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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—stressed the urgent need for the U.S. to support Taiwan amidst the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) desperate attempts to isolate the island and pressure countries across Africa to violate international rules, norms and safety standards in the process. At the nominations hearing for Marc Dillard to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar, Duckworth

SPRINGFIELD – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has named the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) the recipient of the 2026 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award in the Information & Communications Technology category for its project, "The Power of Touch: Modernizing Safety for Blind Students." “This award reflects the dedication of our teams and partners to deliver technology that directly improves safety for students,” said

ALTON — Miles for Meso, a running and walking event series that has raised more than $977,500 for mesothelioma awareness, education and advocacy, received the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s Tribute of Unity Award for bringing people together to advance prevention, education and public health. The honor was announced Sept. 19, 2026, during the 18th annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Run & 3K Fun Run/Walk in Alton. It was formally presented Sept. 26 at the organization’s

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is excited to announce the first-ever Illinois Product Expo in Chicago, taking place Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum on the East Campus of the University of Illinois Chicago. “The expansion of the Illinois Product Expo to Chicago marks a major milestone in the ongoing investment to support and uplift Illinois’ agricultural community,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The

JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville firefighters are getting brand-new breathing equipment after securing over $170,000 in grant funds from FEMA. Fire Chief Keith Norman Norman said the department’s previous SCBAs, or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses, were out of date by more than two decades. “Our SCBAs, our breathing air systems, were five generations behind,” Norman said. “They stopped making them in the ‘80s, so they are more than 25 years outdated.” T

ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety announced the appointment of Sarah Mangapora as the next Commissioner of the Building Division, bringing experience in architecture and construction management to the role. “Sarah’s appointment is a huge win for the City,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “Her strong vision for streamlining and modernizing operations is backed up by experience implementing complex strategic initiatives and managing large teams.

Seventy-five years ago today, “An American in Paris” opened at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, giving George and Ira Gershwin’s music a lasting new home on the movie screen. The Oct. 4, 1951, opening introduced New York audiences to a film that united popular songwriting, orchestral music and dance, then went on to win six Academy Awards, including best picture. It remains a defining example of how a movie musical could build something new from an established musical

WASHINGTON PARK — Two people were arrested Oct. 1, 2026, in connection with the fatal shooting of a St. Louis man in Washington Park in August, 2026, Illinois State Police said in an Oct. 3 report. Brandon Bland Jr., 18, of East St. Louis, and Maliyah Lancaster, 19, of Washington Park, each face a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Eric Swearengen, 22. Lancaster also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a machine gun or automatic weapon. Washington Park police requested

BETHALTO – It was a great afternoon for a parade as numerous community groups, high school sports teams and candidates for homecoming royalty came out to march in the annual Bethalto Homecoming Parade. In preparation for Friday night’s big game against the Waterloo Bulldogs, parade floats and participants were decked out in their purple and gold to show their support for the Civic Memorial High School football team. Bethalto first responders kicked off the parade with sirens blazing,

This Day in History: October 3, 2026 Major Historical Events 1990: Germany reunites after decades of division Germany became one country again on October 3, 1990, ending more than four decades of separation between East and West. East Germany’s five reestablished states joined the Federal Republic of Germany, and Berlin was reunited. For families divided by borders and different political systems, reunification brought the possibility of building a shared future. The division had grown

SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) today announced the application period is now open for the FY27 Small Equipment Grant Program. OSFM will award a total of $6 million to eligible fire departments, fire protection districts and not-for-profit ambulance services across Illinois to purchase small firefighting and emergency medical equipment. For FY27, OSFM has increased the maximum grant award to $50,000, nearly doubling the previous maximum of $26,000. During

WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Eagles of the Month” program at Civic Memorial High School. Senior students are selected each month by members of the Civic Memorial faculty to represent each department. All students are awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. Two Seniors (1 female student and 1 male student) that were selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $500.00 “Eagles of the Year” scholarship each

SPRINGFIELD – The 2026 Illinois fall trout fishing season will open Saturday, Oct. 17 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state. An early catch-and-release trout fishing will open at select sites on Saturday, Oct. 3. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period. Anglers may begin keeping trout when the regular season opens at 5 a.m. Oct. 17. The Illinois Catchable Trout Program is funded through the sale of inland trout stamps. The Illinois Department of Natural

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) challenging its final rule that weakens corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. In their lawsuit , Raoul and the coalition allege that the NHTSA’s new rule is contrary to law and that the NHTSA contravenes its mandate from Congress to set fuel-economy standards

CASEYVILLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Caseyville, Illinois man for producing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Carl Williams, 56, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with three Class X felony charge

GODFREY – Whether they're planning for college after high school, returning to finish a degree, or preparing for a new career, prospective students can explore their options during Lewis and Clark Community College's Fall 2026 Discover Day, from 2-4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12, in The Commons. The free open house event is designed to help future students connect their interests and goals with academic programs, support services and career pathways available at Lewis and Clark. "Choosing

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