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Alton Police Welcomes Newly Trained Officers Porter and Rose

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON — Officers Hayley Porter and Janelle Rose graduated Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, from the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, the Alton Police Department announced Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. The two officers completed the Police Academy program and will now begin their Field Training Program, according to Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. “It’s no secret that we are proud of their hard work and dedication, and we wish them continued success as they begin their

Lawmakers hammer DOJ over Epstein files release

2 weeks 1 day ago
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are tangling over potential consequences for Department of Justice (DOJ) officials after the department failed to share every document tied to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as required under law. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the bipartisan duo who led the effort to force [...]
Sudiksha Kochi

Alton Man Charged With Disarming, Battering Officer

2 weeks 1 day ago
ALTON – An Alton man accused of battering two police officers and taking one’s taser as they attempted to arrest him remains in custody pending felony charges. Taron A. Steward, 25, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 19, 2025, with one count of disarming a peace officer (a Class 1 felony) and two counts of aggravated battery (both Class 2 felonies). The day prior on Dec. 18, 2025, Steward allegedly took a taser from a police officer without the officer’s consent and struck the

Community Events Strengthen Grafton's Small Business Scene

2 weeks 1 day ago
GRAFTON — The Grafton City Council honored the Grafton Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, for its ongoing efforts to promote local businesses and position the river town as a unique visitor destination. At the council meeting, Mayor Mike Morrow presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Chamber, whose theme encourages visitors to “Come visit, enjoy Grafton and plan a return adventure.” Dan Ebbing, president of the Chamber, accepted the certificate and

Attorney General Raoul Sues Trump Administration To Defend Critical Consumer Protection Efforts

2 weeks 1 day ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the complete defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has returned more than $21 billion to defrauded consumers, slashed junk fees, and stopped predatory auto and mortgage lenders throughout its 14-year existence. The CFPB’s current acting director, Russel Vought, is attempting to completely defund the agency by refusing to request

St. Louis Mayor Spencer Announces New Directors of Personnel and Communications

2 weeks 1 day ago
ST. LOUIS – On Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, Mayor Cara Spencer announced two key appointments to her cabinet and staff, naming Brian Light as director of personnel and Holly Roberts as director of communications. Brian Light returns home to St. Louis after more than 24 years of public service in the Pacific Northwest, with a career rooted in leadership, organizational development and human resources. He began his career with the State of Oregon as a training and development specialist, where

Attorney General Raoul Announces Nearly $150 Million Multistate Settlement With Mercedes-Benz Usa And Daimler AG Over Emissions Fraud

2 weeks 1 day ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a $149.67 million multistate settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA (Mercedes) and Daimler AG (Daimler) for violating state laws by marketing, selling and leasing vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions defeat devices designed to evade emissions standards. The settlement also includes more than $200 million in potential consumer relief. “Mercedes’ deceptive use of software defeat devices misled consumers into

Attorney General Raoul Secures Court Order Blocking HUD Proposal That Would Have Left Thousands Without Housing

2 weeks 1 day ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to preliminarily halt changes to its Continuum of Care grant program after Raoul and a coalition of states argued in court that the changes were illegal and would leave tens of thousands of people around the country without a place to live. The Continuum of Care grant program is the largest resource for federal homelessness assistance funding. “Th

Attorney General Raoul Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Supreme Court To Uphold Federal Law Restricting Firearms From Habitual Drug Users

2 weeks 1 day ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a bipartisan coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a federal law prohibiting firearms possession by habitual drug users. The Supreme Court’s review follows the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit’s decision in United States v. Hemani, which held that the law could prohibit firearms possession by a habitual drug user only when that user is intoxicated at the

Local Leadership Drives Levee Solution In Monroe County

2 weeks 1 day ago
WATERLOO – Monroe County Chairman, George Green, took action to prevent a levee failure. Emergency repairs are underway on a critical agricultural levee system impacting two counties, following growing concern over a dangerous scour hole that threatened catastrophic failure. The issue centered on a legacy levee, originally constructed in the 1800s, which allowed water to continue flowing toward the modern levee. Over time, this created turbulence and high velocity which resulted in the formatio

Gov. Pritzker Announces the 2026 Order of Lincoln Recipients

2 weeks 1 day ago
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today announced the 2026 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service. Established in 1964, the Order of Lincoln recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the betterment of humanity in or on behalf of the State of Illinois. “Having dedicated themselves to uplifting their fellow Illinoisans and Americans, the 2026 Lincoln Laureates set an example of leading