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Schools spend billions on AI, but struggle to figure out what’s worth buying

1 week 4 days ago
As a new school year begins, some classrooms may use artificial intelligence tools to flag a student struggling with classwork, track attendance or try to raise reading scores. But as school districts make decisions on which tools are safe and worth spending thousands or millions of dollars on, some officials feel overwhelmed by the array […]
Robbie Sequeira

Shelter-In-Place Lifted: Morning Hazmat Fire Disrupts Three Metro East Communities

1 week 4 days ago
SAUGET - A hazardous materials fire prompted officials to order residents and businesses to shelter in place Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 2026, in parts of Sauget, Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, south of Missouri Avenue between South 50th Street and South 19th Street, before the order was lifted at 8:56 a.m., the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency said. The agency said the fire involved trichloroisocyanuric acid, which it described as an irritant to the eyes, skin

"What's Up Downtown" Focused on Pride Festival, Movie Filming, and AI

1 week 4 days ago
ALTON - Community members gathered for the quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” meeting to hear updates from local entrepreneurs and business owners about their work. On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, Alton Main Street hosted the quarterly gathering at The Wedge in Alton. Downtown professionals shared information about their businesses and their goals for the future. Julia Steele with Alton Pride encouraged people to join the fifth annual Pride Festival on Sept. 12, 2026, on Belle Street

Woman Wounded In Fairview Heights Motel Shooting

1 week 4 days ago
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police are investigating a shooting that wounded a female victim Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Trailway Motel in Fairview Heights. The Fairview Heights Police Department said the shooting occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. Police said the victim sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, police said. Investigators have identified a suspect in connection with the shooting

Palen: PFAS Level In City's Drinking Water Prompts Wood River Notification and Treatment Review

1 week 4 days ago
WOOD RIVER — Wood River residents will receive a notice within the next few days after recent testing detected PFAS, in the city’s drinking water at 6.7 parts per trillion, above the Illinois standard of 4 parts per trillion, City Manager Steve Palen said in a message to residents. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic "forever chemicals" used since the 1940s to make products resist water, grease, and heat. The notification is required because the result exceeds

Expanded Use Of AI Software Will Improve Stroke Care At OSF HealthCare

1 week 4 days ago
ALTON – OSF HealthCare is expanding its use of an artificial intelligence platform to its hospitals across its Illinois and Michigan health system. OSF announced the expansion with RapidAI, a technology company that provides artificial intelligence tools for medical imaging and patient care. The Rapid Enterprise Platform is designed to help doctors analyze medical images, identify potential strokes and other conditions, and coordinate care more quickly. OSF says its initial use of the technolog