WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin first questioned Arthur Roberts Jones, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, about his recent involvement with Gun Owners of America. The organization has criticized the National Rifle Association (NRA) for being too moderate, proudly claiming that it
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March, up +0.1 percentage point from February, and up +0.5 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised February unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in March, up +8,400 (+0.1%) to 6,145,500. The February monthly change in payroll
GODFREY - Craig Lombardi, a Village Trustee in Godfrey, believes everyone in town is firing on all cylinders. Lombardi recently stopped by “Our Daily Show” with CJ Nasello to talk about his work as a trustee and the village’s plans for gaming, the rec center and more. He says Godfrey is moving in a positive direction and he hopes to secure another term as trustee so he can continue to help the community grow. “Godfrey has a lot of good things going on right
GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department is donating extra equipment to other Illinois law enforcement agencies after recent Village Board approval of the donations and two agreements regarding dispatch services and phone systems. Village Board members approved multiple police-related items at their April 28, 2026 meeting, including: The donation of five Paraclete rifle plates to the Alton Police Department The donation of eight Paraclete rifle vest and two Point Blank vests
BELLEVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois is looking for volunteers, and they emphasized that anyone can join their work and be a hero for local kids. CASAs, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates, work with kids who have experienced abuse or neglect, most of whom are in the foster care system. These volunteers spend time with the kids and speak on their behalf in court to help the judge make decisions in the best interest of the child. “A CASA volunteer, in simplest terms, is a professional
HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that daytime lane closures on the Joe Page bridge, which carries Illinois 100/16 over the Illinois River between Calhoun and Greene counties will begin Monday, May 4, weather permitting. During the initial phase, two-way traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Continuous daytime lane closures will continue through Friday, May 15. Beginning Monday, May 18, two-way traffic will be maintained by temporary traffic
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais: “With this decision, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has again turned its back on the promise of an equal right to vote, further eroding the landmark Voting Rights Act . “As Justice Kagan wrote for the dissent, the Voting Rights Act was ‘born
GODFREY — Native plants beautify landscapes and help support songbirds and other cherished wildlife. A wide variety of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, trees and other native plant products supplied by four Grow Native! professional members will be available for purchase at a Grow Native! native plant sale held in partnership with The Nature Institute at 2213 S. Levis Ln., Godfrey, IL 62035 on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vendors at this event
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Three people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Friday night, May 1, 2026, on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in St. Louis, according to a fatality crash report investigated by MCIU #2 MSGT. J. Cox and CPL. A. Smith. The crash was reported at 8:32 p.m. on May 1, 2026, on southbound Lewis and Clark Boulevard north of Haviland Drive in St. Louis County. Investigators said Vehicle 1, a 2013 Cadillac SRX traveling southbound, sideswiped Vehicle 2, a 2020 Lexus RX350 traveling southbound
O'FALLON - On Friday morning, May 1, 2026, Illinois State Police said a man was struck and killed. Illinois State Police said troopers received information around 6:30 a.m. Friday, a pedestrian was walking in and out of westbound traffic near milepost 14 when a semi-truck struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Clair County Coroner's Office. The St. Clair County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Ethan D. Wood, 35, with a last known address
ALTON – A St. Louis man accused of using a stolen box truck to break into an Alton building after robbing a Phillips 66 employee at gunpoint has been detained on multiple felony charges. Jesse J. Williams, 35, of St. Louis, was charged with the following offenses on April 27, 2026: Armed robbery (a Class X felony) Unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) Attempted burglary (a Class 3 felony) Aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony)
EDWARDSVILLE – A Jerseyville man who allegedly believed he was soliciting a 12-year-old “girl” via Facebook faces felony charges after the fake account was operated by an Edwardsville detective. Kyle Kniffen, 30, of the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Jerseyville, was charged on April 23, 2026 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). The charges against him were sealed unti
ALTON – Get your kicks on Route 66 in southwest Illinois this summer. Communities and residents all along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in Illinois will celebrate with a variety of festivals, events and even newly created Mother Road themed products. The official kick off to the centennial is Thursday, April 30, 2026 and there are plans for a wide range of community events, activities and even newly created Route 66 craft beer and craft beverages. Locals makers in southwest Illinois
ALTON/GODFREY - Alton High School seniors spent their last day of school together at the park. On Friday, May 1, 2026, the Class of 2026 held a field day at Glazebrook Park, where they enjoyed soccer and basketball games, bounce houses, music, a cookout and more. They also did a “walkout” where they visited their old elementary schools. AHS Principal Stacie Franke noted that the day was a fun way to celebrate their hard work before graduation. “It’s just really a
GODFREY - Resurrection Lutheran Church will host their annual spring flea market this weekend. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, community members can stop by Resurrection Lutheran Church at 1211 W. Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey for the market. You can expect tools, antiques, clothing, toys and plenty more items. Dan Garner, one of the organizers, is looking forward to sharing the church’s work with those who stop by. “We try to have something at least quarterly
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 24 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s executive order attacking vote-by-mail. The March 31 Executive
A new study is challenging long-held assumptions about coffee’s effects on digestive health, suggesting the popular beverage could offer benefits for both the gut and the brain. The research, published in Nature Communications , examined 62 participants, half of whom were regular coffee drinkers, to explore how coffee consumption influences the gut microbiome and mental well-being. Using psychological assessments alongside dietary tracking and biological samples, researchers foun
BELLEVILLE - As the weather shifts once again, a lot of people are experiencing allergies. One local physician has advice on how to handle these symptoms — and when to seek treatment. Dr. Angie Harris, a BJC Medical Group family medicine physician at Belleville Memorial Hospital, explained that seasonal allergies can be treated proactively. She encourages patients who know they have spring allergies to stock up on over-the-counter allergy medication and begin taking these meds before
CASEYVILLE - Multiple cameras captured an incident of illegal dumping on April 29, 2026, on Forest Boulevard in Caseyville, and the Caseyville Police Department said the footage led officers to identify a vehicle and issue a criminal citation. Caseyville Police said officers used the video to obtain the vehicle’s registration information. The vehicle was later located and impounded at a residence in Fairview Heights, Caseyville Police said. The person was issued a citation for
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support the two Workdays at the Wadlow Creek Restoration Area, formerly the Robert P. Wadlow Municipal Golf Course in front of the Alton Regional Multimodal Transportation Center that houses Amtrak. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but parental supervision is needed for youth 16 year olds and younger. The activity will be the same each day: the Wadlow Workdays will give local community members the opportunity
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