Photos by Kayla Howland and Janina Vomund-Roberts. ALTON — Mayor David Goins read a proclamation on Jan. 8, 2026, saluting Sara McGibany Day in Alton during Alton Main Street’s Annual Appreciation Party held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Post-Commons/Good News Brewing in Alton. The proclamation recognized McGibany’s nearly two decades of tireless, dedicated service as executive director of Alton Main Street, where she has played a key role in the revitalization of Downtown Alton sinc
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 15-year-old male was arrested Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in connection with the shooting death of a 34-year-old man in St. Louis County, authorities said. The suspect was taken into custody on Jan. 11 and remanded to the St. Louis County Family Court on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a statement from the St. Louis County Police Department. The victim, identified as Johnathan Brown of the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road, was
ALTON - A local dietician is sharing how to stay healthy as we enter the new year. Many people make New Year’s resolutions that include weight loss or fitness goals. Rachel Bult, RDN, LDN, Supervisor Dietitian at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center, encourages people to focus on building healthy habits rather than quick weight loss strategies. “If you focus on changing your habits for the long term, this will help you get to your goal weight and keep the weight off for good,”
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the cooperation of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and the City of Chicago have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino among other high-ranking officials. The lawsuit alleges that federal agents engaged
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School’s varsity and junior varsity cheer teams delivered standout performances at the Illinois Cheerleading Association Coaches Cheer Championships (ICCA) on Jan. 10-11, 2026, securing top honors and individual accolades. On Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, the varsity team earned second place in the large schools division, finishing behind Rockford Guilford and ahead of O'Fallon Township, Normal Community, and Hononegah. The team demonstrated strength,
CHICAGO – Today, the State of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the unlawful and dangerous tactics used by Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Illinois. The lawsuit, brought by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and supported by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, specifically challenges the Trump Administration’s federal overreach using tactics exceeding
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court for Southern District of New York, blocking the Trump administration’s illegal attempt to freeze $10 billion in federal funding that provides critical support for children and families. Attorney General Raoul, along with the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York, filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging the administration’s illegal action
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services and its partners are activating additional emergency shelters Saturday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. As temperatures are likely to hit 25°F overnight, the City of St. Louis Code Blue is moving to activation level 3, bringing the number of emergency shelter beds available to 335, in addition to 400 year-round shelter beds. Level 3 activation also means transportation to shelter will be available from rally points around the city.
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released new data on how his Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act has helped clean up online marketplaces since the bill went into effect on June 27, 2023. Durbin’s staff collected data in response to a letter he and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), the bill’s co-lead, sent to 46 companies
January 12, 2026 - R.P. Lumber opened its 91st and newest location in Carlyle, IL on Monday, January 12, 2026. The family-owned, full-service home center and building materials retailer recently completed an extensive remodel of the former Wiegman Ford property at 1351 William Rd., bringing new life to a familiar site in the community. Over the past eight months, R.P. Lumber has transformed the well-known building—located next to Wal-Mart and across the street from McDonald’s—into
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) voted to pass legislation to extend the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which are essential to helping millions of Illinoisans afford healthcare. The legislation only reached the floor under a procedural maneuver that united House Democrats and four Republicans on a “discharge petition” to force a vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. “Democrats refused to back down until we
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), introduced the PROTECT Military Families Act, a bicameral bill that aims to protect military families from deportation and forced separation detrimental to military morale and mission readiness. “There is no higher betrayal to our heroes than to have one of their family members deported by the same nation they sacrificed to defend,” said Senator
SPRINGFIELD – For the fourth year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped. ? The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2025, compared to 2024, with zero fatal interstate shooting in Illinois. This is the first time in roughly a decade there has been zero interstate shooting fatalities. ? “Public safety has been a key priority under my administration, and thanks to sustained investments and the efforts
JERSEYVILLE – Following are the full Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for Jersey Community High School from the first semester of the 2025-26 school year: 8th Grade High Honor Roll Alich, Trey N. Ball, Wade R. Beasley, Carter H. Cazier, Georgia A. Cole, Emersyn J. Darr, Kyle A. Dobson, Kadence Dohrn, Henry D. Egelhoff, Stella M. Fessler, Addison J. Foiles, Charlotte A. Friedel, Charles R. Goodey, Cadence M. Graham, Reid K. Grasle, Bentley
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Trump administration officials over the unlawful and dangerous tactics used by Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Illinois. Illinois is joined by the city of Chicago in the case. “Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law,” Raoul said. “They
CHICAGO — Get Covered Illinois announced today that it is giving residents an additional 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state’s official marketplace. Customers now have until January 31, 2026, to apply for and enroll in coverage. “We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to shop for and compare plans ” said Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois. “As a state-based marketplace,
MACOUPIN COUNTY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Palmyra man with allegedly disseminating and possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Michael Upton, 34, in Macoupin County Circuit Court with
ALTON - An impactful Alton High School organization has made a huge impression on our most recent Remarkable Redbird, junior Husna Shihadeh. While participating in soccer and cheerleading as a freshman at Alton High, Husna became interested in Upward Bound, a group of over 50 members that focuses on preparing students for the next level of education. Husna added that the group does community service, and she has also assisted in recruiting new freshmen to join the group. In being a member o
COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Good Shepherd has announced the Second Quarter Honor Roll. High Honor Roll with Distinction (Gr. 7&8 - GPA 4.00+) 8th Grade: Will B., Isabella B., Agnes H., Sydney H., Livy P., Charlotte P., Caroline S. 7th Grade: Alison B., Lola F., Connor J., Adelynn M., Bhavneet S. . High Honor Roll (Gr. 5&6 - GPA 3.51 to 4.0; Gr. 7&8 - GPA 3.51 to 3.99) 8th Grade: Alexis K., Jacob K., Elise L., Violet M., Piper M., Nate P., Kaelyn S., Levi T., Adalie T. 7t
EDWARDSVILLE — Jury selection is set to begin today in the murder trial of Keith A. Sanders, one of four suspects charged in the February 2024 shooting death of 13-year-old Ra’Niya Steward. The proceedings will start at 12:30 p.m. before Associate Judge Neil Schroeder in Madison County. Sanders, 26, faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor, all Class M felonies. Steward was shot on Feb. 3, 2024, while standing
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