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ALTON – An Alton woman faces felony charges after she allegedly stole over $10,000 in a two-year health care fraud scheme while employed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Terra A. Williams, 37, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 23, 2025 with one count of managed health care fraud (a Class 1 felony), two Class 1 felony counts of theft, and a Class 3 felony count of forgery. From July 21, 2022 to May 21, 2024, Williams allegedly knowingly executed or conspired to execute a scheme to defraud Meridian Health Plan of Illinois. She reportedly caused the health plan to authorize payments to herself under the Illinois Aid Code which she was not legally entitled to, with the unlawful payments totaling over $10,000. Williams is additionally accused of submitting fraudulent Home Health Services time sheets containing false date and time entries for services that were reportedly never rendered by Williams as an IDHS employee. The case against Williams was presented

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ALTON — Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford clarified Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 2025, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were not involved in an investigation in Alton on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. “All I can say is that we are working on an investigation in conjunction with our federal partners,” Ford said. “However, those partners on this investigation do not include ICE officials.” Ford did not disclose details about the nature of the investigation, stating that information will be released once the operation is completed. The clarification comes after social media accounts circulated reports Wednesday night claiming that ICE officials were present in Alton. Chief Ford disputed those claims, emphasizing that ICE was not part of the ongoing investigation. ICE is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security, with a mission to conduct criminal investigations, enforce immigration laws, preserve

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the annual Illinois Report Card at www.illinoisreportcard.com today. The Report Card provides a detailed look at student performance data from the 2024-25 school year and shows how schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. One component of the School Report Card is the annual summative designation – a descriptor of how well our schools are meeting the needs of all students. The designations recognize schools with strong overall performance across a range of academic and student success indicators. There are five designations a school can receive – Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted Support, Comprehensive Support, or Intensive Support. Four District #7 schools received an EXEMPLARY designation by the State of Illinois, including Edwardsville High School, Albert Cassens Elementary, Glen Carbon Elementary, and Goshen Elementary. The district’s other nine schools were all COMMENDABLE.

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ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in the Riverbend community, and oncology nurse Dana Matesa is eager to share more about the hospital’s work. Matesa has spent the past five years in the oncology department at St. Anthony’s. She emphasized the hospital’s collaborative approach and their commitment to giving patients the best care. “We work as a team,” Matesa said. “We collaborate so well with us in general over at the hospital, just patient care to get them in, get them treated fast, get them worked up fast. It’s really our team approach to get the best care for the patients.” Matesa shared that the oncology department includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology and infusion services. The doctors and nurses work together to make sure they “get you where you need to be,” she said. Their infusion services program is one of the most utilized programs

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Did you know that nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. attend at least one Halloween party each year? Yet, a surprising number of these gatherings are planned with minimal preparation, sometimes just hours before the festivities begin. Throwing a Halloween party on short notice can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be both manageable and memorable. If you find yourself scrambling to pull together a spooky celebration, don’t despair. This guide offers practical strategies to organize an enjoyable and engaging Halloween party quickly, ensuring your guests have a hauntingly good time without the stress. Setting the Atmosphere Quickly and Effectively The ambiance of a Halloween party is crucial—it sets the tone for the entire event. When time is limited, focus on a few impactful elements rather than trying to decorate every corner. Lighting: Dim lighting instantly creates a mysterious vibe. Use candles (real or battery-operated) or string lights to cast

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October 30th has witnessed a remarkable array of events that have shaped the world across centuries, continents, and disciplines. One of the most significant events on this day occurred in 1938 when Orson Welles broadcast his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ "The War of the Worlds." This dramatized news bulletin-style broadcast caused panic among listeners who believed an actual alien invasion was underway. The event remains a landmark in media history, illustrating the power of mass communication and its psychological impact on the public. It sparked debates about media responsibility and the boundaries between entertainment and misinformation, themes still relevant today. Moving to the political realm, October 30, 1961, marks the date when the former Soviet Union detonated the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested. This hydrogen bomb exploded over Novaya Zemlya island with an estimated yield of 50 megatons, demonstrating the terrifying potential of nuclear

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has another busy month ahead, and Executive Director Mary Cordes invites the community to join them. “All of our programs have been filling up, which is great,” Cordes said. “We’ve had some good stuff lately.” On Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, kids are invited to a special Trick-or-Treating Story Time at 10 a.m. at the Alton Square Mall library. In addition to enjoying stories and crafts, kids can wear their costumes and trick-or-treat inside the library. From 4–5 p.m. every Friday, teens are invited to the mall library for Teen Expressive Art , an hour dedicated to crafts and artistic endeavors. This Friday, Oct. 31, teens can paint a mini canvas to be hung in the TeenSpace section of the library. November is National Novel Writing Month, and the library will support local writers by providing them with a quiet space to write from 12–4:30 p.m. every Sunday afternoon at the mall. The Writ

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The Riverbend and Metro East area can expect a breezy, mostly sunny day with a high near 58 and a low around 37. Winds will come from the northwest at 11 to 17 mph with gusts up to 26 mph. It feels a bit cooler, around 56 degrees at the high due to the breeze. The chance of rain is zero today. This morning starts off clear and chilly with temperatures near 37 degrees. By midday, the breeze picks up, but skies stay mostly sunny with plenty of sunshine for about 9.5 hours. Evening is mainly clear with a slight drop in wind speed, cooling into the upper 30s overnight. Air quality is good, and allergens such as mold, ragweed, and tree pollen remain low. Tomorrow will bring a similar pattern, mostly sunny with a high near 60 and a low around 37. It will be a dry day and a great one for outdoor activities or even Halloween fun. For live updates throughout the day, visit RiverBender.com/weather .

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration (CDA) today announced $1.14 million in new Neighborhood Plan Implementation Awards, supporting transformative community-led projects in Skinker DeBaliviere, West End, Downtown, Downtown West, Covenant Blu-Grand Center, Jeff-Vander-Lou, and St. Louis Place neighborhoods. The City’s Economic Development Sales Tax (Ordinance 70435) dedicates 10% of sales tax revenue to Neighborhood Plan Implementation — creating lasting, place-based investments that bring adopted neighborhood plans to life. These awards advance the priorities identified by Neighborhood Plans adopted by the City of St. Louis Planning Commission . Each adopted plan is the result of extensive community engagement—reflecting the goals, values, and shared vision of residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Together, the adopted neighborhood plan and the award turn neighborhood priorities into action and ensure that local voices continue

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressional Postal Service Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) sent a letter to the newly appointed Postmaster General, David Steiner, outlining their top priorities for improving the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and addressing concerns with previous reform plans. In their letter, the Co-Chairs express concern over aspects of the Delivering for America (DFA) and Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) plans, urging a careful reassessment to ensure postal operations continue to meet the needs of Americans nationwide. The Members wrote, “While we fully support modernization efforts within the Postal Service, these changes must not come at the expense of postal employees or the millions of Americans who rely on reliable, on-time delivery every day...We respectfully urge you to temporarily pause any implementation of the

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Illinois 163 between Bond Avenue and Lakewood Place in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Nov. 3. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Nov. 7. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor praising the hundreds of high school students in Little Village who walked out of class yesterday to protest the Trump Administration’s cruel “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicagoland area. Durbin has continuously gone to the Senate floor and made clear that the increased presence and enforcement actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Illinois are not about public safety, but instead are part of the President’s political theater. “ICE the Department of Homeland Security creating a reign of terror in the city of Chicago. I do not exaggerate. Why are they in force in Chicago? Because the President said over and over again that immigrants are the problem in America. You’ve heard the

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CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 state attorneys general, filed two amicus briefs supporting the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in two lawsuits challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent decisions to cut off funding for long-standing federal TRIO programs that increase access to higher education for low-income, first-generation, disabled and underrepresented students. “Ensuring students from all backgrounds have a chance to achieve success through higher education benefits our communities and our state’s economy,” Raoul said. “Unlawfully discontinuing these grants would harm our institutions of higher education and make it more difficult for students to reach their full potential.” The amicus briefs, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, support the COE’s lawsuits seeking to stop the discontinuation of many active TRIO grants and the denial o

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor demanding that congressional Republicans work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which allow tens of millions of Americans nationwide to afford their health insurance premiums. Instead of meeting with Democrats to address this health care crisis, Republicans have shut down the federal government. If these enhanced tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage, including more than 140,000 people in Illinois. Durbin began his speech by stressing that the government shutdown is driven by the fact that Congressional Republicans would rather keep the government closed than negotiate to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. “We have a problem we face that we need to correct and need to correct it now because the decision

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, along with the Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies across the state, is reminding the public that becoming an impaired driving monster this Halloween – whether due to alcohol, cannabis or other drugs – can result in needless horrors. The message is clear: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI.” Remember: “It’s Not a Game.” “Stay safe this Halloween by planning ahead,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Choosing a sober driver or ride is the best way to avoid a costly DUI, the loss of your driving privileges and the criminal, employment and insurance consequences that can follow alcohol- or cannabis-impaired driving. Most importantly, it saves lives.” This year’s Halloween enforcement and awareness safety campaign began Oct. 24 and extends into

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board (ISHRAB), overseen by Illinois Secretary of State and State Archivist Alexi Giannoulias, has awarded grants to enable 11 historical records repositories across the state to digitize, preserve and expand access to archival materials that document Illinois’ cultural heritage. The grants support projects that make historically significant records – from rare photographs and correspondence to community bulletins, board proceedings and film collections – more accessible to the public through online platforms. “History lives in our communities, not just in museums or textbooks. These grants help ensure that our shared story is preserved and available for everyone to access, regardless of where they live,” Giannoulias said. “By supporting historical archives across Illinois, we’re opening new windows into the local culture, industry and civic life. The work these organizations

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to again denounce the Trump Administration’s cruel so-called “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area, which has sown fear among communities in the city. In his remarks, Durbin made clear that the increased presence and enforcement actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Chicago are not about public safety, but instead are part of the President’s political theater. “For the last two months, the people of Illinois have been living under President Trump’s so-called ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ I’ve watched it up close. I’ve seen its victims. I’ve seen its methods, and I want to tell you that this ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ is trampling over

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that examined political violence—following the recent assassinations of Charlie Kirk, Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted assassination of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. During his opening, Durbin recognized the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on January 6—including fallen officer Brian Sicknick, whose brother was in the Committee room today—condemned far-right extremists for their hate-fueled massacres targeting ethnic and religious minority communities, and debunked a Senate Judiciary Committee Republican’s claim that political violence only stems from the left. Key Quotes: “This hearing examines a critical issue: political violence in America… to seriously address

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PEORIA — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) joined local officials, transportation stakeholders, and labor leaders today to celebrate another historic round of investments in Peoria area infrastructure. As part of $400 million specifically identified to support 223 local projects, Gov. Pritzker announced a $10 million commitment to Peoria County to reconstruct and modernize Peoria’s Sheridan Road, as well as other projects across the region. The investment is part of the largest infrastructure program in state history , totaling $50.6 billion over six years. “Sheridan Road is a critical access point that connects residents to vital community institutions, but for too long, it’s been run down, congested, and unsafe for drivers and pedestrians alike,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With a $10 million investment, we’re converting it into a modernized, urban three-lane road with sidewalks and a multi-use path.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—author of the historic, bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act that was signed into law in 2023—led her colleagues in denouncing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr’s decision to block Duckworth’s law from going into effect, a critical reform that will help end egregious prison phone rates and make it easier for innocent family members to regularly communicate with their incarcerated loved ones while reducing recidivism rates. In the letter, the Senators urge Chairman Carr to follow the law and withdraw his efforts to delay the implementation of this bipartisan, commonsense law—concluding the letter with a simple directive: “We do not require, nor desire, a response to our letter. We simply want you to enforce the law.” Along with Duckworth, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA),

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