Riverbender 🕸

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - If you ask any Freedom School student, they’d agree that the experience has improved their reading — but it’s been about much more than just books. This summer, Alton Middle School students could participate in Freedom School, a supplemental literacy program that encourages reading and social activism. SIUE students taught 50 incoming sixth, seventh and eighth graders how to use their voices through books about social justice. “It’s evolved

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined legislators and community members at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ to sign HB 4323, officially designating July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois. In 1955 at this Bronzeville church, Mamie Till-Mobley held a public, open-casket funeral for her 14-year-old son after he was brutally lynched and killed by two white men in Mississippi. Till’s murder galvanized the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, igniting a national

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, urged Congress to take immediate action to protect Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. In a letter to congressional leaders, Attorney General Raoul and the coalition called on Congress to pass H.R. 1689/S.4814, which would extend TPS protections for Haiti. The coalition also asked Congress to pass legislation that would provide judicial oversight of TPS decisions and establish a

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to renew the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) — a program Duckworth championed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—that is helping make public transit stations across the nation more accessible and inclusive for all Americans, including people with disabilities.

ALTON - The local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace could use the community’s support in their effort to ensure no child sleeps on the floor in our community. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national organization that uses volunteers to build beds for kids ages 3–17. Jason Brunaugh founded the Alton chapter in 2019, and local volunteer Dave has been a part of the mission ever since. Dave explained the power of the work they do and how the community can get involved. “We’re

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined by community leaders in Casey today to cut the ribbon on the first charging station built in the state through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, with more to come soon. Additionally, IDOT announced it is awarding $23.5 million through the third round of funding in the program for 29 new projects as part of the effort to build a network of chargers along the interstate system. The new station and

PIASA - Kaden Matuska of Southwestern won Macoupin County championships in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles on May 7, 2026, highlighting a strong season in hurdle events and multiple relay appearances. The county titles came as Matuska completed his junior season and prepared to enter his senior year at Southwestern. He won the 110-meter highs in the county meet with a time of 17.24 and the 300-meter low hurdles with a clocking of 43.77. Matuska's season included

MILLSTADT, Ill. – Two Illinois House Democrats have recently come under scrutiny for corruption and ethics violations, and State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is standing up and demanding transparency, accountability, and protection for victims. Schmidt says Illinois lawmakers have a duty to represent their constituents with honesty and professionalism. "Members of the Illinois General Assembly must be held to the highest ethical standards," said Schmidt. "Unfortunately,

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings today announced $5 million in funding through the Section 319 (h) Grant Program for projects addressing non-point source (NPS) pollution. The Section 319(h) Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now posted. “The Section 319 Grant Program targets areas of the state prone to nonpoint source pollution,” said Director Jennings. “This funding will aid in the development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee—and U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Katie Britt (R-AL) to strengthen aviation safety and support our aviation workforce by fostering transparency surrounding medication guidelines successfully passed committee today. The Aviation Medication

EDWARDSVILLE - For a second year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is all set to host the collegiate competition known as the Electrek American Solar Challenge 2026 on July 27 and 28. More than 20 solar car teams traveling a 1500+ mile course in eight days along the Great River Road and Route 66 will encounter a festival at the SIUE stop, with food trucks, music, and more! With teams traveling from Illinois State University before arriving in Edwardsville, SIUE's stop falls roughly

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School basketball player Mia Semith has signed to play at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she will continue her career after becoming one of the top players in the program’s history. Semith is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month. Semith, who will play for Roosevelt on its primary campus on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, leaves Edwardsville with significant career milestones, according to Edwardsville Athletic Director Amy Boscolo. Roosevelt

ST. LOUIS - A man was injured in a shooting late Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in St. Louis’ Academy neighborhood, and a 27-year-old man was arrested as St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 officers investigate what police said likely stemmed from an earlier disagreement. The shooting happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the 1400 block of Union Boulevard, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's District 5. Officers responding to a call for a shooting found

Seventy million Americans count on Social Security to afford food, medication, housing and utilities. It’s a bedrock promise to Americans that, after a lifetime of hard work, they will have a secure retirement. The program is there for the grandfather who worked his whole life trying to provide for his family but has seen his savings run out. Or the widowed mother who stayed home to raise four children and is counting on Social Security for retirement income. But according to a report publishe

ALTON – One of Alton’s city attorneys and its director of planning, zoning, and code enforcement were not reappointed this week after a clash between city officials and two split votes. City Council members voted to accept the reappointments of the vast majority of city officials appointed by the mayor, except for two. These include City Attorney Rodney Caffey and Greg Caffey, the city’s director of Planning and Development, Building and Zoning, and Code Enforcement. Rodney’s

ALTON - After 46 years at Alton Memorial Hospital, President Dave Braasch will retire at the end of the year, the hospital said in an announcement praising his long tenure and support for local health care. The announcement said Braasch has been “a key player in the success of Alton Memorial Hospital and the changes that have occurred” during nearly five decades of service. “It is with great appreciation and admiration that we share with you important news about Dave Braasch,

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF) is proud to announce that our Executive Director Sara Berkbigler has completed an Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA) certification program , a rigorous 20-week course designed to help advisors integrate values, purpose, and social impact into philanthropic advising. Through this cohort-based online program, Berkbigler completed advanced training in: designing philanthropic plans selecting appropriate giving vehicles integrating

ALTON/BELLEVILLE/GLEN CARBON/HIGHLAND - Caritas Family Solutions offers services for youth in foster care, adults with developmental disabilities, and other community members who could use support. With locations in Alton, Belleville, Glen Carbon and Highland, Caritas is dedicated to providing resources for Riverbend residents and families across Illinois. CEO Gary Huelsmann noted that the organization needs support to continue their work, and he hopes people join their Caritas Day virtual

ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital announced that Dr. Ahmad Karadaghy is the recipient of the 2025 Alton Memorial Hospital Chairman’s Award, recognizing his commitment to the hospital’s mission, vision and values through patient care, involvement in the hospital and service. The hospital said Dr. Karadaghy, who began at Alton Memorial Hospital in 2003 by completing his internship before his residency, now cares for patients through BJC Medical Group and serves in several

ALTON - Tickets are on sale now for the third annual Great Rivers & Routes Craft Beverage Festival celebrating local beverage producers and restaurants Saturday, Sept. 12 from Noon to 5 p.m. at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd., Grafton. New this year is a VIP Experience which provides VIP ticketholders with early access to the event and signature event swag including a wine tote filled with a bottle of wine from Grafton Winery, a small jar of Ecker’s apple butter