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CHICAGO- Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton joined House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and budget leaders from each chamber to sign the FY26 state budget package. The $55.1 billion budget builds on six years of progress, prioritizing Illinois’ long-term fiscal health while sustaining key investments in economic development, education, and health and human services. “For the seventh year in a row, through hard work and thoughtful compromise, we are keeping our promise to deliver for working families across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With the chaos and recklessness seeping out of Washington from Trump and Congressional Republicans, this year’s budget doubles down on our strong fiscal discipline and responsible governance without raising taxes for working families. I’m proud to sign the FY26 budget today, a budget that reflects our core values and reinforces our commitment to long-term fiscal

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GRANITE CITY — More than 2,000 customers in Granite City and Madison experienced a power outage late Sunday evening, June 15, 2025, after a snake made contact with electrical equipment inside a local substation, Ameren Illinois reported. The utility company received several calls about the outage and dispatched a crew just after 10 p.m. to investigate. Upon arrival, workers found a snake on top of a transformer inside the substation. To safely remove the snake, crews coordinated with dispatch to reroute power from alternative sources in the area. Power was fully restored to all affected customers by 2 a.m., and the snake was removed from the substation. Customers were then switched back to their original power source. According to Ameren Illinois, snakes can occasionally cause power outages during the spring and summer months. Recent heavy rains in Madison County may drive snakes to seek higher ground, food, and warmth inside substations. Brian Bretsch, Public and Media Relations

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Investigators announced federal murder and stalking charges against 57-year-old Vance Boelter. Prosecutors accuse Boelter of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, killing one of the couples. Investigators believe the attacks were politically motivated.

SPRINGFIELD - Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg’s rookie baseball card, “Star Wars” comic books, a Yoda Pez dispenser, Elvis Presley coins, a 1995W $50 Gold Eagle coin, and stamp collections are among the unclaimed property items the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is auctioning online from June 13 through June 22. The online auction includes other sports collectible cards of iconic baseball, basketball, and hockey players, including Ernie Banks, Bob Gibson, Johnny Bench, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. Also available to bid on: vintage pocket watches and other jewelry; currency notes from various countries, including sheets of uncut U.S. $10 bills; and 10 one ounce .999 fine silver bars and rounds. “Everyone is welcome – and encouraged – to explore our online auction. It isn’t meant only for collectors. The online auction is a convenient way for people to add to a personal collection or find a distinctive gift

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TROY - Upcoming Troy-Maryville-St. Jacob-Marine events coming up over the next two weeks. June 18th – Business Before Breakfast at Brightly Senior Living, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Speaker: Michael Monken & Laura Griffith, New Adventure Web Design & Digital Marketing Topic: How to Use Google Business Profiles to Get More Customers Click Here to Register! June 24th Individual meeting with Department of Commerce & Economic Development Great opportunity to meet with DCEO to discuss any possible grants or incentive programs for your business. You may be surprised by the amount of monies available to businesses. June 25th - Lunch & Learn at the Holiday Inn Express, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Speaker: Garon Cooper, Chatly Topic: AI Isn’t The Future. It’s The NOW! How Small Businesses Can Leverage New Tools To Compete Like The Big Guys Attendees Supply Own Lunch Click Here to Register!

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SAINT LOUIS - Two local wrestlers will be inducted into the Independent St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. Luke Roberts and Mark Bland stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about their upcoming enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Andre’s Banquet Center in St. Louis, Roberts and Bland will be inducted along with the rest of their class. The community is invited to come out, meet the wrestlers and enjoy the ceremony. “You hear the term ‘Hall of Famer’ and you never think that’s going to happen for you. You always go out there for the love of the professional wrestling industry,” said Roberts. “St. Louis, for decades, has been one of the hotbeds for professional wrestling.” Tickets cost $30 in advance or $35 at the door. This year’s inductees are Ed Smith, Harley Race, Douglas O'Shea, Luke Roberts, Frank “Reed” Root, Jeremy Lightfoot, Doc J.

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AMES, Iowa - Nearly 4,600 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University this spring. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held May 15-17, 2025. Larry Buss and John “J.R.” Robinson received honorary degrees during spring ceremonies. Following are graduates from the Riverbend area: Edwardsville, Illinois Henry Russell Lingafelter, Bachelor of Architecture, Architecture, Cum Laude Hamel, Illinois William Reese Kirk, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

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DECORAH, Iowa — Lydia Marti of Highland has been named to the spring 2025 Dean's List at Luther College. To qualify, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. About Luther College At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu .

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SPRINGFIELD - The theme for this year’s National Fire Prevention Week has been announced and it’s focused on Lithium-Ion Battery Safety. Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day — smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, to name just a few — are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, most everything that’s rechargeable uses this type of battery. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign emphasizes the critical importance of safely using lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fires in our homes,” said Acting Illinois State Fire Marshal Allen Reyne. “By following the Buy, Charge, and Recycle Safely approach, we can reduce risks and protect our communities. We look forward to working alongside our partners to share this vital safety message—not only during Fire Prevention Week, but throughout the year—to help build a safer, more fire-resilient Illinois.”

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EAST ST. LOUIS – East St. Louis School District 189 is proud to announce the selection of James Avant Elementary School as a Model School at the prestigious 2025 Model Schools Conference (MSC 2025) taking place in Washington, D.C. June 22-25. Hosted by the Center for Model Schools, this highly anticipated event honors forward-thinking schools that drive transformation, inspire change, and implement groundbreaking strategies to improve student outcomes. The Center for Model Schools supports schools and districts in creating the conditions for lasting student success. Chosen from a competitive group of schools nationwide, James Avant Elementary School has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success and innovation. By fostering a culture of collaboration, ambitious instruction, and continuous improvement, the school exemplifies excellence in education. "We are honored to be recognized as a Model School at MSC 2025," said Quanshanda Nicholson, Principal at James

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine has assembled a team of 35 elected State’s Attorneys from across Illinois to file an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals’ Seventh Circuit, arguing Illinois’ ban on so-called assault weapons is unconstitutional. In the amicus brief, also known as a friend-of-the-court brief, the group of State’s Attorneys argues that the ban enacted by Illinois is unconstitutional because it broadly bans entire categories of firearms that are widely owned by law-abiding Illinoisans, and the ban does not follow the historical tradition of firearm regulation in the United States. Haine is the lead attorney for the amicus brief. Additional counsel for the brief are the State’s Attorneys of Brown, Calhoun, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Gallatin, Hancock, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Livingston, Marion, Mercer, Monroe, Ogle,

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St. Louis gears up for vibrant Juneteenth celebrations, marking the 160th anniversary with festivals, parades, and community events starting June 14.

It didn’t take long for Dara Eskridge and Aaron Williams to spring into action after a deadly tornado ripped through parts of north St. Louis. Eskridge and Williams helped lead the 4TheVille Hub, which provided critical supplies and housing stabilization to people throughout north St. Louis. Both Eskridge and Williams have deep ties to the community: Eskridge is the CEO of InvestSTL, which helps financially support neighborhood development initiatives. And Williams is President of 4TheVille, a nonprofit group that aims to preserve and expand the cultural history of several north St. Louis neighborhoods. The Hub shut down earlier this month, prompting both Eskridge and Williams to reflect during a St. Louis on the Air episode on the volunteer effort’s impact – and how they plan to keep the assistance coming to tornado victims. This is the longer version of that conversation.

Three sons of The Beatles have teamed up for a new song.Drummer Zak Starkey, son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, has shared a new song from his band Mantra of…

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