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Whole milk back on school lunch menus, under bill on its way to Trump

2 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — School cafeterias got a step closer to seeing whole milk again after the U.S. House passed a measure Monday to restore the dairy staple to school lunches.  The bill unanimously passed the Senate back in November, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk.  The bipartisan effort — which passed the House by voice […]
Shauneen Miranda

Trump ‘very strongly’ considering loosening federal marijuana regulations

2 months 2 weeks ago
President Donald Trump’s administration is looking “very strongly” at reclassifying cannabis from the strictest category of controlled substances, Trump said Monday. In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding. “A lot of people want to see […]
Jacob Fischler

BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month: Lucas Abbott Leads Metro East Lutheran Boys Cross Country

2 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE — Lucas Abbott, a junior boys' cross country runner at Metro East Lutheran High School, concluded his 2025 season with a strong performance at the state meet in Peoria, finishing 54th in Class 1A with a time of 15 minutes, 36 seconds. Abbott’s season highlights include winning first place at the Trenton Wesclin Regional with a personal best time of 15:32.4. He also placed fourth at the Trenton Wesclin Sectional, recording a time of 15:34.0. He is a BJ's Printables Male

Truly Unhinged: Trump Suggests Rob Reiner Had It Coming For Criticizing Him

2 months 2 weeks ago
When Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were murdered Sunday evening—allegedly by their son, who was arrested—you might (had you been living in another time with a different President) have expected the President of the United States to either stay silent or offer condolences. Instead, Donald Trump saw an opportunity to […]
Mike Masnick

Report: Most journalist detainments this year are at protests

2 months 2 weeks ago

As of Dec. 15, the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented 32 detainments or charges against journalists in the U.S. — 28 of those at immigration-related protests — according to a new report released by the Freedom of Press Foundation (FPF) project this week.

The report notes how, unlike most years, the majority of journalists were released without charges or had them soon dropped, with law enforcement instead focusing on deterring news gathering rather than pursuing charges.

Tracker Senior Reporter Stephanie Sugars, who authored the report, said it was “shocking” to see the sharp increase in the number of journalists released without being charged.

“While perhaps a sign that officers know the journalists cannot be charged as protesters, each detention pulls eyes and ears from often chaotic protest scenes, and that may well be the point,” Sugars said.

For journalist Dave Decker, being arrested at an anti-deportation demonstration in Miami last month and held in custody for more than 30 hours was a way to “put the brakes on press freedom,” he told the Tracker.

“News is only news for a couple of hours, when it’s breaking like that,” Decker said. “I would say that there were no wires out there, there were no local people, there were no stand-ups, no TV, no helicopter. There was none of that there. So I was literally the only journalist out there. They effectively stopped the news from getting out.”

In 2025, more than 30 journalists were detained or charged for doing their jobs.

Kirstin McCudden

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month: Collins Posts Personal Best at State Cross Country Meet

2 months 2 weeks ago
BETHALTO — Civic Memorial's Glenn Collins is preparing for a standout track and field season in 2026 after a notable cross country campaign in 2025 with the Eagles. Collins has earned recognition as the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month following his consistent improvement throughout the cross country season. Collins finished 121st at the IHSA Class 2A state meet with a personal record time of 15 minutes, 47.7 seconds for three miles. He posted times of 16:23.4 at th

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of The Month: Marquette Catholic Senior Allie Weiner Excels in Basketball

2 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - Allie Weiner, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, has been recognized for her achievements in basketball, highlighting a successful high school sports career marked by leadership and dedication. Weiner, who has played basketball since kindergarten, credits her early love for the sport to shooting hoops with her older brother. Over the years, she has developed into a key player for Marquette Catholic, earning several honors, including a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the Carrollton

Community Children Enjoy Annual Shop with a Sheriff Program

2 months 2 weeks ago
MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office hosted its 2025 "Shop with a Sheriff" event, providing children from the local community with a holiday shopping experience. The event at Target was funded by members of the PBPA Unit 118. Employees of the sheriff’s office accompanied the children on the shopping spree, creating a memorable morning for all involved. The event aimed to support families in the community during the holiday season and foster positive relationships

Carrollton High School Announces 2026-2027 Illinois State Scholars

2 months 2 weeks ago
CARROLLTON – Principal Ronda Smith is pleased to announce that four students from Carrollton High School’s graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this annual recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students who rank in the top ten percent of graduates from Illinois high schools. This year, nearly