EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville has announced the winners of its 12th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2025 business plan competition attracted around 35 entrepreneurs competing for a share of a $28,000 prize package. Beyond Creative AI, of Alton, Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Founder Tyler Duty laid the foundation for Beyond Creative AI in mid-2025. Beyond Creative AI is a video-editing agency helping brands to elevate their content o
The holidays can be difficult for everyone, especially those who may be struggling. We recommend you have designated staff members in your organizations that someone can talk to when they are in need of assistance. Make yourself accessible & familiarize yourself with these resources. MAP/ EAP → familiarize yourself with the phone number AND the […]
GRAFTON — A bobcat weighing approximately 25 pounds was recently spotted near the Tara Point Inn in Grafton. The sighting, captured by Rachel Peters, was shared on the Riverbender.com Facebook page on Nov. 18, 2025, as a Photo Of The Day. The medium-sized bobcat in Peters' photo was confirmed by park ranger Scott Isringhausen. He said bobcats have a short bobbed tail with a white tip, ears that stand straight up, and a spotted coat with varying patterns. He said bobcats are known for their
A California cannabis consultant is alleging he suffered permanent heart damage after a 2022 laboratory accident at a St. Louis-based marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facility. A St. Louis jury heard opening statements Tuesday in a lawsuit where consultant Mark Avent and his wife, Lisa, are seeking $5 million in damages, arguing the incident triggered a […]
"You can expect a public update from our Office very soon regarding the judgement against China," a spokesperson for Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said in an email.
ALTON - Community leaders gathered to learn more about AltonWorks FiberNet, which will increase internet access by delivering enterprise-grade fiber broadband to Alton residents. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, Alton residents heard from AltonWorks CEO John Simmons about his vision for the city and the reasons why AltonWorks decided to support the broadband project. Simmons referred to the event as “one of the most exciting days in Alton’s modern history,” highlighting the
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum The St. Louis Region and the State of Missouri have plenty of opportunities for development – if we could just get out of our own way. That was the message that Subash Alias, CEO of the Missouri Department delivered to the board meeting of the St. Louis Construction […]
The late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is the latest rock star to be honored by The Royal Mint with a U.K. coin.The coin features an etching of Mercury midperformance, and…
A jury has ordered a descendant of the Anheuser family, his family's trust, and another executive to pay a combined $55.4 million for swindling shareholders of a clean-energy company.
BELLEVILLE — A local family is facing an extraordinary challenge as their 13-year-old son, Richard Mothersell, battled two rare cancers simultaneously and died recently, prompting a community call for support. Richard Michael Mothersell, 13, of Belleville, was born on February 13, 2012, in Belleville, and he died on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Richard, diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in April 2023, underwent an intense
A Jackson County Circuit Court judge struck down a state law criminalizing school employees for supplying “sexually explicit material” to students, ruling it unconstitutionally vague and overbroad in a five-page decision Monday. “This is a real victory for all library professionals who are trained to select age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate material for students in both public […]
This report has been updated. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announcing six interagency agreements signed with other departments that will transfer several of its responsibilities to those agencies. The announcement was immediately met with intense backlash from Democratic members of Congress, […]
BELLEVILLE – A Belleville man accused of injuring a police officer and resisting arrest by fleeing at high speeds remains in custody on felony charges. LeCourtney A. Luckett, 45, of Belleville, was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (both Class 3 felonies) and one count each of resisting or obstructing a peace officer (a Class 4 felony) and driving while license is revoked (a Class A misdemeanor). On Nov. 11, 2025, Luckett allegedly attempted
This story contains mention of sexual abuse and suicide. If you or a loved one are in crisis, help is available 24 hours a day by dialing 988 or visiting 988hotline.org. WASHINGTON — A bill is heading to President Donald Trump’s desk compelling the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex […]
WOOD RIVER - The Riverbend East Rotary Club recently recognized the October Service Above Self award recipients from East Alton-Wood River High School-Ayla Thomas and Malachi Carter. They were presented their certificates by club President Mark Smith. Ayla is a student whose dedication shines brightly in every endeavor she undertakes. Ayla's commitment to scholarship is evident in her impressive 3.7 GPA and her standing as an active member of the National Honor Society (NHS). She understands tha
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