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Boeing Strike Concludes With Substantial Contract Gains

2 weeks 1 day ago
ST. LOUIS — Approximately 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing in the St. Louis area have voted to ratify a new five-year contract, ending a strike that began Aug. 4, 2025. Members are scheduled to return to work Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Boeing manufacturing plants in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah. The agreement includes a 24% wage increase over the life of the contract and a $6,000 signing bonus,

Southwestern High School Announces Class Of 2026 Illinois State Scholars

2 weeks 1 day ago
BRIGHTON - Congratulations to the following Class of 2026 students who were selected as Illinois State Scholars: Gage Alexander, Ava Ballard, Bram Beuttel, Taylor Cairns, Madelyn Egelhoff, Madelyn Gordon, Wyatt Lahr, Miranda Lenger, Kinley Lucas, and Amelia Walden. These top-performing high school seniors are selected by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission based on their ACT or SAT test scores and class rank.

IDHS Public Notification About SNAP Benefits

2 weeks 1 day ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is restoring full USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now that the federal government shutdown has ended. IDHS anticipates that the remaining benefit payments will be made over the coming days, with all SNAP recipients receiving their full November benefits by Nov. 20. The lapse in SNAP funding created unnecessary hardship for 1.9 million Illinoisans and businesses who rely on this federally funded program.

Demolition Begins On The Former Millennium Hotel Site

2 weeks 1 day ago
ST. LOUIS — Gateway Arch Park Foundation (“the Foundation”) announced today that demolition is officially underway at the former Millennium Hotel site at 200 S. 4th St., marking yet another step forward for this downtown development. As the structures come down, the Foundation is launching a story-collecting initiative to honor and preserve the countless memories held at the former hotel, in all its iterations. The Foundation’s demolition partner, Spirtas Wrecking Company

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WW II Purple Heart Medal to Family of Late Veteran at Ceremony in Oak Lawn Ahead of Veterans Day

2 weeks 1 day ago
OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS – On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany. Frerichs reunited Army Rifleman James R. Bennett’s medal with niece Patti Knies during a ceremony at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. It is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart , an unprecedented mission to reunite the military

Glen Carbon Trustees Approve 25-Year Comprehensive Plan

2 weeks 1 day ago
GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees recently approved an updated 25-year vision for the village’s future. Village Board members voted unanimously on Nov. 12, 2025 to approve the Glen Carbon 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update . A comprehensive plan essentially serves as a framework for municipalities to guide future policy decisions regarding economic growth and development. The first section of Glen Carbon’s new comprehensive plan outlines the village’s strengths, such a

Metro East Illinois Residents Capture Stunning Aurora Photos

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON - Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Maine on Thursday night, Nov. 13, 2025, as geomagnetic storm conditions continue, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are expected to be visible across parts of the northern United States on Nov. 13, 2025, as charged particles from recent solar eruptions interact with Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions create colorful waves of

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month: Edwardsville's Rachel Johnson Signs To Play Golf At Butler University

2 weeks 1 day ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Senior golfer Rachel Johnson, who was one of the top girls golfers in the St. Louis area this past season, signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, to play for Butler University in Indianapolis during a ceremony at the auditorium of the Jon Davis Wrestling Center. Johnson completed her successful senior season by winning the IHSA Class 2A regional for the third consecutive year, shooting an even-par 72 to win the O'Fallon regional at Tamarack Golf Course in Shiloh

Senior Services Plus Offers Free Daily Hot Meals for SNAP Recipients Federal Workers Who Have Been Furloughed

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON – In response to the ongoing government shutdown and the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits, Senior Services Plus will provide one free hot meal per day, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meals are available to SNAP recipients of any age as well as to unpaid or furloughed federal workers due to the government shutdown. There is no application or proof of need required; meals must be picked up in person at SSP’s Alton location, 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. Guests

Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu Emphasizes Discipline and Empowerment Ahead of Open House

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON - Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu invites the community to come together for a “party.” From 4–8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, you can stop by Alton Elite for their grand opening celebration. Free food and drinks, live music, activities for kids and four grand prize giveaways promise a fun evening for all. Owner Adam Marburger noted that the new martial arts academy is the go-to spot for learning life lessons and improving your jiu-jitsu skills. “It’s a place

World War II Veteran and Attorney Robert E. Ryan Dies at 102

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON - Robert E. Ryan, a World War II veteran and longtime attorney from Alton, died early Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the age of 102. Ryan died at 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Surrey Place in Chesterfield, Mo. Born Sept. 23, 1923, in Alton, Ryan was the son of Martin G. and Mary Therese (Flynn) Ryan. He served as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. In May 1944, his B-17 bomber was shot down near Normandy, and he was captured as a prisoner of war in Germany.

Rep. Budzinski and Kelly Both Vote No On Republican Funding Bill

2 weeks 2 days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on her vote against Congressional Republicans' funding bill. “My constituents deserve a better deal – one that addresses Republicans’ manufactured healthcare crisis and prevents skyrocketing premiums. This deal failed to deliver those results – and therefore I could not support it. “Soaring premiums in Central and Southern Illinois are forcing families in my district

Guardrail Work To Close I-270 Lanes This Weekend ย 

2 weeks 2 days ago
PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that one lane in each direction of Interstate 270 between Illinois 203 and Illinois 111 in Madison County will close this weekend for guardrail installation. The closure will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and all lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this lane closure. Drivers are urged to reduce

Attorney General Raoul Defends Haitian and Venezuelan Immigrants' Temporary Protected Status

2 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 16 attorneys general, took action to defend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants, including many who have lived, worked and raised their families in the United States for years. In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, Raoul and the coalition urge the court to uphold a lower court’s ruling that found the administration’s

Rep. Amy Elik Demands Transparency On Pritzker Executive Order ย 

2 weeks 2 days ago
ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) held a press conference today to call out Governor JB Pritzker for his political posturing. Last month, Governor Pritzker directed his agencies in Executive Order 2025-05 to identify immediate spending reductions, but blamed the Trump Administration rather than his own for the need to rein in spending. Governor Pritzker gave his agencies a deadline of October 23rd to identify areas to cut.

Two Injured In Alton Rear-End Collision Near Golf Road and Homer Adams Parkway

2 weeks 2 days ago
ALTON — A rear-end collision occurred Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, 2025, at the intersection of Golf and Homer Adams in Alton, involving a truck and another vehicle, authorities said. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford reported that a vehicle struck the back of a truck in the crash. "The driver and passenger of the vehicle that struck the back of the truck were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," Chief Ford. Further details about the cause of the accident were

Man Apprehended After Chase That Began At Horseshoe Lake Park, Ended In St. Louis

2 weeks 2 days ago
PONTOON BEACH/ST. LOUIS — A man was charged and a woman taken into custody following an early Wednesday morning, Nov. 12, 2025, pursuit and standoff that began at Horseshoe Lake State Park and ended in north St. Louis, authorities said. The incident started shortly after 1 a.m. when Pontoon Beach police officers patrolling Horseshoe Lake State Park, which had closed the previous evening, noticed a vehicle parked off-road in a grassy area. Upon approaching, officers observed a man inside

Granite City Men Charged With Burglarizing, Damaging Storage Units

2 weeks 2 days ago
GRANITE CITY – Two men from Granite City face the same set of felony charges after allegedly damaging and burglarizing three storage units. Michael J. Caban, 47, and Douglas S. Ray, 45, both of Granite City, were both charged on Nov. 4 with three counts each of burglary (all Class 2 felonies) and one count each of criminal damage to property (both Class 4 felonies.) The two reportedly entered three different storage units without authority and with the intent to commit a theft on Aug.

Santino's "Cooks With Heart" and Promises Fresh, Homemade International Cuisine

2 weeks 2 days ago
ALTON - Santino’s Steak and Pasta House has added international cuisine and a chef who loves his job. CJ Nasello recently stopped by Santino’s at 180 E. Center Drive for a taste test. As he tried new dishes, he talked with Chef KK about what makes Santino’s special. “The best part of all of Santino’s is, most of the food is homemade food, made with love by our staff,” KK said. “We make it from scratch, so it takes some time, but it’s

Virtual Event Links Jersey Students and Deployed Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Wunderlin

2 weeks 2 days ago
JERSEY COUNTY - On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, first-grade students in Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 connected virtually with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Wunderlin to mark Veterans Day. Through a Google Meet session, the students had the opportunity to engage with Wunderlin, who has been deployed to Europe since February. Wunderlin, a Chinook helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, shared his experiences serving overseas in Germany, Romania, and London. During his deployment,