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This Day in Music History: September 23 Bob Marley’s final concert, played Sept. 23, 1980, at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theatre, stands as the day’s most consequential musical milestone. Marley and the Wailers were on the U.S. leg of the Uprising tour, carrying reggae’s language of spiritual conviction, social justice and communal resilience to a broad international audience. The Pittsburgh performance came at the end of a career that had transformed Jamaican music into a global

On September 23, one of the most consequential events in modern world history is the 1806 arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition back in St. Louis after more than two years of travel across North America. Sent by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition set out to map lands little known to the United States, establish relations with Native nations, and search for a practical route to the Pacific. At the time, the journey mattered because it expanded geographic

From juried art and live music to community festivals, fundraisers, markets and family activities, the Riverbend has a packed slate of upcoming events. Find even more options on the complete RiverBender.com Events calendar. RBGA LeadHERship Seminar will bring women of all ages and backgrounds together Friday, Sept. 25, at Enjoy Church in Alton for an annual half-day program designed to inspire, uplift and empower. Doors open at 11 a.m., with the seminar beginning at 12:30 p.m. and concluding

GLEN CARBON – An electric vehicle charging station is coming to Schon Park in Glen Carbon. Glen Carbon Village Board members voted unanimously on Sept. 22, 2026 to purchase an electric vehicle charger to be installed in Schon Park. Trustees also approved a related agreement with the Electrification Coalition and Ameren Illinois. Public Works Director Scott Slemer said the project consists of a dual output charging station. “We’ll have dual outputs, so you’ll be able t

JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville residents are invited to an upcoming Neighborhood Block Party offering attendance-free fun for the entire family and a chance to connect with fellow neighbors. The Jerseyville Public Library is celebrating National Good Neighbor Day this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 with its fourth annual Neighborhood Block Party from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees of all ages can gather on Lafeyette Street, which will be closed off to traffic. The free event will feature storytelling,

September is Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, and one woman is sharing her story after a rupture nearly took her life. Kari Rixstine says what started as a routine morning walk with her dogs quickly turned into a medical emergency. She now wants people to know the warning signs and why a sudden, severe headache should never be ignored. It was a Monday morning walk that Kari Rixstine will never forget. She had just said goodbye to her husband, Tim, and walked about a half block with her dogs

ST. LOUIS – A Columbian national illegally present in the United States on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, admitted assaulting a federal agent on Interstate 64 in April. Jhon Fredy Blanco Rodriguez, 22, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of assaulting a federal agent. He admitted that on the morning of April 8, federal agents saw him leave a residence and enter a vehicle registered to a known illegal alien. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents

HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a full daytime closure of the Joe Page Bridge (IL 16 & 100) over the Illinois River Tuesday, September 29 & Wednesday, September 30 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, weather permitting. A detour using IL 100, IL 108, and Eldred-Hillview Road will be marked to guide motorists around the closure. In addition, an extra ferry will be available at both Kampsville and Brussels to address significant queues at each location

ST. LOUIS - A downtown St. Louis carjacking that began with a smashed window and ended with gunfire at an Illinois State Police trooper has led to guilty pleas from three Metro East men in federal court. Davon McLorn, 32, of Madison County, Ill., pleaded guilty Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Abduelah Jones, 28, of East St. Louis, and Kasey Richardson, 30, of Belleville,

ALTON - Volunteers will take to the Mississippi River by boat on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, for the Annual Great Mississippi River Clean Up, hosted by the Sierra Club Illinois Piasa Palisades Group, in an effort to remove trash and protect the regional ecosystem. The cleanup is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Christine Favilla of the Sierra Club said this year’s event will be held below the Melvin Price Lock and Dam, with boats launching from the Maple Island

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) announced she has secured $80,000 in state funding for the City of Granite City to purchase a new mud jack machine for the city’s Street Department. “When I hear from our local leaders about a need in their community, I want to do what I can to help,” said Senator Harriss. “This funding is about putting resources directly into Granite City and giving their crews another tool to keep up with the work residents

LEBANON, ILL. – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) continues to donate the legislative pay raise he voted against to local food pantries across the 114th District to support families in need. This month, Schmidt donated essential supplies to Lebanon Matthew 25.40 Ministries, including canned chicken, fruit, and stew. “I’m grateful for the extremely hard-working volunteers at the Lebanon food pantry and the impact they have in our community,” said Schmidt.

ALTON — The Alton Police Department said temporary road closures and parking restrictions will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Alton for the High School Homecoming Parade. The closures are scheduled to begin at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, and will affect West Elm Street from Gerson Street to State Street and State Street from West Elm Street to Jefferson Avenue. No parking will be permitted along the parade route from 3 p.m. Wednesday until

ALTON - The community can enjoy a favorite Alton tradition at the upcoming St. Mary’s Oktoberfest. From Friday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, St. Mary’s Catholic Church will host their annual Oktoberfest featuring food, beer, live music, kids’ activities, raffles and more fun. Carolyn Simansky, one of the organizers, shared that the festival is a great chance to celebrate the church’s history, raise money for their parish and school, and enjoy an Alton tradition.

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today signed Executive Order 2026-07 establishing the Illinois Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cabinet, a group of individuals from across industries and fields that will assess the various risks posed by AI to the safety of Illinoisans. As AI continues to rapidly advance, the Illinois AI Cabinet will advise state government on preparing for and responding to AI-related incidents, identifying safeguards for public assets and infrastructure, and evaluating

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 47 attorneys general, is urging consumers to check their eligibility for compensation for certain generic drug purchases, and to submit a claim for compensation . Raoul and the coalition filed to seek preliminary approval to distribute settlement funds paid by generic drug manufacturers in exchange for the settlement of claims that those companies illegally conspired to raise the prices of generic drugs, which

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that he obtained a final court order stopping the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to gut essential health, education and social service programs for low-income families. “I am proud to have secured this legal victory protecting some of our most crucial social service programs,” Raoul said. “I will continue to oppose arbitrary and illegal actions by the Trump administration and will use all the tools

EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is inviting students and families to a free Virtual Student Financial Aid Webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. “Paying for college is a big decision for families, and the financial aid process can come with a lot of questions,” said Senator Harriss. “We want to make sure students and parents know what options are available and where to start.” The webinar will cover the general financial

ALTON — Senior Charity Price said Alton High’s first-year girls flag football team is focused on improving, staying prepared and supporting one another as the Redbirds adjust to a new sport this season. Price, who plays quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker, spoke after Alton’s game against Edwardsville. The Redbirds continued to play through the end of the game despite a defeat to the Tigers, and Price said the team is trying to build around persistence and accountability.

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 has added an exciting new position to help high school students navigate the workforce. During the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Sept. 15, 2026, the Board approved the hiring of Katie Kinder as the new internship coordinator. In this role, Kinder will work with Alton High School students and community partners to connect students with internships and support them through the experience. “I’m just excited to try t