CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement marking the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization: “Four years ago, American women lost their constitutional right to an abortion after Donald Trump’s Supreme Court justices did what he hand-picked them to do: overturn Roe v. Wade. “With abortion rights under assault across the country, I have fought to make Illinois a safe
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 has named Shanyra Cox assistant principal of Woodland Elementary. Her appointment was approved by the District 7 Board of Education on June 22, 2026. Cox brings more than two decades of educational experience to the role, having served students, families and staff in a variety of instructional positions throughout District 7. Most recently, she has served as an instructional technology coach since 2022. “This opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As our nation experiences an alarming surge of near misses and continues to grapple with the tragic DCA mid-air collision that killed 67 people, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee (CST) on Aviation, Space and Innovation—today stressed the importance of implementing the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) safety recommendations and putting our aviation workforce at the center of any efforts
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general, today filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to carefully scrutinize the parties’ conduct and claimed settlement agreement in Trump v. IRS. In the brief , Raoul and the coalition argue the lawsuit and subsequent settlement were a collusive fraud engineered to avoid the constitutional limits on presidential authority. The brief also emphasizes
BRIGHTON - The Brighton Fire Department responded about 7:15 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2026, to a reported structure fire near U.S. Highway 67 and Smitty Lane, where arriving crews found an approximately 90-by-40-foot metal structure heavily involved, according to the Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District. All units returned to service shortly after 10:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, and no injuries were reported. The fire prompted a response in the area of Highway 67 and Smitty Lane,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 states, opposed a proposed joint employment rule by the U.S. Department of Labor that would weaken worker protections and make it harder to hold employers accountable for wage theft and other labor law violations. The proposed rule would narrow the standard for determining joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
BELLEVILLE - Community members can learn more about local resources that combat food insecurity. From 2–4 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, there will be a panel discussion about food insecurity in St. Clair County, local resources, and how the community can help. This Food Resources Community Meeting will be held at the Regional Office of Education in Belleville, or you can attend via a virtual Zoom link. “We only know what people tell us,” said Stephanie Herling with
EDWARDSVILLE - High school students have had the opportunity to create their own short films through SIUE’s Department of Mass Communications. From June 15–18 and 22–25, 2026, students are on campus at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for “Script to Screen: Producing a Short Film,” a workshop designed to help high schoolers conceptualize, record, edit and publish their own films. Cory Byers, an instructor within the Department of Mass Communications
A flame can turn a crowd of strangers into a shared audience in seconds. That simple fact helps explain why fire appears in so many traditions. A candle on a birthday cake, a campfire at a family gathering, a bonfire on a holiday, a lamp lit in prayer, fireworks at a festival, a memorial flame that never goes out—fire keeps showing up when people want a moment to feel larger than ordinary life. It gives light, warmth, danger, beauty, and focus all at once. Few things hold human attention
On June 24, 1509, Henry VIII was crowned king of England, alongside Catherine of Aragon, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey that marked the start of one of the most closely watched reigns in European history. At the time, the coronation symbolized stability after years of dynastic conflict in England and helped confirm the authority of the young Tudor monarchy. It still matters today because Henry’s reign reshaped religion, government, and the balance of power in Britain. Decisions made
Watch this quick video from TJ Kelly for a preview of our upcoming Lunch & Learn, Stress Management for Busy Professionals. We hope you'll join us! This Wednesday, June 24th - Lunch & Learn at Tri-Township Public Library, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Speaker: TJ Kelly, Counselors Associates Topic: Stress Management for Busy Professionals Click Here to Register! Tuesday, July 7th - Creating Business Connections: Small Tables... Big Opportunities, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Each group will include
EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Judge Patrick King today announced his intention to seek election to the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stephen Stobbs. Judge King currently serves as a Circuit Judge in Madison County and brings extensive judicial and legal experience, commitment to public service, reputation for fairness and integrity to his candidacy, and a dedication to family and community. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge King as a Circuit Judge in 2025 reflecting confidence
BETHALTO - 1st MidAmerica Credit Union recently awarded five $1,000 scholarships to local area high school graduates Arlie Hartmann, Isabelle Edwards, Josie Proctor, Kaylynn Buttry and Olivia Schneider. Arlie Hartmann is a graduate of Alton High School. She plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to pursue a degree in Biology. Isabelle Edwards, a graduate of Civic Memorial High School, plans to attend Lewis and Clark Community College and earn a degree in Dental Hygiene. Josie
EDWARDSVILLE - A female driver was taken to an area hospital after a two-vehicle crash about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026, on Center Grove Road near Tiger Drive, where police said witnesses reported seeing her black Ford passenger vehicle swerving before the collision. Edwardsville Police said the westbound Ford, identified as unit 1, swerved into a black Ford pickup truck, identified as unit 2, that was also traveling westbound and was in the turn lane for the EHS sports complex. Unit
COLLINSVILLE/EDWARDSVILLE - A Collinsville man was found guilty Tuesday, June 23, 2026, of aggravated battery after prosecutors said he struck a victim in the leg with a machete during a Fourth of July gathering outside an apartment complex in Collinsville, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced. Following a bench trial presided over by Circuit Judge Amy Maher, Jorge L. Barrera, 29, was convicted of using a deadly weapon in the July 4, 2024, attack, according to Haine’s
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville officials took action this week to limit where vending machines for vapes, e-cigarettes and related products are allowed in the city. Jerseyville City Council members approved an ordinance amending a section of the City Code regarding vending machines for tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products at their June 23, 2026 meeting. The current Jerseyville City Code only accounts for “cigarette machines” under a section
COLLINSVILLE/SPRINGFIELD - A Collinsville man has been charged in a massive statewide effort by Attorney General Kwame Raoul regarding a federal and state healthcare fraud crackdown. Sean T. Hodges, 59, of Collinsville, was charged with two counts of theft, one count of managed healthcare fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit theft and forgery in connection with a personal assistant fraud scheme. Raoul alleges that Hodges conspired and executed a scheme to defraud an Illinois Medicaid Manage
GRANITE CITY — State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) recently welcomed hundreds of children and their families from across the Metro East to their annual Kids Fair in Granite City on Saturday. "Our Kids Fair continues to grow each year because families appreciate having a place where they can learn about services available to their children while enjoying a fun day together," said Senator Harriss. "It was wonderful to see so man
ALTON - On June 14, 2026, the 2026 Arts For Life Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Diana Enloe in a ceremony at Chaminade High School in St. Louis, MO. A retired educator and lifelong champion of the arts, Diana has devoted more than seven decades to theater. Her remarkable body of work includes directing more than 100 plays and musicals for both high school and community theater stages. In addition to directing, she has shared her talents as a performer, choreographer, costumer,
ALTON - A large pin oak tree fell and demolished a camper at 1315 Washington Ave. in Alton, around 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, 2026, during a windstorm on Father’s Day, according to Jeffrey Dale, who said he witnessed the damage from inside his house. Dale said he was upstairs in the laundry room on the property when heavy rain and wind moved through and the pressure appeared to change inside the home. “I was in an upstairs window of the house and felt the pressure change; wind
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