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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support the Monthly Workdays at the Wadlow Town Center’s creek restoration area, formerly the Robert P. Wadlow Municipal Golf Course in front of the Alton Regional Multimodal Transportation Center that houses Amtrak. This activity will repeat throughout the year on the second Saturday of each month, except for August, when it will be on the second Sunday. The Wadlow Workdays will give local community members the opportunity to take action to protect the environment here in the Metro East by removing litter and invasive species from the creek restoration area , and to maintain the native flower and forb gardens along the trail. Community members are invited to register for this event at https://sc.org/MayWadlow . “The Metro East is home to a unique ecosystem that contains three great rivers, oak-hickory forests, rich floodplains, and endangered nesting yellow-crowned night herons. Removing

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Police said a man broke into a home and attacked two people with a knife. One of them was able to gain control of the weapon and fatally stabbed the intruder.

BELLEVILLE/SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced today the expansion of the Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (DVCLP) into Sangamon and St. Clair counties. First launched in Winnebago and Lake counties in 2019 and expanded into Cook County in 2022, the DVCLP is an innovative and collaborative partnership between DCFS, domestic violence agencies and other community partners aimed at building DCFS’ capacity to effectively respond to and meet the needs of families experiencing domestic violence who are also involved with the child welfare system. Under the partnership, a domestic violence advocate employed by Sojourn Shelter and Services will be housed in the DCFS Springfield field office in Sangamon County, and an advocate employed by the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois will be housed in the Belleville field office in St. Clair County. These advocates will consult with child welfare professionals as

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The state's newest case of the contagious disease was in New Madrid County, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said.

On This Day, May 7, 1977…The Eagles hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Hotel California," the title track from their fifth studio album, which also went to #1…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration may start enforcing Donald Trump’s un-American, unjust trans military service ban while legal challenges to the ban are still ongoing: “Absolutely shameful. Trump’s trans military service ban hurts our military readiness, makes our military’s recruitment challenges even worse and disrespects Americans who are brave enough to serve in uniform. This ruling from the far-right, Trump-appointed Supreme Court majority will make our military less lethal and Americans less safe—it just empowered Donald Trump to fire a servicemember who flew more than 60 combat missions, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Last month, Duckworth led 13 of her fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in condemning President Trump’s transgender military service ban for being a blatant violation of our brave servicemembers’

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum invites the public to a volunteer recruitment night on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Participants will hear from museum staff about the many ways volunteers can be a part of the museum’s important work. Volunteer opportunities include being a greeter, assisting with special programs and education events, being a play museum facilitator, and helping with off-site events such as the museum’s Illinois State Fair tent. “The Illinois State Museum is looking for dedicated volunteers to help staff public programs, engage with students and the community, and support our mission of sharing Illinois stories, honoring its cultural and natural resources, and inspiring our future,” said museum director Jenn Edginton. “Volunteers make a difference at the museum, and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort to our building.” Volunteer recruitment night is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Illinois State Museum, 502

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Did you know that studies have shown exposure to flowering plants can reduce stress levels and boost overall mood by up to 15%? This powerful connection between humans and flowers explains why cultivating a flower garden is more than just an aesthetic pursuit—it can enhance mental well-being and create a sanctuary of calm. Yet, many aspiring gardeners shy away from flower gardening, intimidated by perceived complexity. The truth is, with thoughtful planning and consistent care, anyone can create a thriving flower garden that brings joy year after year. Planning Your Flower Garden: The Blueprint of Beauty Before digging your first hole or buying seeds, crafting a detailed plan is crucial. This phase determines the success and sustainability of your garden. Assess Your Space Start by evaluating the conditions of your garden area. How much sunlight does it receive throughout the day? Most flowering plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight, but some varieties thrive

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MASCOUTAH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on IL 177 beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, weather permitting. Traffic will be reduced to one-lane approximately 2 miles west of Mascoutah utilizing temporary traffic signals. The lane closure is necessary to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to perform emergency bridge deck patching on the bridge over Loop Creek. All lanes are expected to re-open by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 12. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. 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.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 17 states secured a preliminary injunction today against the Trump administration in an ongoing lawsuit to restore access to critical U.S. Department of Education (department) funds that support programs for students across the state. The preliminary injunction forces the Trump administration to restore states’ access to funds for programs that support low-income and unhoused students, and provide funding for other essential school services to address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students. “The Trump administration’s shortsighted and illegal decision to attempt to rescind already-appropriated education funding would hurt vulnerable students the most and could wreak havoc on the budgets of school districts throughout Illinois and the nation,” Raoul said. “I am committed to joining with my fellow attorneys general to stand up against the president’s continued

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May 7th is a date that carries a remarkable tapestry of historical events, spanning centuries and continents, reflecting moments of innovation, conflict, and cultural shift. In 1945, May 7th marked a monumental turning point in World War II, a conflict that had reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century. On this day, the German High Command signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France, effectively bringing an end to the war in Europe. This act was witnessed and signed by representatives of the Allied forces, marking Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) celebrations that followed on May 8th. This surrender symbolized the conclusion of years of devastating warfare, loss, and upheaval, paving the way for a new era of reconstruction and the establishment of global institutions aiming to prevent such widespread conflict in the future. Moving back in time, another significant event on May 7th occurred in the realm of science and innovation. On May 7, 1915, the RMS Lusitania,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their all-out assault against the VA and the brave Veterans it serves, today combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC)—called out VA Secretary Doug Collins for erroneously firing 24 probationary employees with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)—employees who help provide life-saving care and critical resources needed by Veterans in their darkest moments. While the VA may have reinstated some workers, Duckworth made it clear at today’s SVAC hearing that every position at the VCL is mission-critical and none of the fired or rehired workers should have been fired in the first place. The Senator also highlighted that the lack of transparency surrounding these VCL firings in the wake of mass layoffs underscores the urgent need for greater oversight from Congress. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s

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U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s formal announcement had been expected and it comes two weeks after the 80-year-old Durbin announced he would not seek a sixth term.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE – Scott AFB is cancelling its June 14 Open House, due to mission prioritization and fiscal considerations. “A lot of work has gone into preparing for this event, and we were looking forward to hosting everyone,” said Col. John Poole, 375th Air Mobility Wing and Installation Commander. “As always, the tremendous support from our community partners as we prepared to welcome the public to our flightline was second-to-none. While we share in the disappointment, we look forward to hosting a full airshow and open house in 2027 in celebration of Scott AFB’s 110th Anniversary.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passed out of markup the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act (H.R. 2201), a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Young Kim (CA-40), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). According to VA officials, the department received 57,400 MST claims in fiscal year 2024, up 18% from the previous year, and approved more than 63% of them, up from roughly 40% more than a decade ago. As the number of claims rises, this legislation seeks to simplify the process for victims, helping them pursue justice without experiencing additional trauma. Watch Rep. Budzinski speak in support of the bill during today’s hearing HERE . The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act: Requires the VA Secretary to create a plan to improve training for Contracted Disability Compensation Examiners (CDCEs) who assist veterans dealing with MST;

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President Trump has selected three Missouri attorneys, and a Missouri Court of Appeals judge to fill federal court vacancies.

Laid off workers are facing an uncertain and emotional job search. Here's what experts have to say about where to look — plus resources for those on the hunt.