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SPRINGFIELD - Two new laws regarding libraries in Illinois and a third expanding voter registration for teens are just a few of several new laws set to take effect statewide at the start of the new year in 2024. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias recently announced these and several other new laws initiated by his office that will take effect at the start of the new year. The initiatives were passed earlier this year by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law. A Ban On Book Bans In 2024, Illinois will become the first state in the nation to place a ban on book bans. Giannoulias, who also serves as the State Librarian, said this legislation aims “to prevent public and school libraries from banning books, guarding against censorship and protecting librarians.” He added that he introduced it after far-right extremist groups “targeted Illinois libraries, divided communities and harassed librarians.” “The concept of banning

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A discount retailer that opened its first store in the St. Louis region earlier this year plans to expand in St. Louis County.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a St. Louis County homicide case has been identified as Kelton Dukes, 24 years of age, of the 300 block of Atwater Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63135. The case is being reviewed at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for any possible charges. St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 10000 block of Sheldon Drive in the City of Riverview that resulted in the death of an adult male. At 5:57 AM, City of Riverview police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 10000 block of Sheldon Drive. Responding officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The male was transported to an area hospital for life saving treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased. City of Riverview Police requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons assume responsibility for the investigation.

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Patents are supposed to be an incentive to invent. Too often, they end up being a way to try to claim “ownership” of what should be basic building blocks of human activity, culture, and knowledge. This is especially true of software patents, an area EFF has been speaking out about for more than 20 years now.  […]

Paul McCartney is looking back at his year and sharing the photographic highlights with fans.  “From an unprecedented exhibition of his Beatles-era photographs to a jet-setting tour that saw Paul play in…

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The 5-foot-8 bowling ball of a running back is exactly the kind of dream that programs such as Missouri rely upon to compete against college football's powerhouses.

BELLEVILLE - Madeleine Moreland never expected to be a welding student at the Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence (CAVE), but she couldn’t recommend the experience enough. For her hard work and dedication to learning, Madeleine Moreland is a Student of the Month for the Home Builders & Remodelers Metro East Association. Moreland is a senior at Belleville West High School, and she was excited to take part in the district’s vocational opportunities when she learned about the CAVE and its programs. Throughout her first semester, she learned the ins and outs of welding. “I actually love it, like, a lot,” Moreland said. “I’m a very hands-on person, so it’s nice to have that creative release after being in the classroom for the entire first half of the day.” Though Moreland isn’t “100% certain” what she’ll do after she graduates, she said it’s nice to know that welding is an option and she is gla

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Rep. James Comer and the rest of the idiots on the House Oversight Committee are continuing their jihad against Hunter Biden apace. I know that's not news. But today Politico reports this: House GOP investigators said they were given no heads up that Hunter Biden would not attend their deposition — though his attorney, in ...continue reading "It’s just endless lying from the Hunter Biden fanatics"

ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois Women of Distinction is pleased to announce that the nomination period for the Women of Distinction program is now open. Nomination materials may be accessed at www.ywcaswil.org or by calling YWCA at 618.465.7774. Each year, some of the most influential women have been honored at the YWCA‘s Women of Distinction (WOD) celebration. Honorees are women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their professional, civic and personal lives. The WOD Academy has grown into a dynamic and diverse group of over 300 women representing a wide range accomplishments and contributions. YWCA is requesting the public’s help in soliciting nominations for 2024 Women of Distinction. The community is urged to nominate exceptional women who create real change in our communities. Nomination packets are available now at YWCA, online at www.ywcaswil.org, via email at info@ywcaswil.org, or by calling (618) 465-7774. Nomination deadline

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Are you spending more than the national average on your utility bills?

While temperatures remain above freezing the next couple of days, rain and snow may cause some travel issues in certain areas the next 72 hours.

SPRINGFIELD - Several new laws concerning vehicles and driving are taking effect in Illinois starting on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Here’s an overview of some of those laws regarding Zooming and driving, mirror accessories, and automatic license plate readers. No More Zooming While Driving In 2024, it will be officially illegal to attend Zoom meetings, stream your favorite show, and/or check your social media timelines while driving. If this already seems illegal to you, that might be because Illinois already has laws preventing handheld cell phone usage while driving; exceptions are made when reporting an emergency, stopped/parked on the side of the road, or when in park/neutral during a traffic obstruction. This new law expands on that existing law to specifically target video conferencing, streaming, and social media platforms in an effort to further combat distracted driving. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a press release that he drafted this

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry is offering locations throughout the City of St. Louis for residents to recycle their live Christmas trees. Trees can be dropped off at: Forest Park: Lower Muny Opera parking lot O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex (YMCA): Southwest corner of parking lot Carondelet Park: Grand and Holly Hills, area near gate next to mulch piles Trees will be accepted at these Park sites through Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The trees will be used for mulch and firewood that will be free and made available to residents at the same sites. Trees must be free of all decorations, including ornaments, tinsel, lights, and tree stands, and should not be bagged or covered. Fake or plastic trees, wreaths, and pine roping are not accepted at these sites. City residents are discouraged from placing Christmas Trees in alley dumpsters or recycling containers, however they may also be placed in the alleys for bulk pickup.

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ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center recently bestowed its Mission Partner of the Month Award for December to Jenn Terry, Administrative Supervisor (Nursing Administration). Hospitals are 24/7/365 entities, and there’s no downtime. So whatever happens during the daylight hours certainly takes place overnight. Reading Jenn’s nomination is to deduce that 1) she is an ideal example and can attest to what happens at night and 2) she is the leader of the night at OSF Saint Anthony’s. Jenn’s nomination reads in its entirety: “While department heads are nestled in their beds, Jenn works nights and often picks up extra for coverage and in the Emergency Department. She encounters many challenging scenarios and troubleshooting opportunities with grace. She is supportive of all Mission Partners and is an excellent resource. We’re fortunate to have her here at OSF Saint Anthony’s." Winners of the Mission Partner of the Month

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This is a picture of turtles and.......fish? ready to spout at the Latona Fountain in the gardens of Versailles. No, wait: turtles and lizards, to celebrate the myth of Latona, who got pissed off at the Lycians and had them turned into frogs and lizards. Frogs? So why does the fountain have turtles and lizards? ...continue reading "Lunchtime Photo"

EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Wyatt Owens is a fierce hockey player, but he has proven himself even tougher off the ice as he undergoes treatment for lymphoma. The 18-year-old player for East Alton-Wood River has received a lot of support from his team, and now they are asking the community to step up and help out. DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation is sponsoring a fundraiser for Owens, and his team is cheering him on. “Everybody’s got his back,” said James Mitchell, Owens’s coach. “We’re fighting for him. Hockey’s the best, and to see everybody come together and stuff and do this for Wyatt, it’s just been amazing.” On Dec. 19, 2023, teams from across the conference taped up their sticks in lime green to bring awareness to lymphoma and show support for Owens at the East Alton Ice Arena. The Alton, Granite City, Bethalto and Highland hockey clubs took a break from the competition to come together and welcome Owens as he joined

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It's a somewhat sad moment in the St. Louis restaurant scene. In just a few days, longtime Botanical Heights restaurants Elaia, Olio and Nixta will leave their homes on Tower Grove and McRee avenues for good, after negotiations by restaurant owner Ben Poremba to purchase the buildings failed. Without a doubt, Poremba and his restaurants are responsible for the area's renaissance, and since the 2012 opening of Elaia and Olio, the south city enclave has flourished with new businesses, such as Union Loafers and La Patisserie Chouquette, opening.