SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order 14399, titled “ Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections .” The order directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile lists of U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to deliver ballots only to voters
EDWARDSVILLE – A hand recount of results for two ballot refenda in the Madison County 2026 primaries show much different vote totals than initially reported. At issue were two referenda that appeared on the ballot for voters within the Long Lake Fire Protection District. One asked voters whether the district’s property tax rate of .30% should be raised to .40%, while the other asked whether a special tax should be levied to fund an emergency ambulance service. Multiple voters reached
BELLEVILLE - A local volunteer with CASA of Southwestern Illinois shared her experience to encourage others to join the CASA mission and help kids navigate the judicial system. CASA, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates, work with kids who have experienced abuse or neglect, most of whom are in the foster care system. CASA volunteers spend time with the kids and speak on their behalf in court to help the judge make decisions in the best interest of the child. Volunteer Stacy Sayuk explained
CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker issued the following statement on the passing of Illinois Holocaust Museum President Emeritus Samuel Harris: “I am heartbroken by the passing of my good friend Sam Harris. A champion for good who inspired people to fight bigotry and hatred, Sam attracted a community of followers built on hope and compassion. “I was lucky enough to know Sam for nearly three decades as a friend and a leader in building the Illinois Holocaust Museum. A
EAST ALTON - East Alton Police responded to a social media post about Freestyle Fridays being back at 6 p.m. on Friday on the concrete pad of the old ShopnSave at Wilshire in East Alton. The post said: “Skaters, BMX, Groms after 8 p.m. No car and truck nonsense. Show only. No alcohol. See you there.” East Alton Police responded on social media on Tuesday afternoon, March 31, 2026: “While we fully support community gatherings, exercise, and lawful assemblies, Wilshire Village
FOSTERBURG - Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives were at a residence in the 5000 block of Fosterburg Road in Fosterburg on the morning of Thursday, April 2, 2026, working to contact an armed subject who was alone inside the home with a firearm, Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido said. Pulido said the subject was involved in a domestic-related incident and made threats. “Metro East SWAT is also on scene assisting the Madison County Sheriff’s Office,”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, issued a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets sold at Walmart locations nationwide after routine sampling found the products may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. FSIS announced the alert April 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C., saying the nuggets were produced Feb. 10, 2026, and that a recall was not requested because th
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville residents need not be alarmed if they see emergency vehicles at Jersey Community Middle School on the afternoon of April 2, 2026. Fire Chief Keith Norman confirmed at this week’s City Council meeting that first responders are participating in a training exercise at the middle school from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. While emergency vehicles may be seen at the school and sports complex, he assured council and community members there is no emergency at the site. T
The same person who hates being lied to might laugh when you pretend their shoelace is untied. That contradiction is the clue: harmless tricks feel good because they bend reality without breaking trust. We enjoy pranks, playful surprises, and little “gotchas” for reasons that go deeper than humor. A good trick creates a quick jolt of confusion, then relief. It turns the world into a puzzle for a moment. And when it’s done kindly, it strengthens social bonds instead of damaging
On April 2, 1982, Argentina’s military government sent troops to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), a remote South Atlantic territory administered by the United Kingdom. The takeover triggered a short, intense war that ended in June with a British victory, but its effects lasted far longer than the fighting. At the time, the invasion mattered because it turned a long-running sovereignty dispute into an armed conflict and put thousands of service members in harm’s way. It
ALTON – A man accused of using a stolen semi truck to flee police officers nine days after stealing an Alton School District truck faces charges in two Madison County cases. Danny L. Cope III, 33, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged on March 26, 2026 with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and three counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (each Class 4 felonies). On March 25, 2026, Cope is accused of knowingly
ALTON - The Wedge Innovation Center is celebrating its first year of operation with a month-long campaign focused on giving back to the community that helped bring the space to life. Since opening in downtown Alton, The Wedge, powered by SIUE, has grown into a space for entrepreneurs, remote professionals, students, and organizations seeking a place to work, develop, connect, and generate new ideas. Designed as more than just a coworking space, The Wedge serves as a platform where business,
WOOD RIVER - The local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness has named a new executive director. NAMI Southwestern Illinois is located inside Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood River. Last month, they named Jason Farley as the nonprofit’s executive director after he served as its interim executive director for six months. He noted that the agency is experiencing a “growth spurt” since its move to Wood River last year, and he looks forward to supporting more
JERSEYVILLE – With warmer weather and city-wide infrastructure projects underway, Jerseyville officials are urging residents to stay informed about road closures and more via TextMyGov. Jerseyville Mayor Kevin Stork encouraged residents to sign up for the city’s TextMyGov text message notification system at the latest City Council meeting on March 31, 2026. Those interested can text JERSEYVILLE to 91896 to opt into alerts and notifications from the City of Jerseyville. “We’re
GODFREY - Larry Niel Moehn, an educator and longtime gymnastics coach and business owner who spent more than three decades as a professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and operated Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and Dance Academy for more than 60 years, died Monday, March 30, 2026. He was 87. Moehn, who was born in Alton, built a career in education and athletics that included founding a gymnastics and dance program that expanded from Alton to Godfrey. Moehn was born Feb. 18, 1939,
Key takeaways: A study associates hot drinks with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. But experts say a cup of coffee or tea is fine. Just avoid scalding hot beverages multiple times a day. Esophageal cancer is tough to treat, so prevention and early intervention is key. Alcohol use, smoking and obesity put you at a higher risk. Symptoms of esophageal cancer include reflux or trouble swallowing. Scientists are constantly learning more about cancer – what causes
GRANITE CITY – Two Granite City men who were charged on the same day with attempting to flee from police across state lines are now in custody. Louis P. Campbell, 48, of Granite City, was charged on March 23, 2026 with one count each of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class 4 felony) and driving while license is suspended (a Class A misdemeanor). On March 22, 2026, Campbell allegedly knowingly attempted to elude a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy after
PIASA — Southwestern boys soccer senior Eben Makler has signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Greenville University, said head boys soccer coach Steve Mitchell. Coach Mitchell said Makler, a center midfielder who also plays “back and front,” will be a boost to the Greenville University program. Makler is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. “Eben Makler signed his letter of intent to play soccer for Greenville University,”
ALTON - Dozens of demonstrators gathered Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Lincoln-Douglas Square in Alton for a "No Kings" peaceful protest aimed at opposing what they described as authoritarian leadership and criticizing President Donald Trump. It was estimated that more than 200 people participated in the "No Kings" protest. Participants carried signs and American flags under the message “No Kings,” assembling around the historic site and spreading across nearby sidewalks and
FERGUSON, MO. - A track meet involving 20 schools was ending Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026, at the STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkeley High School in Ferguson when gunfire erupted in the parking lot as people were leaving, killing a 14-year-old boy and critically injuring a 15-year-old boy. A 13-year-old suspect was taken into custody nearby, and officials said there was no ongoing threat to the school community. The shooting happened just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the campu
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