RALEIGH – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Special Agents arrested 41-year-old Justin D. Maloney of Raleigh, IL, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) following a homicide investigation conducted at the request of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. On May 20, 2026, shortly after 9 p.m., the Saline County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reference a residential burglary in progress at a residence on Chapel Road in Raleigh, IL. Upon
Optimistic people are not the ones who ignore problems. In many cases, they are the ones who notice problems clearly and still believe something can be done about them. That idea gets at the heart of the psychology of optimism. Optimism is often mistaken for cheerfulness, blind positivity, or a “good vibes only” attitude. But in psychology, optimism is something more practical. It is a general expectation that the future can turn out well, especially when effort, learning, and persistence
ALTON – For the 15th consecutive year, Simmons Hanly Conroy has renewed its platinum sponsorship of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), reaffirming a partnership that has made the firm the nonprofit's longest-running corporate supporter. Simmons Hanly Conroy is widely recognized as one of the nation's largest mass torts firms and a leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families. The renewed sponsorship reflects the firm's ongoing investment
On May 26, one of the most far-reaching events in world history took place in 1896, when Tsar Nicholas II was crowned ruler of the Russian Empire in Moscow. At the time, the ceremony was meant to confirm the strength and continuity of one of the world’s largest monarchies. Instead, it became closely linked with the tensions that would later shake Russia and reshape much of the 20th century. Nicholas II would be the last Russian tsar, and his reign saw war, unrest, revolution, and the collapse
ALTON — The 21st Annual Sunset Memorial Day ceremony was held May 23, 2026, in Alton, bringing together local officials, veterans, students, and community members to honor those who died in military service. The event featured a welcome and closing remarks by Bob Baird, a presentation of colors by the Alton High School Junior ROTC Color Guard, an invocation and benediction by Alton Mayor David Goins, and guest remarks from Air Force veteran Joe Boston. Alton High School student Evelyn
ALTON - Crowds gathered in Alton on Monday, May 25, 2026, for the city’s 159th consecutive Annual Alton Memorial Day Parade, continuing what organizers described as a longstanding community tradition. The parade, held on Memorial Day in Alton, marked another year of participation from residents and local groups, according to Steve Schwartz, a parade spokesperson. “The crowd comes out year after year. We always have great participation from the community coming out and watching th
ALTON - Sam Roberts, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve sergeant major and owner of Roberts Motors, served as grand marshal of the Alton Memorial Day Parade, an honor parade organizers said was in recognition of his military service and commitment to the community. Parade Chairman Greg Erler said the committee “unanimously and enthusiastically” wanted to honor Roberts for “his service to our country and unwavering commitment to our community.” Steve Schwartz, a spokesperson
ALTON - A World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber flown by pilots Mike Marino and Charlie Bramstedt passed over the Alton Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2026, marked what organizers said was the first time a B-25 had appeared over the event. The flyover featured a North American B-25 Mitchell, a twin-engine American medium bomber produced during World War II and named after airpower pioneer Gen. Billy Mitchell. The aircraft served in every theater of the war and is known for its
ALTON — Rayna Raglin, an Alton senior who won state titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, was celebrated Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Alton Memorial Day Parade. Raglin was smiling throughout the parade, with thousands in attendance in Alton. The recognition came two days after she won the 100 and 200 meters and placed eighth in the 400 at the IHSA Class 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field in Charleston.
ALTON — The 159th consecutive Alton Memorial Day Parade drew an estimated 60 to 70 entries Monday, May 25, 2026, with organizers highlighting a first-time flyover, returning longtime groups, and several new entrants as standout features of this year's event. “It was a great parade,” Steve Schwartz, a spokesperson for the Memorial Day Parade, said. Schwartz said the commemorative flyover was a first for the parade and one of the day’s most notable moments. He identified
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School orchestra students and Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard performed Sunday, May 24, 2026, in the Edwardsville Symphony Side-By-Side Concert on the Stage by the Downtown Edwardsville Library in Edwardsville. Voumard said the concert featured Edwardsville High School students performing alongside the Edwardsville Symphony. Voumard said the students and director delivered “a sensational performance” during the event Sunday night. The
Memorial Day was not originally about barbecues, mattress sales, or the “start of summer.” It began as a day for the dead. That difference matters. For many Americans, Memorial Day is familiar but blurry. People know it is a federal holiday. They may know it honors members of the military. But the deeper story is often lost behind long weekends and store promotions. The holiday grew out of grief on a massive scale after the Civil War, and over time it became a national day of remembrance
On May 25, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy asked Congress to commit the United States to “landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth” before the decade was over. It was one of the defining announcements of the 20th century. At the time, it came during the Cold War, when spaceflight had become a visible measure of scientific skill, industrial power, and national confidence. The goal mattered immediately because it turned a series of early space setbacks into
EDWARDSVILLE — The NAACP Edwardsville Branch is proud to announce that Mark Thomas will receive the prestigious President’s Award during the 61st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the SIUE Meridian Ballroom. The President’s Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, advocacy, and commitment to community empowerment reflect the enduring mission and values of the NAACP. Mark Thomas exemplifies those qualities through a distinguished career
GODFREY - A fire in the roof and ceiling of the crematory area of Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home and Crematory in Godfrey drew a commercial box alarm response Sunday after a maintenance worker spotted flames and smoke, according to Godfrey Fire Protection District Chief Eric Cranmer. The call came out at 5:11 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2026, for the business at 1313 W. Delmar Ave. in Godfrey. Godfrey, Alton, Fosterburg, and Brighton fire departments responded, along with the Madison County
BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School recently recognized the retirement of Johanna Runion-Piper, a Career and Technical Education paraprofessional, celebrating her service to the school community and her support for students and staff. The Civic Memorial High School administration said Runion-Piper served as a CTE paraprofessional, playing an important role in supporting its Career and Technical Education programs, students and staff. “Johanna has been a valued member of
On May 24, the most far-reaching event in world history is often traced to 1844, when Samuel Morse sent the first official long-distance telegraph message from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. The short message, “What hath God wrought,” marked the start of a new age in communication. For the first time, information could travel much faster than any person, horse, ship, or train. At the time, that changed government, business, journalism, and daily life by shrinking distances in a practica
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general today opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal to remove certain reporting requirements related to racial and ethnic disparities in special education, including in disability identification and in suspension and expulsion rates for children with disabilities. In a comment letter , Raoul and the attorneys general urge the department to maintain opportunities for oversight and collaboration,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the General Assembly’s passage of his legislation, Protecting Access to Higher Education for Illinois Servicemembers and their Families, which would ensure Illinois servicemembers and their families are not academically penalized when military duty interrupts their higher education. Senate Bill (SB) 3737 unanimously passed the Illinois Senate April 29 and the Illinois House of Representatives today. Illinois Sen. Mike Porfirio and
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, urged several large donor-advised charitable fund sponsors to carefully evaluate their decisions to stop payments to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) highly controversial indictment of the SPLC. In a letter to the donor-advised fund sponsors, the coalition warns of the harm that could result from penalizing nonprofit organizations being targeted
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