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Does your pin oak look like it’s breaking out in little bumps? Those odd, round growths are called twig galls, and they’re more than just a cosmetic nuisance. In spring, tiny gall wasps—no bigger than a grain of rice—lay their eggs just under the bark of new shoots. As each larva grows, your oak responds by building a hard, knobby shell around it. That shell is the gall. When the wasp finally matures, it chews its way out, leaving a telltale hole—and the cycle begins again on fresh twigs. Twig galls form because your tree is trying to protect itself. The chemical signals from the wasp egg trick the plant into redirecting nutrients and hormones to build the gall. Inside, the larva finds both food and shelter. While a few galls here and there won’t kill your tree, a heavy infestation can sap vital resources from young shoots. Over time, your oak’s new branches will be stunted, uneven, or even die back before they mature. The damage goes beyon

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. changed the federal government’s recommendation for the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, saying healthy children and healthy pregnant people no longer need to get it. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic who had to broker several deals with Republican senators to secure confirmation, didn’t explain […]

Mercy Chefs is delivering hot, chef-prepared meals to those in need. 

MARYVILLE - The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association has had a busy year so far, and they’re still working to support consumers and businesses throughout the region. Shannon Stelling stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about some of the HBRMEA projects and initiatives. She encouraged people to utilize the HBRMEA as a resource to find reputable builders and remodelers, and she emphasized that the organization aims to help consumers get what they need to be successful home owners. “You always have the Home Builders & Remodelers Association that are all local companies that can be trusted here in the area that can help you,” she said. “If you’re not sure and you want a good reference, call the HBR.” In addition to acting as a resource, the HBRMEA advocates for homeowners. Stelling explained that the local chapter is currently working with municipalities like Granite City and Belleville to pioneer

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From Construction Business Owner:  While many companies make substantial investments in targeting and hiring undergraduate students, fewer consider graduate students due to a fundamental misconception about applicants who hold advanced degrees. By understanding this misconception, construction industry recruiters can open an additional pipeline for talent in the industry. The fundamental misconception is that all graduate […]

From Construction Dive: by Bruce Orr, founder and chief data scientist at ProNovos “Cash is king” might be the most overused phrase in construction finance — and one of the most misleading. The reason why is because in the rough-and-tumble world of construction finance, where you’re always just one job away from success or failure, […]

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a judge in Kansas City to lift an injunction that had blocked restrictions on abortion, a decision that upends access to the procedure six months after voters enshrined reproductive rights into the state Constitution. The two-page order imposes a “de facto abortion ban” in the state, according to […]

From RiverBender:  During the quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” meeting, entrepreneurs shared more about their businesses in downtown Alton. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the community gathered at the RiverBender.com Building to hear from local business owners and community leaders. Hosted by Alton Main Street, these quarterly meetings allow people to share information about their businesses […]

Rodney McKinney replaces interim prosecutor Hannah Dunakey, who was removed in February by a judge's order.

Since the devastating tornado struck, some of the biggest names in construction have come together to clean up storm debris and move forward in the recovery. Enter the Greater St. Louis Tornado Recovery Efforts.

From Mid Rivers Newsmagazine:  St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD) broke ground on its new ambulance station at 8050 Phoenix Pkwy. on Monday, May 5. The new Winghaven station aims to address ever-increasing needs for ambulance assistance in the area. It is estimated to open in the second quarter of 2026, if not earlier. In […]

The governor also proposed relief for those impacted by the St. Louis tornado earlier this month.

Together with the City of Crestwood, NAVIGATE Building Solutions, and Lawlor Corporation, Bond Architects celebrated the kick-off of construction for the new Crestwood Community Center on Friday, May 23, 2025. The Mayor of Crestwood, along with several representatives from City administration and the Parks and Recreation department, were present at the groundbreaking ceremony. Funded by […]

Musician, producer and songwriter Rick Derringer, who had a hit at 17 with "Hang on Sloopy" as a member of The McCoys, has died.The rocker’s death was announced on Facebook by his…

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PHOTOS: Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, Keyler G. Barreto, and Jose Mora Herrera. EDWARDSVILLE – Three Venezuelan natives have been charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal cash from an Edwardsville bank ATM. Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, 27, Keyler G. Barreto, 19, and Jose Mora Herrera, 24, were each charged on May 23, 2025 with attempted theft (each Class 3 felonies) and computer tampering (each Class 4 felonies). On May 22, 2025, the three allegedly accessed the locked panel of an ATM at the Bank of Madison County in Edwardsville in attempt to steal over $10,000. Each are accused of taking part in an ATM theft scheme involving the installation of a computer program to cause the ATM to dispense money without authorization. Petitions filed to deny each of the defendants’ pretrial release describe the incident as follows: “Defendant and two co-defendants were located near the scene of an ATM alarm activation at Madison County Bank,” the petitions state.

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ALTON — The Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony at Alton National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2025, honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation through a series of musical performances, tributes, and reflections. The event began with a percussion assembly by Alton High School students, followed by the Alton Fire Department Pipes and Drum’s rendition of "Scotland The Brave." The AHS AFJROTC Color Guard presented the colors, and Cary Pulaski performed the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elijah Baird and sisters Charlotte and Celeste Phillbrook. City of Alton Mayor David Goins delivered the invocation, emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by service members. "As we gather here today at this National Cemetery, we come together to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation," Goins said. "Though they are no longer with us in body, their memories remain etched in our memory and

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