officer uncovered the weapon. The juvenile is currently in custody at the Belleville Police Department pending further court proceedings. Officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to students or staff. “The safety of the students and staff was of the highest priority,” the Belleville Police Department said in a statement. “Upon the initial report being received, the Belleville Police Department and Belleville East High School staff acted swiftly to isolate the student

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EAST ALTON — Excitement is in the air at a local East Alton retail store after selling a Powerball ticket worth a cool $1 million. The winning ticket was sold at Dairy Fresh Rosewood, located at 740 E. Airline Drive in East Alton. “I was dancing as soon as I walked in this morning — words can’t explain how excited we all are,” said Brian Patel, store owner. “We don’t know who the winner is yet, but we’re hoping it’s one of our regulars. Whoever it is, we’re thrilled for them and look forward to celebrating together.” One lucky player matched all five numbers in the Monday, September 29, drawing to win the $1 million prize. The winning numbers were: 1-3-27-60-65. This marks the largest prize ever sold at Dairy Fresh Rosewood since Patel took ownership six years ago. “We’ve sold a number of winning tickets over the years, but this one tops them all,” he added. As an added bonus, Illinois Lottery

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 34-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle early Saturday morning, Sept. 27, 2025, near the intersection of West Florissant Avenue and Northport Hills Drive, according to St. Louis County Police. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at 2:37 a.m. Sept. 27. 2025, to a reported motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, they found the woman with injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. She was transported to a local hospital, where she died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The victim was identified as Ciera Steele of the 9100 block of Mill Pass Lane in St. Louis. Police said no witnesses came forward, and the vehicle or vehicles involved did not remain at the scene. The Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction detectives are actively investigating the incident. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A 26-year-old East St. Louis man has been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery following a multi-year investigation into a deadly 2021 robbery, Illinois State Police announced Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Montel Harkins faces a Class M felony charge for first-degree murder and a Class X felony charge for armed robbery related to the June 5, 2021, shooting death of 27-year-old Kaleb Davis of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The incident occurred near 14th Street and Division Avenue in East St. Louis. Illinois State Police Special Agents were called in by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with the homicide investigation after officers found Davis deceased from gunshot wounds at the scene. The joint investigation by ISP’s Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Major Crimes Unit and ESLPD determined that Harkins allegedly attempted to rob Davis at gunpoint when shots were fired, resulting in Davis’s fatal injuries. On September

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MADISON COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the newly reconstructed interchange at Interstate 270 and Illinois 111 will open to traffic this afternoon, Sept. 30, weather permitting. The $25.1 million project was completed 20 days ahead of schedule, marking another major investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure. The new, modern interchange, located in the heart of the warehouse district in Pontoon Beach and Edwardsville, features a diverging diamond design that improves traffic flow and enhances safety throughout the area. Beginning this afternoon, all ramps and lanes will be fully reopened. While construction will continue off the road to complete the project, the timing of any future traffic restrictions will be announced in advance. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and remain alert for workers and equipment. Funded by the Illinois Competitive

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a variety of fall events available for patrons to enjoy. Executive Director Mary Cordes emphasized that the library’s goal is to share their resources with the community. From their materials to their databases to their programs, they hope to inform and entertain. She noted that the events aim to draw people into the library so they can learn more about the services they offer. “The whole point is to get people to realize the value of your library in the community,” Cordes said. “Truly, I can’t think of one instance where, if you’ve got something going on, you can’t come to us. You can deal with it right at the library, check something out and take it home, download something to help you with it. I can’t think of a life instance where the library wouldn’t help you.” For kids, there’s a special story time planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at the Alton

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department officially welcomed two new officers during a swearing-in ceremony held Monday evening, Sept. 29, 2025. Officer Blake Melton, DSN 242, joins the department as a lateral transfer from the Nashville, Illinois, police department, where he served for two years. Before that, Melton briefly worked with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Isaac Bourque, DSN 243, brings nine years of experience from the United States Air Force, including service as a Military Working Dog Handler. Melton has already begun a 14-week Field Training Program and is expected to be ready for solo patrol duty by late December. Bourque will attend the Transition Academy at Southwestern Illinois College and is projected to start solo patrol in early 2026. The department expressed pride and excitement in welcoming the new officers to Collinsville.

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis Senior High School’s Beta Club has qualified for the national competition in the Collaboration Connections category, the East St. Louis School District 189 announced. The competition tests teams on teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership through real-time performance-based challenges using only the materials provided. Participants must apply higher-level skills and think quickly to succeed. “This competition is no ordinary challenge — it’s an adrenaline-pumping test of teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership,” the district said in a statement. “In short: it’s all about brainpower, collaboration, and quick thinking — and our scholars rose to the occasion.” The East St. Louis School District officials expressed pride in the students’ hard work and dedication, congratulating the Beta Club scholars as they prepare to advance to nationals.

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MADISON COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the newly reconstructed interchange at Interstate 270 and Illinois 111 will open to traffic this afternoon, Sept. 30, weather permitting. The $25.1 million project was completed 20 days ahead of schedule, marking another major investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure. The new, modern interchange, located in the heart of the warehouse district in Pontoon Beach and Edwardsville, features a diverging diamond design that improves traffic flow and enhances safety throughout the area. Beginning this afternoon, all ramps and lanes will be fully reopened. While construction will continue off the road to complete the project, the timing of any future traffic restrictions will be announced in advance. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and remain alert for workers and equipment. Funded by the Illinois Competitive Freight

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured a significant victory to protect Illinois’ energy programs, after the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon found that the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) cap on state energy program funding is illegal. In a ruling from the bench today, Judge Mustafa Kasubhai granted a motion for summary judgment Raoul and a multistate coalition filed, concluding that the DOE’s policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The policy would have slashed reimbursements for staffing and administrative costs and threatened millions of dollars for essential energy programs. “Improving energy efficiency by increasing clean energy is good for the environment, state economies and our workers,” Raoul said. “The Department of Energy’s cap on indirect and employee benefit costs would severely jeopardize programs that are essential to states’ efforts to modernize and improve energy grid efficiency,

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced the dates for the next EV Rebate Program application cycle, as well as updates to the program that reflect legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2025. Program requirements are included on the Illinois EPA’s EV Rebate Program webpage . The next application cycle for the EV Rebate Program will open Tuesday, October 28, 2025, and run through Saturday, January 31, 2026. Change to the definition of low-income applicant: A “low-income applicant” is defined as “persons and families whose income does not exceed 80% of the regional or county median income for the current State fiscal year, as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Illinois Income Limits by metropolitan area and county.” Median income can be found on the HUD website at Illinois Low Income Limits by County. Longer time

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District will host their fourth annual Local Author Book Fair in December, and they’re looking for writers. On Dec. 6, 2025, at Alton Square Mall, community members can browse books by local authors and get to know the writing community in the Riverbend. Writers are encouraged to reach out to Hayner Library for more information about securing a booth at the festival. Executive Director Mary Cordes warns that the 25 available booths will go quickly. “The big one is our Local Author Book Fair,” Cordes said. “This is our fourth year of having this. They fill up fast. We have spots for 25 local authors, and I already have people who have emailed and called me over the weekend.” The fair will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the courtyard between the Alton Square Mall library and JCPenney at the mall. Cordes emphasized that they only have space for 25 authors, but they will have a waitlist available. The

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, released the following statement amid reports that the Department of Homeland Security requested 100 military personnel be sent to Illinois. “Donald Trump continues threatening Chicago and Illinois with his unwarranted, unwanted and unjust military deployments. Now, his administration is seriously considering plans to deploy 100 troops purportedly to protect federal immigration agents who have used excessive force against Americans simply exercising their First Amendment rights. Officials elected by the people of Illinois have made clear to Trump that there is no need for the military on the streets of Illinois. This is government overreach at its worst. “Even as Trump violates the law and stokes chaos as a pretext for deploying troops, our local law enforcement will continue prioritizing Illinoisans’

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker hosted a press conference with elected officials, community advocates, and local leaders to condemn the significant escalation over the weekend of aggressive and alarming tactics used by the Trump Administration’s ICE and Customs and Border Patrol federal agents against journalists, peaceful protesters, and families across the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The Governor also announced that the Illinois National Guard was notified that the Department of Homeland Security sent a memo to the Department of War requesting 100 military personnel be sent to Illinois. Over the weekend, there were numerous, confirmed reports of federal agents abusing their power, intimidating innocent civilians, violating the rights of due process, and waging war on law-abiding Illinoisians. This continues to be a manufactured crisis focused on causing chaos and mayhem, with the aim of creating a pretext to deploy military troops against Chicago and its

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ALTON – An O’Fallon, Mo., resident faces charges in Madison County after allegedly breaking into a boat at the Alton Marina and stealing several items from within. Jeffrey Reed, 59, of O’Fallon, Mo., was charged on Sept. 24, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of burglary and a Class 3 felony count of theft. Reed allegedly entered a boat at the Alton Marina with the intent to commit a theft on May 25, 2025. He is additionally accused of stealing from the owner of the watercraft several items, including a mini fridge, two electric buffing machines, one electric grinder, two Duralast batteries, a chair, and a power washer nozzle, having a combined value of over $500. The Alton Police Department presented the case against Reed, who was ordered released from custody pending trial. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ST. LOUIS – At the request of Mayor Cara Spencer, the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners voted to approve a contract with the planning and engineering firm HNTB to begin a detailed exploration of potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Green Line Transit Corridor. After years of study and engineering for Green Line light rail, estimated project costs remained stubbornly high, and the possibility of securing federal funding, necessary for the construction of a light rail project, remains low given the current priorities of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). “High-quality and high-capacity public transit is necessary for all cities,” said Mayor Spencer. “It’s imperative we have a project that meets our objectives and qualifies for federal funding, which is necessary to make the project viable. Unfortunately, the Green Line, as proposed, has a $1.1 billion price tag for just 10 stations and less than 6 miles, making this project out of

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COLLINSVILLE – More than 200 guests came together on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for the American Cancer Society’s Farm to Table Metro East , presented by MRHFM, raising an outstanding $81,000 to support the fight against cancer. Held at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, the evening featured seasonal dishes from over a dozen top local restaurants, live music by Corey Evitts, and interactive experiences including the wine toss, key to recovery challenge, silent auction, and the Reflections of Hope tribute area. Guests also heard from featured speaker Mark Joiner, a firefighter with the Granite City Fire Department , who shared his powerful personal cancer journey and message of resilience. Farm to Table Metro East raises funds to advance the mission of the American Cancer Society, funding groundbreaking research, advocacy, and patient services that help people facing cancer today. 2025 Participating Restaurants Included: Bella Milano, 1933 House o

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a new bipartisan bill today to hold artificial intelligence (AI) companies accountable for harm caused by their systems while allowing companies to continue innovating and developing beneficial AI systems. “Democrats and Republicans don’t agree on much these days, but we’ve struck a remarkable bipartisan note in protecting children online. Big Tech’s time to police itself is over. Kids and adults across the country are turning to AI chatbots for advice and information, but greedy tech companies have designed these products to protect their own bottom line—not users’ safety. By opening the courtroom and allowing victims to sue, our bill will force AI companies to develop their products with safety in mind. Our message to AI companies is clear: keep innovating, but do it responsibly.

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