ALTON - Visitors flocked to Christmas Wonderland in Alton in record numbers during the 2024 holiday season and that success means the volunteer organization was able to increase its donations to local organizations. Nearly $73,000 in donations has been distributed to over 70 civic organizations courtesy of the Grandpa Gang and Christmas Wonderland, a direct result of strong holiday seasonal visitors to the landmark Alton attraction. Christmas Wonderland, spearheaded by the volunteer Grandpa Gang, features more than 4 million lights strung throughout Rock Spring Park and also includes the Enchanted Forest and visits with Santa Claus. “The financial support we received in 2024 means we can help others in our surrounding communities and that is the true meaning of the holiday season,” Dick Alford, of the Grandpa Gang, noted. The “Grandpa Gang”, a group of retirees and volunteers, organizes and designs the Christmas spectacular of cascading lights, tunnels
Most of the debate Thursday surrounded a provision added to the bill by the Senate prohibiting child marriage. Under current law, 16-year-olds in Missouri can marry someone under the age of 21 with parental consent.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator. Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of […]
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator. Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of […]
Saint Louis University President Fred Pestello and hundreds of higher-education leaders have signed a public statement condemning President Donald Trump's administration.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a series of education-focused orders Wednesday related to accreditation in higher education, school discipline policies, historically Black colleges and universities, artificial intelligence in education and workforce development. The executive orders are the latest in a slew of efforts from Trump to dramatically reshape the federal role in education. Last […]
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a series of education-focused orders Wednesday related to accreditation in higher education, school discipline policies, historically Black colleges and universities, artificial intelligence in education and workforce development. The executive orders are the latest in a slew of efforts from Trump to dramatically reshape the federal role in education. Last […]
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress have a difficult few months ahead of them as they look to broker agreement within their exceptionally narrow majority on policy issues that have already begun to divide centrists from far-right members of the party. The negotiations will be the first test of the sort for Speaker Mike Johnson and […]
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress have a difficult few months ahead of them as they look to broker agreement within their exceptionally narrow majority on policy issues that have already begun to divide centrists from far-right members of the party. The negotiations will be the first test of the sort for Speaker Mike Johnson and […]
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch is set to release a new album with his new band The Speaker Wars in May, and they've just shared another preview…
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Walmart has announced future plans for remodeling stores throughout Missouri over the next few years. The retail chain announced nine new stores planned to undergo remodeling over the next five years in Missouri. "Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in, and these remodels are a [...]
A bill that would void non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in child sexual abuse cases received unanimous approval from Missouri’s House on Tuesday, April 22.
MARINE – A man from Marine faces multiple felonies after a police search of his home yielded various stolen items and a pipe bomb. Chad W. Vaughn, 40, of Marine, was charged with possession of explosive or incendiary devices (a Class 1 felony), unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (a Class 2 felony), residential burglary (a Class 1 felony), and theft (a Class 3 felony). Charging documents state that on April 9, 2025, Vaughn knowingly possessed an explosive compound in the form of a “pipe bomb.” His possession of the explosive carried additional penalties as a felon previously convicted in 2021 of unlawful possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, also in Madison County. Vaughn was additionally charged in this case with offenses stemming from Oct. 23, 2024, when he is accused of burglarizing a residence in Marine and stealing “assorted tools, musical instruments, appliances, and assorted home goods” worth over $500 from the residence.
Five international college students in Missouri have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the termination of their student registrations by the Department of Homeland Security — a revocation that essentially threatens their ability to legally remain in the United States.
The students believe that prior nonviolent incidents might have triggered DHS to revoke their records in a government database that tracks international students.
An international student in Missouri from Nigeria, for example,…
BUNKER HILL - A local cafeteria worker is advocating for free school lunches for all kids. Shelly Wuellner, Food Service Director at Bunker Hill Community Unit School District #8, recently traveled to Springfield, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., to speak with legislators about providing free meals for all students. She serves as the Illinois Public Spokesperson for Healthy Meals for All and as a member of the School Nutrition Association. “Kids do matter and school food matters,” Wuellner said. “Come to school, eat your food, be full, enjoy it. How are we going to educate our kids if we’re not setting them up to be educated?” BHCUSD8, Wuellner’s district, participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of their ability to pay. She said some districts make it into that program “by the skin of their teeth,” and she believes it’s a great resource for
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