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What does it truly mean to be free? The answer to this question resonates deeply within the story of Juneteenth, a day that memorializes both a historical milestone and the enduring pursuit of liberty. Often overlooked in mainstream narratives, Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in American history when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were finally informed of their emancipation—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The Origins of Juneteenth: A Delayed Promise of Freedom On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, declaring that all enslaved people were free. This announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863. The delay was due to the minimal presence of Union troops in Texas, which allowed slavery to persist longer there than in other Confederate states. This moment was

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June 19 has witnessed some of the most transformative events in world history, spanning social justice milestones, groundbreaking scientific achievements, and significant cultural moments. Let's embark on a journey through time, starting with one of the most impactful global events associated with this date: the announcement of the end of slavery in the United States, an event that resonates deeply not just in America but across the globe as a symbol of freedom and human dignity. In 1865, on June 19, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with a proclamation that would change the lives of thousands. This announcement declared that all enslaved people in Texas were free, effectively enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation that had been issued more than two years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln. This day came to be known as Juneteenth and is now celebrated annually as a powerful reminder of the long struggle for freedom and equality. The importance of Juneteenth

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ST. LOUIS - The 2026 Priority Project List , compiled for the bi-state St. Louis region by the St. Louis Regional Freightway, includes 29 projects totaling nearly $8.9 billion. The list was released at the Freightway’s annual Freight Summit on Wednesday, June 4, the signature event of FreightWeekSTL. As of May 2024, more than $560 million in projects on the list had been completed and more $2.6 billion in funding had been allocated for additional projects on the list, with many of those under construction or soon to be. The list highlights the top infrastructure needs of manufacturing and logistics industries in Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois. “The numbers highlighted in this year’s report, which continue to grow year over year, underscore the tremendous commitment to improving freight infrastructure in the bi-state St. Louis region by securing funding and advancing major projects through the development pipeline,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vic

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SPRINGFIELD - As we enter the summer, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) reminds Illinois boaters to be responsible and understand the dangers associated with Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Drinking while boating significantly increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The ILCC urges boaters to stay responsible and recognize the serious risks of mixing alcohol with boating. It is illegal to operate a boat with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or while under the influence of drugs. The ILCC strongly encourages Illinoisans to avoid consuming alcohol while operating a boat to reduce the risk of bodily harm caused by BUI. Illinois’ rivers and lakes are beautiful, but any body of water can quickly become dangerous when alcohol is involved. Below are some important safety tips all boaters should know. Boat Safety Tips: Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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EAST ALTON – Unlawful weapon possession has led to felony charges in separate criminal cases filed against two from East Alton and St. Louis. Wilbur F. Lucious, 43, of East Alton, was charged on June 9, 2025 with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (a Class 2 felony), aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm with no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card (both Class A misdemeanors). On June 7, 2025, Lucious allegedly possessed a Ruger .22 caliber revolver which he knew was stolen. He also reportedly displayed a Smith & Wesson M&P AR-15 platform rifle “in a threatening manner” to another individual, which he also possessed without a valid FOID card. The East Alton Police Department presented the case against Lucious; while he was granted pretrial release from custody, additional conditoins have been imposed on his release. Among the conditions of his release are that he have no contact with and remain at least 500 feet away from the victim

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding the public that along with the start of summer, mosquito season is underway in Illinois. With this comes the risk of West Nile virus (WNV), which has been confirmed from environmental samples in 17 counties around the state so far this year. The reminder comes as public health officials around the country are highlighting the importance of taking action to “Fight the Bite” during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week , June 15-21. No human cases of WNV have been reported in Illinois so far this year, but in 2024, there were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV including 13 deaths, the highest number since 17 WNV-related human deaths were recorded in 2018. “With mosquito season underway in Illinois, it is now time for Illinoisans, especially seniors and those with weakened immune systems, to start taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that three small businesses in Central and Southern Illinois will receive a combined $485,477 in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Riggs Beer Company in Urbana, Quality Pontiac in Alton, and The Cubby Hole of Carlinville will use these funds to purchase and install solar arrays that will improve their energy efficiency and lower utility costs. A breakdown of the funding awarded can be found below: $107,126 to Riggs Beer Company, a beverage producer in Urbana, Illinois $287,500 to Quality Pontiac Inc., a new car dealership in Alton, Illinois $90,851 to The Cubby Hole of Carlinville, a commercial screen printing business in Carlinville, IL In total, the solar energy capacity added from this funding will generate $43,300 in energy savings per year, and the energy generated from the new installations is enough to power 43 homes. “I’m

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CARLINVILLE - Carlinville Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2 at 201 West Main Street, inside Elks Lodge. What: Carlinville Community Blood Drive When: Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 12-5 p.m. Where: Elks Lodge, 201 West Main Street, Carlinville, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Springfield at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60045 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. 2801 South 10th St., Springfield, Ill., (217) 753-1530. Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before May 7, 2025 are eligible

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ALTON - Pour Decisions has a busy few days ahead, and they invite you to come by and kick off your weekend early. Located at 204 State Street in Alton, the bar opened last year and has received acclaim for their all-day daily specials and fun events. Community members can enjoy specials and entertainment on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, for 618 Day, followed by a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, “Sipping in Sundresses” on Friday, June 20, and a comedy show and “Beachwear Bash” party on June 21. “We’re actually going to have a lot of things going on this week,” said Stacey, Pour Decisions co-owner. “If people have a vision of what they want to see downtown, let us know. If we can make it happen, we’re going to make it happen.” The fun kicks off on Wednesday, June 18, with 618 Day in the 618 region. People can enjoy breakfast and lunch specials from Savory Little Things until 4 p.m., followed by dinner specials by Beyond

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WOOD RIVER – The Wood River City Council voted on Monday to add certain exceptions to the City Code regarding Unlawful Use of Weapons. City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance amending the City Code to allow certain exceptions consistent with state law , as the city’s current weapon use laws were “overbroad in their restrictions,” according to the ordinance. Previously, the City Code made it illegal to carry “a tear gas projector or bomb, or any object containing noxious liquid gas or substances” on one’s person or in any vehicle. The recently passed ordinance adds exceptions for objects containing “a non-lethal noxious liquid gas” and substances “designed solely for personal defense carried by a person 18 years of age or older.” This would apply to substances like pepper spray, often carried for self-defense, which were technically illegal under the old City Code. Exceptions have also been added

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BELLEVILLE — A juvenile male bicyclist was struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon, June 17, 2025, in the 1100 block of East B Street, prompting emergency response from Belleville Police and Fire Department units. At approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, responders found the juvenile unconscious in the roadway. Emergency personnel immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The driver, an 18-year-old male, stayed at the scene and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

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MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Regional Superintendent, Dr. Robert W. Werden, along with Mr. Mannie Jackson and Dr. Ed Hightower, are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Alma Irene Aitch Scholarship for Madison County, Illinois, high school seniors. This award is given in the amount of $1,000 to ten graduating seniors from across Madison County who displayed high academic achievement, personal drive, and success, and excellence in their 4-year high school careers. The Aitch Scholarship is named after former Lincoln School teacher Alma Irene Aitch. Her leadership and encouragement helped improve the lives of her students and, over time, their successive generations. She was beloved for her love of her school and community. Through the collaborative efforts of Jackson, Hightower, and Werden, this scholarship was created to showcase the legacy of Ms. Aitch and reward current students who have worked hard to be successful. This year’s scholarship winners represent

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ALTON - Centerstone offers several treatment options for mental health and substance use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT). When engaging in MAT, the client takes a medication — Vivitrol, Suboxone or methadone — with the goal of preventing an opiate relapse. The medication curbs cravings and “retrains the brain” to minimize the individual’s desire for an illicit substance, explained clinical coordinator Ellyn Lowry. MAT is available at Centerstone’s Alton location at 2615 Edwards Street. “MAT, medication-assisted treatment, has a bias associated with it. But it has really been instrumental in saving lives,” Lowry said. “At the end of the day, that’s what we’re shooting for. We all have the ability to make changes in our lives if we still are breathing. And if a medication can assist a person’s process in doing that, then the sky’s the limit.” Lowry noted that some people

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BETHALTO — Megan Griffin delivered a standout performance for Civic Memorial High School’s girls softball team during the 2025 season, excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter. Griffin finished the season with a 9-10 pitching record and a 3.55 earned run average. At the plate, she batted .345, accumulating 30 hits and driving in eight runs. Her contributions earned her recognition as the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month. Raigen Schwartz, Civic Memorial’s girls softball coach, praised Griffin’s endurance and versatility. “She is a pitcher with a lot of stamina who could pitch all seven innings,” Schwartz said. “She is also good at the plate and very good on the bases. She is very base smart.” In addition to softball, Griffin was a solid volleyball player for the Eagles, demonstrating her athletic ability across multiple sports.

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BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is pleased to welcome Brandon Snyder of O’ Fallon, Ill., as its summer intern. During his time with the transit district, Snyder will gain hands-on experience in the transit industry, assisting with various MetroBikeLink trail projects, gathering research data and working on various other initiatives. Snyder is a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, working toward a master’s degree in urban planning. He is in the Fine and Applied Arts Honors Program and is a James Scholar. In addition to his academic pursuits, he serves as a founding member and treasurer of the Disabilities United Urbana-Champaign (DUUC), is a member of the university’s Student Planning Organization, and works as a senior student assistant at the UIUC Map Library, leading projects to monitor and update internal information about library catalogs. “Brandon brings a great deal of talent and a sharp mind to this

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CARBONDALE — The FBI Springfield Field Office is seeking information in connection with the defacement of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in Carbondale, which occurred on the evening of June 10, 2025. The federal building, located at 250 West Cherry Street in Carbondale, was vandalized, prompting an ongoing investigation. As part of the inquiry, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the unknown suspect responsible for the defacement. Authorities have released an image of the suspect and are encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward. “There are bright lines separating where speech ends and criminal conduct begins. Those who committed this targeted vandalism to federal property will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Our system protects good faith expressions of ideas and opinions, but it abhors lawlessness

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ROXANA — Ava Cherry, a versatile athlete for the Roxana Shells, has made significant contributions across softball, basketball, and volleyball during the 2025 season and is set to return for the 2026 season. Standing 5-foot-6, Cherry emerged as one of Roxana’s top hitters this year, highlighted by a standout performance in which she hit two home runs in a single game. In addition to her softball achievements, she plays as a guard for the Roxana basketball team and has been an important player in volleyball. Cherry’s efforts have earned her recognition as the Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Roxana’s head girls softball coach, Pat Brannon, praised her work ethic and impact on the team. “She has put in a lot of work and had a strong season,” Brannon said. “She got in the swing of things and it took off for her. She is a very valuable player.”

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ALTON - A local BJC volunteer works with people in hospice care so they have a friend in their final days. Kathy Barrow never anticipated that she would volunteer with hospice patients. In fact, when a nurse asked her to sit with a patient in the past, the idea “kind of freaked out.” But after losing her mother and hearing about the hospice program, Barrow felt that God was telling her to give it a try. Now, she visits with a hospice patient every week and makes memory teddy bears for grieving families. “To help someone else, that’s what it’s all about, really,” she said. “I try to spend an hour . That’s not much out of a week for someone who’s on their way out of this world.” Barrow joked that she has “gotten really lazy” since retiring nine years ago, and she thought volunteering would give her something to do. It quickly became more personal as she met her patient and got to know his past, hobbies

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BENTON – A Southern Illinois jury found a Du Quoin man guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon in Franklin County. A jury convicted Marcus T. Moore, 42, of one count of felon in possession of a firearm. “To help protect the public and keep guns away from dangerous individuals, convicted felons lose the right to legally possess firearms. As this case demonstrates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to hold repeat criminal offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. According to court documents, a Sesser police officer initiated a traffic stop on Moore’s vehicle on Sept. 10, 2023. After Moore failed a field sobriety test, he fled on foot as officers attempted to take him into custody. He was apprehended after being tased, and a firearm was discovered secured to his ankle. Moore had a prior federal conviction from 2007, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm. Moore was on federal supervised release at

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) excoriated Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for deploying American servicemembers to police and intimidate their fellow Americans in our nation’s communities, something that actively undermines the Secretary’s own self-proclaimed goal of strengthening our military’s warfighting capabilities and protecting Americans from real foreign threats. Duckworth underscored how misusing our military for domestic law enforcement matters diverts taxpayer dollars and our Armed Forces’ attention away from the combat training that servicemembers need to face foreign enemies abroad. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . “The unjustified, un-American misuse of the military in American cities pulls resources and attention away from our Armed Forces’ core missions to the detriment of the country, the warfighters and, yes, even the warfighting that

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