EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Police officers responded about 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to a traffic incident on Illinois State Route 157 involving a motorcycle and a vehicle that left two people seriously injured and prompted a multi-hour road closure, authorities said in an update on Monday, April 13, 2026. Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback confirmed on Monday afternoon, April 13, 2026, that the passenger of the motorcycle was transported to a St. Louis area hospital, and
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Sunday, April 12, 2026, filed felony charges against a 62-year-old Florissant man accused of shooting another man during an argument in the 13000 block of East Lakeridge Drive. Prosecutors charged William Borak, 62, of the 7700 block of Woodstock Road in Florissant, Mo., with first-degree assault or attempt, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, the office said in a statement dated April 12, 2026.
Grandma’s “must-have” holiday dish disappears for one year, and suddenly nobody misses it. A new recipe shows up instead, and within two gatherings it feels like it has always belonged. That small swap can feel harmless, even funny—until you realize it’s exactly how traditions change: quietly, through ordinary choices that add up. Traditions are often described as fixed rules handed down intact. In real life, they behave more like living habits. People adjust them
A joke can make you laugh even when you know the punchline is coming. That’s strange if you think about it. If humor were only about surprise, the second time should fall flat. Yet people rewatch sitcoms, repeat memes, and quote the same one-liners for years. The psychology of humor helps explain why something can stay funny long after the “new” has worn off. Why humor matters more than we admit Humor is not just entertainment. It affects how we bond, how we argue, how we
A baseball player taps home plate three times before stepping into the batter’s box. A student refuses to walk under a ladder on the way to an exam. Someone says “bless you” after a sneeze without thinking twice. These small habits can look silly, yet they show how superstition slips into ordinary life—often in moments when people want a little extra control. Superstitions are beliefs that certain actions, objects, or words can bring good luck or bad luck, even when there’
On April 13, 1742, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah was performed in public for the first time, premiering in Dublin. The concert was a benefit event meant to raise money for local charities, and the music quickly stood out for its clear storytelling, memorable melodies, and emotional range. At the time, it showed how a large public performance could serve both art and civic life. It still matters because Messiah became one of the most widely performed works in Western music, helping
TROY, Ill. — A person was killed after being struck by a freight train on the CSX Railroad in Troy, prompting a response from multiple agencies late Saturday night, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said it responded along with the Troy Fire Department, Glen Carbon Fire Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office to a report of a pedestrian struck by a freight train in the area of West Mill Creek Road, between Sout
CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for the tornado and severe storms that impacted the Kankakee County area March 10-11, 2026. This disaster declaration will allow homeowners, renters, businesses and some non-profits to apply for low-interest loans for damages not covered by insurance. “In the wake of this destructive storm, these resources will be critical to the Kankakee County area’s
CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a multistate settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line, specifically NCL Bahamas Ltd. (NCL), following an investigation of NCL’s cancellation procedures and sales practices, which the attorneys general allege misled consumers about the safety of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan settlement prohibits NCL from incentivizing sales over the health and safety of consumers during disaster declarations. “I am please
CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Humanities awarded more than $325,000 to twenty-two (22) public art projects throughout Illinois to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These grants are part of a broader statewide effort led by the Illinois America 250 Commission to celebrate the nation's historic anniversary. “Illinois is proud to support new public art projects
ST. JACOB, Ill. – Two individuals were charged on the same day with stealing $7,000 from an elderly St. Jacob resident in a home repair fraud scheme. Iscca L. Fulton, 42, of Waterloo, Ill., and Robert Boswell, 57, of Connersville, Ind., were both charged on April 9, 2026 in two related felony cases. Each faces a Class 2 felony count of aggravated home repair fraud of over $5,000 against a victim who was 60 or more years of age, as well as two Class 2 felony counts of theft. From March
SPRINGFIELD — The Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) has released its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Annual Expenditure Report for the Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities (BEP), in accordance with Section 8f of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act (BEP Act). This report showcases the State of Illinois' (State) progress in supplier diversity and identifies the FY25 BEP achievements of State agencies,
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) welcomed eight new Troopers today from Cadet Class 153 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. ? The new Troopers will report to five ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, April 12, 2026. ? Cadet Class 153 marks the 24th cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. ?Since 2019, 721 troopers have joined ISP. One of the graduates will report
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of “driving through a field” during a reckless high-speed flight from police faces felony charges for his latest such offense. John M. Shea, 36, of Granite City, was charged with two Class 3 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer on March 25, 2026. Shea allegedly knowingly attempted to flee from a Granite City police officer who had signaled for Shea to stop the vehicle he was driving on Jan. 7
EDWARDSVILLE – The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year: Grade 9 – Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Alaina Cleveland, Shiloh Lucas Cook, Bethalto McKenzie Cordero, Collinsville Austin Imhoff, Alhambra Tessla McCallister, Collinsville Reagan Moss, Edwardsville Anna Mosser, Staunton Dani Spann, Collinsville Shane Stewart, O'Fallon Elise Terracina, Edwardsville
PAWNEE — Illinois State Police and the Illinois Capital Development Board broke ground today on a new canine training complex in Pawnee, launching an $8.9 million state investment that officials said will add two new buildings with upgraded kennels, training areas and office space. “Here in Illinois, we’re proud to support our State Police as they take innovative steps to reduce crime and protect the People of Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Upgrading ISP canine
On April 12, 1961, a 27-year-old Soviet pilot named Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to travel into space. Lifted by the Vostok 1 spacecraft, he completed one orbit of Earth in about 108 minutes before returning safely. At the time, the flight mattered because it proved that a person could survive launch, weightlessness, and reentry—questions that had not been answered with certainty. It also reshaped global competition in science and technology during the Cold War, pushing governments
EDWARDSVILLE - A late-night crash on Illinois Route 157 in Edwardsville left a motorcyclist seriously injured Saturday, prompting an emergency response that initially included a helicopter call and led authorities to close the roadway for hours. The crash occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, on Illinois 157 near Esic Drive, authorities said. A motorcyclist was seriously injured. Authorities said a helicopter was initially called to the scene, but they confirmed that two people wer
WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized the March Service Above Self award winners from East Alton-Wood River High School — Brooke Moran and Noah Sconce. Photo — Riverbend East Rotary Club President Mark Smith presents the Service Above Self certificate to Brooke Moran. Noah Sconce was not available. Brooke Moran exemplifies what it truly means to live out “Service Above Self”. Brooke is a dedicated member of the East Alton-Wood River High School
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is hosting its annual symposium, themed “Energy-Water-Food Nexus” on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability, Fuller Dome, on the SIUE campus. Brought together by the Climate and Sustainability Advisory Board (CASAB) and Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC), the event is all set to bring regional experts, practitioners, and community members together to promote awareness
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