January 12, 2026 - R.P. Lumber opened its 91st and newest location in Carlyle, IL on Monday, January 12, 2026. The family-owned, full-service home center and building materials retailer recently completed an extensive remodel of the former Wiegman Ford property at 1351 William Rd., bringing new life to a familiar site in the community. Over the past eight months, R.P. Lumber has transformed the well-known building—located next to Wal-Mart and across the street from McDonald’s—into
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) voted to pass legislation to extend the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which are essential to helping millions of Illinoisans afford healthcare. The legislation only reached the floor under a procedural maneuver that united House Democrats and four Republicans on a “discharge petition” to force a vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. “Democrats refused to back down until we
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), introduced the PROTECT Military Families Act, a bicameral bill that aims to protect military families from deportation and forced separation detrimental to military morale and mission readiness. “There is no higher betrayal to our heroes than to have one of their family members deported by the same nation they sacrificed to defend,” said Senator
SPRINGFIELD – For the fourth year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped. ? The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2025, compared to 2024, with zero fatal interstate shooting in Illinois. This is the first time in roughly a decade there has been zero interstate shooting fatalities. ? “Public safety has been a key priority under my administration, and thanks to sustained investments and the efforts
JERSEYVILLE – Following are the full Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for Jersey Community High School from the first semester of the 2025-26 school year: 8th Grade High Honor Roll Alich, Trey N. Ball, Wade R. Beasley, Carter H. Cazier, Georgia A. Cole, Emersyn J. Darr, Kyle A. Dobson, Kadence Dohrn, Henry D. Egelhoff, Stella M. Fessler, Addison J. Foiles, Charlotte A. Friedel, Charles R. Goodey, Cadence M. Graham, Reid K. Grasle, Bentley
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Trump administration officials over the unlawful and dangerous tactics used by Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Illinois. Illinois is joined by the city of Chicago in the case. “Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law,” Raoul said. “They
CHICAGO — Get Covered Illinois announced today that it is giving residents an additional 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state’s official marketplace. Customers now have until January 31, 2026, to apply for and enroll in coverage. “We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to shop for and compare plans ” said Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois. “As a state-based marketplace,
MACOUPIN COUNTY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Palmyra man with allegedly disseminating and possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Michael Upton, 34, in Macoupin County Circuit Court with
ALTON - An impactful Alton High School organization has made a huge impression on our most recent Remarkable Redbird, junior Husna Shihadeh. While participating in soccer and cheerleading as a freshman at Alton High, Husna became interested in Upward Bound, a group of over 50 members that focuses on preparing students for the next level of education. Husna added that the group does community service, and she has also assisted in recruiting new freshmen to join the group. In being a member o
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Good Shepherd has announced the Second Quarter Honor Roll. High Honor Roll with Distinction (Gr. 7&8 - GPA 4.00+) 8th Grade: Will B., Isabella B., Agnes H., Sydney H., Livy P., Charlotte P., Caroline S. 7th Grade: Alison B., Lola F., Connor J., Adelynn M., Bhavneet S. . High Honor Roll (Gr. 5&6 - GPA 3.51 to 4.0; Gr. 7&8 - GPA 3.51 to 3.99) 8th Grade: Alexis K., Jacob K., Elise L., Violet M., Piper M., Nate P., Kaelyn S., Levi T., Adalie T. 7t
EDWARDSVILLE — Jury selection is set to begin today in the murder trial of Keith A. Sanders, one of four suspects charged in the February 2024 shooting death of 13-year-old Ra’Niya Steward. The proceedings will start at 12:30 p.m. before Associate Judge Neil Schroeder in Madison County. Sanders, 26, faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor, all Class M felonies. Steward was shot on Feb. 3, 2024, while standing
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project Monday, January 19, 2026, is the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service which honors Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through community volunteering. The day focuses on civic engagement throughout the nation focusing on service and equality. The Sierra Club Piasa Palisades group has been participating in the MLK Day of Service for over a decade and invites you to do the same.. The Three Rivers Project of the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Group i
ROXANA - The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized the December Service Above Self award winners from Roxana High School-Haley Schlemer and Sean Mayberry. In photo above, Club Preisident Mark Smith presets Service above Self certificates to Haley Schlemer and Sean Maberry. Haley Schlemer Hayley is a senior who has balanced the demands of being a multi-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, and track, while also being an active member of REEF. But what truly sets Hayley apart i
BRIGHTON – Two Riverbend residents accused of breaking into a storage unit in Brighton face additional felony charges in Jersey County. Jared D. Isringhausen, 39, of Bunker Hill, and Terry L. Swan, 43, of Gillespie, were both charged on Jan. 8, 2026, in Jersey County with one count each of burglary (both Class 2 felonies) and felon in possession of a weapon (both Super Class 3 felonies). Swan was additionally charged with a Class 4 felony count of possession of burglary tools in the for
SPRINGFIELD, IL., - Jersey Community High School and Jersey Community Middle School cheer squads traveled to Springfield this past weekend to compete in the Illinois Cheerleaders Coaches Association (ICCA) State Competition at the Bank of Springfield Center. The varsity competition took place Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, followed by the junior varsity event on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Both Jersey squads delivered solid performances, with the JCHS Lady Panthers finishing 15th overall in the varsity
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office has released some additional information on the officer-involved shooting on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. The sheriff's office said at 7:13 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11th, 2026, the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call reporting an active disturbance at a residence in the 2600 block of Old Collinsville Road in unincorporated Belleville. "The caller advised that a male family member had attacked relatives at the home with a knife, causing
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School students and staff were recognized during the 50th Illinois High School Theater Festival, held this past weekend at Illinois State University, for their outstanding contributions to the performing arts. Quinn Krewson, Katelyn Long, Alyssa Sayuk, and Serenity Ward represented Edwardsville in the Illinois All-State Cast and Crew, showcasing a Broadway-level production they have been developing since the summer of 2025. Alongside them, a group of 40 Edwardsville
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals in Illinois are pleased to announce the top names chosen for babies born at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s in O’Fallon and HSHS St. Joseph’s in Breese. Over 1,200 babies were delivered at these two southern Illinois hospitals in 2025. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon Top Boy Name Henry Top Girl Name Charlotte, Leilani, Naomi and Willow (tied) HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospita
ALTON - Alton High School is proud to announce the Honor Roll recipients for the Fall semester. These students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement through their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence in the classroom. Earning a place on the Honor Roll is a significant accomplishment and reflects not only strong academic performance but also the discipline, responsibility, and determination required to maintain high standards throughout the semester. We are incredibly
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