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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker announced today that, following a national search, he is appointing youth justice and child welfare expert Heidi Mueller as the next Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) pending Senate approval. Mueller currently serves as Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where she has been recognized for her nation-leading reform work and advocacy on behalf of young people. Robert Vickery, currently Deputy Director of Programs at DJJ, will serve as interim director of the agency while a search is conducted for Mueller’s permanent replacement. “The work Director Mueller has done at the Department of Juvenile Justice over the last several years has been transformative for the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and I am thrilled that she will bring her unique experience and talents to DCFS,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Heidi’s care and compassion for the most at-risk young

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today urged Illinois residents to be aware of phone scammers potentially using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to mimic the voice of a loved one. Scammers have long used the ploy of claiming a loved one is in trouble to convince targets to send a payment or share personal information. In a new and unnerving twist on this scam, criminals are using AI technology to mimic the voice of a target’s family member, so it sounds like the person is calling seeking help. The technology allows scammers to use snippets of audio, which are often readily available through videos posted to social media accounts, to clone voices for scam calls. “These criminals are very good and convincing at what they do. Their goal is to catch you off guard, scare you into sending payment and disappear before you realize what happened,” Raoul said. “Getting a call from what sounds like a family member in distress is upsetting, but you may not be able to

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ALTON - Alton High alum Charles Musgrave has made an impressive life for himself that will be documented in a new film titled “Jewel of the Desert.” Musgrave, who attended Alton High in the 1940s, never forgot his roots even as he planted new ones in Sun City, Arizona, as the director of the Desert Brass Band, a band of 30 senior citizens ages 58–91. Director and producer Mary Apick was so moved by the band’s story that she decided to create a documentary about the Desert Brass Band, set to premiere on Jan 19, 2024, in Sun City. The documentary follows Musgrave and a few of his instrumentalists as they share how they became musicians, their lives as performers, and their experience in the Desert Brass Band. The band started in 1998, and Musgrave took over as the conductor and music director in 2000. After graduating from Alton High in 1950, Musgrave received a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Conservatory of Music at Shurtleff College,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Mark Pocan, Donald Norcross, Debbie Dingell, Steven Horsford, Marcy Kaptur, Chris Deluzio and Emilia Sykes led 45 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter urging the Biden Administration to ensure a comprehensive regulatory review of Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. “Domestic steel production is crucial to the U.S. economy, including by supporting tens of thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs across the country, as well as being key to the U.S. industrial base and our global competitiveness. To preserve U.S. domestic steel production capacity and to ensure that steel production jobs remain good jobs going forward, it is critical that any company that acquires U.S. Steel commits to respecting and working collaboratively with the company’s workforce,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Biden. “However,

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Police partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement across the state for the holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” drunk-driving enforcement campaign. From Dec. 15 through Jan. 2, the Edwardsville Police showed zero tolerance for impaired driving, arresting 6 offenders for the deadly crime. 1 child safety seat citation, 1 distracted driving citation, 8 speeding citations, 3 illegal transportation of alcohol citations, 7 misdemeanor charges, and 24 other traffic citations were issued during the campaign. "We need to drive this message home: Impaired driving is seriously risky business. It's illegal, and it endangers the driver, their passengers and everyone else on the road," said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. "The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign helps our law enforcement deal with this problem head-on. If you're under the influence, don't get behind the wheel." The Edwardsville Police

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District Hosts “St. Louis: The Best Sports Town in America: An Evening with Ed Wheatley” on Tuesday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall Upper Level Performance Room Sports Historian, Author, and Documentarian to Present Lecture About St. Louis’ Rich Sports History St. Louis has long been known as a city with a rich sports history. Four of the most prestigious trophies in sports are named after St. Louisans — one in chess, one in golf, one in soccer, and one in tennis. Can you name them? What about the four national football teams that started as St. Louis franchises? Did you know that in 2014, the United States Congress designated St. Louis as the Chess Capital of the United States? Can you name the two St. Louisans who teamed up to form Wimbledon’s first-ever interracial mixed doubles team? What “Hollywood legend” could regularly be seen racing his Datsun at a race track in Wentzville?

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ALTON - Alton Police was called to a scene where an adult male was found in a wooded area in the 2300 block of Lincoln Avenue at 12:37 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said when officers arrived at the scene, they determined the male subject to be deceased. "The investigation into the male subject’s death is ongoing," Chief Ford said. "Investigators with the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are conducting the investigation and are being assisted by the Illinois State Police and Madison County Coroner’s Office." Ford closed with the following statement: "Anyone with information is asked to call the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 618-463-3505 Ext. 634."

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – Cahokia Heights detectives are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at the Greystone Apartments off Old Missouri Avenue. Cahokia Heights Police have reported a woman was shot and killed in her car outside an apartment complex. The neighborhood has reported previous gunfire activity to police, so it is not unknown in that vicinity. To date, no one has been apprehended and suspects or a victim have not been identified.

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GRANITE CITY - Andrew Walker, a freshman guard on the boys basketball team at Granite City High School, has made many positive contributions to the Warriors in his first season with the team, and did have a good game against Collinsville on Dec. 12 at GCHS Memorial Gym, scoring eight points in a 67-60 loss to Collinsville. He has also been strong in several other Warriors' contests. Only a freshman, the potential for Andrew Walker at this point is limitless in his career with the Warriors. It was a game where Granite came back from being down by as many as 16 points to come within five late in the game, but the Kahoks were able to hold off the rally and preserve the win. Walker is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. Walker has averaged around 6.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, also having nine assists, eight steals and a blocked shot. "I feel like we've got to get back in the lab and work as a team," Walker said after the Collinsville game. "The biggest thing

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sophie Shapiro has been a starting guard for the girls' basketball team at Edwardsville High, and so far this season, she's made a positive contribution to a young team that's been gaining its footing day by day and is ready to break out in the second half of the season. Shapiro scored six points in the Tigers' 63-41 home win over East St. Louis on Jan. 2, to start the 2024 portion of the schedule, taking Edwardsville to 6-9 on the season and a three-game winning streak, going back to the Tigers' final two games of the Visitation Christmas Tournament over the Holidays. For the season, she's been averaging six points and 4.7 rebounds-per-game, adding 24 assists, 17 steals and a blocked shot to the mix. The Tigers played very solidly in the win over the Flyers, and in her postgame interview, Shapiro felt that the Tigers were building positive momentum during their current winning streak. "I'm feeling pretty good," Shapiro said. "It's good that we have a home game, I

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ALTON/WEST ALTON - This year’s annual Eagle Ice Festival invites Riverbend residents to enjoy raptor meet-and-greets, eagle-watching tours, food trucks and more on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can stop by FLOCK, the National Great Rivers Museum and the Audubon Center at Riverlands for many eagle-themed activities, most of which are free. The Eagle Ice Fest encourages people to engage with nature and connect to the wildlife in the area. “It’s a combination of a bunch of different organizations bringing free resources to people so that not only are they getting an education, especially about eagles, but they’re learning about all these resources that they have in the area that they can go out and hike here or they can go learn about the dam,” explained Ashley Lockwood, an educator with the Audubon Center. “I know it’s a big draw to the area, so that’s something that I think a lot of people are embracing.”

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ALTON - In December 2023, Alton High School had a bunch to celebrate recently after the Southwest Conference's 11th Annual Regional High School Art Competition. Alton High has always had a strong arts department, and this year's entries stood out among other schools. Alton, Edwardsville, Belleville East, Belleville West, Collinsville High School, East St. Louis High School, and O'Fallon High School participated in the competition. "Our talented artists not only showcased their creativity but also represented the spirit of Alton High School with their exceptional work," Alton School District 11 said. The participants are Hayner Public Library District Students of the Month. The student artists included: • Lydia Fite, 10th Grade • Ava Taulbee, 11th Grade • Eli Bowers, 11th Grade • Eve Edelman, 12th Grade • Kharma West, 12th Grade • Ali Sakar, 11th Grade "Each of these students has their unique art style, and photographs are included of them

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GODFREY - January is National Radon Action Month, and Jake Lusby with Air Sense Environmental recently kicked off the month by sharing some facts and spreading awareness about radon and his company’s ability to test for and treat it effectively. Lusby said Air Sense Environmental is one of the few, if not the only company in the area to offer both radon testing and mitigation. They use high-tech radon testers which offer a point-by-point hourly breakdown of a room’s temperature, barometric pressure, and radon levels. With a background in construction and renovation with experience fully renovating homes, Lusby has also taken an intensive course and exam to learn the scientific causes behind radon exposure and its associated diseases. He said radon exposure is definitely a “real thing” and can even be deadly. “ The EPA right now estimates that 21,000 people a year die from radon exposure. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 2400 block of Chambers Road in the City of Moline Acres and the deceased has been identified as Daijion Miller, 28 years of age, of the 1200 block of Kilgore Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63137. City of Moline Acres police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 2400 block of Chambers Road. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation has revealed the shooting occurred at another unidentified location. The male drove himself to this location. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs on eastbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5. One lane will always remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Some Madison County officials want to take action to avoid the same problems Chicago and nearby communities are experiencing with migrants. “Every day the media is reporting that municipalities and counties near Chicago are passing ordinances and resolutions to prevent the problems that Chicago is now experiencing,” County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “And we should do the same.” During the past several months, tens of thousands of migrants from the southern border have arrived in the City of Chicago, which has been a sanctuary city since 1985. “This problem is costing Chicago millions,” County Board member Paul Nicolussi of Collinsville said. “And nearby communities are afraid Chicago’s actions will affect them.” Municipalities and counties are passing regulations on bus companies to keep them from dropping off migrants without any notice. “Madison County should consider passing its own resolutio

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Whether you're looking to learn something new, enjoy the great outdoors, or just have some fun, this weekend's event lineup has something for everyone! From educational programs to thrilling outdoor adventures, there's no shortage of activities to choose from. Don't miss out on the variety and appeal these events have to offer. For the full event listing, be sure to visit Riverbender.com/events . If you're an eagle enthusiast, the Alton Eagle Ice Festival 2024 is a must-attend event. Celebrating the wintering American Bald Eagles, the festival offers a variety of activities at FLOCK Food Truck Park, National Great Rivers Museum, and the Audubon Center at Riverlands. From live eagle viewings to winter activities for all ages, it's a day of fun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you won't want to miss. For the little scientists in your life, Bite Size Science at Hayner Library in Alton is the perfect outing. This monthly S.T.E.A.M.-themed program offers interactive kits with activities ranging

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ALTON - On Saturday, Feb. 17, 2023, the Hayner Public Library District will display a real letter written by Abraham Lincoln to an Alton resident. Director Mary Cordes explained that the library has owned this letter for many decades, but it’s usually stored in their safe deposit box. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Genealogy & Local History Library in Downtown Alton, visitors can see the letter on display for the first time and listen to a lecture by historian Tom Emery about Lincoln’s connection to the Alton area. “It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever held in my life,” Cordes said about the letter. “One of the first things when I became the director, after seeing it, I thought, ‘This is neat and I really want to share this with everyone.’ I mean, it does belong to the district, and so people should get a chance to see it.” The letter was written by Lincoln to Simeon Ryder, an Alton resident who

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MURPHYSBORO – Congressman Mike Bost’s campaign released its first television advertisement of the 2024 election cycle this week. The ad, titled “People,” will air district-wide on broadcast and satellite television, as well as on streaming services. The commercial reads as follows: “Mike Bost fights for Southern Illinois. Mike fought to open international markets…and to protect us from China’s unfair trade policies. Mike fought and won to get more invested in rural broadband. Mike fought to get better mental health services for Veterans. And more job opportunities when we came home. When it comes to our guns, no one’s a stronger supporter than Mike Bost. Mike will finish the wall and keep the cartels out of America. Mike Bost. Conservative fighter. Mike Bost gets results. BOST: I’m Mike Bost and I approve this message.”

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BRANSON, Mo. - When the lights went out at one of the Midwest's premier amusement parks for the season, a beloved ride closed with it. Silver Dollar City announced earlier in February 2023 that this season would be Fire In The Hole's last. So, on Dec. 30, 2023, the parks final day of operations, people flocked to Branson from all over the country to get their last rides. Fire In The Hole was a favorite to many guests because of its family-oriented nature. It wasn't meant to be a thrill ride. It was meant to be something the entire family could get on and enjoy. It had been since its opening back in 1972. During its 54 years in operation, it's estimated that over 25 million riders have ridden. The indoor coaster had a fun storyline, and was a good "warm-up" coaster for kids just getting into thrill rides. According to a release put out from Silver Dollar City, the ride’s storyline was modeled after the real-life mining town, Marmaros, that was located atop Marvel Cave and

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