SPRINGFIELD – Last week, the Governor signed into law three measures sponsored in the House by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and in the Senate by State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) after the ideas were brought to them by Metro East residents. House Bill 4867 allows additional work vehicles to use green flashing or rotating lights, along with amber and white lights. The new law will help protect workers and motorists by making active work zones easier to identify and navigate
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month, marking continued improvement on key performance metrics that correlate to the state’s ongoing efforts to support Illinois families more holistically. The mission of the program is to improve the lives of the many children it serves annually, and create a more stable and successful future for families in the state of Illinois. HFS’ Division of
EFFINGHAM – A new law sponsored by State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) will strengthen government transparency by making local audit and financial reports easier for Illinois residents to access. “The people of Illinois deserve transparency when it comes to how units of government manage their tax dollars,” said Plummer. “Public financial records should not be difficult to find or buried in websites. This law is a simple, commonsense step to make important
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Curtis (R-UT), Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to help prevent youth suicide successfully passed through the Senate. The Senators’ bipartisan Youth Poisoning Prevention Act would ban high-concentration sodium nitrite from being available to the public. There is no recognized household or consumer use for high-concentration sodium nitrite, yet retailers are still allowed to sell
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Representatives Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting his annual Job Fair in East St. Louis on Aug. 13, 2026. He is encouraging his constituents who are seeking job opportunities to attend and learn more about interview guidance and creating a resume. Rep. Schmidt says this is the perfect opportunity for job seekers to talk in person to employers and gain insight into hiring practices. “Last year we had over 30 businesses setup and 150 job seekers attend,”
Relaxation is not the same as doing nothing. A person can lie on the couch for an hour and still feel tense, restless, and mentally crowded. Real relaxation is a shift in the mind and body. It is less about stopping activity and more about changing state. That idea matters because many people think relaxation should happen automatically. If work is over, the brain should settle. If a vacation starts, stress should fade. But the mind does not work like a switch. It carries habits, alerts, and
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in the first wartime use of a nuclear weapon. The explosion destroyed much of the city, killed tens of thousands of people almost immediately, and caused many more deaths from burns and radiation in the weeks, months, and years that followed. At the time, the bombing was presented as a way to force Japan’s surrender and bring World War II to an end. It still matters today because it changed warfare, introduced
Skywatchers across the River Bend region will have two big reasons to look up on the night of Aug. 12. While a total solar eclipse will capture attention in parts of Europe, Greenland and Iceland, residents of Illinois will instead be treated to one of the year’s best celestial shows as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak under exceptionally dark skies. The Perseids are widely considered the most reliable and impressive annual meteor shower. This year, viewing conditions are expected
DES PERES, MO. — Financial & Tax Architects, LLC, a fiduciary registered investment adviser in Des Peres, Mo., is conducting ts Back-To-School Giveaway, a community initiative designed to help local educators prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year. The firm also recognizes that many K-12 teachers work with limited classroom resources and often use their own money to create engaging, welcoming spaces for their students. This giveaway is intended to show appreciation for local
ALTON – A lawsuit between the City of Alton and its mayor is officially moving ahead. Alton City Council members held a three-minute executive session to discuss outside legal counsel for pending litigation at a special meeting on Aug. 5, 2026. After reconvening for open session, council members moved quickly and unanimously to approve only one action item concerning the lawsuit. Alderman Michael Velloff moved to retain the legal services of Patrick Watts to represent the City of Alton
ELSAH/GRAFTON - QEM Fire Protection District is offering a unique opportunity for women who are interested in fire service. On Sept. 25–27, 2026, women ages 16–45 can participate in the IgniteHER Fire Program, a free weekend that will allow participants to experience life as a firefighter. Participants will wear turnout gear and learn firefighting tactics while training alongside experienced firefighters. “It builds confidence, skills, and sisterhood,” said Victoria
EDWARDSVILLE – Lewis and Clark Community College President Ken Trzaska joined Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy, Edwardsville City Council members and members of the Edwardsville Community Foundation on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for the official opening of the new all-abilities playground located on the grounds of LC’s N.O. Nelson Campus. The gated playground was made possible through a $600,000 contribution from the David Kriege family, which owned and operated Kriege Hardware in Edwardsville
WOOD RIVER - Wood River residents will have a chance to meet local first responders and take part in family activities during National Night Out from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 550 East Madison in Wood River. The event will include police and emergency vehicle displays, face painting, free food and drinks, and game activities for all ages. “Bring the whole family for a night of free fun, food, and community spirit,” Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. “This
BETHALTO - Community members can learn more about retirement planning at an upcoming free seminar. From 5–6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at the Bethalto Senior Citizen Center, Bill Kinkel with Genesis Financial Group will offer “Retirement Ready: A Practical Retirement Planning Workshop.” Attendees will learn more about Medicare, Social Security, taxes, market volatility and more. “We have 74 million Baby Boomers that are getting ready to retire,”
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - As a senior hockey player, Owen Timmins of East Alton-Wood River is recognized for his accomplishments on and off the ice. He points to leadership, work ethic, and family support as key parts of his success. Timmins, who has played hockey since he was 7 years old, is being recognized for a career that includes being an MVCHA JV All-Star for the past three years, Oiler Hockey Varsity Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, and Varsity MVP and alternate captain as
EDWARDSVILLE - On Friday, July 24, 2026, 12 students graduated from the Environmental Resource Training Center in the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program involves comprehensive education that prepares them for certifications as Illinois and Missouri public water and wastewater treatment system operators. Dean Emeritus Cem Karacal, PhD, who retired at the end of June, delivered remarks to the graduates preparing to enter the public workforce. Seventeen
EDWARDSVILLE – A Pontoon Beach resident accused of committing a battery on a public transit bus in Edwardsville faces a felony in Madison County. John E. Newsome II, 45, of Pontoon Beach, faces a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery filed on July 29, 2026. The day prior on July 28, Newsome allegedly knowingly struck another individual without legal justification while on a Madison County Transit (MCT) bus at the intersection of S. Buchanan Street and E. Schwarz Street in Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County has reported 58 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, as Illinois recorded 995 confirmed and probable cases statewide as of 7 a.m. Aug. 4, 2026, according to the data provided. The illness affects the stomach and causes diarrhea. Statewide, 58 hospitalizations have been reported, and no deaths have been reported. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, gas, cramping, bloating, nausea, weight loss, appetite
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a full closure of westbound Interstate 64 between I-255 and 18th Street in St. Clair County beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, weather permitting. During the closure, westbound I-64 will be closed for bridge repairs. Additionally, the Illinois 111 westbound access ramps will remain closed. A posted detour will be in place to direct motorists to northbound I-255, then westbound I-55/70. The interstate
WOOD RIVER — The wait is almost over. The Cannaisseur Dispensary will celebrate its grand opening and official ribbon cutting on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 40 E. Ferguson Ave. in downtown Wood River, Illinois. The Cannaisseur team recognizes that the community has waited a long time for the dispensary to open—and sincerely appreciates everyone’s patience, encouragement and continued interest. “ Opening a dispensary is a complex and highly regulated process,
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