Aggregator

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, and Oglesby Reinsurance Company (collectively, State Farm) alleging State Farm has refused to comply with a regulatory examination into its nationwide homeowners insurance business. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie following an examination the department launched in 2024. In November 2024, the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) opened an investigation into State Farm’s homeowners insurance policies and premiums. State Farm is the largest homeowners insurer in the country, and its premiums have risen drastically in recent years. “State Farm’s obstruction does not just violate the law. It prevents the Department of Insurance from obtaining information to help make sure all Illinois homeowners are being

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led all Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation in sending a letter to health insurance companies to request answers about how the potential expiration of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits would impact Illinoisans using the marketplace to purchase insurance. Today’s letter comes as the Republican-led government shutdown continues and Republican congressional leaders and President Trump refuse to extend the ACA tax credits that expire at the end of 2025. If these tax credits are not extended by the end of the year, more than four million Americans could lose their health coverage, and more than 20 million Americans are expected to see a significant rise in their premiums. “We are writing to request information about how the potential expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA; P.L. 111-148) enhanced premium tax

Continue Reading

WENTZVILLE, Mo. — A 17-year-old Belleville resident was killed Monday morning, Oct. 13, 2025, in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near Wentzville Parkway, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Dalton Lawrence Vonderheide was driving a 1993 Dodge Stealth while traveling eastbound on I-70 on Monday, according to an updated report released Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. A 2011 Spartan motor home driven by a 67-year-old man from Sycamore and a 2018 Mack truck driven by a man from Aiken, S.C., were also involved in the crash. Vonderheide was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:42 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, according to the Office of the Regional Medical Examiner in eastern Missouri. No other injuries were reported in the crash involving three vehicles. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Vonderheide’s family with funeral expenses. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, and other public lands will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2025 youth waterfowl hunts. Federal sites that fall under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) waterfowl administrative rule that will be open for the youth hunts also are listed below. At most sites, regulations that apply during the regular waterfowl hunting season apply during the youth hunt. Hunters should check for changes to site-specific regulations and procedures. During the youth hunt, the bag limits are the same as during regular seasons. Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters aged 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers if they are accompanied by an adult. The accompanying adult cannot hunt these species but may participate in other open season hunts if allowed at the site. Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license, youth hunting license, or apprentice hunting

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - The City of Grafton will soon have a ferry that runs seven days a week, 16 hours a day. Mayor Mike Morrow explained that the city recently won a $1.48 million grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to operate the ferry, connecting Grafton with the St. Charles, Missouri, area. Morrow believes the new ferry will boost tourism and also allow people to find jobs in the St. Louis region with an easier commute. “This is exceptional news, not just for Grafton, but for the entire region. As far as transportation, tying people together and so forth — it’s just exceptional,” Morrow said. “We’re just very blessed here in this little city.” Morrow noted that one of his 2021 campaign goals was to get a ferry operating seven days a week. In 2023, Grafton won a $250,000 IDOT grant to study the ferry system, including the Calhoun ferry and other regional ferries in the area. After this study, Grafton established a Ferry

Continue Reading

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, sent Ameren Corporation's CEO a letter raising questions about rate hikes and data center plans.

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the release of the remaining 20 living hostages held by Hamas: “Congratulations to President Trump for the historic Gaza agreement. We know there are still critical elements to be negotiated and settled but the release of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian prisoners is a good faith start. “Now let’s negotiate a political ceasefire on Capitol Hill.”

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - Award-winning author, speaker, and editor Jacqueline “Jackie” Duty is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with the release of two books that celebrate language, culture, and empowerment. Following the success of her beloved children’s book Dash the Dachshund , Duty has now launched a Spanish edition, Dash el Perro Salchicha , available on Amazon just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month. This charming story follows a curious dachshund on heartwarming adventures that teach courage, kindness, and friendship—now accessible to Spanish-speaking families and classrooms. Jackie has distributed over 500 copies of the original Dash the Dachshund to local students thanks to many local incredible sponsors including: Simmons Hanly Conroy Law Firm, Tania Interian – State Farm, Wilton Cattle Company, Fountain Hill Steak and Seafood, Grafton Music in the Park, Grafton Fudge and Ice Cream Shop, Grafton Limestone, Grafton Art Gallery, Box Mercantile, Fancy Nancy

Continue Reading

STL Subs announced that its Delmar location will close at the end of this week. The company said it was due to lower sales and the challenges of operating multiple locations spread across the St. Louis region. Earlier this year, several Goodcents locations in the St. Louis-area branched off to become STL Subs, meaning Goodcents still remains in operation as a separate entity. 

Knott has been with the station since January 2004.

GODFREY — The Heck Family lost nearly everything they owned in a fire that destroyed their home Tuesday evening, Oct. 14, 2025, in the 1200 block of Seasons Drive, according to a community organizer. April Marburger, who is helping coordinate relief efforts, said the family and their dog escaped the fire unharmed. “While they lost nearly everything they owned, we are deeply grateful that everyone, including their family dog, miraculously made it out alive,” Marburger wrote. The Heck Family now faces rebuilding their lives after the devastating loss. Neighbors have launched a GoFundMe campaign to provide financial support to the family. “Our hope is that we can ease their burden a bit by coming together to support them,” Marburger said. The fundraiser page is being managed with the family’s blessing and will provide updates as they become available. Click here for the GoFundMe.

Continue Reading

Jacob Linkous pleaded guilty Wednesday to six felony harassment charges and a fourth-degree assault charge.

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Danny Davis (D-IL-07), sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to demand answers about the Trump Administration’s decision to “put on hold” $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago’s infrastructure projects, including the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension Project and CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program. “On October 3, 2025, the OMB Director posted a social media announcement and the Federal Transit Administration subsequently sent letters to the CTA notifying the transit agency that the Administration was withholding disbursements of previously approved federal funding for these projects, totaling $2.1 billion dollars. The stated reason for this

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – Residents of Belleville and Granite City face felony domestic battery charges after allegedly strangling family or household members in separate cases. Marquis B. Orr, 34, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony), his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony), and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor) on Oct. 9, 2025. Orr allegedly intentionally strangled a household or family member on Sept. 6, 2025. He had previously been convicted of domestic battery in a prior case from 2011 out of St. Clair County. The Maryville Police Department presented the latest case against Orr, who was ordered remanded to jail for his initial appearance in court. A Granite City man also faces charges of Class 2 felony aggravated domestic battery and Class A misdemeanor domestic battery in a separate case. 27-year-old Jacob A. Williams was charged on Oct. 7, 2025 after allegedly strangling a household or family member

Continue Reading

With so many books in the Missouri Historical Society Collections, it is easy for something to be cataloged and never thought about again until it resurfaces for an exhibit. One such item is the focus of this post: a book of flute instruction exercises. It is in poor condition, and its title page is missing, …

Continue reading "The Mysterious Flute Book"