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GRANITE CITY – A man from Granite City accused of being part of a “street gang” faces felony charges for possessing an illegally modified firearm. Blake A. Giles Jr., 23, of Granite City, was charged on May 15, 2025, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member and unlawful use of weapons – machine gun, both Class 2 felonies. Giles is accused of being “a member of a street gang” who unlawfully possessed a Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun, which had been illegally modified with a switch to make the weapon fire automatically. He also reportedly had no valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. According to a petition to deny Giles’s pretrial release from custody, the investigation began after Giles was seen armed with the weapon in a music video on YouTube. “The Venice Police Department received an email directing them to a video posted on YouTube on March 16, 2025,” the petition states.

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverbender building, located at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. You’ll be in the know on topics from the evening’s featured speakers: Andi Campbell, Deputy Director of Planning & Development, will speak about the City of Alton’s forthcoming comprehensive planning process Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge Innovation Center, will present about amenities of this innovation hub and coworking space Hugh Halter will share details of the partnership to bring Good News Brewing microbrews and wood fired pizza to Post Commons Sean and Tish Emerick will announce

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department announced the addition of three new officers to its ranks on this week. Officers Poole, Jackson, and Hernandez are set to begin their training at the police academy next week. The Police Department expressed optimism about the new officers' future contributions to both the force and the Belleville community. Belleville Police's move reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen local law enforcement and enhance public safety in the area.

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ST. LOUIS – No two ways about it, it’s been a wild and wet spring – literally. From March 14—the day we had 12 tornadoes—until the beginning of May, we’ve had more rain and severe weather than a normal spring, more than any spring of recent memory. Now, as temperatures start to warm, we’ll see [...]

The start of hurricane season is nearing. Starting June 1, our eyes will be locked on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf as tropical systems develop. Each tropical cyclone, once it reaches or exceeds a wind speed of 39 miles per hour, is referred to by name.

A former EPA official warns exemption for some coal-fired power plants could be the first step toward gutting pollution rules for all plants.

Bill McClellan writes: It seems to me a child with the sensitivity and perception required to become a pope — or a newspaper columnist — can see beyond the artificial boundaries of south side, north side.

Several attractions around St. Louis will be closed after Friday's storm damage. Here's what we know.

John Amanchukwu has threatened a lawsuit against the Francis Howell School District after he was told to leave.

Individuals needing a safe place to stay are encouraged to come to a shelter

An intense storm system ripped through St. Louis and several suburbs on Friday, including Clayton, Missouri, which noticed some significant damage in several neighborhoods.

Bruno David Gallery is pleased to present Upended, a sculpture installation by multi-disciplinary artist Judith Shaw. This is Shaw’s second solo exhibition with Bruno David Gallery. ‘Upended’ is part of […]

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