CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced today the X-Labs Fast Fund to encourage U.S. National Science Foundation X-Labs ( NSF X-Labs initiative ) teams to choose Illinois as the place to pursue technical breakthroughs in the quantum technology sector. The Illinois X-Labs Fast Fund reinforces Illinois’ leadership as the nation’s leading hub for quantum innovation. “There’s no better place
DUPO - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) continues to donate the legislative pay raise he voted against to local organizations throughout the 114th District to help families in need. This month, he donated a variety of essential food items to the TWIGS Program, which provides free summer lunches to children ages 18 and under in Dupo, East Carondelet, and Cahokia Heights. “I take pride in donating my legislative pay raise to help people in our communities who are less
Wednesday starts partly sunny and quiet, with temperatures in the upper 60s early and very light wind. It will feel a little warmer than the thermometer right away, with feels like temperatures in the low to mid-70s as humidity stays high. By afternoon, the day turns hotter and stickier, reaching a high near 87. Sunshine will mix with building clouds, and there is a 55% chance of rain with a spotty thunderstorm possible later in the day. Winds stay light out of the southeast around 6 mph, with
BETHALTO – A domestic battery suspect accused of threatening to kill a Bethalto Police officer has been ordered released from custody pending trial in Madison County. Timothy L. McCann, 58, of Bethalto, was charged on June 29, 2026, with one count each of threatening a public official (a Class 3 felony), domestic battery, and resisting a peace officer (both Class A misdemeanors). Two days prior on June 27, McCann allegedly knowingly made verbal statements threatening to take the life
JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 said Jersey Community High School recently concluded its Theater Camp with a packed house for the campers’ performance, bringing together 75 campers and 50 high school students for a week of activities centered on theater. According to the district, participants learned a song and dance, toured backstage areas, learned about different stage crew jobs, played acting games, enjoyed snacks and received a surprise visit from
ALTON - The City of Alton and the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau will once again host the Alton Powerboat Nationals. From July 17–19, 2026, community members and visitors can enjoy the Alton Riverfront and several thrilling races on the Mississippi River. There will also be a free meet-and-greet street party on July 17 at Mac’s Downtown. Grace Sakry, a spokesperson with Great Rivers and Routes, noted the excitement of preparing for the races and bringing people together
GODFREY - Village of Godfrey officials have approved a renovation project for the vortex chamber at the Great Godfrey Corn Maze, a popular feature of the village’s haunted maze attraction in Glazebrook Park, Mayor Mike McCormick said. Trustees approved at the Tuesday night, July 7, 2026, board meeting a proposal from Stutz Excavating Inc. for structural work on the vortex chamber, which is located near the corn maze and gazebo in Godfrey. McCormick said the work involves reconstruction
GLEN CARBON - Illinois State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash involving an SUV and a truck tractor semi-trailer on Interstate 270 westbound near South Glen Carbon in Madison County at about 6:27 a.m. July 8, 2026, according to Troop 8. A preliminary investigation indicates the crash occurred at Milepost 11 on I-270 westbound, Illinois State Police said in information provided by Trooper Genelle Jones of the agency’s Public Information Office. Unknown injuries were reported at the
EDWARDSVILLE - Main Street Community Center hosted a lively and well-attended USA 250 Celebration BBQ, bringing together over 120 community members, volunteers, staff, and Board members for an afternoon filled with food, music, and patriotic celebration. The event honored America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026 with a red, white, and blue themed gathering focused on community connection, engagement, and shared enjoyment. Guests enjoyed a classic summer barbecue spread featuring hot
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general and two state governors, today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in response to HUD’s renewed attempt to unlawfully cap funding for permanent housing projects to address homelessness in states. In their lawsuit – filed today in federal court – Raoul and the coalition argue that HUD’s decision would result in tens of thousands o
ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced five new City of St. Louis Strategic Priorities and 25 underlying initiatives, outlining a clear direction for the City for the coming years. “By developing and sharing strategic priorities for the years ahead, we set clear expectations for where my administration and the City overall will focus our time, energy and resources,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “These priorities are not meant to encompass all the important work don
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski’s (IL-13) office helped an Illinois resident recover $394,000 in long-delayed Social Security benefits after years of navigating a complex and frustrating process with the Social Security Administration. To listen to the full story, click HERE . After Lisa Ash lost her sister, she stepped up to become the legal guardian of her nephew. While her sister was terminally ill, Lisa was notified by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
July 8 has brought together moments of power, discovery, creativity, and change across many parts of the world. In 1497, Vasco da Gama set sail from Lisbon on the voyage that would eventually carry him around the Cape of Good Hope to India. This journey opened a direct sea route between Europe and South Asia. For Portugal, it was a major commercial and strategic success, helping it build a far-reaching maritime empire. The voyage also changed world trade by linking regions more directly by sea,
A hot room can turn a minor annoyance into a full-blown argument. That idea sounds dramatic, but many people have felt it. A long wait in traffic feels longer. Small mistakes seem harder to ignore. Patience runs thin. Heat does not change personality overnight, but it can push behavior in noticeable ways. It affects mood, attention, sleep, energy, and even the way people treat each other. Understanding that link helps explain everyday friction, from family tension at home to sharper tempers
ALTON - The Alton Police Department announced the results of its Fourth of July traffic safety enforcement campaign in Alton, Illinois, saying officers issued dozens of citations and apprehended two fugitives as part of a statewide effort tied to impaired driving and seat belt enforcement. “The Alton Police Department today announced the results of its Fourth of July Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket safety campaigns,” Alton Police Sgt. Mike Roderfeld
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged a Florissant, Mo., man in connection with a July 4, 2026, shooting at a gas station on Lusher Road in which authorities say gunfire was exchanged between people in a vehicle and an off-duty Riverview Gardens police officer working secondary security. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Sunday, July 5, 2026, that Brandon Green, 40, of the 5300 block of Delcastle Drive in Florissant, was charged with two
ALTON — Alton Police and firefighters responded at 7:41 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to reports of a pedestrian struck on Landmarks Boulevard, and the injured person was taken to a St. Louis-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. The Alton Police Department said it received 911 calls about the crash and dispatched several officers along with the Alton Fire Department. Alton firefighters transported the pedestrian directly to the hospital,
ALTON – An upcoming “Lunch & Learn” event in Alton aims to make long-term financial planning easy to navigate for local families. The free event is set for 12 to 1 p.m. this Friday, July 10, 2026 at The Wedge in downtown Alton, where lunch will be provided. Registration is required and can be completed online here . Curtis Stephens of Stephens Planning and Elizabeth Heller of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. will break down the complexities of wills, trusts, estate taxes,
BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, swore in Probationary Police Officer Levi Seaton, who joins the department with six years of previous law enforcement experience. “We are excited Officer Seaton chose to join the Belleville Police Department and look forward to him being a part of our team,” the department said.
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan E. Green said Tuesday that she plans to call two additional meetings during the board’s summer recess to advance legislation setting zoning regulations for data centers in the city. Green announced the move July 7, ahead of the Board of Aldermen’s final regular meeting before recess on Friday, July 10. The additional meetings are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, July 20, and Friday, July 24. The board will resume regular meetings
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