WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is demanding that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins block his agency’s plans to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use part of Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago’s property as the agency carries out Trump’s extreme immigration plans, which would jeopardize our Veterans’ access to the timely, high-quality care they earned through their service. In her letter to Secretary Collins, Duckworth detailed how redirecting VA resources away from the Department’s sacred mission of providing our heroes with the best care possible and toward the Trump Administration’s politically motivated invasion of the Chicagoland area would be disastrous for the thousands of Veterans who rely on Hines for their health care. “As a Hines patient myself, I have experienced the consequences of the limitations of the Hines VA Hospital parking
Among the attempts to create hagiographic eulogies of Charlie Kirk, I’ve seen more than a few people suggest that Kirk should be respected for being willing to talk to “those who disagree with him” as a sign that he was engaging in good faith. Perhaps the perfect example of this is Ezra Klein’s silly eulogy […]
President Donald Trump’s call to redraw U.S. House districts before the 2026 elections has led to a wave of political maneuvering among state-level Republicans and Democrats. Texas Republicans were the first to take up redistricting intended to help their party win more seats. Then came Democratic-led California and Republican-led Missouri. More states could be following, including Republican-led Indiana. Redistricting typically occurs once a decade, after each census. The current mid-decade redistricting is being driven partly by the close political margins in Congress. Democrats need to gain just three seats in next year's elections to take control of the House from Republicans.
Bob Dylan is getting ready to release another installment in his bootleg series.Bootleg Series Volume 18: Through the Open Window, 1956-1963 is described as “a unique account of Dylan’s early years, when…
Colorado is the riskiest state to park your car, with 73142 cars stolen in a year, while Missouri ranks 7th with 29815 cars stolen in a year, averaging 82 cars stolen per day.
GRAFTON - The community can support a local family after the passing of their two-month-old son. Colden Joseph Charles Wellhausen, born in June, passed unexpectedly in August 2025. From 6–10 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2025, at Hawg Pit in Grafton, community members can enjoy food, live music, raffle baskets, and more while raising money for Colden’s parents so they can take the time they need to grieve. “Everything was just so perfect, and it was ripped away from them so suddenly,” said Sunshine Lee, Colden’s grandmother. “It’s not going to comfort them in any way, and it can’t make peace for them, but it can maybe make it a little bit easier to be at home and be with their little girl, who is struggling right now with losing her little brother.” Lee explained that Colden’s parents — Paige and Blake — are selfless, hard-working people who just bought their first house. Colden was a “miracle,” their “rainbow
TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA) -- Just weeks before the second anniversary of a deadly HAZMAT disaster in Teutopolis, the National Transportation Safety Board released on Tuesday its final report on the disaster. The 27-page report, provided to WCIA by the Effingham County Coroner's Office, details the events of Sept. 29-30, 2023, and provides information about the [...]
O'FALLON, IL. - It has been a busy week for members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. On September 9, 2025, Collinsville Mayor Jeff Stehman presented the chapter a proclamation honoring Constitution Week. Earlier in the week, the chapter received proclamations from Shiloh Mayor Bob Weilmuenster and Lebanon Mayor Charles Witty. This celebration of the Constitution was started by the DAR. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The DAR has also erected a structure in Washington, D.C., that is built in tribute to the Constitution of the United States. DAR Constitution Hall, which is a performing arts center, opened in 1929. On September 11th, chapter members welcomed Illinois State Regent Marria Blinn and District VI Director
The warden fired from Jefferson City Correctional Center in the aftermath of an inmate’s death is suing the state, alleging she lost her job due to age, gender, racial and disability discrimination. Doris Falkenrath, who was fired on June 13, 2024, filed the lawsuit Aug. 27 in Cole County Circuit Court. When she was fired, […]
EDWARDSVILLE/WORDEN - The Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Guild of Organists has awarded its 2025 Scholarship Awards to two young musicians from the region. Thirteen-year-old Eve Curtis of Worden and 12-year-old Micah Krystowiak of Edwardsville each received $750 scholarships in August 2025 to support their organ studies. The scholarships, granted annually by the Southern Illinois Chapter of the AGO, recognize promising organ students from southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeastern Missouri. The awards cover the cost of organ instruction, organ literature, and membership in both the national AGO and the Southern Illinois Chapter. Eve Curtis has studied piano for nine years and organ for two years. In addition to her keyboard skills, she plays violin in her school orchestra. She regularly performs at her home church and often serves as a substitute organist for other congregations. Her organ instructor, Janet Muth, described Eve as having “wonderful talent
ST. LOUIS — Four-month-old quintuplet cheetah cubs are making their public debut at the Saint Louis Zoo, offering visitors a rare glimpse of the young felines as they explore their new habitat. Asha, Bozzie, Chirpa, Milani and Wickett, born May 5, 2025, to first-time parents Cora, 4, and Vader, 8, began accessing the cheetah habitat at River’s Edge on Sept. 17. The cubs will be visible to the public during limited morning hours, typically between 9 and 10 a.m., as they adjust to their environment. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but viewing times for the cubs are not guaranteed. The quintuplets, three males and two females, have spent their early months bonding with their mother and each other in a private habitat. The Animal Care Team has been gradually introducing them to new enrichment activities to support their development and prepare them for public appearances. “Cora’s cubs are lively as ever. They have distinct personalities and interact
On This Day, Sept. 17, 2024 ...John David "JD" Souther, solo artist and co-writer of many hits for the Eagles, died at his home in New Mexico. He was 78.Souther co-wrote such Eagles…
MASCOUTAH – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Mascoutah, Illinois man was sentenced to 43 years in prison for sexual assault and producing child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Zachery Ashby, 31, was sentenced today by St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Zina Cruse after pleading guilty to three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and two counts of production of child pornography, all Class X felonies. “This sentence will prevent other children from being abused and represents justice for the innocent children and families who were victimized through these heinous crimes,” Raoul said. “I am committed to helping victims and their families heal from trauma, including by holding the perpetrators accountable. My office
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Examining the Harm of AI Chatbots.” Durbin focused his questioning on the warning signs of children and adolescents being lured into unhealthy or harmful behavior, including self-harm or suicide, by AI chatbots. Durbin began by referring to a statistic in the opening statement of Mr. Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media. According to Common Sense Media polling, nearly three in four children have used an AI companion app while only 37 percent of parents know that their children are using AI. “As a caring parent, what should you look for as a sign that is happening?” Durbin asked Dr. Mitch Prinstein, Chief of Psychology Strategy and Integration at the American Psychological Association. Dr. Prinstein explaine
SPRINGFIELD – The State and University Employees Combined Appeal ( SECA ) kicks off today, Wednesday, September 17th, and runs through November 12th, 2025. SECA offers state government and university employees the opportunity to donate to their favorite charities through payroll deduction. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Chip In and Help Out.” The idea is that we can all do our part, and SECA makes that easy. There are more than 1,600 local, state and national charities in the program, and this year, University of Illinois Men’s Golf Head Coach and professional golfer Mike Small is the honorary chair. “I’m so proud that our state employees have given $84 million to charities through SECA – I’d love to see everyone chip in this year,” said Comptroller Mendoza. “Whether it’s a few dollars each paycheck or a larger donation, your contribution will make a difference. Charities in SECA address needs like affordable
stLouIST