WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Alan Armstrong (R-OK) today introduced a bipartisan proposal to initiate Congressional action on Social Security. The Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone ( PROMISE ) Act follows the release of the Social Security Board of Trustees’ annua
CHICAGO — July 17 marks National Lottery Day, a time to celebrate lotteries across North America and recognize the positive impact they have on the communities they serve—from funding public education and supporting local businesses to investing in meaningful causes that benefit residents statewide. "When Illinoisans choose to play the Illinois Lottery, they're doing more than playing for a prize—they're helping support communities across our state," said Harold Mays, Director
ST. LOUIS – Steven L. Hofer was appointed Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) St. Louis Field Division, marking a return to the Division in which he began his 22-year career with the agency. SAC Hofer will oversee operations across 10 DEA offices in Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois. "I am honored to return to the St. Louis Field Division as the Special Agent in Charge," SAC Hofer said. "This division helped shape my career and I am
ALTON — Alton native Wren Crawford has been selected for the 2026 ASCEND Pre-Law Summer Institute at the USC Gould School of Law, earning one of 35 spots in the nationally competitive program from a pool of more than 800 applicants. Crawford, a Silver Medallion graduate of Alton High School and a student at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, is preparing to begin her sophomore year. The program is designed to prepare aspiring attorneys through academic instruction, professional development,
GODFREY — Ameren and local emergency response crews were at the intersection of Saturn and Mercury Drive in Godfrey on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, working to repair a 2-inch gas main leak, according to the Village of Godfrey. Godfrey advised motorists to consider avoiding the area at the present time. “While the scene is secure, motorists should consider avoiding the area,” the Village of Godfrey said. The village said Ameren and local emergency response crews were “currently
ALTON - Incoming sophomore Eliza Boatman created quite an awakening this past spring in outdoor track and field for Marquette Catholic High School. Boatman recorded a personal best in the 100-meter hurdles, taking the Gateway Metro Track and Field Championships title with a time of 17.16 in the spring. She also won the Gateway Metro title in the 300 hurdles (50.05). She was a member of Marquette's 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relays at times during the season. Her other specialty was the long jump, where
ALTON - Alton Main Street’s Night Market will continue through the end of July. From 7–10 p.m. every Thursday in June and July, vendors set up on Sugar Alley behind 3rd Street and in the lot next to Catdaddy’s. Attendees can browse a variety of handmade and vintage items while enjoying music by a local band. Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, emphasized the value of hosting these markets and bringing people together downtown. “We get a whole
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School said it is celebrating alumnus Seaman Parker Blanchette, a member of the class of 2026, after he graduated from U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Cape May, New Jersey. The school announced that Blanchette will next report to Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay in California. In California, Blanchette will shadow search and rescue swimmers and continue preparing for AST, or Aviation Survival Technician,
ST. LOUIS, MO. - The American Red Cross remains on the ground in Southeast Missouri, providing support to communities affected by flooding. Current response efforts are focused on assisting first responders and distributing emergency supplies to residents in impacted areas. Over the weekend, Red Cross teams distributed more than 130 disaster relief and cleanup kits throughout the community. Distribution efforts are continuing today to help residents with immediate recovery needs. As floodwater
ROLLA, Mo. - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the dean's list for the spring 2026 semester. The dean's list recognizes undergraduate students who earned at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester and passed all classes. About Missouri University of Science and Technology Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of
CHICAGO — The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) released their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Tracker for the Class of 2026, and Illinois is now ranked second in the nation and first in the Midwest for completion of the FAFSA — the highest position and the highest rate (71.4%) ever for an Illinois high school graduating class. “Illinois’ increase in FAFSA completion is a testament to the hard work of students, families and educators &ndash
MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES — The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) today announced the opening of its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Grant Cycle, making more than $8.4 million available to support local parks, trails, recreation facilities, planning initiatives, and community events throughout Madison and St. Clair Counties. Applications for all four grant programs open July 15, 2026, and will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 31, 2027, or until available funding has
ALTON/BELLEVILLE/GODFREY/WOOD RIVER - Nexus Health has taken over eight skilled nursing facilities in the region, and they’re eager to engage with patients and the community. These facilities, previously under the name Bria, are now overseen by Nexus and focus on providing quality nursing care in Alton, Belleville, Cahokia, Columbia, Godfrey, Mascoutah and Wood River. Eric Iverson with Nexus noted that their goal is to help patients and families thrive. “We really want to engage
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a crash Monday morning, July 13, 2026, on Lemay Ferry Road as Matthew Middeke, 48, of New Baden, Illinois. The St. Louis County Police Department said officers from the South County Precinct responded at 7:17 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026, to a call for service for a motor vehicle crash in the 2500 block of Lemay Ferry Road. When officers arrived, they found an SUV and a motorcycle had been involved in the crash.
GLEN CARBON — The Village of Glen Carbon announces the upcoming retirement of Village Administrator Jamie Bowden, who will conclude his nearly 15 years of service to the community following a planned transition period. Bowden, who will reach his 15th employment anniversary with the Village in October, has announced his intent to retire from his role as Village Administrator. His retirement marks the conclusion of a career dedicated to public service and supporting the continued growt
CHICAGO – As temperatures rise across Illinois and families head to pools, lakes, beaches and splash pads to stay cool, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Servies (DCFS) is reminding caregivers to use a simple life-saving strategy to help keep children safe around water: designate a Water Watcher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4; and the second leading cause of unintentional injury
WEST ALTON, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Rivers Project Office said Lincoln Shields Recreation Area will temporarily close beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, July 17, for the Alton Powerboat Nationals. The recreation area in West Alton will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, July 20, according to the Rivers Project Office. The closure applies to Lincoln Shields Recreation Area and Lincoln Shields Access Area, the agency said. For more information, the Rivers Project Office can be reached
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 5 detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying and locating people wanted for questioning in connection with a June 19 shooting in St. Louis’ Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood that left a 22-year-old man wounded, authorities said Tuesday, July 14, 2026. According to information released July 14, 2026, detectives said the shooting happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. June 19, 2026, in the 5800 block of Selber Court. A preliminary
EDWARDSVILLE - The Cross-River Crime Task Force seized illegal firearms and narcotics and made numerous arrests during a countywide deployment Friday, July 10, 2026, in Madison County, authorities said, as officers from multiple local agencies worked alongside state and federal partners. Among the arrests were individuals found in possession of firearms and illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the task force. Officers also located and arrested several fugitives
On July 15, 1410, one of medieval Europe’s most important battles reshaped the balance of power in the region. At the Battle of Grunwald, also known as Tannenberg, the allied forces of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeated the Teutonic Order, a powerful military and religious state that had dominated parts of the Baltic region for generations. The victory mattered immediately because it weakened a major regional power and changed relations among the kingdoms and
stLouIST