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O’FALLON, Ill. — Expecting a bundle of joy? New and expectant moms and their families will be treated to a holiday baby shower of educational resources about pregnancy, newborns, child safety and more at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s Women and Infants Center’s “Bundles for Babies” event on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital’s lobby. “Our Women and Infants staff and providers will be on hand to answer

BELLEVILLE — Three students from Alton High School delivered a standout performance at the District 6 Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Festival held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Belleville West High School. Quinn Halliday on trumpet, Morgan Alexander on horn, and Wesley LeBrun on percussion represented their school and band program during the event. Their participation contributed to the festival’s showcase of regional student musicians. The festival, a gathering

PONTOON BEACH — In an effort to ensure that unhoused individuals in Madison County remain safe and warm during bouts of extreme cold, Madison County Transit (MCT) will provide emergency transportation to overnight warming locations when those locations activate due to temperatures reaching 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. At its meeting last Thursday, the MCT Board of Trustees approved utilizing on-duty extra-board drivers to pick up individuals from MCT bus stops and stations and transpor

SAINT LOUIS - Winterfest has returned to St. Louis. Gateway Arch Park Foundation will host Winterfest from now until Jan. 11, 2026, in Kiener Plaza. Complete with ice skating, igloos, lights, markets, special events and more, Winterfest promises to be a fun experience for families and couples to enjoy. “We are just excited to have everybody down,” said Camille Brooks with the foundation. “The rink is set and ready for everybody to come hang out with us. The backdrop,

Did you know that for every $100 spent at local businesses, approximately $68 stays within the community, compared to just $43 when spent at large chain retailers? This striking difference underscores the powerful impact that shopping local can have—not only on your immediate surroundings but on the broader economic ecosystem. Small Business Saturday has emerged as a pivotal event to celebrate and support independent retailers, and understanding its benefits reveals why participating matters

MADISON COUNTY — Alice Pierce, 28, has been charged with four counts of child pornography, a Class X felony, following an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrimes Division. The investigation began Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after the division received multiple Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an unknown individual was in possession of and disseminating child pornography. Detectives served multiple search

Winter weather arrived in Illinois early on Saturday, November 29, 2025, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions across the region, according to the Illinois State Police and the National Weather Service. The snowfall began Saturday morning, with a few inches already on the ground by 7:30 a.m. The National Weather Service forecast predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow in central and northern Illinois, with accumulating snow expected to persist into Saturday. The NWS said the snow is moving fro

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man reportedly seen on video burglarizing a garage and stealing a dirt bike before fleeing from police faces felony and misdemeanor charges. Grant S. White Jr., 26, of Granite City, was charged with one count each of residential burglary (a Class 2 felony), unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony), and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). White allegedly entered a Granite City residence without legal

ALTON — Two women and a man were bitten by a pit bull Thursday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2025, at a residence on Hale Drive in Alton, prompting a multi-agency emergency response. The Alton Fire Department received the alarm at 12:36 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for two subjects bitten by a pit bull in the 2300 block of Hale Drive. The Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief and eight total AFD personnel responded, including ambulances 1843 and 1844 and engine 1811, along with an Alton Police

SPRINGFIELD – As hunters prepare for the second firearm deer season of 2025 and additional hunting seasons, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) cautions everyone to be mindful of rules and best practices surrounding the use of technology in the field. This includes the use of drones for recovering wildlife, artificial intelligence for reviewing hunting laws, and e-bikes to access hunting sites. Drones The use of unmanned aircraft, or drones, for any aspect of hunting

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting California’s motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit demanding complete, unredacted voter registration information. The brief, filed in U.S. v. Shirley Weber, et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, explains that the federal government’s demand is part of a larger effort to build a master database containing sensitive information

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Joseph Ward, of Belleville, Illinois, recently earned the Korean Defense Service Medal for serving on active duty in support of the defense of South Korea while assigned to Commander, Naval Forces Korea (CNFK). Ward graduated from Belleville Township High School East in 1996 and has served in the Navy for 29 years. “Any award a senior leader gets is based on the success of the team,” Ward said. “The team here at U.S

SPRINGFIELD - It’s that time of year, when deals are aplenty and everyone makes their wish lists. But it’s important not to go overboard and to make sure you are shopping safely. “Everyone wants to find the perfect presents for their loved ones, but you also don’t want to close out the year with an overdrawn bank account and a mountain of credit card debt,” said Comptroller Mendoza. The concern is real. The National Retail Federation is predicting retail holiday

ROXANA — The Roxana School Board announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that Dr. Courtney Castelli will become the district’s new superintendent beginning in 2026, succeeding Debra Kreutztrager, who is retiring at the end of the current school year. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Castelli’s appointment. She currently serves as superintendent of the Smithton School District in Smithton, Missouri, which has an enrollment of 535 students. Castelli brings more than 20 years of experienc

EDWARDSVILLE – Whether you prefer joyful holiday concerts, classic movies, outdoor festivals, ice skating or a grand tree lighting, it’s all happening in Edwardsville. “The holidays are a special time in Edwardsville, with a fantastic mix of family-friendly events and opportunities to celebrate the season,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, whether you like cozy indoor fun or want to explore some crisp, cool outdoor attractions.”

JERSEYVILLE - You can share the magic of Christmas with your little ones while helping a local nonprofit. Starting on Thursday, Nov. 27, through Dec. 26, 2025, the North Pole Elf Hotline invites kids to call into the hotline every day for an updated message about what’s happening in the North Pole. If you use a special link to sign up , a portion of proceeds will go to Got Faith? Ministry in Jerseyville. “I am ridiculously excited for the kids to have this magic,”

Did you know that Black Friday sales in the United States generate over $9 billion in revenue annually, making it one of the most significant retail events worldwide? Beyond the surface frenzy of doorbuster deals and crowded stores lies a fascinating history and cultural significance that shapes consumer behavior and retail strategies today. Understanding the origins and importance of Black Friday provides insight into modern commerce and the evolving relationship between shoppers and retailers.

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois residents gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and online celebrations, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are reminding everyone to stay alert to cyber scams that often lurk at the end of the year. With more purchases, donations, and digital communication taking place online, cyber criminals take advantage of the season’s increased activity and distractions.

ALTON - Rosetta “Rosie” Brown, Alton Alderwoman of the Fourth Ward, hopes to represent District 111. Brown (D) has challenged incumbent State Representative Amy Elik (R) for the position. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Brown spoke about her views and her goals if she wins the seat. “You’ve got to make a believer out of people. I’m not going to wait until I actually win this election to do the work,”

ST. LOUIS — Firefighters are battling a large fire that broke out early Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2025, in a cluster of warehouses just south of downtown St. Louis, consuming multiple structures and prompting a significant multi-agency response. The blaze was first reported around 3 a.m. at the historic Crundin Martin Warehouse facility, a century-old brick complex near 2nd Street and Gratiot, the St. Louis Fire Department reported. Flames quickly spread, engulfing about five vacant warehouse