Aggregator

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.8 percent in February, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised January unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent. The Illinois unemployment rate was down -0.1 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.9 percent. The national unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February, up +0.1 percentage point from the previous month, making the state’s unemployment +0.7 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate. Illinois nonfarm payrolls remained nearly unchanged in February at -6,500 (-0.1%), while the January monthly change in payrolls was revised from -1,100 to -4,400. The industry sectors with over-the-month job increases included: Construction (+2,900), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,300), and Professional and Business Services (+1,900). The industry

Continue Reading

Three protests against the Trump administration’s cost-cutting campaign lined streets on Saturday, at the Gateway Arch and at Tesla dealerships, in south St. Louis County and, set for the afternoon, in Chesterfield.

Columnist Bill McClellan asks: What is life like for one of the grandchildren of Margaret, who had 22 children?

"We heard the community's feedback and are making changes that reflect those concerns," Tom Blair, MoDOT's St. Louis district engineer, said Friday in a statement.

ST. LOUIS – An 18-year-old man is recovering after being shot in the Baden neighborhood early Saturday morning. The shooting happened on Switzer Avenue off Christian Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the victim in the backyard of his home suffering from gunshot wounds to his lower body. The teen told police he was standing [...]

GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School's Drama Series One-Act Play cast and crew have achieved a significant milestone, winning first place at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sectional for their performance of the stage play "Almost, Maine." The team is set to advance to the State Final, which will take place in Oak Lawn, on March 28, 2025. This opportunity marks an important moment for the students involved, showcasing their dedication and talent in the performing arts. The success at the sectional level highlights the commitment of the Granite City School District #9 to fostering artistic expression and providing students with a platform to showcase their skills.

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - An 1881 U.S. $10 gold coin, an 18-karat yellow gold chain link bracelet, and a baseball card with a piece of Joe DiMaggio’s bat are among the unclaimed property items being auctioned online from March 28 through April 6, 2025. The spring online auction also includes vintage pocket watches, currency notes from various countries, and 25 1 oz. 999 fine silver rounds. “Our online auction is open to everyone --- not just collectors. It’s a convenient way for people to shop for their personal collection or find a one-of-a-kind gift, like a piece of a Joe DiMaggio baseball bat,” said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, whose office oversees unclaimed property in Illinois. A total of 100 lots will be auctioned, some featuring multiple items. To view auction items, go to the catalog on the HiBid website. Prospective bidders first must sign up on HiBid and create an account. There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to go to hibid.com

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department in Illinois has recognized two officers for their exemplary service through the Officer of the Month award. Officer Trent Ross received the honor for January 2025, while Officer Brian Joy was acknowledged for February 2025. Both officers were commended for their commitment to proactive policing, a key principle of the department's approach to law enforcement. The department highlighted the collaborative efforts of Officer Ross and his K9 partner, who contributed significantly to his success in the field. The Collinsville Police Department expressed gratitude for the dedication shown by both officers in serving the community. The recognition serves to emphasize the importance of teamwork and community-oriented policing within the department.

Continue Reading

ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust , Dave Wilson encouraged people to realize that God’s blessing is right in front of them. Wilson noted that God is present in everyone’s life. He believes that God is with us even — or especially — during difficult times, and every challenge is a blessing in disguise. God has a plan for all of us, and Wilson encourages people to trust in Him. “None of this takes away from my blessings. My blessings are for me and in front of me at all times,” he said. “God wants nothing more from each and every one of us but to take a step in the right direction and show up. Every moment that we show up, our blessing lies directly in front of us.” Wilson, who owns Wilson Tree Service in Godfrey, shared that he recently spent $11,000 repairing a chipper that then completely broke down three months later. Instead of getting frustrated or upset, Wilson turne

Continue Reading

Spring into Healthy Habits with Dairy Spring is an inspiring time of rebirth and renewal. As nature wakes up from winter, St. Louis District Dairy Council encourages you to take a fresh look at your self-care routine. With the colder months behind us, it makes sense to explore new ways to improve your health and wellness. It may be as easy as adding outdoor physical activity to enjoy the warmer weather or adjusting your afternoon snack choices. So, celebrate the change of seasons and spring into health this month with simple changes. Rethink your diet Spring is all about new beginnings, fresh starts and hope for new opportunities. It is also the perfect time to take a closer look at eating habits to improve health. Focus on foods that nourish your body like yogurt parfaits with berries, omelets with vegetables and cheese, and salads with fresh produce. As you welcome the new season, take an inventory of food shopping habits as well. Spend more time in the produce section and select

Continue Reading

Plant of the Week: Asparagus April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award Register for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities. Also see Get rid of a stinky Bradford pear tree, get a free Missouri native tree (St. Louis Public Radio) Seed St. … Continue reading This Week in Gardening & Nature →

Ongoing rain and a few thunderstorms continue toward the metro. How long this rain lasts and how far east they make it will directly impact what happens later with additional thunderstorm development. The cold front will continue to push east through our region and as our atmosphere destabilizes a bit later, storms will redevelop. These [...]

March 30th has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history, spanning various fields including politics, science, culture, and more. As we delve into the annals of history, let’s explore some of the notable occurrences that took place on this day, showcasing the rich tapestry of human achievements and challenges. The Global Impact of the 1979 Three Mile Island Incident One of the most pivotal events in the history of energy production and nuclear safety occurred on March 30, 1979, when the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial meltdown. This incident marked the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history and raised significant concerns about the safety of nuclear energy. The reactor's cooling system failed, leading to a release of radioactive gases, though no injuries or deaths were reported. The aftermath of the incident led to widespread public fear about nuclear energy and spurred significant regulatory

Continue Reading

Did you know that engaging in creative hobbies can significantly boost your mental health, increasing feelings of happiness and even reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression? According to various studies, creative expression can lead to higher levels of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, enhancing our overall well-being. As we seek ways to enrich our lives, why not dive into a creative hobby that not only cultivates joy but also fosters personal growth? Here are some unique hobbies to consider this spring that promise to ignite your passion and enhance your creativity. 1. Upcycling: Transforming Trash into Treasure Upcycling is a brilliant way to tap into your creativity while being environmentally conscious. This hobby involves taking discarded items and repurposing them into something functional or beautiful. For instance, old furniture can be given new life with a fresh coat of paint, or glass jars can be turned into stylish candle holders. Practical Tips: Start

Continue Reading

With a $4.5 trillion fight over tax cuts looming, the oil and gas industry wants to protect billions of dollars in tax benefits it enjoys and get new ones, too.