WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), led 29 Members of Congress in a letter to Dollar Store and Family Dollar raising concerns over widespread price discrepancies at locations nationwide. The letter follows a recent Guardian investigation that found items at these stores routinely ring up at checkout for significantly more than their posted shelf prices – and that, in many cases, stores fail to honor the lower price. “At a time when Americans
COLLINSVILLE – Two local men accused of driving under the influence in Collinsville face felonies in their latest DUI cases. Jacob J. Rieken, 31, of East St. Louis, was charged on Dec. 11, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated driving while under the influence. Rieken allegedly drove a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol on Vandalia Street in Collinsville on Nov. 7, 2025. Charging documents note this was Rieken’s third DUI violation, having previously
ALTON - Alton High School students will have the opportunity to take a few new courses next school year. During the Dec. 16, 2025, regular meeting of the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education, the Board unanimously approved the high school’s plan to offer Health Careers I, Health Careers II, and Introduction to Construction Trades. These classes will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. “The passion behind these two programs is just amazing,”
ALTON - The great American Bald Eagle winter migration is here and southwest Illinois is ready to welcome the birds to their winter homes. The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is hosting a two-day party in downtown Alton Friday, Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 3 launching the official start of Eagle Season. The free Annual Alton Eagle Ice Festival will be held Friday, Jan. 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FLOCK Food Truck Park, 210 Ridge St., Alton,
ALTON - The Alton Police Department welcomed Officer Kevin Couty to its ranks on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, marking a new addition to the local law enforcement team. Couty, a lateral hire from Missouri, was officially sworn in by Chief Jarrett Ford at the department’s headquarters in Alton. Bringing years of law enforcement experience, Officer Couty will immediately enter the department’s training program as he acclimates to his new role and prepares to serve the Alton community
COLLINSVILLE — The City of Collinsville announced Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, that Lt. Keith Jackson has been named the 2025 Employee of the Year by the city. Jackson, who serves as the administrative lieutenant for the police department, has played a key role in overseeing the expansion and renovation of the department’s dispatch center. He also has been responsible for acquiring and managing multiple grants, including a 2025 grant from Firehouse Subs that enabled the department
HIGHLAND - Community members can enjoy a unique New Year’s Eve pool party at Korte Rec Center in Highland. Kids and families are invited to swim in the heated pool, play games, get their faces painted, bounce in the bounce house, enjoy special NYE concessions, and watch two beach ball drops from 12–4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Tickets are free for Korte Rec Center members or $8 for nonmembers and can be purchased online . “People have a fun time every time
GRANITE CITY - From the classroom to the soccer field, GCSD9 is celebrating National Twin Day by spotlighting twin staff members and student-athletes whose special bonds make a difference in our schools every day. First is a pair of twins who are both staff members at Granite City High School in the Special Education Department. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Visintin have been best friends since day one and have been working at GCHS for a total of 16 years together. While these twin educators share
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
stLouIST