ALTON — YWCA Southwestern Illinois is issuing a final call to the community to submit nominations for the 2026 Women of Distinction (WOD) program. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Each year, YWCA’s Women of Distinction program honors extraordinary women whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities, and beyond. Since its inception, the Women of Distinction Academy has grown to include
ALTON - Alton resident and business owner Dan King will make his debut on the television game show Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 on KSDK Channel 5. King, owner of Heaterz Hot Chicken, will take a spin at the iconic puzzle wheel, buying vowels and consonants as he attempts to solve the puzzles. To celebrate King’s appearance, a watch party is scheduled at Alton Sports Tap starting at 5 p.m., ahead of the broadcast. Attendees can enjoy a chicken tender
GRANITE CITY – Scott Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2025 “With You” Grant Program, recognizing two schools from the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 for their dedication to student success. Granite City High School and Grigsby Elementary School were recognized for their commitment to student success. The nominations were submitted by Denise Albrecht , a math teacher at GCHS and Marisela Luna , an ELL teacher at Grigsby and Maryville Elementary
SPRINGFIELD - In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the recipients of the third annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA), honoring two outstanding young Illinois leaders whose service reflects the enduring legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis. Amari’ah Carter of Belleville and Jocelyn Solis of Rockford, both 21-years-old, were recognized for their exceptional leadership, civic engagemen
WOOD RIVER – Wood River first responders will use a former Madison County Housing Authority property for training purposes over the next few days, just before the building is set to be demolished and replaced. The Wood River Police and Fire Departments will use the former Stevens Building at 118 Haller St. for training purposes from Jan. 7-11, 2026 at no cost to the city under an agreement between the city and the Madison County Housing Authority (MCHA) approved by City Council members
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites families, wildlife watchers and nature lovers to experience eagle-watching events across the state this winter. The best time to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois is during the winter when the raptors seek open water areas for fishing. Certain Illinois state parks and locations, including Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County and the Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds Museum in Fulton County,
We’re taught at an early age the importance of keeping our bodies clean. That includes most body parts. But your ears? That’s a little more complicated. According to Chris Workman, AuD, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare, cleaning your ears is fine – in moderation. The real question is what to do about the earwax or cerumen that tends to build up. “Earwax is a substance that's produced by glands in the ear canal that consists of an oily substance that mixes with
If you have diabetes, you've probably heard "Watch your sweets!" or "Watch your carbs!" often. “Blood sugar numbers are going to be higher. That’s going to require more oral medication or insulin shots,” says Jennifer Adcock , RN, BSN, CDCES, explaining what can go wrong if you overindulge. “If blood sugar levels are left unchecked, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. That’s where all of the available sugar is not being used by your cells. Your cells need
JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the promotions of three deputies, effective immediately, recognizing their contributions and assigning them to new roles within the department. Detective Matt Werner has been promoted to captain and will serve as the patrol commander. Detective Jared Fravell has been elevated to lieutenant and will continue his work in the investigations division. Detective Jason Thatcher has been promoted to sergeant and will als
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office received an unexpected holiday donation just before Christmas from Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center. The group delivered more than 70 hams and boxes containing ingredients to prepare a Christmas dinner, including stuffing, mashed potato mix, yams, and cornbread mix. Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center are Difference Makers in their community. The donation was
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide after an adult male was found fatally shot in the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2026. The deceased has been identified as Johnathan Brown, 34 years of age, of the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road, St. Louis, MO., 63137. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at approximately 4:51 p.m. on Wednesday to a call reporting a suspicious death. St. Louis County Police said
MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2025 Semester (August-December 2025). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for 175 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its smal
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Growth Corp, one of the nation’s highest-producing SBA 504 lenders, recently announced a significant leadership transition effective January 1, 2026. After 35 years as President, Doug Kinley will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Sara Vanhala, a nearly 20-year veteran of the organization and current Chair of the Board of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), has been appointed President. Serving small and mid-sized, for-profit
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Storyteller Studios, the award-winning video production company known for premium, story-driven marketing campaigns nationwide, today announced the launch of Storyteller Small Batch, designed to make high-quality brand storytelling accessible to local small businesses in Springfield and Sangamon County. Launched January 1, 2026, Storyteller Small Batch delivers the same Emmy Award-winning team, cinematic production values, and strategic storytelling that have defined Storyteller
On January 8, 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered what became known as the “Fourteen Points,” a set of principles meant to guide peace negotiations as World War I neared its end. The speech called for ideas that were still relatively new in global diplomacy at the time: more open agreements between countries, freer trade and navigation, reductions in arms, and the notion that borders and governments should better reflect the people living under them. It also proposed an
This morning starts mostly cloudy with temperatures near 43 degrees. Light rain showers will begin early, but by afternoon, rain will pick up along with thunderstorms. The high today reaches 63 degrees, with winds from the south-southeast gusting up to 39 mph. These storms may bring gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours that could cause localized flooding. By evening, rain continues with thunderstorms gradually easing to lighter showers. Winds remain breezy, shifting southwest and gusting near
Governor Pritzker Blasts Trump’s Partisan Freeze to Crucial Child Care and Family Assistance Programs Approximately 152,000 children in Illinois are served through the Child Care Assistance Program that the Trump administration is attacking. CHICAGO – Today, the Trump Administration and Department of Health and Human Services announced the freezing of $10 billion in federal funds, including approximately $1 billion for Illinois, for social services and child care across five
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