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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—lambasted Republicans for platforming a false, dangerous narrative designed to help Donald Trump rip as many promised benefits as possible from disabled American Veterans who earned them through their sacrifices in uniform. During the SVAC hearing, Duckworth derided the cherry-picked, anecdotal evidence Republicans used to try and inaccurately characterize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability System as being plagued by waste, fraud and abuse when the facts show the overwhelming majority of benefits claims are well-earned and made by honest American heroes. Video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . “Nobody is denying the unfortunate reality that there exists a small number of Veterans who will dishonor their service by defrauding the VA—they should be prosecuted

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ST. LOUIS — Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working. “Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said LaKricia Cox, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.” Over the past 9 months, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 1,552 people in Greater St. Louis and select counties in Illinois that our chapter serves affected by 406 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country. SMOKE ALARMS When turning

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EDWARDSVILLE — The sentencing hearing for Stanford Stokes, convicted in the shooting death of Jarred O. Hayes, was postponed Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, after defense attorneys requested a continuance. Stokes was found guilty on all charges related to the incident, which occurred at 9:16 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023, in the 900 block of East 7th Street in Alton. He was convicted of first-degree murder, home invasion, and unlawful possession of a firearm. First-degree murder carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison. The jury also determined that Stokes personally discharged a firearm during the commission of the murder, making him eligible for an enhanced sentence of an additional 25 years to life. The judge has scheduled no new sentencing date.

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CLINTON COUNTY — On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, law enforcement agencies from Clinton County, Marion County, and the Illinois Conservation Police executed search warrants at locations in both counties in connection with an incident involving multiple deer killed on a roadway in Clinton County. The operation followed reports of several deer being shot from a vehicle on Oct. 24, 2025, in the Boulder area of Clinton County. Authorities recovered and seized evidence at the addresses searched. Ashen McArthur, a resident of rural Carlyle, was taken into custody by Clinton County Sheriff’s deputies and Illinois Conservation Police officers. McArthur is suspected of killing at least 13 deer at various locations by stopping a vehicle in the roadway and using a .22 caliber rifle and a spotlight. McArthur faces multiple conservation violations as well as other criminal charges. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance during

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ALTON – The Hayner Public Library District, which serves the approximately 46,000 residents of Alton, Godfrey, and Foster Township, recently completed a building program developed to assist the Board of Trustees as they determine the best course of action for the District’s facilities. In April 2024, the District hired Fred Schlipf to assist in writing the building program, a comprehensive plan outlining the District’s goals, requirements, and functional needs of a potential new facility. Schlipf has been a library school faculty member for over fifty years, currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is the author of the book The Practical Handbook of Library Architecture: Creating Building Spaces That Work, the definitive resource for library architecture. For nearly eighteen months, Mr. Schlipf, the Board of Trustees, and the Library’s Executive Director Mary Cordes

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ALTON – An Alton woman faces felony charges after she allegedly stole over $10,000 in a two-year health care fraud scheme while employed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Terra A. Williams, 37, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 23, 2025 with one count of managed health care fraud (a Class 1 felony), two Class 1 felony counts of theft, and a Class 3 felony count of forgery. From July 21, 2022 to May 21, 2024, Williams allegedly knowingly executed or conspired to execute a scheme to defraud Meridian Health Plan of Illinois. She reportedly caused the health plan to authorize payments to herself under the Illinois Aid Code which she was not legally entitled to, with the unlawful payments totaling over $10,000. Williams is additionally accused of submitting fraudulent Home Health Services time sheets containing false date and time entries for services that were reportedly never rendered by Williams as an IDHS employee. The case against Williams was presented

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ALTON — Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford clarified Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 2025, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were not involved in an investigation in Alton on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. “All I can say is that we are working on an investigation in conjunction with our federal partners,” Ford said. “However, those partners on this investigation do not include ICE officials.” Ford did not disclose details about the nature of the investigation, stating that information will be released once the operation is completed. The clarification comes after social media accounts circulated reports Wednesday night claiming that ICE officials were present in Alton. Chief Ford disputed those claims, emphasizing that ICE was not part of the ongoing investigation. ICE is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security, with a mission to conduct criminal investigations, enforce immigration laws, preserve

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the annual Illinois Report Card at www.illinoisreportcard.com today. The Report Card provides a detailed look at student performance data from the 2024-25 school year and shows how schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. One component of the School Report Card is the annual summative designation – a descriptor of how well our schools are meeting the needs of all students. The designations recognize schools with strong overall performance across a range of academic and student success indicators. There are five designations a school can receive – Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted Support, Comprehensive Support, or Intensive Support. Four District #7 schools received an EXEMPLARY designation by the State of Illinois, including Edwardsville High School, Albert Cassens Elementary, Glen Carbon Elementary, and Goshen Elementary. The district’s other nine schools were all COMMENDABLE.

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ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in the Riverbend community, and oncology nurse Dana Matesa is eager to share more about the hospital’s work. Matesa has spent the past five years in the oncology department at St. Anthony’s. She emphasized the hospital’s collaborative approach and their commitment to giving patients the best care. “We work as a team,” Matesa said. “We collaborate so well with us in general over at the hospital, just patient care to get them in, get them treated fast, get them worked up fast. It’s really our team approach to get the best care for the patients.” Matesa shared that the oncology department includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology and infusion services. The doctors and nurses work together to make sure they “get you where you need to be,” she said. Their infusion services program is one of the most utilized programs

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Did you know that nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. attend at least one Halloween party each year? Yet, a surprising number of these gatherings are planned with minimal preparation, sometimes just hours before the festivities begin. Throwing a Halloween party on short notice can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be both manageable and memorable. If you find yourself scrambling to pull together a spooky celebration, don’t despair. This guide offers practical strategies to organize an enjoyable and engaging Halloween party quickly, ensuring your guests have a hauntingly good time without the stress. Setting the Atmosphere Quickly and Effectively The ambiance of a Halloween party is crucial—it sets the tone for the entire event. When time is limited, focus on a few impactful elements rather than trying to decorate every corner. Lighting: Dim lighting instantly creates a mysterious vibe. Use candles (real or battery-operated) or string lights to cast

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October 30th has witnessed a remarkable array of events that have shaped the world across centuries, continents, and disciplines. One of the most significant events on this day occurred in 1938 when Orson Welles broadcast his radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ "The War of the Worlds." This dramatized news bulletin-style broadcast caused panic among listeners who believed an actual alien invasion was underway. The event remains a landmark in media history, illustrating the power of mass communication and its psychological impact on the public. It sparked debates about media responsibility and the boundaries between entertainment and misinformation, themes still relevant today. Moving to the political realm, October 30, 1961, marks the date when the former Soviet Union detonated the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested. This hydrogen bomb exploded over Novaya Zemlya island with an estimated yield of 50 megatons, demonstrating the terrifying potential of nuclear

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has another busy month ahead, and Executive Director Mary Cordes invites the community to join them. “All of our programs have been filling up, which is great,” Cordes said. “We’ve had some good stuff lately.” On Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, kids are invited to a special Trick-or-Treating Story Time at 10 a.m. at the Alton Square Mall library. In addition to enjoying stories and crafts, kids can wear their costumes and trick-or-treat inside the library. From 4–5 p.m. every Friday, teens are invited to the mall library for Teen Expressive Art , an hour dedicated to crafts and artistic endeavors. This Friday, Oct. 31, teens can paint a mini canvas to be hung in the TeenSpace section of the library. November is National Novel Writing Month, and the library will support local writers by providing them with a quiet space to write from 12–4:30 p.m. every Sunday afternoon at the mall. The Writ

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The Riverbend and Metro East area can expect a breezy, mostly sunny day with a high near 58 and a low around 37. Winds will come from the northwest at 11 to 17 mph with gusts up to 26 mph. It feels a bit cooler, around 56 degrees at the high due to the breeze. The chance of rain is zero today. This morning starts off clear and chilly with temperatures near 37 degrees. By midday, the breeze picks up, but skies stay mostly sunny with plenty of sunshine for about 9.5 hours. Evening is mainly clear with a slight drop in wind speed, cooling into the upper 30s overnight. Air quality is good, and allergens such as mold, ragweed, and tree pollen remain low. Tomorrow will bring a similar pattern, mostly sunny with a high near 60 and a low around 37. It will be a dry day and a great one for outdoor activities or even Halloween fun. For live updates throughout the day, visit RiverBender.com/weather .

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis - Community Development Administration (CDA) today announced $1.14 million in new Neighborhood Plan Implementation Awards, supporting transformative community-led projects in Skinker DeBaliviere, West End, Downtown, Downtown West, Covenant Blu-Grand Center, Jeff-Vander-Lou, and St. Louis Place neighborhoods. The City’s Economic Development Sales Tax (Ordinance 70435) dedicates 10% of sales tax revenue to Neighborhood Plan Implementation — creating lasting, place-based investments that bring adopted neighborhood plans to life. These awards advance the priorities identified by Neighborhood Plans adopted by the City of St. Louis Planning Commission . Each adopted plan is the result of extensive community engagement—reflecting the goals, values, and shared vision of residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Together, the adopted neighborhood plan and the award turn neighborhood priorities into action and ensure that local voices continue

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressional Postal Service Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) sent a letter to the newly appointed Postmaster General, David Steiner, outlining their top priorities for improving the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and addressing concerns with previous reform plans. In their letter, the Co-Chairs express concern over aspects of the Delivering for America (DFA) and Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) plans, urging a careful reassessment to ensure postal operations continue to meet the needs of Americans nationwide. The Members wrote, “While we fully support modernization efforts within the Postal Service, these changes must not come at the expense of postal employees or the millions of Americans who rely on reliable, on-time delivery every day...We respectfully urge you to temporarily pause any implementation of the

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on Illinois 163 between Bond Avenue and Lakewood Place in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Nov. 3. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Nov. 7. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor praising the hundreds of high school students in Little Village who walked out of class yesterday to protest the Trump Administration’s cruel “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicagoland area. Durbin has continuously gone to the Senate floor and made clear that the increased presence and enforcement actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Illinois are not about public safety, but instead are part of the President’s political theater. “ICE the Department of Homeland Security creating a reign of terror in the city of Chicago. I do not exaggerate. Why are they in force in Chicago? Because the President said over and over again that immigrants are the problem in America. You’ve heard the

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CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 state attorneys general, filed two amicus briefs supporting the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in two lawsuits challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent decisions to cut off funding for long-standing federal TRIO programs that increase access to higher education for low-income, first-generation, disabled and underrepresented students. “Ensuring students from all backgrounds have a chance to achieve success through higher education benefits our communities and our state’s economy,” Raoul said. “Unlawfully discontinuing these grants would harm our institutions of higher education and make it more difficult for students to reach their full potential.” The amicus briefs, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, support the COE’s lawsuits seeking to stop the discontinuation of many active TRIO grants and the denial o

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor demanding that congressional Republicans work with Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which allow tens of millions of Americans nationwide to afford their health insurance premiums. Instead of meeting with Democrats to address this health care crisis, Republicans have shut down the federal government. If these enhanced tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year, more than four million Americans are expected to lose their health care coverage, including more than 140,000 people in Illinois. Durbin began his speech by stressing that the government shutdown is driven by the fact that Congressional Republicans would rather keep the government closed than negotiate to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. “We have a problem we face that we need to correct and need to correct it now because the decision

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, along with the Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies across the state, is reminding the public that becoming an impaired driving monster this Halloween – whether due to alcohol, cannabis or other drugs – can result in needless horrors. The message is clear: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI.” Remember: “It’s Not a Game.” “Stay safe this Halloween by planning ahead,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Choosing a sober driver or ride is the best way to avoid a costly DUI, the loss of your driving privileges and the criminal, employment and insurance consequences that can follow alcohol- or cannabis-impaired driving. Most importantly, it saves lives.” This year’s Halloween enforcement and awareness safety campaign began Oct. 24 and extends into

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