Aggregator

CHAMPAIGN — Building on efforts to bolster reproductive health in Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker signed two bills to protect reproductive rights by safeguarding medical professionals and making contraception and the abortion pill more available across the state. Gov. Pritzker signed an expanded state shield law ( HB3637 ) protecting health care providers from discipline for providing health care services that are lawful in Illinois, and HB3709 which requires public colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center. While Trump’s anti-choice agenda has fueled unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom in states across the nation, Illinois continues to enshrine women’s access to critical care into state law. “Six years ago, I made a promise to the women of this state: As governor, I will ensure that your medical decisions will be your own. And we elected a General Assembly

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The largest student cohort to date of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Summer Success Program (SSP) took one more step toward degree completion when they celebrated the ending of their summertime academics. “You have so much to be proud of and to be in anticipation of, because you all did so well in the program,” said SSP Director Kelly Atkins, EdD. Atkins encouraged the 84 students who completed the five-week program. The 2025 Summer Success Closing Ceremony was held Friday, Aug. 8 in the Legacy Room of SIUE’s Morris University Center. SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, was among the SSP faculty, staff and supporters who came out to wish the students well. “We were excited to praise our incoming college first-year students who elected to pursue an early start to their college careers,” said Letrice “Lee” Young, EdD, SSP coordinator. Throughout the program, participants lived in University

Continue Reading

DU QUOIN – Fairgoers at the 2025 Du Quoin State Fair will find no shortage of free entertainment throughout the grounds. With free admission and a wide variety of performances and attractions available at no cost, families can enjoy a full day of fun without worrying about their wallets. “We recognize that families may be experiencing tough times financially, and entertainment dollars are stretched thin,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture . “Expanding free entertainment options keeps the fair affordable, allowing families to make memories that last a lifetime.” Inside the free entertainment tent, located on the north side of Midway, music acts for all ages entertain fairgoers looking to get out of the heat and off their feet. This tent offers plenty of room for little ones to move around, and plenty of seating to enjoy your favorite fair food. Below are some highlights of free fair. Visit our website to find

Continue Reading

ALTON – Four people from the Riverbend region and beyond face felony charges for stolen vehicle possession in separate cases out of Madison County. The following individuals have been charged with offenses related to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony: Paul R. Owens, 38, of Alton Brett R. Lowder, 39, of East Alton Jonathan A Graves, 33, of Wilsonville, Ill. (two counts) Maureen A. Myers, 56, of Holly, Mich. Owens was charged with knowingly possessing a stolen 2014 Jeep Patriot bearing an Illinois registration number on June 29, 2025. Lowder is accused of possessing a 2001 Suzuki GS500 motorcycle, also with an Illinois registration number, which he knew to be stolen on July 17, 2025. Graves allegedly possessed two knowingly stolen motorcycles on July 17, 2025, a 2020 Kawasaki and 2001 Suzuki GS500, both bearing Illinois registration numbers. He was additionally accused of burglarizing a Cottage Hills residence with the intent of committing a theft. Myers was reportedly

Continue Reading

DU QUION – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Department of Public Health, Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and healthcare leaders from southern Illinois to discuss the impacts of Trump’s budget cuts on healthcare across rural areas of the state. The budget bill from Trump and congressional Republicans slashes Medicaid coverage for working families and endangers the stability of hospitals and care providers; rural hospitals across the nation are projected to lose $155 billion in funding as a result of the bill. “Rural hospitals are a critical lifeline for communities across Illinois. Not only are they one of the only providers of life-saving medical care for miles, they are often the backbone of rural economies,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans making devastating cuts to Medicaid, many of these rural healthcare providers will be at risk of closure, causing patients to lose care and staff to los

Continue Reading

Columnist Bill McClellan writes: The beginning of the new school year is a time of strange emotions for grandparents. We look at our kids and think, Weren’t we just them?

The community had big plans for the facility site, until the Trump administration ordered it to stay open, a move it extended this week.

A lawsuit filed Thursday accuses Ferguson Florissant School District of failing to intervene when former principal Cedric Gerald, who was charged in May with nine child sex crimes, abused a former student.

On the same night that occupants of a car opened fire on the highway, killing 16-year-old Colin Brown, federal agents were already investigating their suspected target.

A cold front will move through later today bringing dry and cool weather to the region. Ahead of the front on Saturday, clouds increase and thicken up and temperatures climb into the mid 80s. As the front moves through, it may squeeze out a few sprinkles, but this looks limited. Behind the front on Sunday, [...]

Jakob T. McKeage, in a jail jumpsuit, scrawled an apology in pencil and read it aloud in front of Associate Circuit Judge Julia Lasater.

Police said the woman was having a medical emergency and was revived by jail medical staffers. She was then rushed to a hospital.

Federal records reveal that the bullet that killed 16-year-old CBC hockey player Colin Brown last November was not intended for him. The new details come from our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The shooting occurred on I-55 South when an Audi pulled behind another car and opened fire, hitting the vehicle more than two [...]

ST. LOUIS - One of St. Louis' oldest festivals makes a return Saturday to Tower Grove Park. The St. Louis International Institute presents the annual Festival of Nations. Organizers spent much of the week setting up. It's the last-minute push before this weekend's event that has origins dating back to the 1920s. "The Festival of [...]