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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) called on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to halt plans to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and consolidate its operations into the St. Louis P&DC. In the letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Budzinski raised concerns that the plan, spearheaded by former Postmaster General DeJoy, would lead to further delivery delays for Central Illinois residents and hurt local postal employees in Springfield. Budzinski wrote, “As you may know, under your predecessor’s “Delivering for America” plan, the Springfield P&DC was targeted for potential downsizing and consolidation into the St. Louis P&DC. This plan would have forced mail from the Springfield region to travel hundreds of additional miles to St. Louis before being sent out to its final destination…Given that across downstate Illinois, just 73 percent of First-Class three-to-five day mail is being

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OLD SHAWNEETOWN – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and state and local leaders at the Shawneetown Regional Port District today to break ground on a new fertilizer distribution center along the Ohio River. This fertilizer terminal will boost regional freight activity, create jobs, and reinvigorate economic opportunity in the region. Made possible by $12.6 million from Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, the project also will make local agriculture operations more efficient by reducing the traveling distance to the next closest port, resulting in improved safety as well as less wear and tear on local roads. “The Shawneetown Regional Port will soon be revitalized with new activity–moving millions of pounds of fertilizer for Illinois’ thriving agriculture industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through this funding and partnership, we’re bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity

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ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer and Provisional Personnel Director John Unnerstall today announced changes to the City’s family and medical leave (FML) policy, bringing it more in line with that of other cities and governments. The changes, effective immediately, mean that City of St. Louis staff must now first tap accrued medical leave, sick leave, vacation leave and compensatory time before taking paid family and medical leave, a benefit passed by city ordinance in 2022 providing six weeks of paid leave for specific medical situations. An exception is made for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child, which City employees can take as paid leave before exhausting other forms of leave. Intermittent use of paid family is no longer allowed. Additionally, the City now has a separate leave policy to address the unique circumstances related to military leave. Unpaid family and medical leave provisions of the policy are unchanged. “I appreciate Director

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O'FALLON, IL., - The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 600 block of West Madison on Friday evening. Authorities said the incident involved an O’Fallon Police officer, who was not injured. Authorities said there is no danger to the public, and no suspects are being sought. The investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police in accordance with state law and department policy. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a woman injured near the intersection of Veteran’s Parkway and Cleveland Boulevard on Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025. At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2025, officers responded to Gateway Regional Medical Center after a gunshot victim was dropped off at the emergency room. The victim was later transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area and is currently listed in stable condition. Authorities identified the suspect as a black female who fled the scene in a black Dodge Challenger. No additional description of the vehicle or suspect has been released. Granite City Police believe the suspect and victim are known to each other and have stated there is no immediate threat to the community. The Granite City Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (618) 877-7111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). No further comments will be made

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EDWARDSVILLE – Here are six things to know this week about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Homecoming & Family Weekend Registration continues for the 10th Annual Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run & Pancake Breakfast. During SIUE’s Homecoming & Family Weekend campus visitors can choose from a 10K, 5K, or Fun Run—whether you’re a competitive runner or just in it for the pancakes, there’s something for everyone. On Saturday morning of SIUE’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, run or walk, then enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Later in the evening head to the Cougar Fan Zone for food trucks, music, games, and activities for all ages leading up to the Men's Soccer game! Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run & Pancake Breakfast takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 on the Stratton Quad. Lovejoy Library Lovejoy Library has partnered with Student Affairs to sponsor a wellness cart. These carts contain a number of wellness resources

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SPRINGFIELD, IL.— Gabriel P. Calixto, 27, who has ties to the Metro East, was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend in Springfield, IL., and was captured in Mexico and will be returned to the United States to stand trial, federal authorities announced. Calixto faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery in the 2023 death of 24-year-old Emma Shafer. On July 11, 2023, Springfield, IL., Police responded to a residence in the 1000 block of South 8th Street, where Shafer was found dead from multiple sharp force injuries, according to the coroner’s office. Following the discovery, Calixto went on the run. The U.S. Marshals Service collaborated with Mexican authorities to locate and apprehend him. His arrest was announced by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, the Springfield Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A house fire in East St. Louis early Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025, has claimed the lives of three people, officials said. The fire broke out just before 7 a.m. Friday in the 3300 block of Bond Avenue, according to St. Clair County authorities. Emergency crews from the East St. Louis Fire Department and Police Department responded and remained at the scene as of 10 a.m. The St. Clair County Coroner's Office identified the three victims. They are Sylvester Reeves, 94, Pierre Manley, 56, and Cheryle M. Johnson, 59. The coroner's office said the three died from smoke inhalation. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL. — The U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Friday announced that Timothy Brandon Parsons, the former manager of the MC#1 Mine in Franklin County, Illinois, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in connection with an underground fire that occurred in August 2021. Parsons, 38, of Louisa, Kentucky, admitted to conspiring to conceal the fire that was ignited on Aug. 12, 2021, when a cutting torch was used to cut collapsed steel beams underground. Court documents state that after the fire could not be extinguished within 10 minutes, Parsons and others agreed not to evacuate miners or notify MSHA, despite gas detectors alerting to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Coal mining continued during informal firefighting efforts over three shifts from Aug. 12 to 13. The next day, Parsons attempted to hide the fire by ordering a mine evacuation under the false claim that a coal belt was broken. MSHA later received

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ALTON/WOOD RIVER – Residents of Alton and Wood River have been charged with unlawful weapon possession in separate felony cases. Brennen R. Sykes, 18, of Wood River, was charged Aug. 20, 2025 with one count each of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony) and resisting a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). On Aug. 19, 2025, Sykes allegedly carried an EIG .22 caliber revolver on his person which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible; he also allegedly had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. He was additionally accused of resisting arrest by fleeing on foot from a police officer. Wood River Police officers responded to “a report of a suspect brandishing a firearm at 11:15 a.m., walking two blocks from East-Alton Wood River High School,” according to the state’s petition to deny Sykes’s pretrial release from custody. Once officers located Sykes, he reportedly fled

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GRAFTON - Local firefighters will honor those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, in a unique way. On Sept. 11, 2025, community members are invited to QEM Fire Protection District in Grafton to watch the firefighters climb 2,071 stairs or 110 floors, the number of stairs climbed by firefighters on 9/11. Fritz Meat Market will sell food to spectators. Firefighters Cameron Mank and Victoria Westfall believe it will be a powerful way to remember 9/11. “It’s just going to be a meaningful event to try to memorialize those who are lost, all the thousands of lives affected,” Mank explained. “Just the idea of it is going to really put it into perspective.” QEM Fire Protection District has a burn tower on their property at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. The firefighters, wearing their gear, will climb the three stories on the burn tower and then back down, and repeat this process for 2,071 stairs. Mank and Westfall noted that the stair-climb is a way for them to understand

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GLEN CARBON - Drew Kleinheider was part of the "heart and soul" of the Father McGivney Catholic boys baseball team this past season. He has played the past three years as the starting shortstop and was one of the captains for his high school baseball team. McGivney was 38-4 overall during last year's baseball season. He played in every game during his senior season, and Kleinheider never went a season without recording more than 50 hits. He finished with a batting average of .413 last year. Kleinheider is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Kleinheider’s offensive contributions were matched by his speed and versatility. Last season, he stole 49 bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game on the basepaths. Known for his grit and consistent performance, he frequently hit third in the batting order and was a key run producer for his team. He was a guard for the Griffins boys' basketball team. Defensively, Kleinheider maintained a hig

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ALHAMBRA - Alex Odom and two others are organizing a fundraiser to support the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary after a recent fire damaged the sanctuary’s home. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates wild mustang horses and burros, suffered fire damage to one room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. The sanctuary’s mission focuses on healing sick and abused animals, restoring their natural spirit, and ultimately placing them in permanent, loving homes. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary is located at 10107 Klenke Road in Alhambra, IL., 62001. “I volunteer for the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, and their core mission is to rescue as many of the wild mustang horses and burros as we possibly can, gentling them by healing the sick and abused, restoring the natural spirit, and winning their confidence and trust,” Odom said. “They have helped me and many others countless times, and their selfless actions are why I wish to try

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ALTON – Alton residents living near the State Street Trails voiced opposition to the property becoming a commercial development at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Nicholas Goewey, who has reportedly been working on the trails for the past 19 years and secured city approval to operate them years ago, wrote in a June 2025 post on the State Street Trails Instagram page that the property was being targeted by a “troubling neighbor” who was allegedly getting other residents to complain to city officials about the trails. Goewey said he was told by the Alton Police Department at the time that if enough neighbors complained to the city’s Building and Zoning Department, the trails may be shut down entirely. A follow-up post on Aug. 22, 2025 confirmed the trails would likely be shut down because they “are not zoned properly.” Keeley Bogart, who lives in the nearby Norside neighborhood, thanked city officials at Wednesday’s meeting

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BETHALTO - Following reports of discolored water in the Village of Bethalto, Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin gave an update on the district’s water use during the regular Board of Education meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. Griffin thanked many community members and public officials for donating water to the district’s students and staff members. She noted that while this week’s water has been “the clearest water that we’ve had consistently” in some time, they still need water donations to ensure the school community has safe water for drinking and cooking. “We bring quality water into our kitchens to cook with and prepare food,” she explained. “We’re bringing water in right now in all of our kitchens, and then we’re also bringing water and bottles of water for students and staff right now while we wait for things to clear up with the Village.” Griffin thanked the kitchen

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BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on Aug. 28, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education voted to table two items regarding the use of AI and the implementation of Constitution Day. Both items were spearheaded by Board member Dallas Zimmerman, who explained that he wants to see “responsible AI use” by the school district, starting with Board operations. He proposed using AI to record, transcribe and summarize Board meetings. “It’s just about good governance,” Zimmerman said. “Board members are charged with ensuring the efficiency and the accountability and the transparency of our district operations, and adopting AI for Board use is a step forward in that.” Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Alyssa Smith added that the district put out a survey to the district community to create a committee to build an AI policy. This committee includes Board members, union leaders, and other teachers and administrators.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is encouraging everyone who can to try going a week without driving, and is offering students a chance to do their part by traveling to school via the Bike Bus. The Week Without Driving challenge and Bike Bus are two initiatives championed by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which focuses on education and accessibility issues for pedestrians and cyclists in Edwardsville. The Week Without Driving is happening this year from September 29 to October 5. The idea is simple: Try to avoid taking a solo trip in a vehicle during the designated week. Instead, consider walking, biking, taking public transportation, carpooling or hailing a ride service. It’s not a failure if you must drive, but organizers suggest using the opportunity to consider the costs and impact on people whose options aren’t so varied. “Encourage others and your family and your neighbors to try it out,”

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Did you know that 70% of people say they feel more relaxed and connected when dining outdoors? Sharing a meal outside isn’t just about food—it’s about cultivating an atmosphere that encourages conversation, laughter, and lasting memories. Hosting an outdoor brunch with friends offers a unique opportunity to blend culinary delight with the natural environment, turning an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience. Planning the Perfect Setting: Location and Ambiance Choosing the right location sets the foundation for your outdoor brunch. Whether it’s a spacious backyard, a cozy balcony, or a nearby park, the environment will shape the mood of the event. Consider factors such as space, privacy, and accessibility. Creating Atmosphere: Use elements like string lights, lanterns, or candles to add warmth, even during daytime. A simple tablecloth or runner can elevate the dining area while coordinating with the natural surroundings. Comfortable seating

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August 29 has been a day of significant historical events that have shaped societies, cultures, and even the natural world. Perhaps the most profound event associated with August 29 is the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. This catastrophic flood is often considered one of the most destructive river floods in the history of the United States. It began when heavy rains swelled the Mississippi River beyond its banks, overwhelming levees and inundating vast areas of the Mississippi Delta. By the time the waters receded, approximately 27,000 square miles of land were underwater, displacing nearly 700,000 people. The flood's devastation extended across Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other states, decimating homes, farms, and entire communities. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate physical destruction. It exposed glaring racial and economic inequalities, as the majority of those displaced were African American sharecroppers and tenant

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HERRIN – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7 arrested 23-year-old Peyton Steckenrider of Herrin, IL for multiple counts of Possession and Dissemination of Child Pornography. On August 28, 2025, ISP Special Agents executed a search warrant at Steckenrider’s residence in the 500 block of S. 26th Street in Herrin. The investigation revealed evidence of child sexual abuse materials. Steckenrider was booked into the Williamson County jail pending a detention hearing. Steckenrider was charged with eight counts of Possession of Child Pornography – Victim Under 13 Years of Age (Class 2 Felony) and eight counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography – Victim Under 13 Years of Age (Class X Felony). ISP Special Agents were assisted by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office High Tech Crimes Bureau, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Herrin Police Department, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against

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