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ALTON - The first of the Fall 2026 Piasa Palisades Group Speaker’s Series will be held on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Bakery Beer Co. in Alton, IL. The public is invited for an in-depth discussion on the benefits and challenges to local communities of adding utility-scale solar to the state’s energy mix. Speakers will discuss the impressive grid support offered by Battery Energy Storage Systems and innovative projects from around the state. Three speakers will lead an engaging

EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE, the College of Arts and Sciences and the University Museum proudly announce that the University Museum has been awarded a federal grant for $200,427 from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to work on Stage IV of the Museum Collections Inventory Project! Executive Curator for SIUE's University Museum, Erin Vigneau-Dimick, served as the sole grant writer for the University Museum. The federal Institute for Museum and Library Services offers multiple annual grant

COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School graduate Bryan Kitley ('74) is giving back to the Kahok community in honor of his late wife and encourages others to invest locally. Through his philanthropy with the Collinsville Area Community Foundation, Kitley established a new scholarship and helped fund the Diamonds for Kahoks future athletic complex. The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship honors Bryan’s wife, a dedicated educator and Speech-Language Pathologist

CHICAGO – Heading into Labor Day weekend, Attorney General Kwame Raoul highlighted a report detailing actions his office has taken during the past year to advocate for and protect Illinois workers. The Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau was codified in state statute in 2020 and has since launched more than 115 investigations, resulting in the recovery of more than $30 million in owed wages and restitution for workers and penalties on cases involving wage theft, misclassification,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), led 97 Members of Congress in a letter to Postmaster General David P. Steiner, calling on him to revoke a Postal Service rule that codifies President Trump's Executive Order targeting vote-by-mail. In the letter, the lawmakers argue the rule addresses a problem that doesn't exist. They point to a 2025 Brookings Institution study finding an

CHICAGO — A Braidwood resident’s birthday celebration became a million-dollar milestone after he won a $1 million Lotto jackpot from a lottery ticket gifted to him by a friend at his birthday party. The winning ticket was purchased at Gas N Wash, 1951 E. Laraway Rd. in New Lenox, and given to him as a birthday gift. "My wife planned a party for my big day," said the winner, who opted to remain anonymous. "One of my friends handed me an envelope with some scratch-offs inside.

HARDIN — Tommy R. Thompson, 38, of Godfrey, Illinois, pleaded guilty June 30 to the amended offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 1 felony, after a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began with a Dec. 18, 2025, complaint of child sexual assault, authorities said. Under a negotiated plea agreement presented to Judge Charles HW Burch, Thompson was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for 183 days served in pretrial

COLLINSVILLE — Illinois State Police Troop 8 issued 29 citations and arrests during a roadside safety check held in Madison County in August, Troop 8 Commander Capt. Casey Faro announced. The roadside safety check was conducted to keep roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road, according to Illinois State Police. The project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Enforcement activity included one driving under the influence citation, one other alcohol

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — For 17 Madison County residents, the Problem Solving Court has become a pathway to a new career, offering a full-circle opportunity to help others. Probation officers referred the residents to a behavioral health workforce training program operated by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development. They are among 20 adults participating in the nine-month program, which prepares people with lived

BETHALTO - The 107th annual Bethalto Homecoming kicks off this weekend and promises several days of fun. Starting from 6–10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, and running through Monday, Sept. 7, the event features a carnival by Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, live music, vendors and more. All proceeds benefit the Bethalto Fire Department, and President Derek Mormino hopes people enjoy the experience. “We’re doing the best we can to put on this event for the community, and hopefully,

SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Optometric Association (IOA) has named State Senator Sue Rezin as its 2026 Legislator of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the IOA. Senator Rezin was honored during the IOA's 2026 Annual Meeting for her advocacy on behalf of Illinois patients and optometrists, including her strong support of Senate Bill 3707, legislation that increases transparency and accountability within the vision benefit manager industry while helping protect patients and independent

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Authorities filed first-degree murder and weapons charges Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, against Finese E. Spiller, a 34-year-old East St. Louis man, in connection with a shooting early Monday at BB’s Sports Bar & Grill in Cahokia Heights, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis said. The shooting occurred at about 12:29 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2026, at the bar, 7301 Lake Drive, authorities said. The case was presented Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, to the St. Clair County State’s

ALTON - This September, the Alton Amphitheater is inviting the community to slow down, gather with friends and family, and enjoy three Friday evenings filled with live music, local food and unparalleled sunsets over the Mississippi River. The 2026 Pop-Up Concert Series will take place Friday, September 4, September 11 and September 25 from 6-9 p.m., offering a relaxed atmosphere with regional live music, food vendors, yard games and plenty of room to spread out along Alton's scenic riverfront.

HARDIN — Donald G. Dawson, 57, of Hardin, was sentenced Aug. 5, 2026, to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after a Calhoun County jury found him guilty of burglary and theft in connection with tools stolen from a work truck at the Godar Diamond boat ramp, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Dawson received credit for 101 days served in pretrial detention. The sentence was handed down by Judge John Frank McCartney, who also presided over Dawson’s

PIASA — Jerion Holoman, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound tight end/linebacker, led the Piasa Birds on Thursday night, Sept. 3, 2026, in Piasa, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a 41-0 rout of North Mac. Holoman, a Southwestern player, has 39 carries for 288 yards and two scores on the three-game season. His longest run is 52 yards. Jerion is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete Of The Month for the Piasa Birds. “Jerion is our leading rusher who

GODFREY – Godfrey officials are preparing to take action on data centers as they research how other communities are regulating the controversial facilities. Economic Development Director Jim Mager announced at the Sept. 1, 2026 Village Board meeting that a working group has been assembled to recommend rules on data centers in Godfrey. The group currently consists of Mager and Village Engineer Rich Beran, as well as Trustees Gerard Fischer and Rick Lauschke. “We have had a meeting

This Day in Music History: Sept. 4 On Sept. 4, 1962, the Beatles returned to EMI Studios in London and recorded a version of “Love Me Do” with their new drummer, Ringo Starr. The session was a pivotal early step for a group that had signed with Parlophone only months earlier and was still largely known for its Liverpool club appearances. “Love Me Do,” backed with “P.S. I Love You,” became the Beatles’ first single when it was released in Britain on Oct

On September 4, one of the most consequential events in world history took place in 476, when the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. The event has long been used to mark the fall of the Western Roman Empire. At the time, it signaled the end of imperial rule in western Europe after centuries of Roman political control. Its importance went far beyond one ruler losing his throne. The collapse of central authority changed how power was organized across Europe, opened the

COLLINSVILLE — A former manager of Woodland Towers Apartments in Collinsville faces charges after police said detectives investigated a report over the past year that an elderly resident had more than $20,000 in unauthorized CashApp transactions and an Airbnb purchase on her account. Collinsville Police said detectives identified Tiffani D. Hobson, 41, of East St. Louis, as a suspect during the investigation. Hobson had been employed as a manager of the apartment complex, Collinsville Police

WOOD RIVER – A Wood River man deemed a “violent offender against youth” faces new charges in Madison County following his latest alleged failure to register with police. Kevan K. Vann, 32, of the 400 block of Pershing Avenue in Wood River, was charged on Aug. 31, 2026 with one count each of failure to register as a violent offender (a Class 3 felony) and retail theft under $300 (a Class 4 felony). On Aug. 28, 2026, Vann allegedly failed to register as a violent offender against