SPRINGFIELD – The annual Governor's Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair brought together Illinois' top youth livestock exhibitors, their families and industry supporters to celebrate excellence in livestock exhibition and invest in the next generation of Illinois agriculture. For the seventh year in a row, Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker purchased the Grand Champion Steer. Their $105,000 contribution secured the top prize-winning animal, which will be donated t
EDWARSDVILLE – Edwardsville officials are seeking state funding assistance for a new shared use path along Illinois 157 and upgrades at Joe Glik Park. City Council members unanimously approved submitting two grant applications at their Aug. 18, 2026 meeting with Alderman William Krause absent. These include applications for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement (ITEP) grant for the shared use path and an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for the park improvements,
MADISON COUNTY - A driver was killed and others were injured on Thursday morning, Aug. 20, 2026, in separate crashes on Illinois 255 at New Poag Road in Madison County, where Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to reports of a two-unit fatal crash and a jackknifed truck tractor semi-trailer. State Police spokesperson Jayme Bufford said a preliminary investigation indicates Troop 8 responded at approximately 5:27 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, to northbound Illinois 255 at New Poag
On August 20, one of the most significant events in modern world history took place in 1940, when Leon Trotsky, a leading figure in the Russian Revolution, was fatally attacked in exile in Mexico. The assault, carried out by a Soviet agent, reflected the bitter internal struggle that followed the rise of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. At the time, Trotsky’s death marked the end of the last major revolutionary rival to Stalin. It still matters because it showed how political conflict i
A breakup song can make someone cry and hit repeat at the same time. That strange mix of pain and pleasure sits at the heart of one word: bittersweet . We use “bittersweet” for moments that are hard to name. A child leaving for college. The last day at a job you loved. Looking through old photos and smiling even as your chest tightens. The word matters because life is full of experiences that are not purely happy or purely sad. “Bittersweet” gives us a way to talk about
EDWARDSVILLE — Six public speakers condemned Madison County Chairman Chris Slusser during a packed Madison County Board meeting in the Nelson Hagnauer County Board Room in Edwardsville after Slusser posted a Facebook comment Wednesday, July 29, 2026, suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci needed a “public hanging.” The comment was posted from Slusser’s personal account on an original Facebook post by Hartford resident Jim Barzee, who criticized Fauci and referenced him being silent
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is warning Madison County residents about an increase in scam phone calls from people claiming residents missed jury service and must pay immediately to avoid arrest or further penalties. The sheriff’s office said callers may claim to be contacting residents on behalf of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office or the courts. The callers may provide a name, callback number, and email address “to make it sound legitimate,”
GODFREY — A passenger vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 18, 2026, in front of Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Godfrey to avoid stopped vehicles, colliding with a school bus and another vehicle, according to Marcos Pulido, chief deputy of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, as the passenger vehicle was traveling southbound on Humbert Road in front of the school at 6800 Humbert Road. “The
GRANITE CITY – A woman accused of damaging a vehicle while attempting to set it on fire has been released from custody against the request of Madison County prosecutors. Carol L. Coddington, 62, of East St. Louis, was charged on Aug. 11, 2026 with one count each of attempted arson (a Class 3 felony) and criminal damage to property (a Class A misdemeanor). On Aug. 10, 2026, Coddington allegedly “ignited flammable material and threw it underneath a motor vehicle” parked at a CV
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today celebrated the naturalization of 300 new citizens from 52 countries at the Illinois State Fair Naturalization Ceremony. The Honorable Colleen Lawless, United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois, presided over the ceremony and administered the Oath of Allegiance to the new citizens. “We are a nation of immigrants,
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville Police arrested a city resident last week accused of battery with a hammer, illegal possession of machetes, and more. Erick L. Howell, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on Aug. 12, 2026 in Jersey County court with a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery and two counts of criminal damage to property, including a Class 4 felony and a Class A misdemeanor. Howell allegedly struck another person with a hammer and damaged the property of two different individuals
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville officials are hoping to fully repair and reopen all Donor Pool facilities by 2029 with financial help from the state. Jerseyville City Council members voted unanimously at their Aug. 18, 2026 meeting to apply for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The city is seeking the maximum grant amount of $600,000 and would match these funds with another $600,000 for $1.2 million total.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — The St. Louis County Police Department on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, released a Critical Incident Briefing video for a July 5, 2026, officer-involved shooting in North County that left two juveniles with gunshot injuries after officers responded to reports of a large disturbance involving teenagers. The Critical Incident Briefing video for the officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 5, 2026, is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=JOewXtatIxo
ALTON - The Marquette girls golf team turned in a 339 to place second among Class 1A schools and third overall at the Madison County Golf Invite at Legacy Golf Course, where the Explorers competed against teams including Highland and Edwardsville. Marquette finished behind Highland, which shot a 326, and Edwardsville, which posted a 306. Three Marquette players earned all-tournament team honors. Maggie Pruetzel finished first in Class 1A with a 72; Kaylee Piar placed third with a 78; and Lexi
EDWARDSVILLE - James Williams and fellow Boy Scouts recently built a mud kitchen for the playground at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Early Childhood Center after two teachers asked whether he could build something for the outdoor space. Williams, who attended the center from ages 2 to 4, said he wanted to give back to the program. “I went to the ECC when I was younger, and I wanted to give back,” he said. The mud kitchen gives children an outdoor play
ALTON - Alton Main Street , the Sierra Club Illinois ’ Three Rivers Project, and Jacoby Arts Center are announcing the return of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, September 19th from noon until 10:00 p.m. The 20th annual festival in Downtown Alton is a vibrant celebration dedicated to our river and environment. Featuring over 30 environmental education exhibits, more than 70 eco-conscious artists and makers, and 12 culinary vendors, the event
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced $50 million in grant funding has been awarded to 21 grantees through the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program. This funding was made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital program which aims to support the construction, expansion, and improvement of community healthcare facilities across Illinois. “Community health centers
CHICAGO – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is holding an additional in-person forum for Illinois American Water customers wishing to comment on their utility’s proposed general rate increase. Impacted customers are not required to attend the in-person forum to submit a comment. Those unable to attend may submit comments via the ICC website or by calling our Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 during regular business hours. DATE: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor Ruth Slenczynska Kerr, a world-renowned concert pianist and former SIUE artist-in-residence and music professor emerita, with a public memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in the university’s Katherine Dunham Hall Theater, following her death in April 2026. The Ruth Slenczynska Kerr Memorial Service is being presented by SIUE, the Ruth Slenczynska Scholarship and the College of Arts and Sciences. The service
CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker today issued a state disaster proclamation following weeks of severe and record-breaking weather across Illinois resulting in widespread damage from torrential downpours, flash flooding, straight-line winds and several tornadoes – leading the nation with approximately 204 tornadoes verified by the National Weather Service (NWS) already this year. The Governor’s state proclamation will make additional state resources and personnel available to support
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