VENICE – State Senator Christopher Belt joined Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and leaders from across the Metro East region to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative — marking an important milestone in expanding access to fresh, affordable food for local residents. The groundbreaking represents a critical joint effort to revitalize the city, which was made possible through a $2.4
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is thrilled to announce its first Grandstand act for the 2026 lineup: Country Music Powerhouse Lainey Wilson , who will perform on the Grandstand Stage on Saturday, August 15, 2026 . Wilson, one of country music’s most celebrated and respected stars, continues to take the world by storm. Adding to her monumental rise, Wilson will host the 2025 CMA Awards, where she is also tied as the most-nominated artist with six nods: Entertainer of the
ALTON - Community leaders came together in Alton to celebrate the grand opening of a new affordable housing development. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, elected officials and community members gathered at the Alton Sunnybrook Affordable Housing Development at 767 Washington Avenue in Alton for speeches and a ribbon-cutting. Spearheaded by Dr. Ed Hightower, the development will provide 40 apartments for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, or $60,180 for a household of
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Thomas Bailey, 53, of the 100 block of Upton Street in St. Louis, was identified as the pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle on the 7400 block of South Lindbergh Boulevard on Oct. 30, 2025. The St. Louis County Police Department responded to the crash at approximately 7:44 p.m. near Lemay Ferry Road. Officers found Bailey injured and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The driver involved remained at the scene
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), in collaboration with Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP Missouri, and Metro, has unveiled benches six and seven with plans to install two more by the end of the year. The initiative aims to place five benches in the first year at bus stops that currently lack amenities, improving the transit experience for riders. The benches, branded with the slogan “Enjoy the Ride,” include a QR code and web address linking
JERSEYVILLE - Students from Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 participated in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District IV Festival, showcasing their musical talents at the event held recently. Jersey 100 had strong representation across multiple ensembles. In the Junior Choir, Karliah McDonald, Peyton Eich, Lainey Williams, Emmy Rothe and Joe Heitzman performed. Harmony Jantzen and Lana West took part in the Junior Band. High school students also contributed
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Emergency crews responded Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2025, to a reported pedestrian crash near the MetroLink’s Emerson Park station in St. Clair County. First responders from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies arrived at the scene to assist. Details about the cause of the crash and the individuals involved have not been released. As a result of the investigation, MetroLink announced trains are not operating between the Emerson Park
WOOD RIVER - Taylor Minner, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for her dedication and leadership in cheerleading. Having been a member of the varsity cheer team all four years, Minner has demonstrated resilience and encouragement, qualities that have contributed to her receiving this honor. Minner is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for East Alton-Wood River. Minner has been cheering since she was 4 years old and credits the sport with
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in calling on Boeing to bring the ongoing strike to an end with a proposal that provides fair compensation for its workers. In a letter to Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg, the Senators—all members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—urged Boeing to make good faith efforts
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville Police have wrapped up their Halloween enforcement campaign, resulting in three impaired driving arrests, one traffic arrest, and seven citations for other violations. The campaign ran from Oct. 24 through Nov. 3 as part of a statewide effort to improve road safety during the holiday period. Law enforcement agencies across Illinois participated in the fall crackdown, which aimed to remove impaired drivers from the roadways and increase the use of seat belts
VENICE — Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and regional leaders Thursday to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice, part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative aimed at expanding access to fresh and affordable food in underserved communities. The project, supported by a $2.4 million state grant and private funding, marks a significant step toward revitalizing Venice, a city currently classified as a food desert. “Every
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 recently spotlighted Dr. Craige Edwards, the new principal of Mason/Clark Middle School, in recognition of Principal Appreciation Month. Dr. Edwards, who joined the district last month, brings extensive leadership experience to his role. Since his arrival in East St. Louis, Dr. Edwards has focused on fostering a positive school culture, supporting staff members, and promoting student achievement. The East St. Louis School District
Most estate attorneys offer a flat fee for core documents, but that fee typically does not include combing through each investment or bank account to verify ownership, titling, and beneficiary designations. That’s where a financial professional adds value as a first step—so you arrive at your attorney meeting confident that your accounts are accurate and summarized for easy evaluation while the attorney determines the best legal documents for your situation. What a financial-first
GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man faces a felony charge after allegedly repeatedly firing a weapon in a reckless manner. Anthony M. Johnson Jr., 27, of Granite City, was charged on Oct. 29, 2025, with a Class 4 felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm. Johnson allegedly knowingly discharged a firearm in a reckless manner on Sept. 26, 2025, endangering the bodily safety of a nearby individual by firing the weapon in close proximity to the victim. A petition to deny Johnson’s
TROY — The Troy Police Department is honoring veterans throughout November by wearing Veterans Day appreciation bracelets, the department announced. The Troy Police Department said the initiative is intended to show support and gratitude to all who have served in the military. Troy Police personnel may be seen wearing the bracelets during the month as a symbol of recognition for veterans’ service to the country. In addition, the department is offering a limited number of fre
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in the 1900 block of Lebanon Avenue, resulting in a juvenile suspect being taken into custody the following day. Officers responded at approximately 4:20 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of gunfire in the area. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and saw an individual fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, police found evidence consistent with a shooting and made
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District is hoping to build a new library building. Executive Director Mary Cordes and Board of Trustees President Kevin Botterbush stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to answer a few questions about this process. Cordes and Botterbush explained that the library district’s current buildings have always had their issues. Currently, the library district consists of the Downtown Library and the library in the Alton Square Mall.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is announcing Illinois has gone from an “F” on the Shared Hope International Just Like Me Report Cards to an “A” due to the recent passage of the Illinois Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act . Illinois is one of only three states to receive an “A” grade. ? The Just Like Me Report Cards grade states based on a Top Ten list of laws focused on human trafficking survivors and addressin
ST. LOUIS - A male detainee in the custody of the Division of Corrections was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. The incident occurred in St. Louis, and the circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation by the Force Investigation Unit of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The Division of Corrections expressed that any loss of life in custody is a deeply serious matter and extended its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements to approximately two miles of the Relocated Illinois 3 corridor in East St. Louis and Sauget. The meeting will be held: Tuesday, Nov. 18 3-6 p.m. East St. Louis Community College Center 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Building B, East St. Louis IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the preliminary engineering and
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