ALTON — The Alton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold its 57th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Lewis and Clark Community College Commons. The event, with the theme "Learn from the Past for a Better Future," will open its doors at 5 p.m., with dinner beginning promptly at 6 p.m. The banquet serves as the branch’s primary fundraising event, according to Leon Smallwood-Bey, Alton NAACP Branch president. The funds raised support the organization’s efforts to promote social justice and community development in Alton and Madison County. Additionally, the proceeds provide financial assistance to local students who maintain good academic standing and plan to pursue higher education. “Students who currently receive and have received this support in the past regularly update us on their progress and are grateful for the educational opportunities,” Smallwood-Bey said. “The community’
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a place of refuge that made for a tremendous experience, with warm faculty, interdisciplinary coursework and a beautiful campus, according to several graduating seniors. Students reminisced about their experiences and academic careers at the University and talked about their career goals after participating in Affinity Celebrations last week. The SIUE commencement season began with eight affinity graduation ceremonies of the following groups: International, Hispanic/Latinx, Black, Lavender, Asian, Asian American Pacific Islander, and Desi ( AAPI/APIDA), Non-Traditional, Military and Veteran, and Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS). Students, who were honored in front of family members, friends and administrators, received signature stoles to wear at the main SIUE commencement ceremony on Friday-Saturday, May 9-10. Sponsoring and hosting the graduation ceremonies were the Kimmel Belonging and
BETHALTO - Melanie Reincke does everything she can to empower her students. Reincke works at Trimpe Middle School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. She is a special education teacher with the sixth through eighth grade extended curriculum program. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s reflecting on the decision to become a teacher and the fun she has had along the way. “My favorite part of my job is seeing my students grow in their academic and functional skills,” Reincke shared. “Nothing brings me more joy than when my students feel confident in themselves and in their abilities. Seeing my students being independent in our school and in our community will always be the most rewarding part of the job.” Even as an elementary school student, Reincke knew she wanted to become a teacher. She used to “play teacher” and create worksheets for her fellow students to fill out. As a high schooler, she babysat a family friend named
Cinema St. Louis announced on Monday that funding for the 2025 international film festival has been rescinded, citing NEA grant cuts and "realignment of priorities" under the Trump administration.
Lamar Murry, 51, was driving the school bus as a substitute driver when he became angry with several students who were the back of the bus, court documents say.
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with 19 attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop the dismantling of HHS. Since January, thousands of federal health workers have been fired, vital programs have been shuttered, and states face mounting health crises without federal support. Raoul and the attorneys general argue that Kennedy and the Trump administration have robbed HHS of the resources necessary to effectively serve the American people and will ask the court to halt further dismantling and restore key program operations. “Since its founding, HHS has administered crucial offices and programs dedicated to protecting and advancing the health and well-being of all Americans. Programs like Head Start are critical to ensuring all children have access to resources that put them on an early path to success. And tracking diseases like
ROXANA – The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Riverbend, presented by OSF HealthCare, is proud to announce an exciting new format for its 2025 signature event. Taking place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the RoxArena in Roxana Community Park, this year’s event will be a Relay For Life Survivor and Team Dinner with the theme —“Re-Lei for a Cure!”. In a shift from the traditional Relay format featuring fundraising tents and continuous walking, this year’s Relay For Life of Riverbend will focus on a special Survivor & Team Dinner Event, followed by a Luminaria Remembrance Ceremony. The new event format invites the community to come together in a refreshed and inspiring way to honor cancer Survivors, support Caregivers, and celebrate the commitment of Relay teams and participants. “We’re excited to launch a new format that keeps the heart of Relay alive while offering a more connected and meaningful experience,”
In an unprecedented 102-page ruling that methodically dismantles the Trump administration’s executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, Judge Beryl Howell has issued a permanent injunction that goes far beyond her initial temporary restraining order. The ruling represents a stark rebuke of what the court calls an “overt attempt to suppress and punish certain […]
The SLMPD and the St. Louis Police Foundation hosted the 39th Annual Memorial Breakfast, honoring the 167 SLMPD officers killed in the line of duty from 1863 to 2024.
The international law firm said it is undergoing a “business modernization program” to streamline operations in areas including technology, finance, administrative support and facilities.
A fly fishing shop, meal prep business, and dance studio are at the center of a high-stakes legal battle that could reshape a major St. Louis County corridor.
JERSEYVILLE – Former Jersey County Treasurer Katie Abbey has been charged with stealing over $10,000 in county funds for her personal use. Abbey, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on May 2, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of theft by deception. The charge was presented by the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. From Aug. 23 to Oct. 11, 2024, while in office as County Treasurer, Abbey allegedly committed a series of acts to obtain over $10,000 in county funds which were held in bank accounts managed by her office. “Defendant falsified ‘cash slips’ and checks drawn on Jersey County bank accounts maintained by the Jersey County Treasurer’s Office to falsely reflect lower amounts of tax and other revenue paid by citizens of Jersey County, with the defendant taking United States currency for personal use,” court documents state. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , Abbey took a “personal leave of absence” starting in
This year has, without a doubt, been a whirlwind when it comes to the weather---between the snow, flooding, tornadoes, and more. While we are only halfway through the typical severe weather season in Missouri and Illinois, it has proven to be one to remember.
Peabody Energy said Monday it might terminate its pending $3.8 billion deal to buy some of the Australian steelmaking coal assets from Anglo American PLC, citing continued inactivity at one of the mines in the deal.
Fresh off his first public performance in five years, David Lee Roth appears to be ready for more.The former Van Halen frontman just announced dates for a summer tour, kicking off July…
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