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
SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reaffirmed the recommendation for a universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth to prevent hepatitis B, a serious viral infection that can lead to acute or chronic liver disease. The guidance aligns with decades of scientific consensus and endorses recommendations from the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee (IL-IAC). These actions come in response to recent moves by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization
SPRINGFIELD – For too long, consumers have been left tricked when gyms and fitness centers offer a lifetime membership, only to change the terms of the deal after the fact. That will change come Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt ensuring these businesses keep their word. “If you run an honest business that provides quality service to your customers, then this law won’t concern you,” said Belt (D-Swansea). "We are going after bad
WORDEN – A Bunker Hill man’s reportedly reckless driving has resulted in an injury to a road worker and a felony charge in Madison County. Duane A. Young, 42, of Bunker Hill, was charged on Dec. 9, 2025 with one count each of aggravated reckless driving (a Class 4 felony) and driving while license is suspended (a Class A misdemeanor). Young allegedly drove a motor vehicle on Wieseman Road in Worden with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of people or property on Sept.
EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) will host a series of Listening Sessions in January to provide residents of the 56th District an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Senator and share their concerns, ideas, and feedback. “Meeting directly with the people I serve is the best way to understand the issues that matter most in our district,” said Senator Harriss. “These conversations help guide my work in Springfield and ensure I am representing
MADISON COUNTY — A Madison County grand jury indicted DJ W. Marshall, 26, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, charging him with multiple felonies related to a December 5, 2025, incident involving a Granite City Police officer. Marshall faces four counts: attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, and felon in possession of a weapon. The charges stem from an incident in which Marshall allegedly fired multiple shots at
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) welcomed 21 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 151 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The new Troopers will report to seven ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Cadet Class 151 marks the 23rd cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. Since 2019, 713 troopers have joined ISP. “I am proud to congratulate each
SWANSEA — On Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led seniors from across Illinois’ 13th District in an advocacy day focused on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. Budzinski attended an event hosted by AgeSmart Community Resources in Swansea, while the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging and AgeLinc held concurrent events in Champaign and Springfield, respectively. The seniors who participated in the advocacy day wrote postcards to the
IEA President Karl Goeke on Dec. 19, 2025, made comments about cuts to federal community school grants. “The Trump administration’s announcement just before the holidays that it will cut Full Service Community Schools funding on Dec. 31 puts 19,000 students across the state at risk. The grant money funds mental health, tutoring, food assistance, extracurricular and after-school programs that help our most vulnerable students stay safe and healthy. “At least 32 schools across
O’FALLON, Ill. — On November 17, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital performed our first laser lead extraction. This innovative, specialized heart procedure is used to safely remove old or damaged wires, called “leads”, from a patient’s pacemaker or defibrillator. The first laser lead extraction at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital was performed by Dr. Michael Hushion, Prairie Cardiovascular Electrophysiologist. “Laser lead extraction is a minimally invasive
ST. LOUIS - Ameren Missouri is reminding customers this holiday season that a few simple efficiency steps can help keep celebrations bright while saving a typical household up to $70 on seasonal energy costs (depending on home size, equipment and how families use energy). As families light front porch displays and gear up for holiday cooking marathons, Ameren Missouri urges customers to choose efficient products and set up safely: ENERGY STAR® certified LED light strings use up
JERSEY - The Jersey CUSD No. 100 Board of Education is proud to announce the employment of Dr. Jason Brunaugh as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2027. Dr. Brunaugh will succeed Brad Tuttle, who is set to retire on June 30, 2027. The appointment marks a "full circle" moment for the district. A proud alumnus of Jersey CUSD No. 100, Dr. Brunaugh’s deep roots in the community have fueled a 25-year career dedicated to the success of local students
EDWARDSVILLE - On Saturday, December 6, 2025, math team members from Liberty and Lincoln middle schools gathered in Edwardsville for the fifth annual Edwardsville Middle Schools’ Junior Olympiad competition. Organized by middle school math teachers Gardner Holland, Rachel Tucker, Katie Sok, and Kyle Lask, the event featured 36 participants, marking the largest turnout to date. Students were divided into three-person teams to compete in five rounds of activities designed to encourage collaboration
ALTON — The Alton Police Department’s K9 Rico will soon be outfitted with a new bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest, which is expected to be delivered within ten weeks, was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s and will be embroidered with the message “In memory of Odin - EOW 8/22/24.” The protective gear is designed to help safeguard Rico while he serves alongside Officer Archer in
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