JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the promotions of three deputies, effective immediately, recognizing their contributions and assigning them to new roles within the department. Detective Matt Werner has been promoted to captain and will serve as the patrol commander. Detective Jared Fravell has been elevated to lieutenant and will continue his work in the investigations division. Detective Jason Thatcher has been promoted to sergeant and will als
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office received an unexpected holiday donation just before Christmas from Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center. The group delivered more than 70 hams and boxes containing ingredients to prepare a Christmas dinner, including stuffing, mashed potato mix, yams, and cornbread mix. Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center are Difference Makers in their community. The donation was
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide after an adult male was found fatally shot in the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2026. The deceased has been identified as Johnathan Brown, 34 years of age, of the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road, St. Louis, MO., 63137. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at approximately 4:51 p.m. on Wednesday to a call reporting a suspicious death. St. Louis County Police said
MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2025 Semester (August-December 2025). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for 175 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its smal
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Growth Corp, one of the nation’s highest-producing SBA 504 lenders, recently announced a significant leadership transition effective January 1, 2026. After 35 years as President, Doug Kinley will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Sara Vanhala, a nearly 20-year veteran of the organization and current Chair of the Board of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), has been appointed President. Serving small and mid-sized, for-profit
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Storyteller Studios, the award-winning video production company known for premium, story-driven marketing campaigns nationwide, today announced the launch of Storyteller Small Batch, designed to make high-quality brand storytelling accessible to local small businesses in Springfield and Sangamon County. Launched January 1, 2026, Storyteller Small Batch delivers the same Emmy Award-winning team, cinematic production values, and strategic storytelling that have defined Storyteller
On January 8, 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered what became known as the “Fourteen Points,” a set of principles meant to guide peace negotiations as World War I neared its end. The speech called for ideas that were still relatively new in global diplomacy at the time: more open agreements between countries, freer trade and navigation, reductions in arms, and the notion that borders and governments should better reflect the people living under them. It also proposed an
This morning starts mostly cloudy with temperatures near 43 degrees. Light rain showers will begin early, but by afternoon, rain will pick up along with thunderstorms. The high today reaches 63 degrees, with winds from the south-southeast gusting up to 39 mph. These storms may bring gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours that could cause localized flooding. By evening, rain continues with thunderstorms gradually easing to lighter showers. Winds remain breezy, shifting southwest and gusting near
Governor Pritzker Blasts Trump’s Partisan Freeze to Crucial Child Care and Family Assistance Programs Approximately 152,000 children in Illinois are served through the Child Care Assistance Program that the Trump administration is attacking. CHICAGO – Today, the Trump Administration and Department of Health and Human Services announced the freezing of $10 billion in federal funds, including approximately $1 billion for Illinois, for social services and child care across five
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today released a joint statement on the Trump administration’s decision to exclude the Senate Judiciary Committee from this evening’s Capitol Hill briefing on the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, who was indicted for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy: “President Trump and Secretary Rubio have stated that this was a law enforcement operation tha
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office has won the first civil hate crime lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s office. As a result of Raoul’s lawsuit, a Carroll County Circuit Court judge ordered two white Carroll County residents to pay more than $90,000 for their monthslong campaign of intimidation against their neighbor, who is a Black man. “This behavior is shocking, racist and un-American. I appreciate the judge’s order that shows
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $24 million is now available in grant funding to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in the state’s downstate regions to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Our skilled workforce is part of what
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit for affirming a lower court ruling permanently preventing the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from cutting funding that supports cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country. The ruling protects “indirect cost” reimbursements at research
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is now cosponsoring a War Powers Resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) as well as Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) that would block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. “Our Constitution requires the American people, through their elected representatives
GODFREY – Godfrey residents under the age of 40 may have a chance this spring to share their views on how to make the village more attractive to younger individuals and families. Village officials are planning an “Under 40 Focus Group” event at Bakers & Hale with a tentative date of March 30, 2026, according to a memo from Economic Development Director Jim Mager. A group of up to 25 participants will be selected to participate by invitation and asked a series of open-ended
EAST ST. LOUIS — A Georgia man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for leading a bank fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted financial institutions across central and southern Illinois, federal officials announced Wednesday. Traveon H. Reese, 31, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He admitted to orchestrating a check-cashing conspiracy that involved stealing business checks and identities
GODFREY - The Harman family will once again come together for the 48th Annual Harman Family Bluegrass Show. Hosted by the Harman Family Bluegrass Band, the show is a beloved January tradition for many people in the Riverbend region. This year’s performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Hatheway Cultural Center at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. “You can expect nearly a couple of hours of good bluegrass, gospel and country music, as we hav
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