GRANITE CITY — Telecommunicator Jason Sitzes, a dispatcher with the Granite City Police Department, has died after battling cancer, the department announced Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. Sitzes served in various roles within the emergency medical services and fire communities before dedicating the last two years of his career to dispatching for the Granite City Police Department. “It is with regret that we inform you, Telecommunicator Jason Sitzes has lost his courageous battle with
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit detectives are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, 2025, in the 6800 block of Parker Road. The deceased has been identified as Shardai Spates, 34, of the address of the fire. St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to the fire at approximately 12 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found the residence fully engulfed in flames. The homeowner
Did you know that nearly 70% of people report feeling stressed when hosting guests, largely due to last-minute preparations and unexpected challenges? Hosting holiday guests can be a rewarding experience, but it often requires thoughtful planning and organization to ensure everyone feels comfortable and welcome. Creating an inviting environment goes beyond just cleaning; it involves anticipating needs, managing space efficiently, and fostering a warm atmosphere. Assessing Your Space and Guest
December 22 has been a date marked by remarkable moments in history, spanning the realms of exploration, politics, culture, and science. Going back several centuries, December 22, 1807, saw the United States enact the Embargo Act under President Thomas Jefferson. This legislation aimed to pressure Britain and France, who were at war, by banning American ships from trading with foreign ports. While designed to protect American interests and avoid entanglement in European conflicts, the embargo
Chilly conditions start the day with lows near 41. Morning hours will bring intermittent clouds with some sunshine breaking through. By the afternoon, expect times of clouds and sun with a high near 50 degrees. Winds will be breezy out of the south-southeast around 9 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph. Evening settles in mostly clear with partly cloudy skies and temperatures easing into the upper 40s. Overnight, skies will remain partly cloudy with lows dropping to about 41 degrees and winds calming
Let’s take a journey through time to explore some of these remarkable moments on Dec. 20 and 21. In the 18th century, December 20, 1803, was a pivotal day in European history when the United Kingdom took control of the Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa. This strategic acquisition played a crucial role in British naval dominance and the expansion of its colonial empire, impacting regional politics and trade routes for years to come. Moving forward to the 19th century, on December 20,
Did you know that the winter solstice has been observed by humans for over 5,000 years? From ancient stone circles to modern-day rituals, this astronomical event has captivated civilizations across the globe, symbolizing much more than just a calendar milestone. The winter solstice marks a pivotal moment in the Earth's journey around the sun—a moment that has inspired myths, festivals, and reflections on renewal and balance. Understanding the Winter Solstice: Beyond the Astronomical Event
SPRINGFIELD – Part-time workers may be dissuaded from taking time off to donate a life-saving organ due to fears of losing their job. That will change come Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt ensuring part-time workers are covered for this time away. “We need all the organ donors we can get,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I received a life-saving kidney transplant, so I know firsthand that donations save lives. This law removes barriers for
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Mike Bost (IL-12) introduced legislation to remove outdated eligibility barriers that prevent modern family farms from accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs. The USDA Loan Modernization Act updates eligibility standards to better reflect the structure of today’s multi-generational, family-run farms. This bill would expand access to operating, emergency, and real estate loans for producers in Central
MADISON COUNTY – Felony charges have been filed against a local man and woman accused in separate cases of possessing a stolen vehicle, title, and more. Tyler M. Buckingham, 24, of Wood River, was charged on Dec. 11, 2025 with one count each of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver (a Class 3 felony). Buckingham was allegedly in possession of a Kia Rio bearing an Illinois registration number which he knew
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is returning $100,000 in missing money to food pantries throughout the state. Each December, Frerichs’ office focuses on returning money through the ICash program to nonprofit groups that help people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to help food pantries that saw resources stretched and demand spike when the federal government shutdown stopped food assistance to many Illinois families in November. “Food pantries always
WOOD RIVER - Allison Schardan knew something was wrong with her 3-year-old son when the normal bumps and bruises of childhood started to intensify. In October, Carsen, a loving, vibrant toddler, began to bruise easily and often. It confused Schardan, who also noticed red dots on his skin, called petechiae. She asked her mom, a nurse, who agreed there was “something going on with his blood.” The pediatrician drew labs and discovered Carsen’s platelet count was at a nine.
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will soon have an official state bean starting Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner. “Our state’s symbols highlight the important pieces that make Illinois what it is,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The soybean powers our farms, fuels our economy and feeds our future.” Turner’s law designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois. According to the Illinois Soybean Association,
ST. LOUIS - 2026 will mark the opening of the MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, completion of the Secure Platform Plan, debut of a new fare system, next steps with the alternatives analysis for Bus Rapid Transit and an ongoing commitment to increasing transit accessibility and safety on both sides of the river — all in the midst of an ever-changing funding landscape at the local, state and federal levels. Much is at stake, and the area’s transit advocacy organization
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with the Head of Mission at the Polish Embassy, Bogdan Klich, to discuss Poland’s strong support of Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his brutal war. They also discussed Russia’s provocative incursion into Polish airspace, creating a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine
ALTON — Alton Firefighters Local 1255 will hold its Ninth Annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Crisis Food Center, located at 21 E. 6th Street in Alton. The event will feature a drive-up only distribution, with vehicles lining up on Market Street between East 4th and East 6th Streets, heading north before turning right onto East 6th Street. Drivers will pull up in front of the Crisis Food Center, where volunteers will load one turkey and one bag
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Trump Administration continues to send federal agents and our nation’s servicemembers into American communities to intimidate their fellow Americans, the Senate passed a provision authored and championed by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that would rein in Trump’s misuse of the military, help strengthen public trust in the military and ensure servicemembers identify themselves as part of the Armed Forces when assisting federal law enforcement in
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After the Trump Administration ended the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today introduced a resolution to recognize the 28 Illinois schools that were selected to receive the designation of Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was a national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education given to public, charter,
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At today’s U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST) Aviation Subcommittee hearing, Ranking Member Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated the urgent need to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system, expressing support for providing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with an additional $20 billion to ensure long-term funding certainty, while calling on the FAA to prioritize phase one investments on the systems and infrastructure
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general, called on Meta to better enforce its own policies about pharmaceutical and wellness ads on Instagram and Facebook, and take additional measures to prevent AI-generated weight loss content in ads. These ads are likely to see an uptick during the holiday season and the new year, when conversations around weight loss and appearance tend to increase. GLP-1 weight loss drugs have exploded in popularity
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