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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a multi-state coalition of seven attorneys general, today sent letters to the six largest buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) providers seeking detailed information regarding their pricing and repayment structures, consumer contracts, user agreements, and disclosures. The inquiry aims to determine if BNPL companies are complying with consumer protection laws and whether their products may be placing Illinois consumers at financial risk. The letters

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor to honor the two National Guard members who were shot in Washington, DC, last week. During his speech, Durbin remembered 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom who tragically passed away on Thanksgiving Day. He also prayed for 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe’s recovery. Staff Sergeant Wolfe remains in critical condition. “We pray for his recovery and—as one nation—send

GODFREY - The Village Garden in Godfrey has unveiled a new bridge, enhancing the community space for visitors. The project was completed with the support of several local organizations and individuals, including Tom Bechtold, Cindy Gelsthorpe, First Fruits, Alton Community Service League, and Hamilton Steel. The new bridge aims to improve accessibility and the overall experience at the garden, which serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Organizers expressed gratitude

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $120 million settlement with Monsanto Company (Monsanto) and affiliates Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC over the environmental and health effects of Monsanto’s decades-long production of polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs. Raoul’s office filed a 2022 lawsuit alleging the company was aware of the chemicals’ toxicity while publicly denying any knowledge of the danger to human health and the environment. This settlement

ALTON - Nicole Rhoades is seeking community support following the tragic death of her father, John Rhoades, who died in a recent house fire. The family is coping with the sudden loss and the financial burden of the funeral and final expenses. John Rhoades was described by his daughter as a loving father and devoted grandfather who brought joy and laughter to family gatherings. “He had a playful spirit and loved playing games with us all — he truly was a big kid at heart, and his

SPRINGFIELD – Several new laws take effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2026, including regulations on artificial intelligence, eliminating the state’s grocery tax, and more after receiving Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature. AI Amendments To Human Rights Act Target Employment Discrimination House Bill 3773 makes it a civil rights violation for employers to use artificial intelligence (AI) to discriminate against employees or potential new hires based on race, gender, age,

ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) was named an Americans for Prosperity – Illinois (AFP–IL) 2025 Prairie State Policy Champion. AFP-IL cited her work leading opposition to the Homeschool Act as a determining factor in their decision to award Elik. “I am honored to be recognized for my efforts to rein in government spending, ease Illinois’ state tax burden, and protect homeschoolers and empower educational choice in Illinois,” said Rep. Amy Elik.

PONTOON BEACH – Holiday cheer is once again hitting the streets of Madison County as Madison County Transit’s (MCT) “Holiday Bus” rolls out for the 2025 season. The festive tradition offers surprise complimentary rides to passengers throughout December, reflecting MCT’s appreciation for the community members they serve. In 2024, the Holiday Bus provided nearly 5,000 free rides to passengers throughout the county. From December 1 through December 31, the Holiday

GRAFTON - On a chilly Friday evening, Nov. 28, 2025, families gathered in The Grove Memorial Park in Grafton to celebrate the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, welcoming the holiday season with festive cheer and community spirit. Despite the cold, attendees enjoyed hot chocolate and s’mores provided by the Grafton Pub, warming themselves around a fire as Nickie Brooks performed Christmas songs that set a joyful tone. Children eagerly awaited the moment when the large Christmas tree

ALTON - Illinois Main Street, a statewide coordinating program of Main Street America, recently announced the 2025 Lt. Governor Awards for Excellence in Revitalization during the Illinois Main Street Conference in Dixon, Illinois. The program recognized more than two dozen projects, organizations, and local leaders who are transforming downtowns and neighborhood business districts in communities of all sizes across the state. Alton Main Street was honored for a study that was completed in partnership

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/GRANITE CITY - The Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) are once again active and making sure there’s a warm place for people to sleep on the coldest nights of the year. Located in Alton, Edwardsville and Granite City, the OWLs open when the forecast overnight temperature in Alton is 20 degrees or lower. Unhoused community members or folks with insufficient heat are invited to come in, enjoy a hot dinner, take showers, and spend the night. In the morning, guests

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police continue to investigate a homicide that resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man following a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Greycliff Bluff Drive. Officers from the South County Precinct responded to a call at 11:18 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2025. Upon arrival, they found Emil Schmidt IV unresponsive inside the residence. Schmidt was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries on Nov. 29. St. Louis County Police said preliminary

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - Illinois Department of Transportation engineer Joe Monroe commended his crews for their efforts overnight to manage state roads during the morning commute on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, amid challenging winter weather conditions. The area was hit with sleet and 4-6 inches of snowfall throughout most of the region on Tuesday, making it almost impossible for IDOT to clean the roads in their mission. The precipitation was non-stop throughout most of the day, Monroe said.

BETHALTO - Riverbend residents have the opportunity for a unique Christmas experience in Bethalto. Bethalto Christmas Village features lights strung throughout Central Park, hot chocolate, s’mores, vendors, visits with Santa and more. Food costs a few dollars, but walking through the park to enjoy the lights and Santa is completely free. Bethalto Christmas Village is open from 5–8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 21, 2025. “Please, encourage your family and

EDWARDSVILLE - Fans of the hit TV show “Friends” have a unique, “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to see some of the original props in Edwardsville. EXO Lounge’s Christmas pop-up, titled “The One With the Christmas Pop-Up,” runs through Dec. 31, 2025. Owner Gina Gamblin can’t wait to share themed cocktails, snacks, trivia and karaoke with guests. But she is most excited to showcase the original couch, door, clothing and other memorabilia from

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College canceled all welding classes Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2025, after a fire broke out in the Weber Workforce Center building on the Godfrey campus. The fire, reported at 10:29 a.m. Tuesday, involved two acetylene tanks venting and multiple oxygen tanks. Fire departments from Godfrey, Alton, and Fosterburg responded to the scene. Authorities confirmed the fire was extinguished by 10:50 a.m., with no injuries reported and all individuals evacuated safely.

GODFREY — Freer Auto Body will host its annual Cookies and Cocoa for Community Christmas event from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at 4512 N. Alby in Godfrey. The roads and highways around the Godfrey area have dramatically improved since the snowstorm on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Margaret Freer, one of the organizers of this event and one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, said this year's Cookies and Cocoa for Community Christmas is especially important. The event aims to support loca

What if one day could harness the collective power of millions of people worldwide to create meaningful change? Giving Tuesday is precisely that—a movement that transforms generosity into a global phenomenon, inspiring individuals, organizations, and communities to give back in tangible ways. The Birth of a Global Movement Giving Tuesday emerged in 2012 as a response to the commercialization of the post-Thanksgiving shopping season in the United States. While Black Friday and Cyber Monda

Did you know that nearly 70% of consumers express a preference for personalized holiday decorations over store-bought items? This trend reflects a growing desire to infuse homes with unique touches that tell personal stories, rather than relying on mass-produced décor. Creating your own holiday decorations not only saves money but also fosters creativity and provides a meaningful way to celebrate traditions. However, embarking on DIY projects can be daunting without a clear approach. Thi

December 2nd holds a unique place in history, marked by events that have shaped the course of nations and influenced global movements. 1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte Crowned Emperor of the French On this day in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor in a lavish ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Defying tradition, he took the crown from Pope Pius VII and placed it on his own head, symbolizing his authority derived not from the Church but from himself. This event marked