Aggregator

COLUMBIA, Ill. — Law enforcement agencies have responded to a barricaded subject at a residence in the 1800 block of Meadow Court in Columbia, Illinois, early Wednesday morning, Aug. 27, 2025. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Columbia Police Department, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Illinois State Police, arrived at the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, following a report of a stolen firearm from the residence. Deputies encountered the suspect inside the basement, who refused to comply with commands, barricaded himself, and made threats toward officers. Authorities have secured the area and advise residents to avoid Meadow Court until further notice. Drivers traveling near the scene are encouraged to plan for delays due to the large police presence. Negotiations with the individual remain ongoing. Officials emphasized that there is no immediate threat to the broader community but have taken precautions by maintaining a secure

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker has issued two proclamations recognizing August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day and September as National Recovery Month in Illinois. These observances honor the lives lost to drug overdose, support people in recovery, and promote access to treatment and resources. International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to reflect on the individuals, families, and communities affected by overdoses and to raise awareness about how to reduce drug overdose deaths. National Recovery Month celebrates the strength and resilience of people recovering from substance use and mental health conditions, while providing an opportunity to promote evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and its community partners will host events throughout August and September, including memorials, educational trainings, speaker panels, and digital campaigns. “Behavioral health challenges affect not only individuals

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Eleven individuals and organizations have been recognized as 2025 outstanding volunteers of the year for their contributions to conservation on behalf of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). “IDNR is thankful to have so many wonderfully dedicated volunteers and support groups that help maintain and promote state parks, historic sites, the Illinois State Museum, outdoor safety, and conservation projects,” IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said. “I’m pleased to recognize their extraordinary work and the sacrifices they make for the benefit of the people of Illinois.” The 2025 IDNR outstanding volunteers of the year are: Harl Jones, Highland – Harl Jones has been a dedicated volunteer at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County since 2012. He is most often found in the church and schoolhouse, where he brings 1830s church services and education to life for visitors. He also plays a pivotal

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 47 state attorneys general, called on major search engines and payment platforms to take stronger action against the growing spread of computer-generated deepfake nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII), commonly known as “deepfakes.” In a letter to search engines , the coalition outlines the failures of these companies to limit the creation of deepfakes and calls for stronger safeguards – such as warnings and redirecting users away from harmful content – to better protect the public. In a separate letter to payment platforms , the coalition urges these companies to take bolder action to protect the public by identifying and removing payment authorization for deepfake NCII content. “Deepfake nonconsensual intimate imagery causes real harm,” Raoul said. “In particular, AI-generated child pornography is an increasing concern, as it is used by predators t

Continue Reading

O’FALLON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the ramp from eastbound Interstate 64 to northbound Illinois 158 in St. Clair County will be closed overnight Wednesday, Aug. 27, and Thursday, Aug. 28, weather permitting. The closure will begin at 5:30 p.m. each night to allow for road construction. The ramp will reopen by 6:30 a.m. the following mornings, Thursday, Aug. 28, and Friday, Aug. 29. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

Continue Reading

Bon Jovi has enlisted some of their superstar friends for a new take on their 16th studio album, Forever.The band is set to release Forever (Legendary Edition) on Oct. 24, which has them collaborating with…

Source

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 328 into law, legislation that will greatly increase frivolous lawsuits, into law. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) says the bill is not good for the business climate in Illinois. “Illinois is struggling with population loss and job growth, and this law will impede economic development even more,” Schmidt said. “This bill was passed despite not following the procedures outlined in the House Rules. This bill penalizes businesses, stifles investment, and fuels a legal climate that welcomes frivolous lawsuits. I stand with the job creators in our state who have taken a strong position against this bill.” SB328 is being challenged by House Republicans in the Sangamon County Circuit Court following a lawsuit. They claim the “gut-and-replace” maneuver was used to push the bill forward on the last day of the spring 2025 Legislative Session which violates the Illinois Constitution’s

Continue Reading

Firefighters also asked that Metro tracks to the south be shut down.

Summer heat is bearing down on U.S. prisons, where temperatures in uncooled cells can climb well into the triple digits. Facing growing pressure from advocacy groups, lawsuits and climate projections that show hotter days ahead, some state prison systems are moving to install air conditioning and expand cooling measures — though many facilities remain years […]

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Fire Department responded to a large fire Wednesday morning in St. Louis. According to the fire department, the first-alarm fire is from an abandoned two-story brick warehouse near S. Vandeventer Avenue and Market Street. The building used to be JJ's Clubhouse, directly next to the Goodwill Outlet. Traffic has [...]

ST. LOUIS — Two critically endangered Amur leopard cubs were born on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Saint Louis Zoo. The births mark an important contribution to the population of one of the most endangered big cats in the world with only about 100 remaining in the wild. This is the second litter for 7-year-old parents Dot and Samson. Dot and the cubs are doing well and bonding in their private, indoor maternity den. It will be several months before the leopard family makes a public debut at the age when cubs would naturally leave the den with their mother. Samson can be seen by Zoo guests in his habitat at Big Cat Country. “As a second-time mom, Dot knows exactly what to do,” said Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Saint Louis Zoo Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores. “Every Amur leopard birth is critical for the survival of this rare species. Our team is incredibly grateful to see mom and cubs doing so well so quickly." The first few months of life are critical for newborn

Continue Reading

Residents and community members invited to apply

Ronnie Pope helped change state law. But it might be too late for the St. Louis man to benefit.

Only 90% of Missouri kindergarten students were immunized against measles, mumps and rubella last year, according to the department. Some counties have rates nearing 75%.

The Saint Louis Zoo is celebrating the birth of two Amur leopard cubs, one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world.