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Keisha Scarlett was hired in July 2023 and placed on leave one year later for an investigation of her hiring and spending practices.

EDWARDSVILLE - Two individuals from out of state face the same set of felony charges in two separate but related cases of money laundering. Michael J. Reese, 40, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Lester A. Vega, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas, were charged with two counts each of money laundering, all classified as Class 1 felonies. On Nov. 13, 2024, the two allegedly drove a Freightliner tractor-trailer through Madison County, Illinois. The vehicle was reportedly carrying approximately $255,000 in U.S. currency which was placed “in heat-sealed bags hidden behind a refrigerator.” According to court documents, the currency had been “criminally derived” and was concealed in an effort “to avoid a transaction reporting requirement.” The charges against both individuals were filed on Nov. 15, 2024. Both have since been granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt.

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s newest police officer was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, November 19, 2024. Officer Daniel Meredith graduated from the police academy in 2016 and worked as a full-time certified officer in Belleville, Illinois before coming to the Grafton police department in April 2024. The city is happy to officially welcome Officer Meredith to the force. The City Council accepted the retirement of Police Chief Eric Spanton, who has faithfully served the city and residents of Grafton since 2017 when he had just retired as a 28-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. The community is grateful for his service and guidance during his term of office. Grafton has greatly benefited from his experience and leadership and the police department is on solid footing because of these attributes. SGT Dave Womack was sworn in as Interim Chief of Police and will work with retired Chief Spanton to ensure good communication and a smooth transition. SGT Womack

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On This Day, Nov. 21, 1991 ...Aerosmith made their debut on The Simpsons, becoming the first rock band to appear on the Fox animated series.The episode, Flaming Moe’s, revolved around Homer creating a…

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Police Officer Isom Thomas Gillham is finally receiving recognition after being killed in the line of duty in 1852. During the Madison County Board’s regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor shared information about Gillham, one of the first police officers to be killed in the line of duty in Madison County. Connor explained that Gillham will be recognized on the Madison County Fallen Officer Memorial that they are currently working to build at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve recently been working to create a new Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office, and in that process, we’ve been doing some research, locating a Madison County Sheriff Constable we found out that had been killed in the line of duty that was not recognized,” Connor said. “And what we found out is that on Dec. 11, 1852, we found the deputy that was killed in the line of duty in

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ST. LOUIS - The Precautionary Boil Water Advisory that was issued by the City of St. Louis Water Division on Nov. 19, 2024 for portions of North and South city has been lifted effective 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The Water Division conducted several tests on water samples collected in the affected areas and has verified the water is not contaminated and is safe to consume.

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The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett, who was found guilty of falsely reporting a 2019 hate crime, after he argued that the State's second prosecution was a due process violation.

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural disaster response and recovery funding is on track to sail through the U.S. Senate after both Republicans and Democrats expressed strong support during a Wednesday hearing. Members of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, however, voiced concerns with how the federal government prepares for […]

The 1904 World’s Fair was a fascinating yet complex event that continues to evoke a range of emotions. It was grand and shameful. It was full of fun and full […]

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LGBTQIA+ people have been part of St. Louis from the beginning. But until recently, their lives, struggles, and contributions have often been overlooked. In Gateway to Pride, the Missouri History Museum […]

The post Gateway to Pride Exhibit appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Presented by the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, The Artist Who Captured Eichmann is a captivating temporary exhibition that tells the exciting exploits of Peter Malkin, a Mossad agent […]

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ST. LOUIS - After more than a year of soliciting ideas and feedback from the public, the Board of Aldermen will now determine how to direct the Rams settlement to address a range of resident-backed, city-wide priorities. Members of the public identified six priority areas for funding in January 2024. The most important issues to residents were water and street infrastructure, Downtown streets and sidewalks, subsidized child care for city residents, and the establishment of a revolving redevelopment loan fund to support distressed areas throughout the city. Public hearings on specific topics began in May 2024 where experts and advocates presented the estimated cost of those ideas and their feasibility. Previous public hearings held in Fall 2023 reported on data collected on priority challenges identified by residents and which resident-submitted policy ideas received the greatest support. The final online phase of the public engagement process invites the public to review legislative

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is releasing an economic impact report, which shows SIUE’s role as an economic engine in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan Area. SIUE leaders will also share details of future growth potential in the area. Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, will address the following: A 2023 fiscal year report that includes generated revenue, job growth and SIUE students, personnel and visitor expenditures in the surrounding area SIUE’s commitment to community and the region Return on investment for students, the State of Illinois and the 60% of SIUE alumni who continue to reside in the area SIUE Points of Pride and Public Impacts Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Jebaraj Asirvatham, PhD, in agricultural and applied economics and Scott Gilbert, PhD, in economics, who authored the report, will be in attendance. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality

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