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April 26 and 27 have marked a variety of significant moments throughout history, spanning scientific breakthroughs, political shifts, and cultural milestones. Arguably the most impactful event associated with April 26 occurred in 1986, when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster unfolded in the Soviet Union. This catastrophic nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, remains one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. On April 26, the reactor number four exploded during a safety test, releasing massive amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The event had immediate and long-term consequences, including widespread evacuation, health crises, environmental contamination, and a reevaluation of nuclear safety protocols worldwide. The disaster underscored the risks associated with nuclear energy and triggered international efforts to improve nuclear plant safety. Going back several centuries, on April 26, 1607, the English ship Godspeed set sai

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The woman was identified as Nyla Simmons of the 1300 block of Orchard Lakes Drive, in unincorporated St. Louis County.

SPRINGFIELD — As the U.S. Department of Education announced it will resume collections of defaulted federal student loans in its portfolio, Attorney General Kwame Raoul urges student loan borrowers to avoid collections by taking the necessary steps to avoid or get out of default. Raoul is also warning student loan borrowers to be on the lookout for scam calls, emails and letters from fraudsters pretending to be loan servicers or promising debt relief. “The last thing any student borrower needs when attempting to address their student loan debt is to become a victim of student loan repayment scams,” Raoul said. “Reviewing key information, including checking your servicer’s contact information, website log-in credentials and the status of your loan, is a first step to protecting yourself from scammers. If your loan is in default or you are at risk of defaulting on your loan, contact your student loan servicer to discuss your options.” Getting

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois students struggling to obtain traditional college loans have a new option to borrow money for in-state higher education costs thanks to a new program Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs unveiled today. The new Funding U Illinois No-Cosigner Loan is part of the Student Empowerment Fund , Treasurer Frerichs’ plan to provide private college loans for Illinois residents at lower rates than private competitors and help bridge the gap with federal financial aid. The No-Cosigner Loan joins ISL Education Lending’s Illinois Partnership Loan and Illinois College Family Loan options. “The costs of college continue to rise, and the chaos in Washington is hurting, not helping our families,” Frerichs said at a Thursday news conference at 555 W. Monroe. “Financial aid often doesn’t cover all of the costs, and we are offering a solution to help students bridge the gap.” Funding U is working with the State Treasurer’s Office

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MASCOUTAH – MidAmerica St. Louis Airport today announced a new record of more than 40,000 passengers served during the month of March, continuing an overall trend of positive passenger growth. The airport saw a 47% increase in passenger traffic compared to March 2024, when 27,000 passengers traveled through its terminal. This noteworthy milestone in passenger growth also marks a 23% increase from March 2022, which held the previous record of more than 32,000 passengers. “The sustained growth at MidAmerica Airport is very exciting and it’s due to numerous factors,” said St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern. “Passengers can count on easy access from Interstate 64, hassle-free parking and efficient airport and security operations, and they appreciate Allegiant’s strong route network serving several popular vacation spots at affordable rates.” MidAmerica St. Louis Airport offers nonstop flights year-round or on a seasonal basis to a host of popular

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that Summer EBT benefits will be issued to families for the 2024-25 school year starting in May. The Summer EBT program aims to provide essential support to economically disadvantaged children during the summer months, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals. IDHS and ISBE are working together to inform families facing food insecurity about the eligibility process for Summer EBT this year. Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120. "No child should ever have to wonder where their next meal will come from — not during the school year and not during the summer. With the Summer EBT program, Illinois is ensuring our most vulnerable children have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive," said Governor JB Pritzker. "After becoming one of the first states to successfully launch this assistance program last summer,

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EDWARDSVILLE – Nominations are open for the City’s long-running Green Thumb Awards program, which honors some of the most eye-catching gardens, landscaped areas and floral settings in Edwardsville. Have you spotted a beautiful yard that dazzles with color and contrast? Is there a flower-filled patch, a gorgeous garden or an artfully landscaped spot at a residence, business or other site that deserves recognition? The Green Thumb Awards are an easy way to honor the time and effort that has gone into projects that help beautify the City. Nomination categories include residential, neighborhood (or block or subdivision), commercial and civic settings. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. Green Thumb recipients receive an award sign to place on site for about a month to publicly tout the recognition. Award eligibility guidelines, an online nomination form and photos and lists of recent winners are available at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/greenthumb The deadline

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A man was charged Saturday with murdering his wife after he told police he did not want her to die in a nursing home.

Swink said she was toppled out of her chair and dragged across the floor.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on April 16-18, 2025, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests 34 Felony Charges 37 Criminal Charges 60 Firearm Related Charges 31 Firearms Seized 18 Controlled Substance Seized 9.7 grams Stolen Vehicles Recovered 2 There were several notable events and arrests during the detail. On April 16, 2025, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm and a large amount of illegal cannabis. One subject was taken into custody.

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE’s Lovejoy Library will host a special event to commemorate Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, community members are invited to Lovejoy Library on the SIUE campus for “An Afternoon of Traditional Chinese Music.” Four artists with the Nanjing Music Ensemble will perform traditional Chinese music and share history about Chinese musical traditions. “I would just encourage people to show up,” said Simone Williams, Diversity and Engagement Librarian at SIUE. “ It’s a way to have community with other people, to learn other people’s cultures.” Williams explained that she didn’t originally plan to bring the Nanjing Music Ensemble to campus. But after a successful Lunar New Year celebration at Lovejoy Library, a few students and faculty members asked if she would consider collaborating with the ensemble for APIDA Heritage Month. Not onl

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Bill McClellan writes: Spring cleaning takes on a certain urgency as a person gets older. If you don’t start throwing stuff away, who is going to want it?

The federal government is reversing the termination of legal status for international students around the U.S. after many filed court challenges against the Trump administration crackdown, government lawyers said Friday.

Rob Eckman and Steve Mathews wanted to be closer to family, so the opportunity to open a bookstore motivated them to sell their Utah home and make the jump.

Climate progress is actually good business.

ST. LOUIS – The Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is hosting Holocaust Remembrance Day at Congregation Temple Israel. Survivors, their families, and area leaders will honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the holocaust. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will take place at Temple Israel on Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Drive. [...]