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Indie Singer/Songwriter Brings Unapologetic Message of Empathy to St. Louis

1 week 6 days ago
SAINT LOUIS - Rachael Sage doesn’t apologize for her art. Sage, a Billboard-charting independent artist, will perform at Riviera STL on July 8, 2025, as part of her “Joy = Resistance” tour with Kristen Ford. As she prepares to tour and release her 17th album, “Canopy,” later this year, Sage looks forward to getting back onstage and enjoying the “bliss” of sharing her voice with other people. “It’s as close to Zen as I think I ever get,” she said. “For me, it’s this absolute freedom to get up on stage, have this connection with the community and the moment, and just celebrate life and joy and our collective humanity.” As an independent artist, it’s up to Sage to manage the writing, mastering, scheduling, marketing and press for her work. While it’s a lot of work, it’s also exciting for her to share her message with the world. She loves performing and always looks forward to returning

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Kwame Remains on Scene in Devastated O’Fallon Park

1 week 6 days ago
From The St. Louis American:  Since its founding by Anthony “Tony” Thompson, chair and CEO of the Kwame Building Group, the Black-owned business has made community service an integral part of its operation. Through hundreds of college scholarship and philanthropic support for non-profits and other organizations, Thomspon said Kwame wants to be a leader in […]
Rachel Finan

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem briefs governors after US strikes on Iran

1 week 6 days ago
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the weekend briefed state governors regarding public safety measures following President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb nuclear sites in Iran. On Monday, Iran launched retaliatory strikes toward a U.S. military base in Qatar, according to Iran’s state media and The Associated Press. “Secretary Noem has […]
Ariana Figueroa

Alton Man Charged After Local Business Break-In, Product Theft

1 week 6 days ago
ALTON – An Alton resident has been charged with burglarizing a Delmar Avenue business and stealing a wide variety of products from within. Devon A. Pierson, 23, of Alton, was charged on June 18, 2025 with one count each of burglary (a Class 2 felony) and theft (a Class 3 felony). Pierson is accused of knowingly entering Cloud Buster Smoke Shop, located at 508 W. Delmar Ave. in Alton, without authority on Feb. 9, 2025 with the intent to commit a theft. He reportedly stole “three boxes of ‘Perk’ pills, approximately 40 to 50 jars of wax, approximately 30 pre-rolls, and United States currency from a tip jar,” according to court documents. The stolen goods had a total combined value of more than $500. The Alton Police Department presented the case against Pierson, who was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Chamber Project Saint Louis Performs Bach at East St. Louis Campus

1 week 6 days ago
EAST ST. LOUIS - For the first time, the live sounds of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach floated through the air in the Multipurpose Room of Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC). Bringing the melodies of the German composer to life at 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, via the clarinet, double bass, viola, violin and cello was the partnership between the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music and the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (ESLCPA) program. The collaboration is part of the SIUE Department of Music Summer Chamber Music Festival. The free, hour-long concert, performed by Chamber Project Saint Louis (CPSTL) for students and staff on the WHYHEC, opened the project that is offering a classical music concert for all, and music and dance workshops for ESLCPA students. SIUE Jazz workshops will be held Thursday, June 26. “This is my first time working with the student

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Deputies Alfaro and Williams Represent Madison County at First Responder Night

1 week 6 days ago
MADISON COUNTY — Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office participated in the Alton River Dragons First Responder Night event recently in Alton. Deputies Chris Alfaro and Maricela Williams represented the sheriff’s office during the event, which also included a tribute to Alton Police Department K9 Odin, who was killed in the line of duty. The First Responder Night event was aimed at honoring first responders and recognize their service to the community. The Madison County Sheriff's Office expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to pay tribute to K9 Odin, acknowledging the sacrifice made by the K9 and the police department.

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Help Restore SSG Josh Melton's Memorial Statue

1 week 6 days ago
CENTRALIA - Friends, family and supporters of Staff Sergeant Josh Melton have launched a fundraiser to repair a memorial statue honoring the fallen soldier in Centralia, organizers announced Monday, June 23, 2025. The campaign, created by Alex Pracht, a former Army comrade of Melton’s, and Mike Melton, Josh’s father, seeks donations to cover the cost of repairing damage recently sustained by the statue. The memorial stands as a tribute to Melton’s service and sacrifice and holds deep significance for his family, friends, and the local community. “Josh was not only a brother-in-arms but a remarkable friend, and his memory continues to inspire all of us who knew him,” Pracht said in a statement. He added that the damage to the statue has been “heartbreaking,” but expressed hope that with public support, the statue can be restored to its original condition. Funds raised will be used for materials, labor and any restoration work necessary to retur

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Remembering Ed Becker

1 week 6 days ago

We are sad to share that Ed Becker, longtime host of Songwriters Showcase on KDHX, passed away on June 17th. Ed shared his extensive knowledge about the music he loved for 37 years as a KDHX volunteer, first as a helper and co-host to his dear friend Larry Wier, and then taking the reins of Songwriters Showcase when Larry Wier passed away. 

Ed was a statesman at KDHX, loved by everyone who met him for his generous and caring attitude and his easy-going charm. His belief in the ability of music to change the world for the better was infectious - almost as infectious as his love for Cardinal baseball.

Ed lived a life of volunteerism, working all over the region - and especially in his hometown of Mt. Olive - to leave the world a better place than he found it. In this, he was a great success and serves as an example to us all. For more about how Ed contributed to the greater good in his life, please visit his obituary published online by the Mt. Olive Herald. 

Parkinson's Support Group Described As Educational and Social Outlet

1 week 6 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE — A Parkinson’s support group at the Edwardsville YMCA has been providing resources, activities, and social connection for people living with the disease and their caregivers since summer 2019. The group meets at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Edwardsville YMCA Niebur Center, located at 1200 Essic Drive in Edwardsville. It is open to individuals with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about the condition. The support group continues to add people with each session. Jean Price, a retired nurse who has volunteered as a facilitator for two years, described the group as a place where participants “do some fun things” and share practical tips to make everyday life easier. The program often features guest speakers, including healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, physical therapists, and dietitians, as well as instructors offering yoga and spinning classes on stationary bikes. Past session

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While District Court Judge Questions Trump’s Military Deployment; Appeals Court Shrugs

1 week 6 days ago
The normalization of authoritarianism is happening in real time in federal courtrooms. While district court judges try to apply actual legal standards to Trump’s near constant attempts to find ever more constitutional crises to create, appeals courts are busy treating the wholesale dismantling of constitutional constraints as just another political disagreement. Take, for example, what’s […]
Mike Masnick