GODFREY — Nine student musicians from Alton High School and six from Alton Middle School have been selected to participate in the 2026 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) All-State Festival, scheduled for January 29-31 in Peoria. The Alton High School students named to the All-State Festival include Wesley LeBrun, percussion, selected for the All-State Honors Band for the third time; Quinn Halliday, trumpet, also in the Honors Band; Makayla Burns, violin, in the All-State Orchestra
BELLEVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois is looking for volunteers to help kids navigate the judicial system. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, work with kids who have experienced abuse or neglect. Most of these kids are in the foster care system, and 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. The CASA SWI organization is looking for volunteers who will work with these kids and
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is highlighting the announced $24 million in funding to expand Manufacturing Training Academies at community colleges and strengthen workforce training opportunities for high-demand manufacturing careers. “Giving young people access to skills that translate directly into a job is exactly what we need to be focusing on in 2026,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Southwestern Illinois College is already proving how community colleges
ST. LOUIS — Four African painted dog pups were born on Dec. 26, 2025, at the Saint Louis Zoo. These are the first births for this species at the Zoo, marking an important contribution to the endangered African painted dog population. Six-year-old mom Chewie and the pups are doing well and bonding in their private, indoor maternity den. It will be several weeks before the family makes their public debut at the age when pups would naturally leave the den with their mother. Seven-year-old
GLEN CARBON - Fifth-grader Lindley Weiss of Cassens Elementary School in Glen Carbon took on a unique role at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in St. Louis, serving as a sweeper during the Monday and Tuesday sessions. Weiss, of Glen Carbon, a member of the River’s Edge Figure Skating Club, was selected to be a sweeper with other young skaters aged 8-14. Sweepers collect the stuffed animals and sort gifts thrown on the ice after a skater’s performance during the event. More
Homicide Investigation in the 3700 block of Av De Paris Drive ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide after an adult female was fatally shot Monday night, Jan. 12, 2026, in the 3700 block of Av De Paris Drive. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at 10:21 p.m. Jan. 12, 2026, to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found the woman with at least one gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. No suspects are currently in
EAST ALTON - Joe’s Pizza and Pasta at 17 Eastgate Plaza in East Alton has announced it will be closing soon after many years of serving the community. The exact date of closure has not yet been determined, but the restaurant has encouraged customers to visit this week as it winds down its operations. The announcement was made on the business’s social media, expressing gratitude to customers, team members, and the community for their support over the years. Joe’s
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to urge Senate Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA)enhanced premium tax credits. As Durbin made clear in his remarks, millions of Americans have relied on these tax credits to afford their health insurance, yet Republican lawmakers opted to allow the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to expire. “Against the direction and wishes
GLEN CARBON – It’s officially Girl Scout Cookie season in Southern Illinois! Girl Scouts throughout the area will hold cookie booths, visit customers door-to-door, and sell to friends and family online as they explore more possibilities through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. During this highly anticipated time of the year, girls acquire five important life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.
O’FALLON, Ill. – Prairie Cardiovascular and HSHS Medical Group are proud to announce that Megan Land, APRN, has joined its team at Prairie Cardiovascular O’Fallon, located at 3 St. Elizabeth Blvd., Suite 1800. Land is a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in cardiology. She specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and management of a wide range of heart conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary
EDWARDSVILLE – Carrollton Bank announced today that Matt Warren has been promoted to regional president in Edwardsville. “Matt has been dedicated to helping businesses across Edwardsville achieve their goals and dreams,” said Tom Hough, CEO of Carrollton Bank. “His leadership, experience, and commitment to our customers make him an excellent choice to guide our continued growth in the region.” Matt succeeds Bill Barlow who will continue managing his long-term ke
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt’s office is collecting store-bought or handmade cards for residents in long-term care facilities for Valentine’s Day. “Join me in showing our support for our senior community by letting them know we are thinking about them on Valentine’s Day,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have done this for several years now, and it’s really a great way to brighten someone’s day.” Individuals are encourage
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education unanimously approved the 7-0 appointment of Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. as Interim Superintendent during its monthly work session on Monday, Jan. 12. Duncan has been serving as Acting Superintendent since September 25, 2025. Dr. Duncan brings deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to District 7, having spent his entire professional career serving the Edwardsville community. Duncan most recently
A month with 31 days shouldn’t feel longer than other 31-day months—yet for many people, January seems to stretch like it has extra pages in the calendar. That “long month” feeling isn’t just whining or bad math. It comes from a mix of psychology, routines, money timing, and the way our brains mark events. January often has fewer built-in landmarks, more pressure to “reset,” and more waiting for the next thing to happen. Put those together, and the day
On January 13, 1898, Émile Zola published his open letter “J’Accuse…!” in a Paris newspaper, directly accusing the French government and military leadership of covering up a wrongful conviction. The letter centered on the Dreyfus Affair, a case in which Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, had been convicted of treason on shaky evidence. Zola’s intervention mattered because it forced a private injustice into public view, pushed institutions to answer har
This morning starts off with mostly clear skies and a cool 48 degrees. Expect a high near 59 later today as intermittent clouds mix with sunshine. Winds from the west-southwest will pick up to about 14 mph, gusting near 30 mph, making it breezy through the afternoon. By evening, clouds will thicken as a light rain shower moves in with temperatures dipping into the 50s. Overnight brings a chance of light rain and mostly cloudy skies with lows around 35 degrees. Tomorrow will be much colder and windy
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce the appointment of three new commissioners. The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Hon. Sierra D. Senor-Moore, Daniel R. Hernandez, and Alan G. Pirtle to three-year terms, expiring December 31, 2028. In addition, the Illinois Supreme Court has reappointed Commissioners Heather B. Kroencke and Azam Nizamuddin to terms expiring December 31, 2028. “We are thrilled to welcome Judge Senor-Moore,
ALTON – A proposal to remove parking restrictions on an Alton street is on hold for now amid concerns about emergency vehicle and snowplow access. Alton Committee of the Whole members voted unanimously at their Jan. 12, 2026 meeting to postpone a resolution introducing an ordinance to remove certain parking restrictions on Norside Drive. According to the resolution, city officials have determined that “certain parking restrictions on Norside Drive do not reflect current neighborhood
GLEN CARBON - Ty Etcheson, an infielder and pitcher for the baseball team at Father McGivney Catholic High School, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball in the spring of 2027 at John Wood Community College in Quincy. He is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Etcheson had a very good season for the Griffins in helping the team to a 38-4 record, losing in the IHSA Class 1A state championship game to Ottawa Marquette Catholic 6-5 at Illinois Field
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Civic Memorial High School girls cheerleading team claimed second place at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) 2A Varsity State competition held this past weekend in Springfield. The Eagles finished just behind Highland and ahead of Jacksonville in the final standings. The girls are Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athletes of the Month for the Eagles. CM's Makenna Wehmeier was named All-State at the cheer competition. The squad’s
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