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Alton Police Department's K9 Rico To Get Donation Of Body Armor

2 months ago
ALTON — The Alton Police Department’s K9 Rico will soon be outfitted with a new bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest, which is expected to be delivered within ten weeks, was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s and will be embroidered with the message “In memory of Odin - EOW 8/22/24.” The protective gear is designed to help safeguard Rico while he serves alongside Officer Archer in

United Way of Greater St. Louis Celebrates $264,000 Raised Through Divine 9 Challenge

2 months ago
ST. LOUIS, MO. – The United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) Charmaine Chapman Society’s (CCS) Divine 9 members raised over $264,000 through its Divine 9 Challenge, an initiative of UWGSL’s Black philanthropy efforts. The challenge among CCS members from Black Fraternities and Sororities in the St. Louis Region provides a friendly fundraising competition. Each CCS member gives an annual donation of $1,000 or more to UWGSL, which helps 160 local nonprofits that UWGSL funds.

Budzinski Calls Out Dollar Store Pricing as Shoppers Face Higher Everyday Costs  

2 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), led 29 Members of Congress in a letter to Dollar Store and Family Dollar raising concerns over widespread price discrepancies at locations nationwide. The letter follows a recent Guardian investigation that found items at these stores routinely ring up at checkout for significantly more than their posted shelf prices – and that, in many cases, stores fail to honor the lower price. “At a time when Americans

Collinsville Police Charge 2 In Felony DUI Cases

2 months ago
COLLINSVILLE – Two local men accused of driving under the influence in Collinsville face felonies in their latest DUI cases. Jacob J. Rieken, 31, of East St. Louis, was charged on Dec. 11, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated driving while under the influence. Rieken allegedly drove a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol on Vandalia Street in Collinsville on Nov. 7, 2025. Charging documents note this was Rieken’s third DUI violation, having previously

Alton High School to Offer Hands-On Learning Opportunities in Healthcare and Construction

2 months ago
ALTON - Alton High School students will have the opportunity to take a few new courses next school year. During the Dec. 16, 2025, regular meeting of the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education, the Board unanimously approved the high school’s plan to offer Health Careers I, Health Careers II, and Introduction to Construction Trades. These classes will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. “The passion behind these two programs is just amazing,”

Florida prosecutor agrees: Photography is not a crime

2 months ago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York, Dec. 18, 2025 — Photojournalist Dave Decker was arrested in November while documenting a protest in Miami, Florida. A coalition of 23 press organizations spoke out against the charges — and this week the prosecutor agreed.

The following statement can be attributed to Adam Rose, deputy director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF):

“Journalists have a distinct role at protests. They are not participants, merely observers. A broad local and national coalition said this in unison, and we were glad to see all charges dropped against Dave Decker. Hats off to his attorneys, lawyers for the Florida State Attorney’s Office and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and all the community groups who rallied to his side.

“At the same time, that’s a lot of people who had to work on something entirely preventable. I hope law enforcement officers take this to heart: Swearing an oath to protect the community means protecting everyone — including press. This is an opportunity for agencies like the sheriff’s office and Florida Highway Patrol to take proactive steps and review training approaches. Freedom of the Press Foundation is happy to help.

“And of course, it would be nice to see an apology to Dave and an offer to fix any of his equipment they damaged.”

Read the coalition’s letter:

Please contact us if you would like further comment.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

After years of flexibility, Missouri employers call workers back to the office

2 months ago
Earlier this year, Gov. Mike Kehoe’s administration sent an internal memo to Missouri state employees requiring their return to office by late March. Across the state and throughout the country, other employers, including AT&T, JPMorgan and Ford, have taken similar steps this year. With 2025 marking half a decade since the beginning of COVID-19, the […]
Bella Zielinski