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BELLEVILLE — An 18-year-old man died Monday evening, Jan. 19, 2026, after being shot outside a residence on the 600 block of State Street in Belleville, Belleville Police said on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. The Belleville Police Department responded around 8:19 p.m. Monday to reports of a shooting. Officers found Tayden Dixon, of Washington Park, with a gunshot wound near the entrance of a home. Despite medical efforts by officers and emergency personnel, Dixon died from his injuries. According

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) today announced that it will begin accepting 2026 individual income tax returns on Monday, January 26, the same day the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) opens the federal filing season. The deadline to file Illinois returns is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. IDOR encourages taxpayers to file their returns electronically and choose direct deposit to receive refunds as quickly and securely as possible. “We want the tax filing process to

DeKalb, Ill. – More than 1,200 students received their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Northern Illinois University in December. Included among the graduates are the following students from the Riverbend area: Carrollton, IL Alexander Rahe, Master of Science, Physics - Professional Physics Jerseyville, IL Hunter Egelhoff, Bachelor of Science, Management - Human Resource Management About Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is

ALTON - Three students were honored as Optimist Students of the Month during the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education’s recent meeting. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, the Board recognized three exceptional students who work hard to succeed every day. Chase Vaughn was named the Alton Middle School Optimist Student of the Month, while Malaysia Gilleylen was recognized as the Optimist Student of the Month for Eunice Smith Elementary School. December’s Optimist

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined 17 other attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’ proposed rule that would amend the definition of “disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to exclude gender dysphoria. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition argue that the proposed rule provides insufficient time for the public to submit comments, contradicts extensive

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul encourages consumers to beware of scammers pretending to be from a utility company and threatening to shut off heat if they do not receive a payment. “As the temperatures dip below freezing and snow accumulates, scammers turn up the heat by using urgency and threats of turning off your utilities to try to get your money or personal information,” Raoul said. “Be wary of surprise or unusual contact from someone claiming to be from

ALTON - Special volunteers were recognized for their service to the Alton Community Unit School District #11. During the Board of Education’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, Superintendent Elaine Kane took a few minutes to share information about the district’s Reach Out And Read (ROAR) program. This program pairs community members with students in the elementary schools in the mornings before class starts. Students read aloud to these volunteers to practice their readin

The Alton Community Unit School District is proud to announce two administrative appointments approved by the Board of Education at its January 20 meeting. Amber Harrington Named Principal of Lovejoy Elementary School Amber Harrington has been appointed principal at Lovejoy Elementary School effective July 1, following the retirement of Principal John Ducey in June. Mrs. Harrington brings 15 years of experience in education, the majority of which has been spent serving students,

A blank calendar can feel like a clean slate—even if nothing about your life has actually changed overnight. That reaction isn’t just optimism. It’s a mix of psychology, habit, and culture that makes “the start of the year” feel like a natural moment to plan, reset, and promise yourself you’ll do things differently. The draw is so strong that people who ignore planners all year will suddenly buy one, color-code it, and map out the next 12 months. There’s

On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris, a moment that changed the course of the French Revolution and sent shockwaves across Europe. At the time, it marked a decisive break with the old idea that a king ruled by unquestioned authority. France had already overthrown its monarchy in practice, but the public execution made that change irreversible and highly visible. It also hardened divisions inside France and pushed other European powers to treat the

This morning starts off clear and cold with temperatures near 35 degrees. As the day progresses, you'll notice the breeze picking up from the southwest at around 15 mph, gusting up to 31 mph, making it feel a bit cooler. By afternoon, expect partly sunny skies as clouds thin out, setting the stage for a high around 44 degrees. Evening brings partly cloudy skies with temperatures dropping to around the mid-30s, and winds shifting to the west-northwest at about 10 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Overnight,

ALTON — The Alton Police Department officially welcomed Officer Daniel Huffman as its newest lateral hire. The hire of Huffman was made on January 5, 2026. Chief Jarrett Ford administered the oath of office during a ceremony at the department. Officer Huffman has already begun the Field Training Program as he integrates into his role serving the City of Alton. Chief Ford and the department expressed enthusiasm about the experience and dedication he brings to the community.

ALTON - Two representatives from the Alton Education Association spoke about declining morale in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, Board of Education members listened as Sara Carter, president of the Alton Education Association, shared concerns about morale among staff members. Carter also said a senior school board member referred to her as “one of the peons” before a Finance Committee meeting in November 2025. AEA

MARYVILLE/FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Parents have the opportunity to receive free breastfeeding support. St. Louis Metro East La Leche League offers free support groups for prospective parents and nursing families. They meet in various locations across the Metro East and also have an online Facebook group . Dee, a breastfeeding counselor and La Leche League volunteer, explained that the group’s goal is to help parents feel more comfortable feeding and caring for their children. “When

ALTON – Two individuals from Alton face felony charges in separate cases of domestic battery. Shane M. Vanetten, 41, of Alton, was charged with a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery and a Class A misdemeanor count of domestic battery on Jan. 6, 2026. On Dec. 25, 2025, Vanetten allegedly knowingly and without legal justification caused bodily harm to a household or family member who was 60 years of age or older at the time of the offense. The East Alton Police Department presented

GLEN CARBON - A local chiropractic clinic recently settled an agreement following allegations that the clinic committed fraud. Ryan Cleland and Infinite Wellness Integrative Medical Center in Glen Carbon entered into a $249,258.24 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. This agreement resolves allegations that the clinic presented false and fraudulent claims for treatments that were not medically reasonable or necessary.

ALTON - The Mississippi River Water Trail organization will host their tenth annual Mississippi Meanderings speaker series this weekend. From 12–5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, river paddlers are invited to the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton for a day of community and education. Three speakers will discuss the history and culture along the Mississippi, as well as the work it takes to paddle on the river. “We are a community of paddlers in the St. Louis region fo

ALTON - A local businesswoman is hosting a Galentine’s Experience vendor fair to highlight woman-owned businesses, women’s wellness, and more. From 4–8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Post Commons in Alton, community members can engage with local vendors offering a variety of products and services, from IVs and vitamin injections to a menopause station to piercings and permanent jewelry. Attendees are encouraged to learn more about women’s wellness while supporting

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act (HB 1836), a law that will automate the state's record-sealing system process for individuals with certain non-violent convictions following a waiting period. Individuals with violent and serious convictions including murder, domestic battery, DUI, sex crimes, and other serious crimes are not eligible for record sealing under the Clean Slate Act. The bill also does not apply to any crimes that aren’t already

ALTON – The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center Laboratory, based on results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs. Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, an important way that laboratories can contribute to improved patient outcomes. The facility’s director, Huazhang Guo,