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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School junior Brayden Cook has been honored by St. Louis Public Radio with the Best in Show and Best Sports Feature awards as part of the 2025 Teen Photojournalist Prize, the radio station announced Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Cook received the Best in Show award for his photo titled "Ashes and Rainbows," which captures Granite City firefighter Coady Sutton controlling a hose above an abandoned auto body shop ablaze on East 23rd Street on May 27, 2024. His Best Sports Feature-winning image, "Red in the Rain," shows GCHS boys soccer center back Joey Morales picking up cones after a game against Fort Zumwalt West was canceled due to a lightning threat on Sept. 23, 2024, in Granite City. The recognition includes an $800 Visa gift card for Best in Show and a $200 Visa gift card for the first-place category. In addition, Cook will participate in a master class with STLPR visuals editor Brian Munoz, have his work published on stlpr.org and STLPR social media

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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would strengthen prevailing wage rules to help workers receive higher pay. “This important safeguard will help workers get a fair deal for their labor,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We’re closing a loophole that left many workers getting the short end of the stick because that’s not what we’re about here in Illinois.” Currently, Illinois’ prevailing wage law does not apply to federal construction projects that require a prevailing wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor. House Bill 1189 would clarify that workers must receive the highest prevailing wage – whether federal or state – in local public works projects that include federal funding. The measure intends to eliminate potential confusion when rates differ and specifically impacts projects under state or local control. The measure would codify the existing federal practice of

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced a bipartisan bill, the Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation (CHILD) Act , to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (NCPA) to ensure that individuals with unsupervised access to children, such as those under contract with a school, are, once again, authorized to have a national background check. U.S. Representative Russell Fry (R-SC-07) and U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) are introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives today. Since 1993, the National Child Protection Act/Volunteers for Children Act (NCPA/VCA) has made nationwide background checks available for individuals who have access to children through qualified entities. However, the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2018 (CPIA)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a coalition of over 100 Congressional Democrats in writing to Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Leland Dudek to demand that he keep Social Security field offices open. This letter comes after multiple reports revealed that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directed SSA to close field offices across the country—only to reverse course after public backlash and deny the plans altogether. Given the lack of transparency surrounding the status of field offices nationwide, the lawmakers pressed Dudek to ensure that DOGE does not close the offices that so many Social Security beneficiaries rely on for services and assistance. “eneficiaries need the opportunity to seek assistance from SSA in person…Closing

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ALTON – Two men from Alton are accused of attacking someone in public at a local grocery store. Reginald D. Hodges Jr., 28, and Devan C. Luster, 23, both of Alton, were charged on April 25, 2025 with one count each of mob action, both Class 4 felonies. Hodges and Luster allegedly acted together in striking the same victim about the head and body on March 14, 2025. By knowingly engaging in the use of force, the two are accused of disturbing the public peace, as the incident unfolded in a public place – the Save-A-Lot grocery store at 2980 Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. The Alton Police Department presented the cases against Hodges and Luster, who were both granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of la w.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville freshman Parker Owens has captured international attention over the past year by clearing a pole vault height of 16 feet, 3 inches in 2024, the highest ever recorded for a 14-year-old worldwide. Owens continues to impress this season in boys' track and field events, competing for Edwardsville High School. Parker is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Triad High School, Owens placed second at the Madison County Meet with a vault of 13 feet, 7.25 inches, finishing behind Triad High School’s Zane Meier . Owens previously defeated Meier at the Norm Armstrong Invite on April 12, 2025, with a vault of 15 feet, 3 inches. He also won the Winston Brown Invite on April 26, 2025, with a vault of 13 feet, 11.25 inches. Owens and Meier are friends and rivals and can be seen constantly communicating during meets they vault together. Earlier in the season, Owens posted a vault of 15 feet, 1 inch at the Edwardsville

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BETHALTO — Sophomore Glenn Collins is making a significant impact this track and field season for the Civic Memorial Eagles, earning recognition as a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month. Collins has posted impressive personal records in multiple events. On April 14, 2025, at the Jersey Quad Meet, he ran the 400 meters in 52.94 seconds. Two days earlier, at the Norm Armstrong Invite, he achieved a personal best of 1:58.43 in the 800 meters. He continued his strong performances by winning the Madison County Small Schools 800-meter championship on April 28, 2025, in Wood River with a time of 1:59.87. In addition to his middle-distance events, Collins has recorded a best of 4:39.72 in the 1,600 meters and 11:07.2 in the 3,200 meters. He has also contributed as a key member of the Eagles’ 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams. Reflecting on his performance at the Norm Armstrong Invite, Collins said, "I went out fast that race and thought, 'I am here and I might as

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GLEN CARBON — A large fire broke out early Tuesday morning, April 29, 2025, at the Meridian Apartments complex, a 36-unit development still under construction in Glen Carbon, fire officials said. Glen Carbon Fire Chief Jason Whitaker said on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, that lightning is a primary cause under investigation as he cited storms that were in the area at the time of the blaze's start. The fire was reported just before 4 a.m. on Tuesday at the site of the new apartment complex in Glen Carbon off Meridian Road. Chief Whitaker said the fire was contained to a single building within the complex, which was in various stages of construction. Chief Whitaker said, “Lightning is one of the things looking still due to storms in the area,” noting that investigators are awaiting data from the National Weather Service. The fire was first noticed by motorists passing the scene, who called it in, Whitaker said. Whitaker described the fire as having “a head start”

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More than one million people in the United States live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and nerves to the eyes. "It can present in a variety of ways like vision loss, double vision, weakness, or numbness on one side or both sides of the body,” says Tiffani Franada, DO, a neurologist with the OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute (INI) who specializes in the autoimmune disease. "Typically (multiple sclerosis) presents in young patients between 20 and 50 years of age. It's more common in women than men," Dr. Franada says. These events are called attacks or relapses, and they last a few weeks and then they get better. Patients can go awhile without anything, and then they can get other attacks down the line." The OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute has launched a clinical trial for patients with nonrelapsing secondary progressive MS (nrSPMS). Dr. Franada and her team are looking for further preventive

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GRANITE CITY — Air Methods has provided an update on the condition of its ARCH 1 team involved in an incident near the Hartford Fire Station on Monday, April 28, 2025. Air Methods is a med-evac support group that assists at the scene of a serious accident or the moment a life-threatening illness strikes. The business partners with EMS personnel and hospitals to solve the challenges of patient logistics and save lives. Two of the three Air Methods crew members aboard have been discharged from the hospital, while one remains hospitalized in stable condition and is "making progress," Air Methods said in an update. The crash took place during training exercises with the Hartford Fire Department. The company emphasized its commitment to supporting the affected teammates through their recovery and expressed gratitude for the ongoing thoughts and prayers from the community. Details about the nature of the incident have not been released.

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Calvenita Brock of East St. Louis is seeking community support to cover funeral expenses for her daughter, Kelsey Elem, 25, who was fatally shot in St. Louis County on April 24, 2025. Martino Lewis, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. The incident took place in the 5800 block of Grace Avenue in Affton. Brock said her daughter was killed around 11:15 p.m. on April 24 after a fight with a friend escalated, resulting in the friend shooting Elem in the head. “Life was at its best for my daughter because she was comfortably loving her life,” Brock said. “I was so pleased with the way that my daughter was enjoying life that was taken away way too soon.” With no life insurance or financial resources to cover funeral costs, Brock has organized a fundraiser to help with the expenses. “We were not ready nor prepared for death or funeral expenses,” she said. “I am in need of the money to do so and I'm praying

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BELLEVILLE - The safety and security of public transit remains a regional priority – and placing behavioral health providers on the system to address many of the underlying health determinants fueling problematic behavioral issues has proven to be highly impactful. This innovative effort started as a pilot program spearheaded by St. Clair County Transit District and Chestnut Health Systems™ (Chestnut) in October 2020. It has since been credited with connecting thousands of transit riders in St. Clair County, Ill., to an array of much-needed community resources. The success led to a recent investment of more than $550,000 by St. Clair County Transit District to extend its partnership with Chestnut for a fifth year. “We’ve invested more than $2 million in Chestnut since the inception of this programming and the impact on transit riders cannot be understated,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director for St. Clair County Transit District. “Behavioral health

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MARYVILLE - Natalie Head, public relations director of Anderson Hospital, released some important information on Wednesday morning, April 30, 2025. "We are proud to share that Anderson Hospital has once again been recognized by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Hospitals for 2025!," she said. "This marks the fourth consecutive year we have earned this incredible honor." “This recognition is a true testament to the exceptional people who make Anderson Hospital what it is,” said Lisa Spencer, President of Anderson Hospital. “Our team’s commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care is at the heart of everything we do, and I am very proud of this accomplishment!” This prestigious recognition places Anderson Hospital among the top 4% of hospitals in the United States. Out of 410 U.S. hospitals named to the list, Anderson ranked at #250. Even more impressively, of the 230 hospitals in Illinois, only 21 made the list — and Anderson

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Two women from the Metro East were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme involving mail theft and more than $100,000 in bank fraud, authorities announced Wednesday. Tylann J. Starks, 30, of Swansea, received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to steal U.S. mail. Tiara D. Johnson, 33, of Pontoon Beach, was sentenced to 27 months in prison following her guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to steal U.S. mail. The two women, along with co-defendant Jamil Jackson, 52, allegedly stole mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes in the Metro East area between February 2020 and February 2023. Starks purchased a specialized postal key, known as an arrow key, from Jackson, a former postal employee, to gain access to the collection boxes. Agents later conducted an undercover purchase of

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Terrance Cole, to be Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Gadyaces Serralta, to be Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS). Before addressing the nominees, Durbin spoke about President Trump’s assault on the Justice Department and the federal judiciary during his first 100 days in office. Key Quotes: “Immediately after President Trump returned to the Oval Office, the Justice Department began reallocating its resources away from critical national security and public safety efforts towards the President’s mass deportation agenda. Trump appointees have fired dozens of career law enforcement officials with hundreds of years of experience protecting our country. These actions have destabilized the Justice Department

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WASHINGTON – On President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called out his Republican colleagues for their silence as the President tests—and violates—the bounds of our Constitution, amasses power for himself as he tanks our economy, violates the rights of Americans, and destroys our image abroad. “The jury’s in. At the end of 100 days, the major polling firms across the United States went out and asked the American people so what do you think? What’s your impression of this new President? What’s your impression of the MAGA agenda? The results that came back don’t surprise me, but they might surprise some,” Durbin said. “Overwhelmingly, on every major issue that this administration has taken a position, the American people have said we don’t like it. We’re not happy with what’s happening in this country today.” Durbin continued, “For a hundred

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, supporting fair housing organizations in their appeal of a ruling that lifted a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from canceling these organizations’ grant funding. “The legacy of discrimination and segregation in housing continues to negatively affect the overall health of communities and limits the potential of neighborhoods throughout the United States,” Raoul said. “HUD is required to provide this funding under federal law, and it is crucial to the continued efforts to dismantle decades of discriminatory housing practices. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to oppose the Trump administration’s unlawful overreach in canceling this funding.” Congress established the Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) t

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EDWARDSVILLE - The much-anticipated countdown by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, at the motor-sport themed One Day, One SIUE led to a grand slam. Surrounded by SIUE Cheer and Dance Team, Minor prepared the big reveal: “The final tally for this year’s One Day, One SIUE...5, 4, 3...” The audience joined in, "...2...1," accompanied by a drumroll by The Red Jackets Band as Minor announced, “$2,872,989!” He then cued the band, whose live jams added much fanfare to the record-breaking culmination of the fourth annual day of giving. One Day, One SIUE supports the entire SIUE community, which includes students, faculty and staff. The SIUE Foundation team credited more than 2,300 unique donors of varying amounts, which included local employers, alumni and members of the SIUE community, to steer past this year’s $2.5 million fundraising goal. Minor reflected on the road to success, led by the SIUE Foundation.

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ALTON - Community members are invited to a fitness party in honor of National Transplant Awareness Month. On Saturday, May 3, 2025, you can come out to the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton for a morning of Zumba, yoga and tai chi. Titled “Move Your Organs Too!,” the event aims to raise awareness of organ donation. “It’s important to me because I know that in a situation where you get asked if you would be willing to donate a family member’s organ, that’s hard,” said organizer Coena Royal. “But I want people to know that when they’re in that moment to have to even think like that, look at it as you’re creating a legacy. That’s what I want people to know in Transplant Awareness Month, so people understand there’s a bigger picture. Saving lives, extending lives, and also creating a legacy.” Royal is the founder of God’s RARE Jewel. She received a pancreas and a kidney in 2012. Her brother

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings is announcing three upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection locations for the Spring of 2025. These collection events are co-sponsored by units of local government and provide residents the free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes. “Illinois EPA’s one-day Household Hazardous Waste collection events would not be possible without the continued support and participation from our local partners,” said Acting Director Jennings. “We are proud to continue to support this is important service and look forward to additional opportunities to bring collection events to more residents across the state, allowing them to remove and properly dispose of unused and unwanted household chemicals.” One-day collections are open to all Illinois residents and operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

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