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St. Louis' gross domestic product growth from 2022 to 2023 ranked 16th among the biggest U.S. metros, according to new estimates.

ALTON — Rochelle Bewley is organizing a fundraiser to support the family of Darwyn E. “Dar” Bryant, who died unexpectedly on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 64. The campaign aims to assist with funeral expenses that the family is struggling to cover. Bryant served as the director of the Dream Center of Alton, where he was known for his commitment to helping those in need. He was also an active member of The River Church, contributing as a producer in the media department. In addition to his community service, Bryant authored a book titled “360 Degrees: Full Circle” and had a passion for buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Dar and his wife, Valerie, married on Aug. 31, 1999. She survives, along with his children, Alisha (Ron) McKee of Godfrey, Rochelle "Nikki" (Jeff) Bewley of Shepherdstown, WV, Christopher Travis Bryant of Gilbert, Ariz., and Kendal Catuccio of New Baden; and four grandchildren, Alexis, Alayna, Addyson, and Isla, as well as twins

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JERSEYVILLE/BELLEVILLE - A local Santa recently received a note from a little girl who came to visit him. The note read, “Dear Santa, can I have my dad back?” Santa gave her a hug and promised to pray for her. He wrote her name down in a little red book and prayed for her every night for a week, and then he prays every day for all of the names in that book — the kids who have asked for things Santa can’t deliver. There’s the girl who asked Santa to help her dad get out of prison. There’s a boy who asked for bug spray because his house had a lot of bugs. Though Santa can’t fix everything, he did work with Got Faith? Ministry in Jerseyville to send an exterminator to that boy’s house. Steve Pegram, the founder of Got Faith?, explained that he is Santa’s cousin. He helped RiverBender.com get in touch with Santa ahead of the busy Christmas holidays, and Santa has a message for all the kids and families out there this year

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ALTON - On Giving Tuesday, the Alton Police Department engaged in a community initiative aimed at providing new shoes to local children in need. Officers partnered with the organization All God's Children Shall Have Shoes to shop for the footwear, demonstrating their commitment to supporting families in the Alton area. The collaboration highlights the spirit of generosity that characterizes Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to charitable giving following the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Alton Police Department expressed pride in their involvement with the initiative, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. "We appreciate the support," said organizers from All God's Children Shall Have Shoes, acknowledging the police department's contributions to the shoe program.

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Named the No. 2 brewer in the world by RateBeer, Side Project Cellar will transform its Maplewood location at 2657 Lyle Ave. into the Polar Patio Pop-Up this holiday season. […]

The post Polar Patio Pop-Up appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

There’s little that’s more impermeable than the US border. I mean, people flow across it all the time, often without being vetted, but courts seem to agree the only thing that really matters is what border agencies are trying (and failing) to accomplish. Whatever rights need to be abridged, paused, or outright discarded are just […]

BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office celebrated the graduation of Session #130, welcoming a new officer to its ranks. Officer Cameron Bush completed the corrections training program and is set to contribute to the department. The ceremony recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates, with a special acknowledgment of Officer Bush’s achievements. “We extend our welcome to Officer Cameron Bush to our team and express our gratitude to his family for their support in allowing him to complete the corrections training program,” the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office stated. Officer Bush's successful completion of the program is seen as a valuable addition to the department, which continues to emphasize the importance of training and community support in law enforcement. The academy remains committed to preparing officers for the challenges they may face in their roles.

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Three papers released this year found poor financial results for consumers in states with legalized sports gambling.

GRANITE CITY - A three-hour standoff in Granite City concluded without incident Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 2024. The situation unfolded near the intersection of 24th Street and Washington Avenue, prompting a response from several officers from the Granite City Police Department. Details regarding the circumstances that led to the standoff have not yet been disclosed. Authorities reported that the situation was resolved peacefully, and no injuries were reported. The Granite City Police Department is expected to release more details as the investigation continues. More to come.

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The Train Shed at St. Louis Union Station has been transformed into a glittering holiday retreat. With wall-to-wall bling, The Sleigh Shed puts the excess of the holidays on full […]

The post The Sleigh Shed appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

On This Day, Dec. 5, 1974…Paul McCartney and Wings released their third album, Band on the Run, which became a huge hit and to this day remains McCartney’s most successful non-Beatles album.The album…

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is continuing to seek recovery of over $3.8 million in back wages and benefits for over 350 displaced workers after their employers abruptly closed. On October 30th, IDOL, through the Office of the Attorney General, filed three separate federal bankruptcy claims against Outfox Hospitality, LLC; Dom’s Kitchen and Market, LLC (Dom’s); and Foxtrot Market (Foxtrot) seeking back wages and benefits owed to its employees when the businesses failed to provide the required 60-day notice under the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). In April, Dom’s, Outfox, and Foxtrot informed workers the businesses were immediately closing. In response, IDOL notified the three businesses of their obligations to provide sufficient notice of closure under WARN and sought payroll records and other documents. While the businesses had initially indicated the need for additional time to provide the requested

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is proud to announce the receipt of a Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program grant. The grant, funded by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation, will support enhanced traffic safety enforcement efforts designed to save lives and reduce traffic crashes. “We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to increase our enforcement of impaired driving, seat belt, speeding and other traffic safety laws under the banners of ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ ‘Click It or Ticket,’ and ‘Drive High, Get a DUI,’” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “Our priority is ensuring the safety of everyone who uses our roadways by holding those who break the law accountable.” The STEP grant year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, enables the Edwardsville Police to conduct additional enforcement operations, particularly

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PARIS, FRANCE - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Mind the Bridge, and economic leaders for the Startup Ecosystems (SES) Awards in Paris, France. Representing Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Governor Pritzker made brief remarks and accepted an award on behalf of the State. “Across the world, governments, businesses, and NGOs are focusing more of their attention on building environments of innovation that can uplift emerging startups, light the fires of creativity, and harness human potential to not just drive prosperity – but also find solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is proud to be a recognized part of this global startup community. With each step we grow closer to conquering our greatest challenges and in the process, we create a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous world.” The SES Awards is

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is announcing a reduction in permits for controlled pheasant hunting for the 2024 season, which means some sites will have reduced permits available in the northern part of the state. Hunters should check the permit calendar on the controlled pheasant hunt website for permit availability. Sites with reduced permits for controlled pheasant hunting include: Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area in Will County Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in Kendall County Iroquois County State Fish and Wildlife Area Kankakee River State Park in Kankakee County Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County Green River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Lee County Due to a pheasant die-off at the Des Plaines Game Propagation Center, there are no longer enough birds to fulfill the original quotas established for the sites at the beginning of the season. IDNR has reduced the number of permits per

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are announcing changes to management responsibilities at the Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area . About 2,600 acres at Eckert’s Woods and Speaker Lake sub-impoundments will be returned to the USACE for wildlife management efforts. Prior to the management change, IDNR will take immediate action to remove the bridge at Eckert’s Woods. The primary access bridge to the area has failed due to frequent flood events, age, and natural deterioration. Demolition of the bridge is required to ensure public safety and avoid blocking the flow of the creek. The primary goal of the management change is to better focus limited IDNR funds on areas protected by the existing levee and water control system in sub-impoundments 1 and 2, and to allow the Corps of Engineers to focus its efforts on the rehabilitation necessary to make these areas manageable again. “IDNR

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Key Takeaways: A recent study warns that millions of young adults could face hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits. The biggest threats to our hearing are live music events and personal listening devices. Experts recommend wearing ear plugs, turn down the music and give your ears a break. Chris Workman, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare, loves to crank up his music from time to time. But since it’s his profession, he knows the dangers of loud noise and the lasting impact it can have on his hearing. “It stirs some emotion. It gets you pumped up,” says Dr. Workman. “It gets you if you're working out, you might crank some music. Some folks will listen to music for other emotions. Maybe they're feeling a different way, and cranking a song will bring them out of that depression or whatever they're going through.” But our listening habits could be doing more harm than good. Especially for younger people. A recent study published in

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Officers were called at about 7:10 p.m. to the scene on Coleman Street, police said.