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DECATUR — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced today that ADM will invest over $103 million to modernize key facilities at its North American headquarters in Decatur, where the company has maintained a presence since 1939. The company’s investment will create 50 new full-time jobs and retain over 1,000 existing full-time jobs, reinforcing Decatur’s role as a global center for agriculture and manufacturing. “F

View the public service announcement. SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois families prepare to celebrate Independence Day, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released a public safety announcement urging residents to leave fireworks to trained professionals and attend organized community displays. Giannoulias joined fire safety officials and medical professionals to highlight the serious injuries and tragedies that occur each year during Fourth of July celebrations. “Fireworks are

MT. VERNON/CHARLESTON, IL. - The National Weather Service has confirmed at least three tornadoes from Sunday, June 21, 2026, storms in Southern Illinois and western Kentucky, including an EF3 that killed two Jefferson County residents, while survey crews continue assessing additional reports of tornado activity. An EF3 tornado (Enhanced Fujita Scale) has estimated wind speeds of 136 to 165 mph. The National Weather Service findings show the strongest tornado tracked from north-central Jefferson

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education has approved a new Curriculum Advisory Committee. During their regular meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026, the Board discussed the creation of the committee. This committee’s goal is to “inform, educate, and ensure that all curriculum decisions brought before the Board are reviewed, assessed, and accompanied by a well-reasoned recommendation prior to Board action.” The Board discussed

On June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom chose to leave the European Union in a referendum that quickly became one of the most consequential political decisions of the early 21st century. The result, widely known as Brexit, reshaped British politics, altered the EU’s future, and raised broader questions about national sovereignty, economic integration, migration, and democratic decision-making. It mattered immediately because it unsettled financial markets, brought down a prime minister,

ALTON – An ongoing effort to add restrooms to Hellrung Park in Alton faces another delay. Committee of the Whole members voted 5-1 to lay over a resolution approving the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Alderman Michael Velloff moved to lay the item over without further comment. After being laid over at the committee’s previous meeting on June 8, 2026, the item is now set for reconsideration on July 6, 2026

WOOD RIVER — State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is proud to announce a $100,000 state grant to assist Madison County with the acquisition of a new facility that will support operations of the Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB). "Supporting our 911 system and emergency communications network is one of the most important investments we can make in public safety," said Senator Harriss. "This grant will help Madison County continue providing dependable emergency

ALTON - Elijah Heru has signed to attend Blackburn College, where he will compete for the school’s Division III track and field team and major in business management. “It was a perfect fit for me athletically and academically,” he said after his signing. Heru, who was named Most Improved on Marquette’s track and field team as a junior, brings versatility to Blackburn’s program. This past season, he competed in sprints, sprint relays, and the high jump for Marquette

ALTON — Karly Davenport recently concluded her track and field career at Marquette Catholic, earning recognition as the Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month after a season that included school records, meet victories, and praise from head Explorers Coach Billy Sprague. Sprague described Davenport as a “gold standard of student athletes” and pointed to both her academic and athletic accomplishments. “She was the school's Scholar Athlete of the

EDWARDSVILLE — Alton senior guard Justice Haynes, a key contributor to the Redbirds’ girls basketball resurgence over the past two seasons, said the team’s full-court pressure defense helped fuel a 28-3 campaign in 2025-26 after a 34-3 season and third-place finish in the IHSA Class 4A state finals in 2024-25. Haynes was one of the seniors on the Redbirds' team this past season. She helped anchor the Redbirds’ pressure defense. “Our pressure is really what helps

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police and regional bomb and arson investigators are investigating a fatal house fire that left an adult man dead early Monday, June 22, 2026, in the 2500 block of Palm Drive. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at about 5:30 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, to assist the Florissant Valley Fire Department with a house fire at the residence, according to the St. Louis County Police Department. When officers arrived, they found the victim inside the home

MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office started an Independence Day traffic enforcement campaign in the county on June 19, 2026, and it runs through July 6, 2026, targeting impaired drivers and seat belt law violators as part of a broader statewide effort. The enforcement campaign will cover three summer weekends leading up to and after the Fourth of July holiday, according to the sheriff’s office. The agency said it will join the Illinois State Police and more than 200

GILMAN — Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) celebrated Incobrasa Industries’ new soybean processing plant and solar array in Gilman, reinforcing Illinois' position as the nation's leading soybean-producing state and a growing hub for biofuels, food processing, and advanced agricultural manufacturing. “Illinois is proudly the nation’s top soybean producer, and Icobrasa is powering the modern economy with those

ALTON - The 35th annual Alton Juneteenth Celebration drew an estimated 900 to 1,000 people recently to James Killion Park at Salu, where organizers said the event continued its long-running tradition of bringing the community together through speakers, entertainment, vendors, and family activities. The event in Alton marked its 35th anniversary, and Abe Lee Barham, an organizer, said attendance was slightly lower than usual because of overcast weather, though he described the crowd as strong.

ALTON - A new podcast is bringing connection to the Riverbend community. “According to Jama and Nikki,” premiering at 10 a.m. every Saturday on RiverBender.com , brings together two local friends to chat about anything and everything while supporting the local area. Jama Fabry and Nikki Fiedler truly believe that a rising tide lifts all ships, and they are working hard to share that philosophy through the podcast. “Our friends are listening, a community is listening,

JEFFERSON COUNTY - Two Jefferson County residents died in a tornado that struck the area Sunday night, June 21, 2026, according to information from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, which also said volunteer groups and government officials are working on cleanup in affected areas. The victims were identified as 83-year-old Delores B. Shelton of 19267 N. Ranch Lane in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and 62-year-old Sarita L. Kimble of 14650 E. July Road in Mt. Vernon, the sheriff’s office

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik are offering a FREE Shred Day in Pontoon Beach! Paper documents will be accepted for safe and secure destruction. Cardboard boxes used to transport documents will be returned to each person. The shredding company will accept a maximum of three bankers’ boxes per person. "One of the most important parts of our job is providing helpful services and resources to the people we represent,” said Senator

SHILOH - A construction worker who was struck by a vehicle Friday morning, June 19, 2026, in Shiloh later died at a hospital, and the crash remains under investigation by local police and the Illinois State Police. The Shiloh Police Department said officers responded at about 10:48 a.m. Friday, June 19, in the area of Air Mobility Drive and Maple Street for a traffic accident involving a vehicle striking a construction worker. The worker was later identified as Murphy Rodgers, 55

TROY, IL. - Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, First Fridays Art on the Streets — a celebration of creativity and community. This event is perfect for students as well. While not a "juried event" we do limit vendors to have the best variety. Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Dawn Mushill announced the arts event for Friday, Aug. 7. There is a small participation fee for those selling their items, and some sponsored spaces available for those particularly doing chalk

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Bradley Tueth placed third in the 400-meter dash at Adidas Nationals Elite, finishing in a personal-best 48.33 in one of the top times in the area’s history. Competing at the national meet in Greensboro, N.C., Tueth lowered his previous personal best of 48.80, which he ran while placing third at the IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships in Charleston. Tueth is a Sparklight Male Athlete Of The Month for his efforts in Greensboro, N.C. Eddy Mike Pierre