JERSEY - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of October are Haley Hunter left & Marley Cazier right. The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week
ALTON - A local photographer has created the community they always wanted in Alton. Lumi Marson is Milton Schoolhouse’s Artist of the Month for November, and they still can’t believe it. Marson shared their journey to photography and their decision to start Piasa Rainbow Collective, a grassroots organization for queer folks in the Riverbend region. The last year has been a fantastic ride for the artist. “It makes me want to throw up with excitement a little bit,”
Did you know that nearly 60% of Americans prefer to celebrate Thanksgiving with a gathering of close friends rather than family? This trend underscores the growing appeal of shared meals centered around friendship and community. Planning a Thanksgiving potluck with friends can transform the holiday into a joyful and collaborative feast, where everyone contributes and enjoys a diverse spread. However, organizing such an event requires thoughtful coordination to ensure a seamless and enjoyable
November 19th is a date steeped in history, marked by moments of profound significance that have shaped societies, inspired generations, and pushed the boundaries of human achievement. One of the most impactful events occurred on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War. On this day, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In just a few short minutes and under 300 words, Lincoln redefined
JERSEYVILLE – Jersey Community High School (JCHS) Principal Thomas Leslie is proud to announce the 2026 JCHS Illinois State Scholars. "I was absolutely thrilled to learn that JCHS is home to 23 Illinois State Scholars this year!" Leslie said. "Our senior class is a little smaller at 167, so for 14% of our senior class to earn his top honor is unprecedented. "Our community should be very proud that our students are achieving at such a high level to earn prestigious recognition. This is
PIASA — Josie Hagen, a senior athlete at Southwestern High School, has signed a letter of intent to play softball and attend Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. Hagen's career batting average at Southwestern High is .328, with 83 hits and 77 RBI since her freshman year. Josie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for her recent signing recognition and her outstanding career with the Piasa Birds athletic program. Hagen, who stands 5-foot-8,
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of nine attorneys general, today announced a proposed multistate settlement with Greystar Management Services LLC (Greystar), the largest landlord in the U.S. The $7 million proposed settlement resolves claims against Greystar that is a part of the coalition’s ongoing enforcement against algorithmic coordination and other anticompetitive practices in rental markets across the country. In August, Greystar reached
ALTON - Alton recently honored Ja'Kori Steen, the seventh-grade state champion in the girls' 100-meter hurdles, by dedicating a street sign at the entrance of Alton Middle School in her name. Steen, now an eighth grader, won the seventh-grade 4A state finals with a time of 15.52 seconds, narrowly edging out Zoei Johnson of Manhattan, who finished second at 15.57 seconds. Ja'Kori is also an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month. Steen’s achievement has drawn praise from her coaches
EDWARDSVILLE – A convicted felon found in possession of multiple controlled substances while illegally armed faces new Class X felonies after a Madison County traffic stop. Jayleon D. Tally, 29, of National Stock Yards, Ill., was charged on Nov. 13, 2025 with armed violence, possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, unlawful possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, and two counts of possession with intent or delivery or a controlled substance, all Class X felonies.
ALTON – Challenge Unlimited, Inc. proudly announces the appointment of Joni Lombardo as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective September 15, 2025. Her appointment follows a unanimous vote by the Board, succeeding Tom Morrissey, who served with distinction as Chair for ten years and will continue to support the organization in an advisory capacity as an active board member. In addition to her new role, Lombardo also serves as Vice Chair for Project CU, a Challenge Unlimited affiliate
COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois residential customers who use natural gas to heat their homes and power their appliances can expect stable supply prices this winter. In the last five years, Ameren Illinois' natural gas supply prices have declined 30%, driven in part by Ameren's purchasing and price hedging strategies. The company buys natural gas in the summer when prices are lower, stores it in underground reservoirs, and delivers it for customers to use in the winter months. "Natu
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announces the return of the Illinois Product Holiday Market to Downtown Springfield. The market will be held on December 5, 6, and 7 at the “Y Block,” located north of the Governor’s Mansion. This festive market will feature a wide array of Illinois products that are perfect for everyone on your shopping list this season. “The market checks all the boxes for a weekend in December – enjoy live music,
SPRINGFIELD – The Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, the oldest surviving capitol building in Illinois, will host public candlelight tours the evening of Saturday, Dec. 13 as part of the site’s annual Christmas open house. The free festivities are scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Visitors will find the building illuminated by more than 150 candles and trimmed with holiday decorations along the tour. The first 100 families to visit will receive a free holiday ornament. The site will
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the judicial nominations of David Clay Wilkerson Fowlkes, to be the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas; Nicholas Jon Ganjei, to be the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; and Aaron Christian Peterson, to be the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House of Representatives in a 427-1 vote and now heads to the President’s desk: “First and foremost, this vote is in tribute to and honor of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s horrific crimes—and any victim or survivor
O'FALLON, Ill. - Last week, Jimmy Ford, Republican candidate for State Representative in the 112th District, joined the O’Fallon Police Department for a ride-along to see firsthand the critical work officers perform every day. “I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to ride along with the O’Fallon Police Department and see what these brave officers face on any given shift,” said Ford. “Every elected official should do this to understand the complexities
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered another scathing rebuke of the Trump Administration’s so-called “ Operation Midway Blitz ” in Chicago. Since the operation launched nearly three months ago, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have used extreme tactics to unlawfully detain residents
GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th District) welcomed nearly 50 high school students and educators to Southwestern Illinois College Sam Wolf Campus this month for her Fall Youth Advisory Council (YAC), an initiative designed to give students a firsthand look at state government. “I love hosting the Youth Advisory Council because it gives students a chance to see government in action and explore how they can shape their communities,” said Senator Harriss. “Watching
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in leading their Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on Leader John Thune (R-SD) to immediately bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate floor for a vote, without delay or unnecessary process distractions. The Senators’ call follows the U.S. House of Representatives’
SPRINGFIELD – With temperatures falling, frosty mornings becoming common and snow starting to creep into the forecast, the public is reminded that it’s time for “Winter Weather – Get it Together.” The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway spend the entire year preparing for snow and ice season but are asking you to get ready for winter travel over the coming months. “At IDOT, we have been busy bringing in extra
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