Self-professed religious leaders used physical and psychological abuse to coerce victims in Missouri, Michigan, Florida, and Texas, to solicit tens of millions in donations, federal prosecutors said.
Juanell Carter was 16 when he was accused of breaking the windows of dozens of cars between June 2022 and June 2023, from Frontenac to Maryland Heights to Clayton.
GILLESPIE — Anita S. Grizzle, 49, of Gillespie, was charged Aug. 22, 2025, with aggravated battery to a police officer following an incident the previous day in Gillespie. Authorities reported that on Aug. 21, Grizzle knowingly made physical contact by kicking a Gillespie police officer in the back. The circumstances leading to Grizzle’s detention have not been disclosed. In addition to the aggravated battery charge, Grizzle has several other open cases in Macoupin County. According to court records, she is awaiting trial for possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass to a residence, and resisting a police officer. The case remains pending. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A familiar West County Mall storefront once occupied by fashion retailer Forever 21 is taking on a seasonal role this fall.
The space, which closed earlier this year after Forever 21 shut down all of its physical stores following bankruptcy, is now home to a Spirit Halloween.
WASHINGTON — Maryland federal Judge Paula Xinis barred the Trump administration Wednesday from re-deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was unlawfully removed earlier this year, until she makes a decision in an evidentiary hearing set for October. Separately, Abrego Garcia filed a claim for asylum, a longshot bid to gain legal status as the Trump administration […]
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School kicked off its girls flag football season with a 40-0 victory over Mascoutah on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd to the stands for the program’s inaugural game. The event featured spirited support from Edwardsville cheerleaders and the marching band, as well as food trucks that contributed to the festive atmosphere. Sophie Shapiro’s touchdown catches played a key role in energizing the crowd and setting a positive tone for the team’s season. Serena Shapiro, Sophie's younger sister, also had a score that ignited the fan support. Sophie Shapiro expressed her appreciation for the significant turnout, highlighting the strong support from the Edwardsville student body. “It was a great opener,” she said. “We had a great student section, a great turnout, and we really showed up and played our best.” The Edwardsville cheerleaders also engaged the crowd throughout and sparked
ALTON – A local 19-year-old has been charged with robbery after taking packages by force from an Alton resident, pushing them and a witness who attempted to intervene to the ground. Ashton M. Britt-Dwyer, 19, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged on Aug. 21, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of robbery. Britt-Dwyer allegedly took packages addressed to the victim by use of force on May 12, 2025. According to the state’s petition to deny Britt-Dwyer’s pretrial release, the victim reported that her ex-boyfriend, Britt-Dwyer, had packages delivered to her house in her name. When the victim saw Britt-Dwyer approaching the residence, she reportedly tried bringing the packages inside to confirm their contents and notify the police when Britt-Dwyer “pushed his way into the residence behind her, pushing her to the ground and taking the packages.” “A neighbor witnessed this and tried to intervene and she was pushed to the ground as well, as
EDWARDSVILLE - Junior Sophie Shapiro, along with the rest of her teammates, helped to showcase the girls' flag football team in its historic opener on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Edwardsville recorded a 40-0 win over Mascoutah at Tiger Stadium. Sophie made the most of her first game, scoring twice on two long touchdown passes in helping the Tigers go on to their win over the Indians. In her postgame interview, Shapiro talked about the game, how fun it was for her, and the bond she's already feeling with her teammates. "I'm feeling really great," Shapiro said. "This sport is so much fun. This is all of our first games ever, and I think everyone's having a great time. The team is so much fun to be around." Sophie is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month. "Our coach (Taylor Hay) is amazing," Shapiro said. "All of our coaches are amazing. We have a great quarterback (Ella Wallace). We have a great team. I'm really excited to be playing with my sister, Serena, who's here. She
GRAFTON - Grafton’s Music in the Park will conclude their season with a Can Jam to support Got Faith? Ministries. From 6:30–9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at West Main Street and Route 3 in Grafton, musicians are invited to jam with Mike Johnson and Friends. Community members can come out to enjoy the music for free. Grafton’s Music in the Park, which organized the event, encourages people to bring canned goods or monetary donations to support Got Faith? Ministries in Jersey County. “My goodness, it’s amazing what a small community can do,” said Peg, who organizes Grafton’s Music in the Park. “We have so many things in Grafton for a little town of 650.” Peg explained that the Can Jam is a “bonus night” for the Music in the Park series, which invites bands to play every Thursday night throughout the summer for a free concert. Unlike other nights, the Can Jam encourages musicians from the community to join
How do you comply with a law that prohibits collecting personal information from children under 13? If you said “by not collecting personal information from children under 13,” congratulations, you understand the law better than Louisiana’s Attorney General. The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Roblox that includes what might be one of […]
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are reminding the public that if you drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or any other impairing substance, you’ll get pulled over as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” safety campaign. “Driving impaired is not a game,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering at IDOT. “You don’t get a second chance to make it right, so always make sure that anytime you’re behind the wheel, you’re sober, buckled up and following all traffic laws. It might save your life or someone else’s.” During the safety campaign, which runs through Labor Day weekend, ISP, local police and sheriff’s departments are reminding the public that driving under the influence can come with sobering consequences. According to IDOT data, last year
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced an agreement requiring the Trump administration to release, no later than Oct. 3, the full balance of around $219 million in education funds owed to Illinois. The money supports critical programs, including after-school enrichment, workforce development and instruction for students learning English. On July 14, Raoul filed a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration over its unconstitutional, unlawful and arbitrary decision to freeze funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Raoul and the coalition filed the lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction, arguing the freeze violates federal funding statutes and regulations authorizing these critical programs and appropriating funds for them. Additionally, the coalition argued the freeze violates federal statutes governing the federal budgeting process, the constitutional separation of powers doctrine and the Presentment
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