On June 28, 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo set off the chain of events that led to the First World War. The killing itself involved a local nationalist struggle in the Balkans, but its consequences quickly spread far beyond the region. Europe’s great powers were tied together by alliances, military plans, and deep political rivalries, so a crisis that might once have stayed limited became a continent-wide war within weeks. It mattered
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced the departure of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. Having overseen a period of growth and reinvestment in the agency, Finnie will depart at the end of the month. “Director Finnie has led the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with a vision for the state that prioritizes people by protecting and preserving spaces that are rich in history, opportunity, and beauty,” said Governor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of the Trump Administration’s latest attack against the disability community, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Committee on the Judiciary Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) led Senate Democrats today in introducing a resolution that would protect disability rights and uphold the true promise of the Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision—a ruling that has protected Americans
SPRINGFIELD – Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced universal childhood blood lead testing will take effect July 1, 2026, the culmination of a years-long effort to expand the number of children who receive such testing. Through the Childhood Lead Program, IDPH identifies children who have been exposed to lead and who may need health interventions to address its effects. “There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra
SPRINGFIELD – Staff from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) are monitoring an extensive silver carp fish die-off in the Peoria pool of the Illinois River between roughly Henry and Peoria. IDNR fisheries biologists believe the incident is naturally occurring, caused by spawning stress and rapid water chemistry changes from recent rain. No evidence of chemical contamination or pollution was observed, and no native fish species or other aquatic organisms were affected.
Schaumburg, Ill. — On Wednesday, June 24, 2026 the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) hosted the Together We Rise Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Resilience Summit in Schaumburg. The event brought together law enforcement leaders, first responders, mental health professionals, and community advocates from across Illinois to focus on practical strategies for emotional well-being and long-term professional endurance. Hosted in partnership with the ILETSB Executive
WEST ALTON – The US Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, will temporarily close overnight access to Riverlands Way, Maple Island, Ellis Island, and Lincoln Shields Recreation Area in West Alton for the Fourth of July Weekend. Riverlands Way will be closed each of the following timeframes: July 3rd from 10:00pm through July 4th at 7:00am July 4th from 7:00pm through July 5th at 7:00am Maple Island Access and Boat Ramp will be closed each of the following timeframes: Jul
ST. LOUIS - Two men died in separate shootings early this morning in South St. Louis. Two other individuals were critically injured in downtown incidents. Police have not released information on any suspects in connection with the four shootings. One man was killed on South 7th Street near Marion Street after police were called for [...]
ST. LOUIS - Showers and storms that developed overnight along a warm front are currently impacting a few of our south-central Illinois counties and are quickly fizzling out. The focus now shifts from rain and storms to big heat building in today. An Extreme Heat Warning and Heat Advisory goes into effect Sunday at noon [...]
stLouIST