PONTOON BEACH – Madison County Transit (MCT) will once again provide convenient bus service to The Muny in Forest Park for the 2026 season. MCT’s Muny Express service will operate on Saturday evenings throughout the Muny 2026 season, which runs from June through August. Riders will be able to board at select Madison County locations in Highland, St. Jacob, Troy, Alton, East Alton, Wood River, Granite City, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, and Collinsville traveling directly to The
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Detectives from the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday evening, Dec. 18, 2025, in the 1500 block of Marbella Drive, resulting in the death of an adult male. At 8:17 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2025, officers from the St. Louis County Police North County Precinct responded to a ShotSpotter activation and a 911 call reporting a shooting at the location. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male
ALTON - Dream Home Charities has completed its 17th year of giving Christmas gifts to families in need across the Riverbend. Sherry Gilleland, who started the Dream Home Charities Christmas initiative, explained that the organization collects donations to provide toys, clothing, hygiene products and more to families. She expressed her gratitude for the donors and volunteers who made this year possible, and she asked people to continue supporting as the organization hopes to do more throughout
CHICAGO – The Illinois Accountability Commission, housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), held a public meeting on December 18 at the Arturo Velasquez Institute (AVI) at Richard J. Daley College in the West Lawn community. During the first public meeting, the Commission outlined its function and purpose, presented two video montages highlighting concerning actions by federal agents, and heard a first-hand witness account as well as a presentation from a public health
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), successfully secured several important provisions to support Illinoisans, servicemembers, Veterans and our state’s economy that passed Congress this week and are heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Some of the priorities Duckworth secured to help Illinoisans include protecting
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued a statement condemning two proposed federal rules announced by the Trump administration that could ban medically necessary health care for transgender adolescents. “Following nearly a year of cruel and relentless attacks on transgender youth and their medical providers, today the Trump administration released its proposal to prohibit Medicaid and federal CHIP reimbursement for transgender patients younger than 19, and block Medicaid
EDWARDSVILLE – The Graduate School at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in conjunction with the Office of the Provost has announced the Distinguished Research Professor Award to two faculty members: Kristine Hildebrandt, PhD, and Faith Liebl, PhD. The committee of distinguished research faculty awarded Drs. Hildebrandt and Liebl the promotion to Distinguished Research Professor based on each of their significant research output and the broad impact their research has had on their
ALTON - K Miller Foundation founder Kidada Miller is pleased to announce that their toy giveaway is completely full. From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Mineral Springs Banquet Center in Alton, those who have registered can pick out toys and turkeys. Miller said that every toy and turkey is accounted for, and walk-ins will no longer be accepted. “I’m really excited about this year and what we’re able to do in the community,” she added. Caregivers
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) Grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers. These grants, awarded to community colleges and partner organizations across the state, expand access to bridge programming, adult education pathways, wrap-around supports, and disability transition services designed
GLEN CARBON – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the signing of Senate Bill 2111 on Tuesday: “Taxpayers were promised Rebuild Illinois dollars would fix roads, bridges, and water systems- not bail out Chicago. Today’s transit bill breaks that promise. “Metro East families sit in traffic on crumbling roads while Springfield raids funds to cover Chicago’s financial failures. That’s not responsible governing.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants now through Feb. 16, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service VFA federal grant program provides matching funds to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and helps fund training. Funding is passed through IDNR to local fire departments and fire training academies. The VFA grant program reimburses 50% of the recipients’
CHICAGO — Throughout 2025, the State of Illinois faced new challenges. The federal government created chaos and uncertainty for the national economy, stripped away healthcare and food assistance from seniors and children, and attacked fundamental American rights and freedoms — but Illinois stayed focused on making progress and delivering real results for working families. Despite this year’s challenges, Governor JB Pritzker continued to step up and fight for working families
WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Shell of the Month” program at Roxana High School. Students from each grade level are selected each month by members of RHS faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The Seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a “Shell of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. November & December Shell of the Month winners are: Senior &ndash
Did you know that travelers who plan their winter vacations at least three months in advance save an average of 20% on accommodations and flights? This statistic highlights an often-overlooked aspect of travel: timing and preparation can transform a simple trip into an unforgettable escape. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, a well-planned winter getaway can rejuvenate your mind and body, offering a fresh perspective during a time when many feel confined by routine.
December 19 has witnessed a tapestry of significant events throughout history, each contributing uniquely to the global narrative. In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge. Though not a single day's event, the encampment had reached a critical phase by mid-December, with soldiers facing severe shortages and extreme cold. The resilience and training during this period would prove crucial to th
Friday morning starts off chilly with temperatures around 30 degrees and mostly sunny skies. The day will be colder than usual, with a high of 37 degrees. Breezy winds at 11 to 25 mph from the west-southwest will be noticeable in the morning. Through the afternoon, expect mostly sunny conditions with the cold continuing. By evening, it turns partly cloudy and remains breezy with south-southeast winds around 16 mph gusting to 23 mph. Overnight lows will dip to about 30 degrees, keeping the chill
ST. LOUIS – With temperatures expected to hit 25°F tonight, the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services and its partners are activating emergency shelters between Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 9 a.m. Currently, 304 emergency shelter beds are available, in addition to 400 year-round shelter beds. Walk-up shelter remains available at the following locations: Central City Zone: Biddle Housing Opportunities Center (single men only) 1212 N. 13th St. South City Zone: Peter
ALTON - Raiyn Toney, a daughter, was born at 7:51 p.m. on November 24, 2025, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Illinois. She is the daughter of Rico Toney and Joslyn Kimbrow of Alton. Raiyn weighed 5 pounds, 2 ounces at birth. Raiyn is welcomed home by her siblings: Jashawn (20), Jalen (15), Tyler (14), Rylie (10), and Raven (10). Her grandparents are Alecia Newby of Alton, Cean Toney of Alton, Crystal Collins of Alton, and Joshua and Tracy Kimbrow of Collinsville. Her great-grandparents
ALTON – The Alton City Council passed an increased tax levy ordinance in a split vote this week, with two aldermen consistently voting against the item since it was first introduced. City Council members voted 5-2 to pass the ordinance, with Aldermen Michael Velloff and Christopher Bohn voting against the item and all other aldermen voting in favor. The new tax levy of just over $8.7 million is $393,7 55.84 higher than last year’s levy , representing a
ST. LOUIS - On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges against suspect Cortez Cooper, 45 years of age, of the 5400 block of College Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, 63136, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Tampering with Physical Evidence in Felony Prosecution. Cooper is being held on a $150,000 cash-only, no 10% bond. The probable cause statement reads: While investigating a homicide, detectives observed and seized multiple
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