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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced upcoming lane closures on eastbound Interstate 55/I-64/U.S. 40 between the Poplar Street Bridge and the McKinley Bridge on ramps in St. Clair County for bridge repairs. Beginning at midnight Monday, Oct. 5, two eastbound mainline lanes will be closed at this location. The two outer lanes and ramps will remain open during the closure. All lanes are expected to reopen on or before 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4

SWANSEA – To combat rising energy prices, State Senator Christopher Belt encourages eligible families in the 57th District to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. “Families in the Metro East work hard and they deserve some support to keep the lights on during hard times,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With the LIHEAP program, those in need can get assistance when it comes to their energy bill.” The LIHEAP program – which opens Oct. 1 –

One of the most consequential developments in the history of recorded music began with a business incorporation, not a concert. On Oct. 3, 1901, the Victor Talking Machine Co. was incorporated, establishing a company that would help make recorded performances part of everyday life. On this date in 2026, that milestone reaches its 125th anniversary — a reminder that the history of music includes the machines and businesses that bring artists into listeners’ homes. Victor became an

GRANITE CITY - The Granite City High School Warriors opened Senior Night against Alton on Sept. 25, 2026, with a touchdown on an electrifying Kaysen Emerson’s kickoff return and an onside kick recovery by Granite. He is No. 1 in the uniform shown above. The pregame ceremonies honored seniors and their families for their contributions to the program. The Warriors seniors have helped pave the way for future success for the football program. The Warriors football seniors are Stillwater

ALTON — A 23-year-old father was charged with endangering the life or health of a child after police said he left his 6-month-old infant locked inside a vehicle while he went into Argosy Casino to gamble on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The Alton Police Department was notified at approximately 5:47 p.m. Wednesday of an infant locked inside a vehicle in the casino parking lot at 1 Piasa St. Officers arrived and met with casino personnel, who had immediately contacted police upon learning the

JERSEYVILLE – The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office congratulated Deputy Marshall Lewis on his recent retirement after serving for 10 years with the department. A retired Marine Corps veteran of 20 years, Lewis also briefly served as Chief of the Grafton Police Department before joining the JCSO, where he has served as a correctional officer, deputy, and detective. “He handled countless calls for service, investigated scores of cases, and helped / rendered aid to an untold amount

COTTAGE HILLS – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) announced that Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills will receive $100,000 in state funding to support facility upgrades and help the organization continue serving individuals and families throughout the Metro East. “Community Hope Center is there for people when they need a helping hand, and I want to make sure organizations like this have the resources they need to continue their work,” said Senator Harriss.

EDWARDSVILLE – Additional traffic safety patrols conducted over the past year in Edwardsville led to more than 230 citations being issued and multiple arrests for a range of illegal and unsafe driving infractions. The extra patrols were made possible through the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which is funded by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Edwardsville Police Department on Friday, October 2, shared the results

SAINT LOUIS - Community members can support local schools and enjoy craft beer and chili at the upcoming Brew in the Lou festival. From 1–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Francis Park in St. Louis, you can try unlimited craft beer tastings, vote for your favorite chili contest competitor, and shop over 80 local vendors. The Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA) hosts the event to raise money for scholarships and support for local Lutheran schools across the Greater St. Loui

EDWARDSVILLE - You can enjoy special Harvest Day-themed activities for the final Land of Goshen Community Market of the season. From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at City Park in Edwardsville, the market will host its final event of the summer season. This weekend is special with a Harvest Day theme, featuring fun kids’ activities as well as the market’s usual fresh produce, artisanal goods and community vendors. “The market brings so much life to Main

BENTON — A federal jury in Southern Illinois convicted a New Jersey man of attempted solicitation of child pornography after he requested sexually explicit images from an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 12-year-old. Nicholas R. Emper, 44, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, was found guilty of one count stemming from online communications that began in February 2025, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.

CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of attorneys general in issuing the following joint statement in response to the complaint that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed Tuesday against nearly all federal district court judges in Minnesota: “The announcement by U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche that the Department of Justice has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against nearly all federal district court judges in Minnesota is a desperate and dangerous

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) prepare to negotiate the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), today urged SASC and HASC leadership to add language into the final bill to temporarily halt any plans to deactivate the 183rd Wing’s Central Repai

JERSEYVILLE – The Bounce Back short-term rehabilitation program at Liberty Village of Jerseyville has been helping recovering patients get back to living their best lives for two decades. “If you have a fall, or you have a hip replacement or a knee replacement, our place is the place to come,” Marketing Director Lorie Hunter said. “We actually give you the therapy and the rehab that you need. “We want everybody to be able to return back home and live their best

A horn overflowing with fruit may seem like an odd way to celebrate food. Yet this unlikely container—the cornucopia—became one of the most lasting images of abundance in Western culture. Like a bundle of wheat or a decorative pumpkin, it carries a story much older than the greeting cards and table settings where it often appears. Harvest symbols began with a basic concern: having enough to eat. A successful crop could mean security, while a failed one could bring hunger. Communities

A performer born in St. Louis helped change the face of European entertainment on Oct. 2, 1925. Josephine Baker made her Paris debut in “La Revue nègre” at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, beginning a breakthrough that brought a Black American artist extraordinary international visibility. For Riverbend readers looking back on music history this Oct. 2, 2026, Baker’s appearance provides a local connection to a turning point in the global reach

This Day in History: October 2, 2026 Major Historical Events 1941: Germany launches its main offensive toward Moscow On October 2, 1941, German forces launched the main phase of Operation Typhoon, the offensive intended to capture Moscow during the Second World War. Germany had invaded the Soviet Union in June, and its leaders hoped that taking the Soviet capital would cripple the country’s government, transport networks, and ability to continue fighting. An initial attack on the southern

ALTON — A historic St. Francis statue reported stolen Sept. 13, 2026, from the garden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is believed to have been scrapped in Missouri, according to the Alton Police Department. The statue, which had stood in the garden for decades, has not been recovered. Detectives continuing to investigate the theft have developed information about individuals believed to be responsible, police said. A motive has not been provided. “Our detectives have worked

CHICAGO – "The Governor's Office has remained in conversation with the Bears about their plans in Illinois throughout the summer. "Today, Governor Pritzker was grateful to meet in Illinois with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pat Ryan, Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Rep. Kam Buckner, and Sen. Bill Cunningham. "The Governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers."

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings today announced a second round of funding for projects addressing emerging contaminants in drinking and/or source water in small or disadvantaged communities. A total of $21,806,000 is available through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program to assist communities in completing construction projects to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)