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SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, July 9, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will host her third Workforce Development Summit at Richland Community College, bringing together educators, employers, and community leaders to discuss how career and technical education (CTE) can strengthen the agricultural workforce. The summit builds on Budzinski's previous workforce development events, which focused on strengthening partnerships with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) organizations

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that northbound Interstate 55 will be reduced to one lane between the I-55/I-64 split and Exchange Avenue in St. Clair County from Tuesday, July 7, through Thursday, July 9, 2026, weather permitting, for bridge maintenance. The lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Motorists should expect long delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged t

GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic recently partnered with Party on Broadway to provide an art therapy experience to local mothers. Vitality is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy center that works with pregnant people and new parents. Executive Director Jackie Duty explained that the organization recently received an art grant that allowed them to partner with a local painting studio to offer the art therapy experience. “It’s just amazing to see these women come alive in

July is celebrated as National Ice Cream Month, making it the perfect time for families to slow down, cool off and enjoy sweet summertime traditions together. Declared by former President Ronald Reagan in 1984, National Ice Cream Month highlights one of America’s favorite desserts while encouraging families to gather and create lasting memories around the table. From neighborhood ice cream shops to homemade milkshakes blended in the kitchen, frozen treats have long been tied to summer vacations

ALTON - Thousands of people gathered in Downtown Alton on Friday night, July 3, 2026, for the city’s annual fireworks display, an event officials said was expanded for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration despite hot weather. The Annual Alton Fireworks display was part of a three-day local observance in the city tied to the country’s 250th anniversary, with the riverfront fireworks serving as a major draw for the community. Mayor David Goins said the city added “a

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is asking hunters, landowners, outdoor enthusiasts, conservation professionals, and other members of the public to help monitor wild turkey reproduction by reporting wild turkey sightings this summer through the Illinois Wild Turkey Survey . Participants can report wild turkey sightings, including the number of adult females, young turkeys or poults, adult males, and birds of unknown age or sex. These reports help IDNR

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois state historic sites in downtown Springfield will celebrate Independence Day on Friday, July 4, 2026 with free activities, including art, history programs, hands-on crafts and special tours. Visitors can explore the Noir 6 art exhibition at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site. The free exhibit features artwork by 26 Black artists exploring the Black experience of the past and hopes for the future. Children ages 5-15 can create tie-dye T-shirts on the north

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) reintroduced bicameral legislation to help reduce gun violence in Illinois and across the country. The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act , which Duckworth has been pushing for since 2018, would prohibit the unlicensed ownership and transfer of firearms and direct the U.S. Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system and conduct fingerprint-based

SPRINGFIELD – Summer brings many great things: hot weather, warm beaches, family vacations, and now in its 250th year, a major milestone in America’s independence. This Fourth of July, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) urges everyone to celebrate responsibly by practicing safe alcohol consumption and firework safety. While professionally conducted fireworks displays are expected throughout the state and across the country, some firework enthusiasts may try to celebrate

MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital has remained an independent health system since 1977, allowing it to build strategic partnerships that support its mission and expand access to care for the communities it serves. One of those longstanding relationships has been with Mercy’s cancer services team, whose physicians have cared for many Anderson patients over the years within the Warren Billhartz Cancer Center. Following Mercy's decision to transition its oncology services back to Missouri in August,

The Alton Post of the American Legion organized its sixth annual Independence Day picnic for the 1926 Fourth of July weekend. An article in the Alton Evening Telegraph on July 6, 1926 described the celebration. The event “drew the biggest crowd ever known” in Rock Spring Park, with approximately 8,000 people in attendance at the height of the festivities. One special part of the 1926 Legion event was the Sesquicentennial celebration, described as a “typical old-fashioned

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is urging residents to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July responsibly, warning that alcohol impairment and illegal consumer fireworks can increase the risk of injuries during holiday festivities in Illinois. As the nation marks its 250th year of independence this summer, the commission said professionally conducted fireworks displays are expected across Illinois and the country. But it also cautioned that most fireworks are illegal in Illinois, including

PIASA - Zack Bean of the Southwestern Piasa Birds wrestling team was named an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month after what coaches described as a year of significant improvement, including a fourth-place finish at the IHSA 1A East Alton-Wood River Regional. Bean, who competed in the 113-pound class during the 2025-2026 season, finished fourth at the regional. He lost 27-12 in the third-place match to Eli Quartz of Freeburg. Jacobi Cobbs of Althoff placed first

GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School junior Omar Avalos has been named to the 2026 IHSA Class 2A All-State Team after leading McGivney at the plate during a 27-10 season under head coach Chris Erwin, the school announced. Avalos led McGivney batters with a .519 average and a .636 on-base percentage. He also recorded 35 RBIs, 18 doubles, three triples, 35 stolen bases and 56 hits. Erwin described Avalos as “probably our top player.” Avalos is a Byron, Carlson,

Freedom is one of the few ideas powerful enough to make people sing in public, wave flags, light fireworks, tell old family stories, and cry at parades. That reaction says something important. Humans do not celebrate independence only because of politics or national history. They celebrate it because independence speaks to a basic human need: the desire to make choices, protect dignity, and live without being controlled by someone else. Whether the occasion is a national holiday, a family milestone,

On July 3, one of the most significant events in global history took place in 1863, when the Battle of Gettysburg ended during the American Civil War. The three-day battle was fought in Pennsylvania and became the war’s deadliest single clash. It mattered at the time because it stopped Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North and marked a turning point in the conflict. It still matters today because it showed how one battle can reshape a nation’s future, influence

LEBANON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hour on July 9th in Lebanon. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss the state legislature and to talk about issues important to them. Rep. Schmidt says in-person meetings with his constituents help him understand real issues and how to find solutions. “Hearing directly from my constituents about the issues affecting them and their families is valuable to me,” Schmidt

GODFREY/EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER — Mid Illinois Gymnastics and Midwest Members Credit Union recognize a senior, Brooklyn Ruot, as a Female Athlete of the Month as she prepares to begin college after being named valedictorian of East Alton-Wood River High School and completing another outstanding gymnastics season. Coach Kristin Bower said Ruot has spent the past six years at Mid Illinois Gymnastics and is known in the gym for her “grit, determination, dedication, loud personality, even

GILLESPIE - A Gillespie teenager was charged Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office with two misdemeanor counts stemming from allegations that he spray-painted a brick wall at Dee Dee’s Florals on May 16, 2026. Damien J. Bentancourt, 18, a white male born April 24, 2008, was charged by the Macoupin County State's Attorney’s Office with one count of Criminal Damage to Property (Class A Misdemeanor) and one count of Criminal Defacement

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department said it will use remotely piloted aircraft at the upcoming Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2026, at the American Legion to help monitor the event and support personnel on the ground. The Edwardsville Police Department said the drones will be operated by trained and certified personnel and will provide “an added vantage point” during the celebration. The department said the aircraft will help officers respond