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Kathleen Wiegand's Legacy of Positive Impact at Alton Schools
ALTON — Kathleen Wiegand has retired from Alton High School, concluding a long career in education that began as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Alton Middle School. Wiegand said the most rewarding part of working in the district has been "working and interacting with students and making a positive impact on their lives." Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, camping and hiking. Looking ahead, Wiegand plans to spend time traveling and being with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For new employees, she advises, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
Durbin Slams White House Rescissions Package That Slashes Critical Foreign Aid And Public Broadcasting Funding
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor detailing the vicious, shortsighted $9.4 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting proposed by the Trump Administration in a rescissions package meant to codify the destruction of federal agencies by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In his remarks, Durbin laid out the specific programs the package will cut, including bipartisan efforts to address HIV/AIDS, support new democracies, and provide unbiased and local news. “On Tuesday, President Trump sent Congress proposed rescissions… Where has the President suggested we cut a very miniscule percentage of the federal budget to fund deficit-busting tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy? From bipartisan programs programs that both parties have supported for years,” Durbin began. “ Programs that help the poorest in the world survive, even lead a normal life suffering from
Duckworth, Blackburn, Cohen and Kustoff Introduce Legislation to Improve Roadways Around Airports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) along with U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and David Kustoff (R-TN-08) today introduced legislation to help improve ground transportation into and out of our nation’s busy airports. The Don’t Miss Your Flight Act would use existing federal funding to create an incentive for surface transportation projects at and within five miles of a public airport that improve access, reduce congestion or rehabilitate roads, rail or transit, making catching a flight or coming home from the airport easier and faster for Americans across the country. “We’ve all been there—you’re rushing to the airport but then get stuck in traffic outside while worrying that your flight is going to take off without you,” Duckworth said. “Airports like Chicago O’Hare and so many others are building to keep up with the growing passenger demand, but our surface transportation
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision In Smith & Wesson V. Mexico
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of gun manufacturers in Smith & Wesson v. Mexico : “Gun trafficking from the United States to Mexico is fueling a cycle of tremendous violence. Lawless gun manufacturers, international criminals, and drug cartels are weaponizing our lax gun laws in America to facilitate violence, traffic drugs, and wreak havoc across the globe. “This ruling does not address that crisis. While it’s a temporary win for gun manufacturers, the Supreme Court’s decision is narrow and specific to the claims in this case. “Our fight for common sense gun safety reform continues. My Stop Arming Cartels Act would cut off gun trafficking at its source and strengthen American gun laws, and today’s ruling is further reason to pass it into law. Earlier this year, Durbin introduced
St. Louis meteorologists confirm at least 1 tornado touched down in the region on Wednesday
Rosati-Kain Academy secures 25-year lease to remain in Central West End
The Rosati-Kain Academy, an all-girls independent Catholic high school in St. Louis, has secured its future in the Central West End, signing a 25-year-lease with the Archdiocese of St. Louis to remain in its longtime school building.
East St. Louis Elementary Teacher Vanessa Huffman Concludes 33 Years Shaping Young Minds
EAST ST. LOUIS — After 33 years of dedicated service, Vanessa Huffman, an elementary teacher with East St. Louis School District 189, is retiring in 2025. Throughout her career, Huffman has been recognized for her commitment to fostering a love of learning and supporting student growth. Huffman’s classroom has been described as a place of growth, joy, and discovery where students feel empowered. The East St. Louis School District has highlighted her passion for education and her lasting impact on the community she served. “Her impact will continue to shine through the many lives she has touched over the years,” the district said in a statement honoring Huffman’s retirement. East St. Louis School District 189 expressed gratitude for her 33 years of excellence, compassion, and service, wishing her a retirement filled with relaxation and celebration.
Carrollton High School Second Semester Honor Rolls
High Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2025 MADELINE J. BRANNAN MEGAN E. CAMDEN CHEYENNE E. CLYDE SOPHIE J. COTNER GRANT T. COX CALIE A. FIELD ABIGAIL G. FLOWERS LAUREN E. FLOWERS CARSON S. GRAFFORD VANNA L. HOLMES KOBY R. SCHNELTEN HANNAH E. UHLES JOHN P. VANDERSAND KALEY J. WOELFEL Graduation Year: 2026 AVA G. CUSTER CARSON R. FLOWERS JOZEY M. GIBERSON LEXI T. HEATH BLAINE L. KAISER HANNAH C. LAKE AUGUST J. POWELL BRANDON M. RABE ELI M. RHOADES MABRY J. ROBEEN REED J. SCHNETTGOECKE GUNNAR L. SHARROW ALEX W. VANDERSAND Graduation Year: 2027 LILY B. CLOUGH BROOKELYN S. EILERMAN SHANNEN J. HOLMES HAYDEN R. MCMURTRIE JAYCE D. STEINKUEHLER Graduation Year: 2028 NOLAN M. BAUMGARTNER KOLE P. BECK AUBREY R. CROCKER CHLOE E. MCADAMS ANDREW K. PRICE CALEB D. UHLES NOAH J. UHLES HANNAH C. WAGONER Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2025 ANDREW J. ADCOCK AVERY W. BANGHART WILLIAM K. BLAND JAYLA R. CAMPBELL DAMON L. COMBS DAGAN H. CORDES HARPER
Suspect arrested for Mother’s Day fatal shooting in The Ville
Homicide detectives have arrested a man wanted for a fatal shooting on Mother’s Day in north St. Louis.
Dierbergs Breaks Ground on Grocery Store for $211M Market at Olive Development
From St. Louis Business Journal: Construction will soon start on the Dierbergs Markets grocery store planned at the $211 million, 47-acre Market at Olive development in University City, following a groundbreaking Thursday, the Chesterfield-based grocery store chain said. Permits for the store are still being finalized, and then construction will start right away, a spokesperson […]
Pride, Inc. to Start Canvassing for Pride Eye Awards
ALTON/GODFREY - Pride, Inc. will recognize nearly 7,000 homes in Alton and Godfrey in the coming months. Pride, Inc., a beautification organization, sends out their Pride Eye Awards to honor homeowners that maintain their houses and yards. Pat and Carolyn MacAfee, who have been members of Pride, Inc. for years, shared that the organization will begin selecting homes for the awards over the next few weeks, with a goal to send out the awards by mid-September. “The thing is, we’re about encouraging people,” Pat said. “It’s about encouragement, to encourage others, the neighbors, to keep theirs going. We like to showcase those that make an effort.” As an organization, Pride, Inc. urges people to “love where you live” and take care of your yard and neighborhood. They also host biannual Citywide Litter Clean-Ups and spearhead beautification initiatives across the Riverbend region. The Pride Eye Awards are a longtime tradition in th
Illinois High-Speed Rail Project Progresses With ‘Major Step’
From Newsweek: Plans for a high-speed rail route between Chicago and East St. Louis have moved forward after Illinois officials issued an update to a feasibility study into the project. In a May update, the Illinois High-Speed Rail Commission said it was on track to publish the report by 2026—which includes a survey of over […]
Are you prepared? Essential tips for staying safe during tornado season
Need kitchen remodeler referral in St. Louis County
Report: Pop star Nick Jonas cast to play KISS rocker Paul Stanley in biopic
The long-in-the-works KISS biopic has reportedly found its Star Child.Deadline reports that Nick Jonas will portray singer/guitarist Paul Stanley in Shout It Out Loud, a movie about the formation of the…
Collinsville Police Alert Residents to Ameren Impostor Scam
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, issued a warning about individuals posing as Ameren utility workers who are attempting to scam residents by going door-to-door in the city. The Collinsville Police said that it had received several reports about the issues. Other police departments in the area have also recently issued a similar warning to their residents. According to the Collinsville Police, these imposters may claim that immediate repairs, such as tree limb trimming or removal, are necessary and try to gain entry into homes under false pretenses. The department cautioned residents to be alert for signs of fraud, including the absence of official Ameren identification badges and unmarked vehicles, as well as high-pressure tactics demanding immediate access to properties. The Collinsville Police Department advised residents not to allow anyone into their homes without verifying their identity. They recommend asking to see identification,
Carrollton High School Semester 2 Honor Rolls
CARROLLTON - Following are the High Honor Roll and Honor Roll lists from Carrollton High School for Semester 2 of 2024-2025: High Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2025 Madeline J. Brannan Megan E. Camden Cheyenne E. Clyde Sophie J. Cotner Grant T. Cox Calie A. Field Abigail G. Flowers Lauren E. Flowers Carson S. Grafford Vanna L. Holmes Koby R. Schnelten Hannah E. Uhles John P. Vandersand Kaley J. Woelfel Graduation Year: 2026 Ava G. Custer Carson R. Flowers Jozey M. Giberson Lexi T. Heath Blaine L. Kaiser Hannah C. Lake August J. Powell Brandon M. Rabe Eli M. Rhoades Mabry J. Robeen Reed J. Schnettgoecke Gunnar L. Sharrow Alex W. Vandersand Graduation Year: 2027 Lily B. Clough Brookelyn S. Eilerman Shannen J. Holmes Hayden R. McMurtrie Jayce D. Steinkuehler Graduation Year: 2028 Nolan M. Baumgartner Kole P. Beck Aubrey R. Crocker Chloe E. McAdams Andrew K. Price Caleb D. Uhles Noah J. Uhles Hannah C. Wagoner Honor Roll Graduation
Texas is about to ban all speech on campuses at night. Seriously.
Texas lawmakers trying to muzzle campus protests have just passed one of the most ridiculous anti-speech laws in the country, as Freedom of the Press Foundation senior adviser Caitlin Vogus explains in the Houston Chronicle.
A new bill, SB 2972, would require public universities in Texas to adopt policies prohibiting “engaging in expressive activities on campus between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.” Expressive activity includes “any speech or expressive conduct” protected by the First Amendment or Texas Constitution.
As Vogus writes, Governor Greg Abbott “should veto this unconstitutional and absurd bill before Texas has to waste taxpayers’ money defending it. And Texans should find some time — preferably at night — to exercise their First Amendment right to question the competence of the legislators who wrote or supported this bill.”
Belt Announces Over $4.5 Million For Local Renewable Energy Developments
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt announced that over $4.5 million in state grant funding has been awarded to support clean energy development and workforce initiatives across the 57th Senate District. “With the state moving full speed ahead on green energy, it’s only right that our communities receive the support we need to be part of that future,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We’re not asking for special treatment — just our fair share.” The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program delivers seed and pre-development funding to equity-eligible contractors, nonprofits and cooperatives working on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in low-income and historically disadvantaged communities. The program is a critical part of the state’s work to expand access to clean energy while reducing systemic barriers to development. Five projects in Belt’s district received a combined $4.58 million in funding, including: