WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging them to swiftly obligate Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Congressionally appropriated funds for the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) as Russia intensifies its aggression around the Baltic region. Durin and Grassley sent a letter in May requesting Hegseth
GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) releases the following statement regarding changes to Aetna health insurance coverage affecting state retirees receiving care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine: “Illinois retirees have spent their careers serving our state, and now they're being put in a position where they could lose access to specialty services and doctors they've trusted for years. The State of Illinois offers these retirees only one insurance option,
COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on northbound I-255 over St. Clair Avenue in East St. Louis beginning Monday, October 26, weather permitting. The right lane will be closed to allow Keeley and Sons Construction to perform emergency bridge repairs. All lanes are expected to reopen by 7 a.m. on Thursday, October 29. Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure.
ELSAH — This fall, Principia College will host Portraits in Faith: Seeing the Other , a globally recognized multimedia exhibition by photographer, author, and storyteller Daniel K. Epstein and curated by Gina Alicea. Open to the public from October 1 through December 1, the exhibition will be displayed across Principia College’s Marshall Brooks Library and Radford Hall and will serve as the featured locations. Created over 25 years, Portraits in Faith: Seeing the Other features
ALTON — Two people received misdemeanor public indecency citations after police investigated a video that appeared to show a sexual act in a public area of The Landing at Belle Meadows housing complex on Sept. 12, 2026. The Alton Police Department identified the two as Daquan M. Frank and Makenna V. Loy. Police said the investigation determined that a sexual act occurred in a public area while a crowd of adults was present. Police received an email Sept. 13 containing the sexually explicit
MACOUPIN COUNTY – Macoupin County voters are asked to share their opinion on whether the county should explore separating from Cook County to form a new state apart from the Chicago area. The county-wide advisory question, which has no binding legal effect and is only meant to gauge public opinion, appears on the ballot along with a few contested Macoupin County Board races for the Nov. 3, 2026 general elections. Multiple candidates are competing for a handful of open County Board seats
ALTON – An Alton man accused of attacking two people at Farm Fresh in Alton and robbing one of their cell phone faces multiple felony charges. Timothy D. Weddle, 59, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 14, 2026 with a Class 2 felony count of robbery and two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated battery. The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 12, 2026, when Weddle allegedly knowingly caused bodily harm to two individuals while in a public place at Farm Fresh at 3201 Fosterburg Road in Alton.
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence, creating a new international organization in the aftermath of World War II. Its charter took effect after ratification by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of the other signatories. After years of destruction, its founders sought a lasting way for countries to address disputes, support international cooperation, and reduce the risk of another major war. The UN could not
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum (ISM) will be featured in this month’s virtual Centennial Speaker Series session, “Route 66 at 100 – An American Story,” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. The public is invited to join this free session celebrating the rich history and enduring legacy of the nation’s most iconic highway, and registration is available online . The session will introduce Research Route 66, a collaboration of libraries, museums and archives
ST. CLAIR COUNTY – St. Clair County voters will encounter several contested races and questions on their ballots for the Nov. 3, 2026, general elections. In the County Clerk race, Republican Gary Hursey faces Democrat Laura Kaemmerer to replace current County Clerk Thomas Holbrook, who is not seeking re-election. County Treasurer Andrew Lopinot is running for re-election as a Democrat against Republican challenger Myki Rhodes. On the County Board of Review, another incumbent Democrat, Irm
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Five Southern Illinois University Carbondale undergraduate students will examine the keys in evaluating how we determine leaders during a SIU Student Speakers Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. This semester’s topic is “Rethinking Leadership and Loyalty: Evaluating Those We Follow.” The free, public forum is from 7 to 8 p.m. The forums, which happen each semester, began in spring 2002. The forum will also
EDWARDSVILLE - Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation brings its Land of Smiles program to Goshen Elementary School, on October 27, 2026 with two programs (2:00 p.m. and 2:35 p.m.). Land of Smiles is a free interactive educational program that makes learning about oral hygiene, nutrition, and regular dental checkups fun and engaging. Featuring characters like Captain Super Grin, Terri Tooth Fairy, Flossy Gummer, and their playful nemesis, Cazzidy Cavity, Land of Smiles captivates young audiences
On Oct. 24, 1962, James Brown turned a Harlem concert into a defining document of American soul music. The performance recorded that night at New York’s Apollo Theater became “Live at the Apollo,” an album that carried the intensity of his stage show beyond the theater and demonstrated the commercial power of a live R&B recording. On this date in 2026, that achievement anchors a history of artists expanding what an album could accomplish. Brown financed the recording himself
MARYVILLE – A new restroom facility is coming to Drost Park in Maryville with the help of $90,000 in state funding secured by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon). “Whether you're taking the kids to the playground, enjoying the walking trails or spending an afternoon at the lake, Drost Park has something for everyone,” said Senator Harriss. “I'm glad to work with Mayor White and the Village to help make this improvement possible for the families who enjoy the
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that he has helped secure $34.9 million in federal funding for SUL4R-PLUS Illinois, a sulfur fertilizer manufacturing facility in Marissa to support a nearly $70 million expansion. “I’m thrilled to see this major investment coming to Marissa,” said Bost. “Agriculture is the backbone of Southern Illinois’ economy, and investments like this are a win for job growth, manufacturing, and the hardworking
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s scholarship application opened on October 1, 2026, and will remain open until April 2, 2027, for students planning to attend LC during the 2027-2028 academic year. “The entire application process is online,” said Sharon Roberts, Chair of the Scholarship Awarding Committee. “Filling out a single application will match students with all eligible scholarships. Roberts encourages applicants to be bold and detailed in their
CHICAGO — The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) today approved a proposed rule that adds video gaming to the agency’s voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) for Problem Gamblers. The rule will allow people who enroll in the program to exclude themselves from the State’s network of roughly 50,000 video gaming terminals through identity verification at video gaming redemption terminals while creating a framework for video gaming player accounts, cashless wagering, and responsible gaming
JERSEY COUNTY — The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding Kaila M. Vatole, who has not been seen or heard from since she disappeared from her home on Little Piasa Road in Dow on the afternoon of Jan. 8, 2023. The sheriff’s office is urging farmers, hunters and property owners near the area where she disappeared to remain vigilant this fall as they move throughout their properties. Authorities ask them to watch for clothing, personal belongings,
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of sexually abusing a 1-year-old child while being filmed on a baby monitor has been charged in Madison County. Travis S. Hooper, 37, of Granite City, was charged on Oct. 19, 2026 with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (a Class X felony), aggravated criminal sexual abuse (a Class 1 felony) and child sexual abuse material (a Class X felony). Hooper allegedly committed and filmed acts of sexual assault and abuse against a 1-year-old child
ALTON - State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) has earned endorsements from several first responder organizations and local law enforcement leaders in recognition of her record of supporting public safety during her time in the Illinois House. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Sheriffs of Illinois PAC, and local law enforcement leaders have all endorsed Elik. These organizations represent thousands of first responders across Illinois. Their endorsements
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