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Major Prizes Available: Plein Air Art Contest Inspires Artists to Protect Public Lands

1 month ago
ALTON - Local artists can compete in a plein air art competition while supporting local recreation areas. From May 1–31, 2026, artists over age 16 are encouraged to draw or paint the scenery in person at up to eight featured Rivers Project recreation areas. You can then pay a $25 submission fee to be entered for the chance to win several prizes. All submissions will be displayed in an art exhibit at the National Great Rivers Museum through August. “We definitely want to capitaliz

Godfrey Village Board Delays Architectural Agreement For Rec Center

1 month ago
GODFREY – Plans to build a recreation center in Godfrey are temporarily on hold after a trustee requested more time to review key details. Village Board members voted unanimously on April 21, 2026 to delay an agreement for architectural services from AAIC, the firm selected last month to provide a proposal for the rec center . Trustee Rick Lauschke said given the significant time spent working out the final details of an updated gaming ordinance , he has not yet had time to review

Arkansas Tried To Pass An Unconstitutional Social Media Law. Again. It Lost. Again.

1 month ago
Back in 2023, Arkansas passed a social media age verification law so poorly drafted that the bill’s own sponsor couldn’t accurately describe who it covered. The law appeared to exempt TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube while the sponsor publicly claimed those were the exact platforms being targeted. When the state’s own expert witness testified that Snapchat […]
Mike Masnick

Alton Students Enjoy "In-House Field Trip" with Portable Planetarium Presentation

1 month ago
ALTON - Students at East Elementary School in Alton were starstruck during a special portable planetarium presentation. On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, students loaded into SIUE’s StarLab, a mobile planetarium that travels to different schools for presentations. Students could stargaze and learn about different planets, all from their gymnasium. Rene Hart, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the Alton Community Unit School District #11, noted that students “loved”

Alton Multi-Sport Athlete Initiates Major One-Day Shoe Collection Fundraiser

1 month ago
ALTON - If you have old athletic shoes to get rid of, Alton High School junior Allison Pruitt and some friends are organizing a major one-day shoe drive on May 2, 2026, at Alton High School to collect paired tennis shoes for a fundraiser benefiting vision and hearing programs and services while keeping sneakers out of landfills. Other key volunteers at the event will be some of Pruitt's close friends - Lydia Schrumpf, Caroline Cannon, and McKenna Dondanville. The drive i

US Senate Dems to force votes on rising costs, immigration crackdown in marathon session

1 month ago
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats will use the unlimited number of amendment votes they are allowed on Republicans’ budget resolution to illustrate policy differences on cost-of-living issues and immigration activities.  “We are for reducing costs for the American people, whether it’s housing or whether it’s health care or […]
Jennifer Shutt

Trump proposal to halt funding for minority-serving colleges criticized by Dems, advocates

1 month ago
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats, advocates, students and leaders on Wednesday blasted attempts by President Donald Trump’s administration to do away with funding for minority-serving institutions in higher education.   U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono led a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol that called on the administration to fully fund and protect the more than 800 minority-serving institutions, […]
Shauneen Miranda