Today on TAP: No university has agreed to his latest extortion plan. And his vindictive partisan shutdown of the NY-NJ Gateway tunnel project could be a life preserver for Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the close New Jersey governor’s race.
ST. LOUIS - Ten months following the murder of a teenager in the city's West End Neighborhood, another teen has been charged and certified as an adult. According to officials, the Juvenile Court certified 17-year-old Thomas Russell as an adult Wednesday. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call for a shooting on [...]
WOOD RIVER – Starting next week, pennies will no longer be an acceptable form of payment at Wood River City Hall. The city announced on Wednesday that this decision stems from a Federal Reserve announcement that penny production is officially ending, noting the federal agency will no longer accept the one-cent coins for deposit. “Because we can no longer deposit them, the City of Wood River will no longer accept pennies for any payments made at City Hall effective Monday, Oct. 20, 2025,” the city announced. While payments made online or by credit/debit card will still accept exact amounts, there will be some slight changes for those paying their bills with cash. Cash payments will still be accepted at City Hall, but residents are asked to round “up or down” to the nearest nickel. Late fees and other penalties will not be imposed on payments that are short by four cents or less. President Donald Trump instructed the U.S. Treasury Department in February
Right up front, I want to state that this is a very personal post. While it obviously draws from my many years of writing for Techdirt, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am expressing my own opinions about everything discussed below. I’m not immune to reading the comments. In fact, I actually […]
Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour has released The Luck and Strange Concerts, a live album featuring performances from his 2024 tour. To mark the occasion, he’s released a live performance of the…
Linux and UNIX operating systems have become increasingly popular in commercial computing environments. Due to their rapid growth in today’s businesses, Linux/UNIX administrators have also become very much in demand. The Linux/UNIX Certification Training Bundle will help you prepare for the CompTIA Linux+ and the Novell Certified Linux Professional certification exams. The 2-course bundle is […]
EAST ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis School District 189 highlighted positive achievements at Gordon Bush Alternative Center for September 2025, recognizing staff and students who exemplify respect and contribute to a positive school environment. Catrice Johnson, a social worker at the center, was named Staff of the Month as part of the Golden Cadet Awards. Students Jasmine Hagens, representing the high school, and Syllas Renaud, from the middle school, were also honored as Students of the Month for demonstrating the core character trait of respect. In addition, special recognition was given to Dr. Kenya Cody, Kennedy Streeter, and student Ta'Niya Walker as “Bright Spots” for their positive impact within the school community. East St. Louis School District 189 shared these acknowledgments as part of its ongoing effort to celebrate the accomplishments and positive contributions of individuals at Gordon Bush Alternative Center.
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Police Department is warning residents after a report of an unknown man claiming to be an Ameren employee who attempted to gain entry to a home. The incident occurred recently when the individual knocked on a resident’s door and said he needed to “check some codes," Fairview Heights Police said. The resident denied entry and contacted Ameren, which confirmed it did not have any employees working in the area at that time. Fairview Heights Police urge caution when approached by anyone claiming to represent a utility company or business, particularly during unannounced visits. The city enforces a strict solicitor policy requiring anyone conducting door-to-door business to obtain a permit from the city and display it visibly at all times. “If you encounter a suspicious individual or notice someone soliciting without a visible permit, please contact the Fairview Heights Police Department immediately,” the department
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), spoke with NORTHCOM leadership about the Trump Administration’s unlawful deployment of troops to American cities for immigration and law enforcement support. During the call, the Senators requested additional information about how these domestic deployments will impact military readiness and stressed that the nation’s military must comply with the Posse Comitatus Act . “President Trump’s deployment of troops to American cities, including Chicago, is a clear violation of our nation’s Constitution. It does not make our cities safer, and it is a harmful diversion of resources that undermines our military readiness and politicizes our nation’s military,” said Durbin. “As DHS officials continue to shut Illinois leaders out while rolling in federal agents and the
O'FALLON – Dean Williams, a junior who's also the backup quarterback for Edwardsville High's football team, was thrust into the role after starter Yale Weaver was injured in a loss to East St. Louis in week six, and had filled the quarterback position very admirably and well for the Tigers. Williams replaced Weaver after the injury in the loss to the Flyers, and played well under very difficult circumstances, going six-for-18 passing for 71 yards in the game on Oct. 3. In a bounce back Tiger win at O'Fallon on Oct. 10, Williams was six-of-10 passing for 111 yards, 92 coming on his only touchdown pass of the night, a strike to Eric Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter, and also ran for 35 yards and an 11-yard run for the final touchdown of the night in a 35-3 romp. Williams has tremendous speed in the open field, evident in the two games he has started, so he will be a running threat in the position. Williams is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers.
ALTON - The 108th Alton Halloween Parade is sure to be fun, and Parade Marshal Karen Wilson can’t wait to be a part of it. Wilson recently retired as a State Farm agent in the community, and she volunteers regularly with Pride, Inc., and other organizations around town. She notes that she has been involved in the Halloween parade for years, sometimes as a business owner, other times as a parent or student organization advisor. She is honored to take on this new role. “I can’t remember not getting excited about the Halloween parade,” she said. “It’s fun just to see the town come together.” The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. The route begins downtown at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Broadway and will continue on Broadway to Piasa Street, where it will end at 9th Street. Wilson said she is “very flattered” by the recognition. She joked that the East End Improvement
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Macedonia, Illinois man for allegedly disseminating child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Shawn Schweitzer, 42, in Hamilton County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable up to 30 years in prison. Schweitzer is currently detained at the White County Jail, and his next court appearance is Dec. 3. “Survivors of child exploitation and their families deserve the justice and peace of mind that their abuser cannot harm others, which can be critical in their healing from these heinous crimes,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor recognizing the ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza. In his remarks, Durbin acknowledged that the return of hostages and halt to the fighting are only the first steps in bringing long-term stability to the region, and he called upon President Trump and the United States’ regional allies to continue pushing for an end to the conflict. “Over the long weekend, the world saw what is hopefully the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza,” Durbin said. “We know there are still critical elements to be negotiated and settled. But the first phase, which included the release of the Israeli hostages and a ceasefire, is a good-faith start to a more inclusive agreement.” “It won’t be easy. The remaining steps will be difficult and require sustained attention from President Trump and our allies that helped make the beginning of this agreement
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, the St. Louis County Family Court certified 17-year-old Darnell Warner as an adult, leading to homicide charges related to a March 2024 stabbing in the 2400 block of Hord Avenue. Warner faces second-degree murder and armed criminal action charges in connection with the death of a victim identified as J.B. The incident occurred on March 12, 2024, when St. Louis County Police responded to reports of a large disturbance. Upon arrival, officers found J.B. had been stabbed in the chest. He was transported to a hospital but later pronounced deceased. According to the probable cause statement, detectives from the Crimes Against Persons unit conducted interviews and reviewed citizen video footage that showed Warner armed with a bladed instrument approaching J.B. The footage depicts Warner striking J.B. in the chest before the victim collapses. Investigators linked Warner to the crime through witness tips and by recovering clothing matching that
BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that rehabilitation of a crossing by Norfolk Southern railroad on North Belt West between Ruth Street and West Washington Street in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Oct. 20. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Friday, Oct. 24. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
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