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GRANITE CITY - Granite City School District #9 has announced its principals for the 2025-26 academic year, highlighting a team of educators committed to leadership and inspiration across the district’s schools. The district revealed the lineup of principals who will lead its various schools, emphasizing their roles in guiding students and staff. The announcement includes leaders at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The principals for the 2025-26 school year are as follows: Nikki Petrillo and Marcie Sweet at Grigsby Elementary Megan Wedekind and Kristen Novacich-Koberna at Coolidge Elementary Julie Matarelli at Frohardt Elementary Dr. Liz Niepert at Maryville Elementary Sarah Corzine and Genie Bratten at Prather Elementary Jody Batson at Mitchell Elementary Ann Wilson at Wilson Elementary Christie Moad, Marvin Battle, Eric Mitchell, Chris Hutchings, and Tim McChristian at Granite City High School Mike Dowdy at Lake Elementary Steven Mathes at Coolidge

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U.S. families lose nearly $350 billion each year due to the incarceration of a loved one in jail or prison, according to a recent report from the criminal justice advocacy group FWD.us. The estimate includes both direct expenses and long-term losses in household income. The findings are based on a national survey of just over […]

SPONSORED - Route 66 is home to several vibrant murals that celebrate local culture and history in Illinois towns like Virden, Farmersville, Collinsville, and Girard. These murals, painted on various historic buildings, depict the unique heritage and landmarks of each town. The Virden mural is located on the Sly Fox Bookstore. They specialize in children’s [...]

Just days after a jury found Tesla partially liable in a fatal Autopilot crash and ordered the company to pay over $200 million, Elon Musk took to Twitter with a bold proclamation: “Teslas can drive themselves!” The timing couldn’t be worse. Because thanks to a devastating article by Electrek’s Fred Lambert that digs deep into […]

Five soldiers were shot in an active shooter situation at an Army base in Georgia, authorities have confirmed.

John Mayer is sharing his feelings about getting to be a part of Dead & Company’s recent three-night stand at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead.“No matter how…

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A victim shot two suspects during an armed robbery Tuesday evening at a south St. Louis park, police say. The victim exchanged gunfire with the suspects and was also wounded.

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is encouraging 2025 Illinois State Fairgoers to visit the office’s tent to apply for a REAL ID, meet Illinois authors, experience the office’s One-Stop-Shop model and check out its “food truck” DMV. “The State Fair is a wonderful opportunity for friends and families to gather, enjoy the best of Illinois agriculture and celebrate our great state,” Giannoulias said. “Attendees and families should swing by our tent to apply for a REAL ID and other driver, vehicle and business services, or check out our Illinois author readings, genealogy searches and fun activities for all ages.” For the kids, the tent will offer Pop-a-Shot basketball hoops, a coloring station and appearances by Illinois authors who will read their books aloud and give away signed copies during select times on each day of the fair. Featured writers include Nadia Ahmed, Jacob Grant and Ann Zhao (see schedule below).

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College recognizes alumnus Tommy Karlas, a professional country music singer-songwriter signed with Sony Music Publishing/Droptine. Karlas has written for some of the biggest stars in country music and performs around the world, including regular appearances at the renowned Bluebird Café in Nashville. He considers himself fortunate to have made music his career and has celebrated over 300 million streams as a songwriter. Karlas plans on returning to L&C in October for a homecoming concert. Tommy may be most known for writing the No. 1 country hit "Roll With Me" by Montgomery Gentry. "My most memorable experience at Lewis & Clark was before I even started attending the school, when I stepped onto the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre stage at the age of 13 for a talent show," Karlas said. "There was something about that show in that theatre that marked the beginning of a long career in music and entertainment." Karlas said that

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Me'Kel Walker, 19, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawfully using a weapon.

ALTON – OSF Medical Group – Primary Care (Alton) is pleased to announce that a new board-certified family medicine nurse practitioner has been added to its staff to better serve the primary care needs of Riverbend region residents. Stacy Marriott, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is accepting new patients at OSF Medical Group – Primary Care, located at #2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Suite 205, in Alton. Ms. Marriott will see patients on Monday and Wednesday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Marriott’s medical interests include (but not limited to): Family medicine Diabetes High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Women’s health Depression Anxiety As a board-certified family medicine nurse practitioner (American Nurses Credentialing Center), Marriott has accumulated more than 17 years of experience that’s included serving as a Nurse Practitioner at HSHS Medical Group(Highland, IL; 2023-2025), and in dual roles of Nurse Practitioner and Hospitalist

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EDWARDSVILLE - You can experience all the fun of Vietnam in Edwardsville at an upcoming “Taste of Vietnam” pop-up event at EXO Lounge. From 6–9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, community members are invited to EXO for a night of fresh Vietnamese flavors in addition to EXO’s nail bar and med spa services. EXO owner Gina Gamblin expressed her excitement to welcome the community to EXO for an evening of culture and fun. “EXO is a destination, but more so than just having a party, I think it’s important to have experiences,” Gamblin said. “Some may never get to travel to Vietnam, but just the culture and how we can bring it to life here at EXO is perfect.” EXO’s lounge boasts a Michelin-star chef and delicious food and cocktail menus at all times, but on Aug. 14, the kitchen will be transformed into a Vietnamese restaurant. Gamblin said some of EXO’s technicians once owned a restaurant, so the food will

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) tent at the 2025 Illinois State Fair will be bustling with activity this year as representatives from the agency will be on hand to welcome families and share information about the department. Visitors to the tent, located on Central Ave., will learn how they can create bright futures for children through foster care, adoption or guardianship and speak to employment recruiters to learn about exciting job opportunities with the department and how to apply to join the DCFS team. Families are also invited to take pictures, play games and explore the children’s activity area. “Governor Pritzker challenged state agencies to create a theme around innovation in Illinois, and DCFS is proudly sharing our innovate work," said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller . “From launching our updated mandated reporter training which focuses on recognizing when a family needs support

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On This Day, Aug. 6, 1965…The Beatles released their fifth studio album Help!, which was the soundtrack to their film of the same name.The album produced three #1 singles, including the title track,…

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Heavy metal is coming to the Hamptons.Metallica will head to the famed seaside resort town for an intimate concert at the 250-capacity Stephen Talkhouse venue in Amagansett, New York.The show will take place on…

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CHICAGO – With summer almost over and the start of school just around the corner, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning Illinoisans to be wary of back-to-school scammers trying to take advantage of students and their families. Back-to-school scammers, like all scammers, try to trick consumers into paying for services or items that they will likely never receive or sharing personal data that scammers can use to steal consumers’ identities. “Consumers should not let the stress and expense of returning to the classroom keep them from doing their due diligence when buying school supplies online, getting test prep help or filling out scholarship applications,” Raoul said. “My office provides advice and resources to help people avoid identity theft and assist those who think their information may have been compromised. I encourage people to visit my office’s website for more details.” Attorney General Raoul encourages consumers shopping for school

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BELLEVILLE - The 1st Annual ROCK THE BLUE Event, co-hosted by COPPER FIRE, VENUE ON MAIN & RACHEL’S SIDEBAR was a raving success, thanks to the 40+ businesses & organizations and additional volunteers that stepped up to the plate, to make it all happen! “This entire event was truly a “Labor of Love” for Downtown Belleville Business Owners Renae Eicholtz (Copper Fire), Conni Tilley (Venue on Main) and Rachel Speichinger (Rachel’s Sidebar) who put the entire event together in less than 6 weeks, to benefit the three Fairview Heights Police Officers officers injured in the line of duty in May 2025. “We had talked about doing an event initially to support our Belleville Police Department downtown, but when this tragic event happened, we were all on board with assisting the Fairview Heights police department instead, with Chief Matt Eiskant and Lt. Col. Mark Heffernan from Belleville Police Department agreed that we should support our neighboring community

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