CHICAGO – Following Juliana Stratton’s victory in Illinois’ U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, the Juliana for Illinois campaign released the following statement: “Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is grateful to every voter in Illinois who made their voice heard in today’s election. Her victory has shown that Illinois is ready for bold leadership that will stand up to Donald Trump and always put working people at the forefront. There aren’t a lot of voices i
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old man who was found unconscious early Wednesday, March 18, 2026, along a roadway, authorities said. Officers responded at about 5:22 a.m. March 18, 2026, to the area of Illinois Route 161 and Sullivan Drive in Belleville for a report of an unconscious man on the side of the road, the Belleville Police Department said. Police and EMS personnel determined the man was dead. Investigators and the department’s
ALTON – An estimated $1.6 million in unpaid trash bills which have gone uncollected sparked calls for more aggressive action at the last Alton City Council meeting. The issue was first raised at the Feb. 23, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting , when Alderman Michael Velloff asked Mayor David Goins who was responsible for collecting the delinquent trash bills and what steps the city had taken to collect them. “Don’t make it seem like this debt just came up when I took office,&rdquo
BELLEVILLE - Detectives investigating a fatal shooting in Belleville have filed murder and weapons charges against an 18-year-old Collinsville man, police said. On March 17, 2026, detectives with the Belleville Police Department presented information related to the March 15, 2026, homicide that occurred in the 5800 block of Belleville Crossing Street. Following a review of the evidence, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office issued charges against William A.L.
EAST ALTON — Illinois Department of Transportation workers were repairing part of a bridge over Wood River Creek on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, after IDOT was called to the scene when a portion of the bridge fell underneath. Motorists were advised to slow down when entering the area while IDOT completes its work. The East Alton Police Department said IDOT was making progress on the obstruction repair.
ALTON - The Old Bakery Beer Company will partner with the local Sierra Club to host the Buzz’d Beer Festival this weekend. From 1–5 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, community members can stop by The Old Bakery Beer Company for a day of small bites, live music, and over 50 drink samples. The event aims to bring awareness to the Sierra Club’s work while reminding people about the importance of supporting insect pollinators. “Nothing makes people understand the importance
CHESTERFIELD, MO. - The pilot killed in a plane crash at Spirit of St. Louis Airport at 18270 Edison Avenue in Chesterfield, Missouri, has been identified as Edward Ruhbeck, 65, of St. Louis, according to St. Louis County officials. St. Louis County said Tuesday, March 17, 2026, that Ruhbeck, of the 11300 block of Larimore Road in St. Louis, Missouri, 63138, died after a crash that occurred at the airport early March 17. The St. Louis County Police Department Metro Air Support Unit, Spirit
OKAWVILLE - Following his decisive primary election victory tonight, State Representative Charlie Meier issued the following statement: “Tonight, the voters of Southern Illinois won. Hardworking farmers, families, and small businesses sent a clear message that they want a proven fighter representing them in Springfield. “Thank you to everyone who stood by my side in this hard-fought race. Your support and encouragement made this victory possible. As your State Representative,
ALTON - The following is a statement from Marsie Geldert-Murphey, candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 56th District , following her victory in the Democratic Primary: “Tonight I’m incredibly grateful to the voters across our district who placed their trust in me, and to the many supporters and volunteers who helped power this campaign. From knocking on doors and making phone calls to hosting conversations in living rooms and coffee shops, this has truly been a community
The fastest way to start an argument at a family gathering is to suggest changing the “right” way to do something—how the turkey gets carved, which song plays first, or who sits where. It can feel silly. Why should a small ritual matter so much? Yet those little rules often carry more weight than the food on the table. Traditions stick across generations because they do more than preserve the past. They help people feel safe, connected, and understood. They turn a group of
On March 18, 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov stepped out of his spacecraft and became the first human to walk in space. For about 12 minutes, he floated above Earth while attached to the Voskhod 2 capsule by a tether. At the time, the spacewalk was a major test of whether people could work outside a spacecraft—something future missions would depend on for repairs, construction, and exploration. It still matters today because modern spaceflight, from maintaining satellites to assembling
ILLINOIS - Rosetta “Rosie” Brown will face Amy Elik for the Illinois House of Representatives 111th District. Incumbent Amy Elik, a Republican, has served in this role since 2021. Brown, a Democrat, currently serves as the Fourth Ward alderwoman in Alton. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. The 111th District includes Alton, Edwardsville and Granite City.
GREENE/CALHOUN/MACOUPIN – Here are the latest unofficial 2026 primary results for Greene, Calhoun, and Macoupin Counties: GREENE COUNTY In the race for Greene County Sheriff, Chris Weller defeated Chief Deputy Cale Hoesman and Clark A. Wallis for the Republican nomination and will face Democrat Ben Picou the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections. Weller secured 55.23% of the vote over Hoesman’s 29.79% and Wallis’s 14.98%, with 100% of precincts reporting unofficial results. Weller
ILLINOIS - Mary Miller will face Jennifer Todd in the race to represent Illinois’s 15th Congressional District. During the March 17, 2026, primary, Republicans Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge challenged incumbent Mary Miller for the Republican nomination. Democrats Paul Davis, Kyle Nudo, Randy Raley and Jennifer Todd faced off for the Democratic nomination. Miller received 73.6% of votes while Bowlby took 11.5% of votes and Tebrugge took 14.9% of votes. Davis had 33.9% of votes, Nud
EDWARDSVILLE - Linda Andreas said she was very appreciative of the voting support she garnered to defeat challenger Kurt Prentzler as the Republican nominee for the Madison County Clerk position. Andreas was declared the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results from the 2026 primary elections, setting up a Nov. 3, 2026, general election contest against Democrat Rachelle Bauerle. Andreas, the incumbent county clerk, held a lead over challenger Kurt
ILLINOIS - Charles Meier will run unopposed to represent the 109th District in the Illinois House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2026. During the primary election on March 17, 2026, incumbent Charlie Meier ran against his challenger Zachary Meyer for the Republican nomination. Meier took 62.2% of votes while Meyer received 37.8% of votes. Meier has held this seat since 2013. The 109th District includes Highland, Marine, Troy, and parts of Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville voters made their positions on video gambling well known during the 2026 primary elections. Voters faced a city-wide referendum on their ballots concerning the topic of video gambling, with the exact wording as follows: Shall the City of Edwardsville allow video gambling subject to regulation in existing establishments with on premises consumption of alcohol/liquor? 66.73% of Edwardsville residents voted against the referendum, while 33.27% voted in favor,
RIVERBEND - Democrat Marsie Geldert-Murphey will compete against Republican Erica Harriss in the race to represent the 56th District in the Illinois Senate. Marsie Geldert-Murphey and Kevin Hall, both Democrats, faced each other during the March 17, 2026, primary, and Geldert-Murphey secured the Democratic nomination. Geldert-Murphey secured 53.5% of votes and Hall received 46.5% of votes. Harriss has represented the 56th District since 2023. The 56th District includes parts of Godfrey,
SPRINGFIELD - With most precincts reporting, state Sen. Darren Bailey held a wide lead Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Illinois Republican primary for governor. Bailey had 281,431 votes, or 53.49%, with 92% reporting. Ted Dabrowski followed with 151,101 votes, or 28.72%. James Mendrick had 51,058 votes, or 9.70%, and Rick Heidner had 42,514 votes, or 8.08%. The race was not called. In a statement posted Tuesday night, March 17, 2026, Bailey addressed voters across the field. “To
EDWARDSVILLE – Linda Andreas has been named the Republican nominee for Madison County Clerk, according to the latest unofficial results for the 2026 primary elections. Andreas, the incumbent County Clerk, has unofficially secured her bid against challenger Kurt Prenzler, with Andreas receiving 52.85% of the vote and Prenzler receiving 47.15% of the vote, with 100% of precincts reporting. Andreas is set to face Democrat Rachelle Bauerle in the general elections on Nov. 3, 2026. Two
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