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WASHINGTON – Following the 100-day mark of the Iran War, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today criticizing President Trump’s unclear strategy and recent comments on “Meet the Press ” in which he reiterated yet again that he is “very close” to a deal. “If that sounds like a familiar refrain, it is. President Trump has been saying some variation of that sentence almost every week since the war began over

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant, which included seven awardees from St. Clair County. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) said first responders in St. Clair County will benefit greatly from receiving these funds to improve community safety. “Our first responders go to great lengths to keep our communities safe and I’m happy to see local fire departments, fire protection

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced a landmark investment to expand access to information and educational resources statewide by awarding a first-of-its-kind contract for a comprehensive digital library resource program. Through their local library, or through the Illinois State Library’s website, every Illinois resident now has free access to a vast collection of trusted online resources, including e-books, journals, magazines,

HIGH HONOR ROLL 12th Grade High Honor Roll ADAMS, JOHN D. III ALEJO, GERSON J. ALMEIDA, JULIA D. ARNOLD, KATY D. BEHL, ABIGAIL L. BELL, JUSTIN H. BICK, KYLER E. BISHOP, MATTHEW A. BLASA, ADRIAN J. BLASA, CLARK B. BODENBACH, MADALYN L. BREDEN, CALI L. BROOKS, ALIYAH M. CARTER, KAYLEIGH E. CHEEK, EVAN M. CHIN, ABIGAIL L. COX, BRAYDEN M. DAVIS, ARIANA M. DEIST, AVA L. DEIST, CLINT M. DOWNEY, KALE B. EDWARDS, ETHAN R. FITZGERALD, JESCIE M. FORD, KIMBERLEE J. FRALEY,

Ask an adult to describe childhood in one image, and chances are they will not mention a classroom. They will talk about a bike leaning in the grass, a popsicle dripping onto bare feet, the smell of sunscreen, or the long walk home after staying out too late. Memory does not keep every ordinary day. It saves the ones that feel bigger, freer, and more alive. That is one reason summer often takes up so much space in childhood stories. Summer shapes childhood memories because it changes the rhythm

On June 10, one of the most important events in world history took place in 1940, when Italy entered the Second World War on the side of Nazi Germany. Benito Mussolini’s decision widened a war that had already begun in Europe and brought fighting more directly into the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Balkans. At the time, it mattered because it changed military strategy for many countries and increased the number of civilians drawn into the conflict. It still matters today because

JERSEYVILLE – A 20 acre solar farm is set to be built along State Highway 16 near Jerseyville. Jerseyville City Council members unanimously approved a series of resolutions authorizing the annexation and rezoning of the property, as well as a special use permit to operate a commercial solar energy facility at the site. The property, which sits just outside the eastern Jerseyville city boundary in unincorporated Jersey County, will be annexed into the city. The solar farm is expected

CAHOKIA MOUNDS/COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Police are asking for the public’s help after a newborn infant was found abandoned Sunday night in a car seat in the Cahokia Mounds parking lot in Collinsville. At 8:35 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the Collinsville Police Department responded to the parking lot after a 911 caller reported finding the infant there, police said. Officers arrived and found the child sleeping and appearing to be in good health. The infant was taken to a local hospital

MADISON COUNTY - One person died Tuesday morning in a crash involving a motorcycle and a semitruck on Illinois Route 4 in Madison County, according to Illinois State Police. The crash happened about 9:10 a.m. just south of the Interstate 70 interchange outside Marine, state police said. Troopers said the motorcycle and semitruck crashed, killing one person. Illinois State Police did not release additional details about the person who died. Both lanes of traffic were temporarily closed following

ALTON — Alton Police are investigating an armed robbery involving an armored vehicle that was reported at about 11:14 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the parking lot of Red Lobster at 170 Homer Adams Parkway, authorities said. The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of currency, according to the Alton Police Department. No additional information about the suspects is being released because the investigation remains active. The department said it received a 911 call reporting the robbery

ALTON — The Rockin' With Robert Concert scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Robert Wadlow Statue on College Avenue in Alton has been canceled because of hot weather conditions. The No. 4 Combo had been set to perform at the concert, Debbie Frakes, an organizer of the weekly summer series, said. She said organizers will work on getting that concert rescheduled. Frakes said the next concert at the statue is set for next week from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature the Tragg Band. “The

ALTON - Hundreds of people are slated to attend the 48th annual Mustang Round Up and All Ford Car Show in July in Alton. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Roberts Motors, Inc., in Alton, community members from across the region are invited to view a wide variety of Mustangs and other classic cars. Hosted by the Southern Illinois Mustang Association, this event is expected to attract car enthusiasts from around the area. “I like seeing the cars that are there every

ALTON – An updated plan to establish a grant program for festivals and events in Alton is moving forward. Aldermen approved an amended resolution establishing a festival and event microgrant to support city-wide events using Food and Beverage Tax Revenue at their June 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting . The item was postponed during the last committee meeting on May 26, 2026 as Alderwoman Martha Pfister sought to clarify the eligibility guidelines for funding recipients. Alderman

ALTON - A few community members are coming together to make a difference, and you can help. Becca Mesey and her team will host their fifth annual Back the Backstoppers fundraiser on Sept. 12, 2026, at Bowl Haven in Alton. Attendees can bowl in a nine-pin tournament and enjoy a craft fair while supporting local first responders. Businesses and organizations are also encouraged to sponsor or donate toward the event. “For me personally, I just want the first responders to know that they’r

EDWARDSVILLE - Members of the Edwardsville Police Department participated on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The officers carried the torch, traveling from the Montclaire Shopping Center on Troy Road to Busey Bank on West Vandalia Street in Edwardsville, before stopping at Busey Bank, according to the department. The department said the runners were led by a police patrol vehicle. The Edwardsville Police Department described

AVE MARIA, FLA./GODFREY - Ava Bartosiak of Godfrey was named to the Dean's List at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida, for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Daniel Davy, Ph.D, Dean of Faculty, said on behalf of your professors, we are all deeply proud of your accomplishments and grateful for your thoughtful inquiry and your contributions in class discussions, and we continue to make our courses a joy to teach. This honor recognizes you as one of AMU’s strongest and determined students.

ALTON - In the early hours of the morning the day after our scheduled adjournment, the Illinois General Assembly approved the largest budget in state history, and despite the Chicago spin machine's attempts to sell this budget as a win, Illinois taxpayers lost again. At nearly $56 billion, this budget does little in the way of making life more affordable for families in the Metro East. There is no relief on energy bills, and the touted “gas tax relief” won’t even pay for you

JERSEYVILLE – An Illinois woman faces charges in Jersey County after allegedly driving under the influence and without insurance. Christy D. Garrison, 46, of Pittsfield, Ill., was charged on June 5, 2026 with aggravated driving under the influence with no valid insurance, a Class 4 felony. Garrison was also charged in a separate but related case filed on June 4, 2026 with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed, both petty offenses. The charges in both cases

BETHALTO - The Bethalto Fire Department will once again host its annual homecoming carnival, and they encourage people to mark their calendars now for a fun weekend. On Sept. 4–7, 2026, Labor Day weekend, community members can enjoy carnival rides and games, live music, food, vendors, and more fun at Bethalto City Park. Derek Mormino, president of the volunteers for the Bethalto Fire Department, shared that this year marks the 107th anniversary of the homecoming tradition, and he hopes

ALTON – Alton officials may support a youth gardening program and more this summer with up to $5,000 pending City Council approval. Committee of the Whole members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing up to $5,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Summer Youth Program offered by the Alton Housing Authority. This includes the Elm Street Youth Garden Program, which Alderwoman Martha Pfister shared more about. “This is an existing garden at Alton Manor, and