EDWARDSVILLE – At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, Sinan Onal, PhD, chair of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Industrial Engineering Department is helping lead the conversation on how universities can rethink teaching and learning in the AI era. Onal has been selected as one of 14 fellows in the inaugural Illinois Innovation Network Fellows Program , a new initiative connecting faculty leaders from 12 public universities across
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is accepting nominations for the 2026 induction class of the Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame through June 1. “The Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame recognizes remarkable older adults who continue to inspire growth, connection, and purpose at every stage of life," said IDoA Acting Director Mary Killough. "Please consider nominating someone you know for this meaningful award.” Each year, four older adults are inducted into
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Duckworth (D-IL) announced the release of military spouse Deisy Rivera Ortega from ICE detention after the Senator personally called U.S. Department of Homeland Security Director Markwayne Mullen this week advocating on Ms. Rivera Ortega’s behalf. Duckworth’s call comes after Ms. Rivera Ortega—wife of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano—was arrested and detained by ICE during a routine immigration
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 16 attorneys general opposing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to repeal national emission standards for ethylene oxide (EtO) used by commercial sterilization facilities. According to the EPA’s own assessment, EtO is a known human carcinogen and among the most toxic pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. “When new scientific research concluded that EtO is far more harmful than previously
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a series of high-profile emergency evacuations over the last year, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)—authors of the EVAC Act in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 —today called on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford to provide a status update on the implementation of the Senators’ legislation. As our nation continues to see more emergency evacuations failing to meet federal safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) grilled Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Admiral Brad Cooper about the Trump Administration’s lack of strategy and clear end state in its illegal war against Iran, setting us up for a forever war at great cost to our servicemembers and the American people. Through a series of questions at today’s U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Duckworth pressed Admiral Cooper
EDWARDSVILLE - The Metro East Lutheran High School graduating class, guided by the motto “Compete, Succeed, Conquer,” includes dozens of students recognized for academic honors and leadership, according to a list of graduates and class details released with the ceremony materials. The class includes graduates marked as members of the National Honor Society and Illinois State Scholars, and it names four class officers. The class song is “Thank You for the Music” by ABBA.
EDWARDSVILLE – The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Metro-East Lutheran High School for the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year: Grade 9 – Honor Roll with High Distinction (g.p.a. 4.0) Mitchelll Althardt, Swansea Lucas Cook, Bethalto McKenzie Cordero, Collinsville Austin Imhoff, Alhambra Reagan Moss, Edwardsville Anna Mosser, Staunton Dani Spann, Collinsville Shane Stewart, O'Fallon Grade 9 – Honor Roll with Distinction (g.p.a. 3.75-3.99)
ALTON - Here is a list of all of our Class of 2026 Marquette Catholic High School graduates: Graduates. Ahne, Charles Allen, Makenzie Anselm, Abby Atkins, Eric Bagwill, Brianne Barnard, Corbin Bartlett-Nealeigh, Charlotte Bauer, Carson Beaber, Michael Belden, Andrew Bennett, Ashlynn Bequette, Cali Berchtold, Reagan Blocker, Nya Bridegroom, William Brown, Luke Bryson, Adelaide Bryson, Isabella Cain, Caroline Callahan, Elizabeth Campbell, Alex Chandler, Liam Clary, Xander Davenport, Karly Davis,
BRIGHTON - At 1:17 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Brighton Fire Department responded to a reported attached garage fire in the vicinity of Cove Drive, where high winds contributed to rapid fire spread that hampered extinguishment efforts, according to the Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District. Brighton Police arrived within minutes and advised of heavy fire showing and spread to an adjacent residence to the west, fire officials said. When firefighters arrived, the first
The mood lift can start before you even step outside: just seeing a brighter sky through a window can make some people feel more hopeful within minutes. That reaction isn’t “all in your head” in the dismissive sense. It’s your brain doing what it’s built to do—tracking light, temperature, and daily rhythms, then adjusting hormones, energy, and motivation. Spring weather often brings a mix of longer daylight, milder air, and more chances to move around. Put
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in the U.S. state of Washington in one of the most destructive volcanic events in modern American history. A massive landslide triggered a sideways blast that flattened forests, sent ash across several states, and killed 57 people. At the time, the eruption changed how communities in the Pacific Northwest thought about natural hazards, emergency planning, and land use near active volcanoes. It still matters today because it reshaped modern volcano monitoring
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department announced it has added a new K-9 to its ranks, introducing K9 Cyna and her handler, Officer Connor Diecker. The department said K9 Cyna is the newest member of the “Collinsville Police Department family,” and noted that her name is pronounced, “just like John Cena (actor/professional wrestler).” “Cyna and her handler, Officer Connor Diecker, have already completed training and are ready to bring their
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the graduation of three recruits from the Southwestern Illinois College Correctional Officer Academy, Session 136, marking their transition from classroom instruction to field training in jail operations. The sheriff’s office said Zachary Haas, Jackson McRae, and Tanner Miles graduated from the academy and will now begin field training as they move into hands-on work. “The Madison County Sheriff’s
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) today reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act, which renames a competitive grant program run by the Department of State to the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program. The grant encourages institutions of higher education to sustainably expand study abroad opportunities to nontraditional locations for underserved American undergraduate students.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is working to pass Senate Bill 2914 this session, a bill that would put an end to a long-time practice of school administrators keeping accusations that have been proven false in an educator’s employment record. IEA seeks safe public schools for every student and every school employee and supports accountability for misconduct. This bill includes a right to challenge issuance of the warning, or allegations in the warning, to
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ legislation aimed at combating unfair auto insurance practices passed the Illinois Senate. Senate Bill 714 builds on the Secretary of State’s statewide Driving Change initiative, which was launched to address rising and increasingly unaffordable insurance costs and spotlight unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices impacting Illinois drivers. Meanwhile, Illinois remains one of only two states without a process
EAST ALTON – Felony charges have been filed against an East Alton man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from victims who hired him to build various pool projects at their homes across the Riverbend. Chad A. Phillips, 30, of East Alton, was charged on May 11, 2026 with three Class 4 felony counts of home repair fraud, two Class 2 felony counts of theft over, and a Class 3 felony count of theft over $500. From July 23, 2022 to Oct. 1, 2024, Phillips allegedly entered into an agreement
ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 families will register their children in person this year as an opportunity to connect families with school resources. In late July, parents and caregivers will stop by the Alton High School gymnasium for in-person registration. Families must bring certain documents and information to registration to ensure their children are ready to go for the school year. Director of Student Services Angela Kuchnicki explained that the goal is to connect
May is Women’s Health Month — a time to highlight the important role nutrition plays in supporting women at every stage of life. From the teenage years through menopause and beyond, nutrient needs shift, but one thing remains consistent: building and maintaining strong bones, muscles and overall health require a steady foundation of key nutrients. “Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese provide a unique package of calcium, vitamin D, high-quality protein and other essential
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