ALTON - As summer continues, the Hayner Public Library District has several events and programs planned for the next few months, including a patriotic concert later this week. On Friday, July 3, 2026, you can kick off Fourth of July weekend with a celebration in the parking lot of the downtown library. From 3–4 p.m., families can enjoy crafts, outdoor games, popsicles, face-painting, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. This will be followed by a concert from the
GRANITE CITY - Granite City Firefighters Local 253 has introduced two new firefighters, Travis Bernardino and Mason Roehr, who were sworn in in the City Council chambers by City Clerk Jenna DeYong. The ceremony in Granite City included family, friends and city officials, including Fire Chiefs Todd Richey and Scott Nonn, Mayor Mike Parkinson, and Fire Commissioners Steve Nonn and Larry Gavilsky, along with other city employees, according to information provided by the department.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding organizations and individuals sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois to be sure their fireworks vendor has the required state licenses and certificates issued by IDNR and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) before their fireworks show. The Illinois Explosives Act requires that anyone who purchases, possesses, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of explosives, including display fireworks, must hav
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general and two governors, today announced a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s unlawful implementation of new Medicaid work requirements included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Raoul and the coalition’s lawsuit challenges provisions of a rule issued June 1 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The states
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Watson v. RNC. “In Illinois, we are focused on maximizing voter participation – not voter suppression. That is why we permit all eligible Illinois voters to cast mail-in ballots, and to cast ballots through Election Day. Today, the Supreme Court confirmed that laws like Illinois’ are fully consistent with federal law, and that Illinois voters can
On June 30, 1908, a massive explosion tore through the remote forests near the Tunguska River in Siberia. The blast flattened millions of trees across a huge area, yet left no obvious crater behind. Most scientists now believe it was caused by a space rock, likely an asteroid or comet fragment, exploding in the atmosphere before it reached the ground. At the time, the event mattered because it showed the destructive power of natural forces far beyond human control, even in an isolated part of
GRAFTON — A new community initiative in Grafton is urging every household to fly the American flag ahead of Independence Day, a campaign city leaders and residents say is meant to promote patriotism, honor military service and unite the community. The effort began with Grafton resident Michael Goetten after conversations with his daughters, Dylan and Audrey, about how patriotic their hometown could become. Goetten then approached Mayor Michael Morrow with the idea of challenging every
ALTON – An Alton woman is among two people charged in Madison County with battering a pregnant victim. Nyanna M. Burnett, 18, of Alton, and Kameron N. Graham, 27, of Saint Ann, Mo., were both charged on June 17, 2026 with one count each of aggravated battery (both Class 3 felonies) and mob action (both Class 4 felonies). Graham faces additional charges, including a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons and a Class A misdemeanor count of domestic battery. On
EDWARDSVILLE — Strong leadership helps build stronger courts. Madison County Circuit Clerk Patrick McRae, Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk Missy Bickmore and Trial Court Administrator Ryan Anderson completed the Certified Court Manager (CCM) program, earning nationally recognized credentials through the Illinois Judicial College and the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management. The three received their Certified Court Manager credentials during a graduation ceremony
EAST ALTON – An East Alton man faces his latest criminal charges in Madison County after an alleged domestic battery and failure to register as a violent offender against youth. 32-year-old Kevan K. Vann, with a listed address in the 300 block of Ohio Street in East Alton, was charged on June 22, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of failure to register as a violent offender against youth and a Class A misdemeanor count of domestic battery. On June 18, 2026, Vann allegedly failed to register
BETHALTO/EDWARDSVILLE - A Bethalto woman was sentenced Monday, June 29, 2026, to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a minor boy, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced in Edwardsville. Amy L. Bryant, 44, admitted to having a sexual relationship with the boy between Oct. 1, 2023, and April 15, 2025, according to the announcement. The boy was 14 when the relationship began and was an acquaintance of Bryant’s family. In addition to the prison
ALTON - Bluff City Grill will host its beloved July 3 party with great views of the Alton fireworks. From 4–11 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, community members are invited to Bluff City Grill to enjoy food and drink specials, live music, a bags tournament and a top-notch view of the fireworks at 9 p.m. Manager Jimmy McGibany can’t wait to welcome the community out for an unforgettable holiday at an Alton staple. “It’s basically a big family atmosphere as far as
ALTON - Recent Marquette Catholic graduate Cameron Golike, an “all-around athlete deluxe” for the Explorers, closed out his strong high school athletic career with a successful outdoor track and field season that included top finishes in the 100 and 200 meters, relay contributions and praise from his coach for his leadership and work ethic. This was Cameron's first year out for track and field, and despite his inexperience, he shined and grew as the season wore on. Golike, a Tucker’s
ALTON - Due to extreme heat, the Rockin’ With Robert concert planned for June 30, 2026, has been rescheduled. The Upper Alton Association hosts a Rockin’ With Robert concert series every summer at the Robert Wadlow statue in Upper Alton. Rising temperatures have led to a few cancellations this season. “The weather isn’t our friend this year!” said the Upper Alton Association in a Facebook post. Debbie Frakes with the Upper Alton Association noted that the
ALTON — Under head coach Alyssa Maher and assistant coaches Amy Strobel, Doug Dey, and Brooke Webber, the Alton Redbirds girls softball team showed improvement in 2026, finishing with nine wins and returning a roster heavy with underclassmen. With only three seniors listed on the roster and many freshmen and sophomores, Alton appears positioned to bring back much of its team. The provided team information also described the future of Redbirds softball as bright. The Redbirds’
BETHALTO — Keely Windsor, a 2026 graduate of Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, has been named a Tom Lane State Farm Female Athlete of the Month after finishing high school with a 4.270 GPA, helping the Eagles girls basketball team to a 23-8 record in the 2025-2026 season, and earning admission to Illinois College in Jacksonville, where she plans to study elementary education and play women’s basketball. Windsor, the daughter of Kenny and Helen Windsor of Bethalto, said she
EDWARDSVILLE - Austin Mullins, 22, of Alton, was sentenced to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the July 2023 fatal shooting of Jacob “Jake” Wall, 23, of Wood River, in Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville. Judge Kyle Napp handed down the sentence after Mullins admitted to fatally shooting Wall during a party on July 24, 2023, in Wood River, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. Mullins was 19 at the time of the shooting.
Warmer weather means people flocking to lakes and rivers in droves to enjoy some fishing or time on the boat. But something as simple as the wrong type of footwear can lead to an injury that ruins your day and maybe even your life. In 2023, the United States Coast Guard reported 3,844 instances of something going wrong on a boat and 564 boating deaths. The numbers were down from 2022 and don’t capture what’s happening on every waterway in America. But they’re still worth
SPRINGFIELD – With prolonged heat and humidity forecast across Illinois this week, state officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe and to check on family, friends, and neighbors who may be vulnerable. According to the National Weather Service, heat indices in many areas of the state are expected to exceed 100°F for several consecutive days, with some locations projected to reach 105–110°F. “An extreme heat wave is bringing the hottest temperatures
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Slaughter : “Today’s Supreme Court ruling further consolidated Donald Trump’s power by allowing him to throw out commissioners of independent federal agencies. These agencies are supposed to stop corporations from deceiving their customers, keep lead out of our kids’ toys, and enforce our labor laws. There is not a single worker or parent i
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