EDWARDSVILLE — As temperatures begin to rise, Madison County Community Development is aiding vulnerable residents in a way to stay safe and cool. Through its Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the department will provide free window air conditioning units to qualifying low-income households that include elderly residents, individuals with certain medical conditions, or families with young children. The program is designed to help residents who may be particularly vulnerable
WOOD RIVER - Taven Wardein, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High, is being recognized for cross country and track and field after a year of training that he said helped him improve his personal record time while maintaining a grade point average above 4.0. Wardein said his progress came from consistent work, including summer practices. “The last year I have been in cross country, and I have worked very hard to make myself the best I can be and widen my personal record time,” he said
EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Lincoln Middle School will learn about autism throughout April, which is Autism Awareness Month. Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 has a CASTLE program specifically designed for students on the autism spectrum. This program, along with Lincoln Middle School’s social workers, administrators, and Student Council, have arranged a month of programming that aims to celebrate neurodiversity and inclusion. “I hope our kiddos enjoy it. More
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Two men killed in a shooting in Country Club Hills have been identified as Demetrius Wagner and Alex Taylor, both 29, as St. Louis County police continue to investigate the double homicide that occurred late Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the 5600 block of Gatesworth Avenue. The St. Louis County Police Department said Monday that Wagner, of the 5600 block of Gatesworth Avenue in St. Louis, and Taylor, of the 1300 block of North Garden Drive in St. Louis, were pronounced dead
ALTON — Senior Margaret Powers has been named the latest Remarkable Redbird and is recognized for her kindness, perseverance, and dedication to making a difference in the lives of young children. Margaret has a strong passion for giving back, particularly to students at the Early Childhood Center in the Alton School District. She is one of more than 15 upperclassmen selected to work alongside teachers and children, gaining valuable hands-on experience while supporting early childhood education
ALTON - An Alton-based law firm has introduced a new partner. Keith Short and Associates recently welcomed attorney Dan Farroll to their ranks. Keith Short, who owns the practice and attended law school with Farroll, expressed his excitement to join forces with Farroll as they help people with medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, car accidents, and other legal cases. “It’s just been a very curated, very thought-out growth,” Short said. “Every single
COLLINSVILLE - Last week, the Collinsville Police Department, working with more than a dozen other local agencies and the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10, conducted a multi-agency active-shooter drill at Dorris Intermediate School. Collinsville Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Reis, who organized the training exercise, said the drill was designed to strengthen coordination among responding agencies during a high-risk incident. “The recent Active Shooter Drill proved to be a highly
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on April 8 - 9, 2026, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to focus enforcement efforts on known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results: Arrests: 20 Felony Charges: 30 Criminal Charges:
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker highlighted new federal data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showing Illinois’ gross domestic product (GDP) has surpassed $1.2 trillion — reflecting steady growth and resilience amid ongoing national economic uncertainty driven by the Trump Administration. “New federal data confirms Illinois is continuing to move in the right direction,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Even as families and businesses navigate
DECATUR, Ill. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry. During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership team and Board Chairman. "I had the privilege of visiting the Empowerment
SPRINGFIELD – Today, over 200 concerned Illinoisans gathered at the Illinois State Capitol for the Illinois Environmental Council’s annual Environmental Lobby Day to meet with their legislators about pressing environmental legislative priorities. Advocates, faith leaders, and youth from across the state rallied in support of three major bills: the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513), which protects our water, energy, ratepayers, and frontline communities from data center impacts; the Wetlands
ALTON - April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Alton Police Department says it is showing support for individuals and families in the community affected by autism by allowing officers to wear a special Autism Awareness shoulder patch. The Alton Police Department said officers are authorized to wear the patch year-round, even though it is being highlighted during April, “as a symbol of our continued commitment to understanding, compassion, and meaningful engagement with those on the autis
ELSAH - 3 Rivers Farm in Elsah will host their annual plant sale with a variety of plants, herbs, vegetables, and fun for the community to enjoy. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, and May 2 and 3, 2026, community members can stop by the farm at 22935 Chautauqua Road in Elsah. Owner Amy Cloud noted that they have plenty of "tried and true varieties” as well as a few new plants for customers to try. She believes the sale is a great chance to engage with a
WOOD RIVER – The Wood River Police Department has secured new body cameras and related equipment for the next decade. Wood River City Council members unanimously approved a purchasing agreement between the city and Axon Enterprises, Inc. for police body cameras and associated equipment and software at their April 6, 2026 meeting . The agreement totals $313,128.12 to rent 20 Axon body cameras, three docking charging stations and wall mounts, as well as unlimited cloud storage, 21 user
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Police officers responded about 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to a traffic incident on Illinois State Route 157 involving a motorcycle and a vehicle that left two people seriously injured and prompted a multi-hour road closure, authorities said in an update on Monday, April 13, 2026. Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback confirmed on Monday afternoon, April 13, 2026, that the passenger of the motorcycle was transported to a St. Louis area hospital, and
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Sunday, April 12, 2026, filed felony charges against a 62-year-old Florissant man accused of shooting another man during an argument in the 13000 block of East Lakeridge Drive. Prosecutors charged William Borak, 62, of the 7700 block of Woodstock Road in Florissant, Mo., with first-degree assault or attempt, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, the office said in a statement dated April 12, 2026.
Grandma’s “must-have” holiday dish disappears for one year, and suddenly nobody misses it. A new recipe shows up instead, and within two gatherings it feels like it has always belonged. That small swap can feel harmless, even funny—until you realize it’s exactly how traditions change: quietly, through ordinary choices that add up. Traditions are often described as fixed rules handed down intact. In real life, they behave more like living habits. People adjust them
A joke can make you laugh even when you know the punchline is coming. That’s strange if you think about it. If humor were only about surprise, the second time should fall flat. Yet people rewatch sitcoms, repeat memes, and quote the same one-liners for years. The psychology of humor helps explain why something can stay funny long after the “new” has worn off. Why humor matters more than we admit Humor is not just entertainment. It affects how we bond, how we argue, how we
A baseball player taps home plate three times before stepping into the batter’s box. A student refuses to walk under a ladder on the way to an exam. Someone says “bless you” after a sneeze without thinking twice. These small habits can look silly, yet they show how superstition slips into ordinary life—often in moments when people want a little extra control. Superstitions are beliefs that certain actions, objects, or words can bring good luck or bad luck, even when there’
On April 13, 1742, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah was performed in public for the first time, premiering in Dublin. The concert was a benefit event meant to raise money for local charities, and the music quickly stood out for its clear storytelling, memorable melodies, and emotional range. At the time, it showed how a large public performance could serve both art and civic life. It still matters because Messiah became one of the most widely performed works in Western music, helping
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