SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments across the state to help with purchasing new equipment or paying for fire training. The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The 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
DeKALB, Ill. (June 3, 2026) – Northern Illinois University announces its spring 2026 Dean's List students. To earn this distinction, students must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or a minimum of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale in the colleges of Business, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Students from your area who achieved this honor include:
BUZZ MAGAZINE – One of the small towns along the route in Illinois is planning one of the largest celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The Route 66 Jubilee will be held in Carlinville and will feature old-fashioned cars, games, costumes, and storytelling, and is scheduled for June 26 on the lawn of the Macoupin County courthouse. Planning for the event, one of the more significant small-town Route 66 events during the anniversary, has been going on for two years. Even
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Library Board gained two new members this week amid a series of recently approved appointments and resignations. Edwardsville City Council members approved various appointments to city boards and committees at their June 2, 2026 meeting , including Nathan Palmer to the Library Board with a term ending in April of 2029. “We’re very grateful to have Nathan on the Library Board and we’re excited to have him,” Mayor Art Risavy said.
GODFREY – Godfrey officials are set to reconsider the proposed installation of a fiber optic network within the village as trustees say newly revealed information answers previously unaddressed questions. Board members previously rejected a proposal from Socket Fiber to install a fiber optic network throughout the village on May 19, 2026. Trustee Rick Lauschke said he and Trustee Gerard Fischer met with Socket Fiber representatives before the board’s June 2, 2026 meeting and
ALTON - Alton’s 29 th annual All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show will be held on Sunday, June 7 th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The event typically attracts over 250 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles, which the public is welcome to browse on 3 rd , 4 th , State and Belle Streets. There is no charge for admission. Alton Main Street organizes this tradition with support from the Dynamic Duo Car Club. Come out for the automobiles and stay for the music, vendor displays, and lunch downtown!
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School said Ella Walters and Heidi Kahl recently performed at the Ken Page High School Music Awards at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Marquette Catholic was also represented by Performing Arts Director Madison Foreman, who was among five nominees for "Best Director." Walters and Kahl performed at the awards event, which recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre in the St. Louis region. The Ken Page Awards are presented in partnership
EDWARDSVILLE – Two recent Madison County battery cases include an alleged domestic incident and a northern Illinois man accused of attacking an Edwardsville Police officer. Brayden M. Galbraith, 20, of Edwardsville, was charged with one count each of aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor) on June 1, 2026. Galbraith is accused of knowingly causing bodily harm to a family or household member without legal justification on May 31, 2026. The Madison
BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department said it investigated 17 vehicle burglaries and one stolen vehicle case in the community during May 2026, and urged residents to take precautions after a stolen vehicle containing a firearm was recovered this morning. In a public safety announcement, the police department said the cases underscore the need for residents in Bethalto to secure their vehicles and valuables. In one incident, police said, a vehicle was stolen with a firearm inside.
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville School District 7 Board of Education recognized four administrative retirees during its May 2026 meeting, honoring more than a century of combined service to students, staff, and families. Those recognized were Dr. Cornelia Smith, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 28 years of service; Dr. Steve Stuart, executive director for the EGHM Foundation, with 26 years; Bill Miener, director of special projects, with 25 years; and Lori Compton,
SWANSEA - Illinois State Police arrested a 23-year-old Swansea woman on a first-degree murder charge Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old St. Louis woman at an East St. Louis intersection earlier this week. The arrest of Brion D. Bess was announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group. Authorities said the case stems from a Wednesday, June 3, 2026, homicide investigation at the intersection
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears said Friday, June 5, 2026, that their board has voted to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, marking the latest shift in the team’s long-running search for a new home as Illinois officials continued efforts to keep the franchise in the state. In a joint statement, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren said the board met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, and voted to move forward with the Hammond project, although
TROY - Reagan Jumper is a sophomore striker who has scored five goals this season, but her fifth and most recent goal was, by far, the biggest of her career so far. Jumper scored in the 58th minute of the IHSA Class 3A Normal Community sectional semifinal match, off a perfect cross from Astri Selberg that allowed the Tigers to dethrone defending Class 3A champion O'Fallon 1-0 at Knights Field at Triad High in Troy on May 26. The Tigers beat New Lennox Lincoln Way Central in the super-sectional
JERSEY - For four years, Cameron Judkins has been a key contributor to Jersey’s track and field program, and this season the senior added a milestone performance by breaking 11 seconds in the 100 meters while also contributing in relays and being top-notch in the 200 meters, according to his coach. Judkins ran 10.93 in the 100 meters at the Mississippi Valley Conference Meet outdoors, where he finished fourth. He later posted an 11.09 to place 10th at the IHSA sectional at Triad. In
SPRINGFIELD — On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) issued the following statement: “While I cannot say I am shocked by today’s announcement, I am extremely disappointed that Illinois has once again found itself on the losing end because of failed leadership in Springfield. "The Chicago Bears moving forward with stadium development
Sixty-seven people lost their lives over the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025, when a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter collided with American Airlines flight 5342. It was a horrifying tragedy — and because it was entirely preventable, it was not just a tragedy, but a travesty. The National Transportation Safety Board final report on the incident left no room for interpretation: The Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to act on prior safety recommendations had led to this
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a 20-year-old Coulterville man with possessing and reproducing child sexual abuse material after investigators and St. Clair County sheriff’s officers conducted a search Wednesday at his workplace in Belleville, authorities said. Cameron D. Gasser was charged in St. Clair County Circuit Court with four counts of reproducing child sexual abuse material, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison,
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Senate Republicans jammed through nearly $70 billion to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without any reforms to the agencies: “Not one penny included in this legislation will help struggling American families with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, or health care. But Republicans
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police on Thursday, June 4, 2026, released a critical incident briefing video in the April 22, 2026, officer-involved shooting in Wildwood, Mo., while saying there are no further updates in the investigation. The Critical Incident Briefing video for the officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 22, 2026, is available here: https://youtu.be/ePROObSrcrU . The St. Louis County Police Department said the video concerns a shooting that happened about
GODFREY – The Adult Education program at Lewis and Clark Community College held its 2026 Illinois High School Diploma graduation ceremony on June 2 at the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre in the Hatheway Cultural Center. There were 101 students in this year’s graduating class. Pictured, graduate Brianna Stewart celebrates as she crosses the stage to receive her high school diploma. For more information on how LC can help you earn your Illinois High School Diploma (formerly known
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