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December 24th is a date rich with historical significance, spanning centuries and continents. Stepping back several centuries, December 24, 1814, is remembered for the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which effectively ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. This treaty restored relations between the two countries to their pre-war status, though news traveled slowly at the time and some battles occurred even after the treaty had been signed. The War of 1812 itself wa

Christmas Eve has arrived, and with it comes Santa Claus beginning his legendary overnight trip to deliver gifts to children around the world. Families in the Riverbend looking to keep tabs on Santa’s travels can do so through NORAD , which once again is tracking his progress throughout the night. The tradition adds a bit of excitement for kids — and a helpful reminder that Santa only stops once everyone is asleep. While the holiday mission is lighthearted, NORAD’s dail

Christmas Eve starts off cloudy with a dense fog advisory in effect until 9 a.m. The fog may reduce visibility to a quarter to half a mile in some areas, so drivers heading out early should take it slow. Morning temperatures begin in the mid-50s and will climb toward a high near 62 today. By afternoon, expect spotty drizzle with light showers and mostly cloudy skies. Winds will be from the southeast at 9 to 16 mph, keeping the air cool but not chilly. As evening arrives, skies stay mostly cloudy,

For many parents, Christmas Eve once came with noise, motion, and barely contained excitement. It was the sound of running feet in the hallway, whispered questions through bedroom doors, and laughter spilling out during late-night movie marathons. But for parents of grown children, Christmas sounds different now. The tree still goes up each year. The lights still glow in the corner of the room. Ornaments are carefully placed, often the same ones used for decades. The traditions remain - but the

Statement from Governor Pritzker on the Supreme Court’s Decision in Trump v. Illinois CHICAGO – Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Trump Administration’s request to deploy National Guard troops in the state: “Today is a big win for Illinois and American democracy. I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is investing $4 million in Medicaid family planning programming in order to counteract the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood in Trump’s budget bill (HR1), as Illinois continues to serve as a beacon for protecting reproductive healthcare access nationally. The funding will go towards critical services that many Illinoisans rely on, like contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and

GENEVA, Ill. - Silvestri Sweets Inc. of Geneva, IL is expanding its voluntarily recalling its 5-ounce bags of Choceur branded Holiday Barks because they may contain undeclared allergens. Choceur branded Cookie Butter Holiday Bark may contain undeclared pecans. People who have allergies to pecans run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Choceur branded Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark may contain undeclared wheat. People who have

ALTON – An Alton man has been charged with firing a weapon from a neighborhood driveway, endangering nearby residents. Alexander D. Radcliff, 24, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 18, 2025, with one count each of reckless discharge of a firearm (a Class 4 felony) and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card (a Class A misdemeanor). Radcliff allegedly fired a weapon in a reckless manner on Oct. 2, 2025, and endangered the bodily safety of residents

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial head boys basketball coach Lee Green described Grady Farrell's half-court launch for the 57-55 win over Highland on Monday night, Dec. 22, 2025, as "a moment Grady and his family and teammates will remember for the rest of their lives." Grady's shot was from about 50 feet from the basket at the buzzer and was a literal buzzer-beater for CM. For his heroic effort, Grady is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month. Coach Green knew his squad had one pla

CASEYVILLE, Ill. — A young boy, approximately 3 years old, was found wandering on the second floor of the Red Lion Inn early Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, 2025, according to the Caseyville Police Department. Officers responded to the motel at 8950 Tucker Drive after the Department of Children and Family Services requested assistance. Upon arrival, Caseyville Police knocked on every room and made contact with several individuals, but were unable to locate a parent or guardian for the child. Mot

ALTON - Emergency crews responded Monday afternoon, Dec. 22, 2025, to a report of a dog bite at 1013 Wallace in Alton, where a 64-year-old female bus driver was bitten on the arm by a mini Australian Cattle Dog. The incident occurred at approximately 3:31 p.m. on Monday, while the bus driver was assisting an elderly man from the bus to the front door of a residence. According to authorities, when the door was opened, the dog jumped up and bit the driver’s forearm. The woman was transported

Key Takeaways: An OSF HealthCare lactation counselor says a new law improves TSA screening for breast milk, formula, and pumping supplies. Becky Miller of OSF says updated rules aim to reduce stress and ensure safe handling for traveling parents. Some implementation challenges could occur as airports adjust to the changes which include new training and auditing of TSA agents' performance in handling breastmilk and related supplies. Traveling through an airport is stressful

CHICAGO - The Powerball® jackpot has soared to an incredible $1.7 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, offering a potentially life-changing prize just in time for Christmas Eve. If won, this jackpot would become the fourth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history, making this holiday season even more exciting for Powerball players across Illinois. While no one matched all six numbers in Monday night’s drawing, Illinois players are celebrating some big wins. One lucky winner

GLEN CARBON — Bishop Thomas Paprocki officially blessed McGivney Commons, a new gathering space at Father McGivney Catholic High School, during a recent ceremony marking the completion of the $3 million project. Located on the school’s campus, McGivney Commons is designed to serve as a hub for fellowship, friendship, and faith growth among students, faculty, and supporters. The 9,500-square-foot facility will be open when students return to school in early January. The new common

JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville Fire Chief Keith Norman recently gave an update on a devastating house fire that broke out on the morning of Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 in the 500 block of Pine Street in Jerseyville. Chief Norman confirmed that two occupants who were still trapped inside the home during the fire had been rescued. “Everyone did get out,” Norman said. “The Fire Department and Police Department worked together to get two people out of a second-story window.”

ALTON - A union carpenter is asking the City of Alton to allow him to rehab a few homes instead of demolishing them. Detraze McElroy owns 3 MC Construction. He shared that he wants the City of Alton to implement a “rehab-first policy” wherein homes are restored instead of demolished. He is interested in taking the steps to rehab these houses, but he feels the city “stands in the way” of doing so. “What is my mission? What can I do with my company to help my

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers will take the international stage on Jan. 1, 2026, as they perform in the 40th Anniversary London New Year’s Day Parade, one of the world’s largest and most celebrated New Year’s events. Viewers throughout the region can watch the Edwardsville students perform on Nine PBS (Channel 9) at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 1. In honor of the parade’s 40th anniversary, Nine PBS will also air “London Parade: A Tribute to 4

ALTON - A healthy lifestyle translates directly to a longer life. One local doctor breaks down how to take care of ourselves to maintain health and independence as we age. Dr. Christopher Green with Associated Physicians Group explained that longevity is a major concern for all of his patients. But while people want to live longer, they also want to stay independent and active. Taking care of yourself now will translate to a better life in the years to come. “I think longevity

ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives are investigating a shooting and house fire in north St. Louis that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her daughter. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police and St. Louis Fire Departments responded to a house fire at about 12:10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in the 5700 block of Floy Avenue in the Walnut Park West neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers found 45-year-old LaTasha Brown and her 9-year-old daughter, Paige, inside the home with gunshot wounds. Both

What if the way you celebrate Christmas Eve could tell a story thousands of years old, woven from ancient customs, religious symbolism, and cultural exchanges? The traditions observed on this night are far more than festive rituals—they are living links to human history and identity across continents. Understanding their origins offers a fascinating glimpse into how people have expressed hope, community, and reverence through time. The Religious Roots: From Vigil to Celebration Christmas