EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has once again earned Gold Tier recognition as a 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School. The selection places the University among the top 10% of institutions nationwide for its commitment to serving military-affiliated students, including active-duty service members, veterans and military-connected families. The prestigious designation is awarded by Military Friendly®, a VIQTORY company, and is based on a rigorous, data-driven evaluation
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Illinois Police Memorial Committee held their 41st annual ceremony at the Capitol Thursday to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer joined law enforcement officers, fellow legislators, and community members to honor the lives and service of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "This solemn ceremony honors the bravery, service, and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the line of duty," Rep. Davidsmeyer said.
ROXANA – Four high school seniors from the metro area have earned Phillips 66 Community STEM Scholarships, recognizing their academic excellence and commitment to careers that will power a more innovative energy future. Wesley LeBrun (Alton High School), Kinley Lucas (Southwestern CUSD #9), Shane Box (Collinsville High School), and Dylan Brueggeman (Edwardsville High School) are among the 54 students nationwide selected from a competitive pool of applicants planning to stud
GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois presented the Thanks Badge II and Honor Pin to two outstanding volunteers at the annual Recognition of Excellence awards ceremony. Kathy Arend from Highland was awarded the Thanks Badge II while Carrie Davitz from Belleville was awarded the Honor Pin. The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout
ALTON - Shannon Beloit always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Beloit teaches at the Early Childhood Center in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is reflecting on the decision that brought her to Alton and her love for working with young kids. “Becoming a teacher made sense,” she said. “I knew I wanted to do something that impacted others and would never be boring.” Early childhood education is certainly far from boring.
ALTON - Tori Lonsdale hopes to inspire her students like her teachers did for her. Lonsdale teaches kindergarten and first grade at Mark Twain School in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s expressing her gratitude for the people who pushed her to success and following in their footsteps as an educator. “When I was younger, I felt very inspired and seen by my teachers and I always wanted to be like them,” she remembered. “A
TROY - Families will have a chance to “Unearth a Story” during a dinosaur-themed summer reading kickoff hosted by the Tri-Township Public Library District from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Tri-Township Park’s Pavilion No. 10 in Troy, Illinois. The event marks the launch of the library district’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge and is billed as a morning of “prehistoric proportions” to celebrate “the best season of the year.” Plann
MADISON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that road repairs on Illinois 203 between Collinsville Road and the Madison County line in St. Clair County will require daily lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, May 11. The closures will affect both northbound and southbound lanes. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during the closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, remain alert for changing conditions,
CARLINVILLE – A new agreement between the Carlinville Community Unit School District 1 and Lewis and Clark Community College will allow the college to directly provide educational opportunities to the students of Carlinville and Macoupin County. Lewis and Clark has a longstanding history of providing direct services to the residents of Macoupin County with a physical presence in Carlinville. In 2003, the college opened the Macoupin County Community Education Center on Shipman Road
Hello and welcome back to my weekly Capitol Update. Both the House and Senate were in session this week as the Illinois General Assembly began the final month of its scheduled spring session. With Illinois tied for the highest property taxes in the nation, House Republicans are proposing solutions to deliver property tax relief to homeowners across the state. Several of my colleagues held a press conference this week to unveil our Property Tax Reform Agenda, which I fully support. How much
EDWARDSVILLE – Charges against a Missouri man accused of soliciting who he believed was a 12-year-old girl were unsealed this week after his arrest following an Edwardsville Police social media sting operation. Brandon R. Nute, 23, of Wentzville, Mo., was charged with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child (a Class 4 felony), and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From March 28 to April 21, 2026, Nute allegedly knowingly solicited
ALTON - Over 40 Alton High School seniors received local scholarships during a special awards night. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Alton Community Unit School District #11 families came together to celebrate the 41 graduating seniors who were awarded scholarships. Dr. Jordan Anderson, who helped organize the night, shared that these scholarships will give a boost to students as they embark on their next chapters. “It’s just really amazing to see our community invest in the future
RIVERBEND - As families prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day and schools across the region honor their graduates, a few local restaurants have special deals for you to enjoy. Penalty Box Bar and Grill With a huge patio and an expansive menu, Penalty Box Bar and Grill in East Alton is the go-to spot this Mother’s Day weekend. They will offer a special breakfast pizza as well as $5 mimosas and Bloody Marys throughout the weekend to celebrate. If you’d rather sleep in,
ALTON - The beloved Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market kicks off this weekend. From 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May 9 through Oct. 17, 2026, community members can stop by the market. Located in the parking lot at the corner of Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street in downtown Alton, the market draws crowds every weekend. People enjoy the fresh produce and locally-sourced honey and meat, while others beeline to the artisans’ tables for jewelry, pottery, pet-themed
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Saturday, May 2, 2026, issued charges against Lorenzo Gaines, 23, in a sexual assault case investigators say involves multiple victims. Gaines, of the 10300 block of Oxford Hill Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63146, was charged with four counts of Rape or Attempted Rape 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree, and Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree. Gaines is being held on $750,000 cash-only, no 10% bond. A summary
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE . “The artistic talent and creativity of students across Central and Southern Illinoi
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Clark Goodman and Kaylee Hobbs as Students of the Month for May. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Members of the Illinois National Guard’s Staff Judge Advocate Corps gathered on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Illinois National Guard’s headquarters on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, where Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, presented Col. Sarah Smith with the Legion of Merit. Smith is a circuit judge in the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, presiding in Madison County, and a colonel in the Illinois
MARYVILLE, IL. - Wade Kamadulski, a student at Maryville Christian School, spent a day patrolling Maryville, Illinois, alongside Officer Sinclair as the Maryville Police Department’s “Student Officer of the Day,” taking part in a series of activities meant to provide a firsthand look at police work and public service. The Maryville Police Department said Kamadulski’s duties included learning about police equipment and squad car operations, touring the Glen
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department held its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, honoring officers “who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community.” The department thanked Christ Church for allowing the use of its facility and for supporting the event. It also recognized the Fairview Heights Police Honor Guard Unit, the St. Louis County Police Department
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