WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of colleagues in releasing the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) newly-completed report on systemic failures at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that resulted in years of deficient medical care. The report was requested in December 2023 after the death of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, an eight-year-old girl with sickle cell and congenital
FREEBURG - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has named a local salon, Cut Color & Create, as his ‘Business of The Month’ for January. Rep. Schmidt presented salon owner Jill Marmon with a certificate from the House of Representatives that recognizes her dedication to supporting the community with salon services. “Jill is doing a tremendous job with her small business in Freeburg and has been a staple in the community for over thirty years,” said Schmidt.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Trump’s lawless masked agents publicly and remorselessly executed another American citizen in broad daylight yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight announced that she will seek to force the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to deploy criminal investigators and other personnel to conduct transparent and independent investigations, in coordination with state law enforcement authorities, into
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in December, up +0.2 percentage point from November, and down -0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised November unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in December, up +11,800 (+0.2%) to 6,159,300. The November
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rockhurst University has announced the dean's list for the fall 2025 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above. The following students earned a place on the list: Granite City, IL Ella Wilmsmeyer Isa Wilmsmeyer Rockhurst University, founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative and transformative education
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Terrell Jackson, 22, of Florissant, Mo., has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies following a head-on crash that killed two passengers and injured two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers, authorities said Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The charges include: Two counts of Murder 2nd Degree - Felony Murder - During Perpetration/Attempted Perpetration/Flight from Perpetration of a Felony, a Person Dies Two counts of Assault
CARLINVILLE – Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at 20733 North Broad, inside ImpactLife Donor Bus. What: Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics Community Blood Drive When: Monday, February 9, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Where: ImpactLife Donor Bus, 20733 North Broad, Carlinville, Ill. Appointments: To donate,
ALTON – Alton police have charged a local sex offender with failing to register after he plead guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse earlier this month. Robert P. Glover, 53, of the 3700 block of Franor Street in Alton, was charged on Jan. 21, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. On Jan. 19, 2026, Glover allegedly failed to register as a sex offender with the chief of the Alton Police Department within three days after being convicted
EAST ST. LOUIS - Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, the last remaining Catholic school in East St. Louis, invites prospective families, community members, and supporters to attend its Open House on Sunday, February 01, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the school’s campus, 8213 Church Lane. The Open House offers families an opportunity to tour the school, meet faculty and staff, learn about academic programs, and explore how Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School nurtures the whole child through
ALTON - Community members have the chance to shop at women-owned businesses and support Oasis Women’s Center at an upcoming Galentine’s Experience event. From 4–8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Post Commons in Alton, True North Aesthetic Co. owner Mandie Clark will host a vendor fair featuring female entrepreneurs. Services range from permanent jewelry to vitamin injections and more. Clark hopes many people come out to enjoy the Galentine’s Experience while
Letter To Editor: The following is a statement from Marsie Geldert-Murphey, candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 56th District , in response to the sudden closure of the Alton Steel plant : “The news about Alton Steel is devastating. It’s devastating for our community and, more importantly, for the 250 workers and families who woke up to their lives being turned upside down. “For so many families, this was more than a job. It was the stability they built everything
ALTON — Rosie Brown, an Alton alderwoman and candidate for Illinois State Representative in District 111, expressed some strong opinions on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, after Alton Steel, Inc., announced on Jan. 26, 2026, that it will cease operations this week. This will end nearly 25 years of production for Alton Steel and immediately affect approximately 253 workers, along with contractors and vendors. Company leadership attributed the closure to “insurmountable” structural challenges
This morning starts off bitterly cold with temperatures near 8 degrees, feeling like 3 below zero. The sky is clear, and winds come from the west-northwest at 10 to 14 mph with gusts around 29 mph. By afternoon, conditions become mostly sunny with a high near 28 degrees. It will be breezy but not as cold as recent days. Evening lowers the temperature with clear skies remaining and a light breeze. Expect temperatures to drop to a low near 3 degrees, feeling like 3 below zero again overnight. Winds
GODFREY – Godfrey is one step closer to passing new regulations on video gaming within the village. Village Board members gave an “Ordinance Regulating Liquor and Gaming” a first reading at their Jan. 20, 2026 meeting , with a second reading and final vote set for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Currently, businesses holding Class A and Class N liquor licenses are eligible for video gaming licenses in Godfrey. Class A licenses apply to restaurants, while Class N licenses apply t
GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) has released the following statement following today’s closure announcement of Alton Steel: “I am truly shocked by today’s announcement. Just weeks ago, Alton Steel was actively hiring, and there were no indications that these jobs or this facility were at risk. Families built their plans and their futures around this work, and that sense of stability has been pulled out from under them without warning. “An
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is collecting ‘Valentine’s for Veterans’ cards and drawings at his district office in Cahokia Heights. Representative Schmidt is encouraging students and residents of all ages to make Valentine cards with a special thank you, including well-wishes to veterans that served our nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. “I believe the small things we do for the men and women who served our country makes a big difference
ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) released the following statement following news that Alton Steel Inc. plans to cease operations this week: “I am stunned to learn about Alton Steel’s decision to shut its doors. First and foremost, my concerns are with the over 250 employees whose lives are upended by this closure. I will engage with state and local partners to do everything I can to assist with job placement. "I am thankful for the 25 years that Alton Steel
ALTON/JERSEYVILLE - Denise Sparks of Sparks Junk Removal wants to see more choice in the trash industry. Sparks recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about Jerseyville’s public forum held on Jan. 20, 2026, regarding the city’s curbside trash pickup . She commended Mayor Kevin Stork for “really listen to what the people had to say,” but emphasized that Jerseyville residents don’t want the city to enter into an exclusive
ALTON – Meeting participants at Alton City Hall may soon have less time to address the city’s elected officials. Alton Committee of the Whole members are set to consider a resolution at their next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 which would shorten the time limit for public comments from the current five minutes to three minutes per speaker. If more than 10 people sign up to make comments at the same meeting, each individual’s time would be limited further to just two
WORDEN/EDWARDSVILLE - Worden Elementary School students learned about sportsmanship in a schoolwide hockey tournament. On Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, Worden students faced off in their PE classes to see who would win the coveted hockey stick, which will hang in the hallway outside of the winners’ classroom for the remainder of the school year. But most importantly, the kids learned more about working together and supporting one another on and off the field. “You couldn’t have
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