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position from “day one.” Riley is expected to ascend to the House Speaker post in 2027, especially since the GOP is widely expected to have a continued majority after the 2026 election. As speaker, Riley will have the ability to form committees and decide where certain bills go for hearings. “That's where you have the most ability to impact change and do positive things for the state,” Riley said during a recent interview on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. “So it's definitely something I was interested in. I didn't necessarily know for sure that that was going to all work out that way. But I was interested in it.”

Illinois Department of Transportation crews worked early Sunday, Jan. 26, 2026, to clear state highways across the region amid challenging winter conditions, officials said. Joe Monroe, an operations engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, reported around 9 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2026, that all state highways remained open. Monroe and his crews were actively clearing routes throughout the region. He said the plowing operation had been ongoing for the past 24 hours. Monroe had visited

BELLEVILLE - Consumers have the opportunity to learn more about local companies and contractors at the upcoming Home Expo. From Feb. 27 through March 1, 2026, the Home Expo invites consumers to Belle Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville for the chance to connect with local home and remodeling companies. Hosted by the Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association, the Home Expo promises three days of fun and information for homeowners. “Are you ready for this? We have over 180 booths

ROXANA — At approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, a piece of operating equipment at the Wood River Refinery, located at 900 South Central Avenue in Roxana, Illinois, tripped, prompting a safety response, refinery officials said. In accordance with safety protocols, the affected unit depressurized through the refinery’s flaring system, a safety device designed to release excess gases. The flare, which is visible to the surrounding community, was activated

Residents were greeted Sunday morning to several inches of snow blanketing Missouri and Illinois.

ST. LOUIS — Ongoing heavy snowfall continues to disrupt travel across the St. Louis area Sunday morning, Jan. 25, 2026, with an additional 1 to 5 inches expected through the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. As of 9 a.m, Sunday, Collinsville reported the highest area snowfall total with 9 inches. Lambert International Airport in St. Louis recorded 8.8 inches, while Brighton, Grafton, and Edwardsville reported between 7.5 and 7.8 inches. National Weather Service in St

Heavy Snow Expected Until Evening: Travel Difficulties Anticipated

MADISON COUNTY/ST. LOUIS - At approximately 4:20 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Silverado on Nameoki Road in Granite City for a traffic violation and to investigate suspected criminal activity, according to Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido. The driver fled, prompting a multi-jurisdictional vehicle pursuit that extended through Granite City, unincorporated areas, and neighboring cities. Pulido said several local police departments

Dozens of cases are in limbo as St. Louis argues it no longer has liability or control over police documents. The reason? The state takeover of city police.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approved a fiscal year 2027 recommended budget that increases funding to continue to support the implementation of the higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois , meant to remove barriers and advance equity across the state’s higher education system. The approved budget recommends an overall 4.5% increase, which represents an increase of $121.5 million, in higher education funding, excluding the State University