From KSDK: When Teddy Gooch and his mother, Erin, would visit traditional playgrounds, what should have been joyful afternoons often ended in frustration and tears. “We would both leave the playground in tears and sweat,” Erin Gooch said. “It was a lot of work. I wasn’t able to talk to any other moms during it […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after he voted against moving forward with the nomination of Frank Bisignano to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA): “As if it wasn’t enough to tank the economy and decimate Americans’ retirement accounts, President Trump has put forth a nominee to lead the Social Security Administration that would be complicit in closing SSA offices, limiting SSA phone services, and perpetuating delays in Americans receiving their hard-earned retirement benefits. “In casting their vote to move forward with Frank Bisignano’s nomination, Senate Republicans greenlit President Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s grand plan to destroy Social Security.”
From St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune: A union member who died on the job last year was remembered at the 45th Annual Robert O. Kortkamp Union Labor Mass and Interfaith Prayer Service on April 27 at the Shrine of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the worker in downtown St. Louis. The annual mass and […]
CHICAGO – May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the important role child welfare professionals, community social service agencies, caregivers and the public play in supporting children and families. This year’s theme, “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities,” aims to raise awareness about the importance of involving youth in the decisions being made about their welfare, the significance of maintaining connections to important people in their lives and how to best support youth as they transition out of foster care. “Every child and youth in our care deserves to feel safe and loved” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “It is because of our incredible foster parents across the state that children, youth and siblings can have a home and foster parent who has opened their heart, home and even their family so that a child can have the love and stability they need during a very difficult time.”
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ long-awaited off-highway vehicle park in southern Illinois will officially open to riders on Friday, May 2, 2025. Sahara Woods State Recreation Area near Carrier Mills in Saline County features Illinois’ first state-managed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in Illinois. The nearly 30 miles of two-way trails are designed to meet a growing demand for motorized recreation. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday. Vehicle permits are $20 per day or $65 for a four-day pass. Riders can go online to purchase permits and complete the registration form and liability waiver. OHVs cannot be wider than 64 inches, consistent with the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. Riders also must abide by safety rules. Visit Sahara Woods online for details. The Sahara Woods trails were funded in part by federal grants and IDNR capital funds. The land at Sahara Woods was the site of an active coal mine
From ENR Midwest: A day after St. Louis shut down a program to repair dilapidated and vacant buildings, a lawsuit was filed seeking to learn how the program operated, selected contractors and managed recordkeeping and quality controls—as well as to uncover any alleged money trail that plaintiffs believe will show kickbacks paid for approval of […]
From Spectrum Local News: Longly anticipated upgrades to Kinetic Park in Saint Charles opened up on Monday, April 14, 2025, after over a year of renovations and construction. Builders put the finishing touches on the new 40,000 square-foot, “universally designed,” adventure playground when Spectrum News visited the park on April 9, 2025. Onsite St. Charles County […]
From St. Louis Magazine: There is a house on this block of Dodier Street, one block from North Grand Boulevard, that is almost impressively ugly. But the ugliness doesn’t come from neglect. It comes from a lousy rehab job by an out-of-state investment company—and unpermitted construction work the city has been trying to shut down, […]
GLEN CARBON - Devin Ellis, a senior midfielder for the Father McGivney Catholic High girls soccer team, scored perhaps the biggest goal in the program’s history on April 30, 2025, when she sent a header to the inside of the far post off a corner by Rachel Kretzer into the back of the net to give the Griffins a 1-0 win over Edwardsville in a very well-played game by both sides at McGivney. The goal came in the 79th minute to give the Griffins the win. For Ellis, it was her sixth goal of the season to go along with three assists. She’s emerged as a key player on the team, who kept their 100 percent record alive at 16-0-0. Ellis is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. In her post-match interview, Ellis, to say the least, was very happy with the winner and how things turned out in the game. “I’m feeling ecstatic,” Ellis said. “It’s the first time we’ve played Edwardsville, just feeling all the
WASHINGTON — A federal judge Thursday struck down President Donald Trump’s use of a wartime law to deport Venezuelan nationals, but limited the scope to the Southern District of Texas. Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., whom Trump appointed in 2017, wrote in a 36-page order that the administration’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act was unlawful, […]
Dan Paulino, Velda City's former police chief and city administrator, has been indicted on charges of stealing $313,420 to pay for personal expenses and help his towing business.
GRANITE CITY – Three individuals face similar charges after working in pairs on a series of Granite City burglaries. David L. Miller, 50, and Robert D. Kelly Jr., 43, both of Granite City, were each charged on April 22, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of burglary. On Oct. 25, 2024, the two allegedly knowingly entered a building without authority in the 2400 block of Delmar Ave. in Granite City with the intent to commit theft. The Granite City Police Department presented both cases against Miller and Kelly, and both were granted pretrial release. Three months later on Feb. 2, 2025, Kelly was once again charged with a Class 2 felony count of burglary – as was Mary A. Gentle, 34, listed as homeless out of Granite City. In this case, the two reportedly entered a building without authority and intending to commit theft in the 2500 block of W. 20th St. in Granite City. The cases against Kelly and Gentle were presented by the Granite City Police Department, and both were ordered
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