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ALTON - Rebecca “Becky” Cowart cares about the future, so she acts today. Cowart, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. Cowart is involved in several local organizations, from the YWCA to the NAACP, and she shared that her mission to get involved started with her own children, ages 9, 8 and 1. “My children are the most important children in the world to me,” she said. “Essentially because of them, I’ve made choices because I want them to experience community and I want them to experience a diverse community so that they can see the importance of making space, celebrating, respecting and learning from diversity.” Cowart homeschools her children and makes sure they are involved in the community through initiatives like Diverse Story, a YWCA program that offers storytimes with diverse characters and books that kids can take home. She also

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government about President Trump’s proposal to dissolve the USPS’s bipartisan Board of Governors and place the agency under the Department of Commerce, with further threats to privatize the organization. She also discussed the impact of the proposed consolidation of Processing and Distribution Centers – like the ones in Springfield and Champaign, Illinois – and outgoing Postmaster General DeJoy’s Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) plan. If implemented, the LTO plan would reduce the frequency of mail pickups from local post offices that are more than 50 miles away from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center, leading to delayed outgoing mail from rural communities. WATCH HERE: Budzinski Testifies on Danger of USPS Privatization Budzinski’s testimony as submitted

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ALTON - RE/MAX River Bend Inc. is set to undergo significant leadership changes as Keith Jackson steps into the role of Managing Broker on Jan. 4, 2025, succeeding Sharon Pratt, who will maintain her position as Co-Owner and realtor. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the agency, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in May 2025. The business is located at 2735 Homer Adams Parkway, Suite B, Alton. Keith Jackson, who became a licensed Managing Broker in 2024, brings over 15 years of experience in multifamily housing before transitioning to residential sales in 2022. He expressed his commitment to upholding the values imparted to him by Pratt and retired broker Terry McKinzie. “I want our agents to be prepared, trained, and to be honest when they hit the ground running, providing all clients with a smooth transaction,” Jackson stated. He emphasized the importance of keeping agents informed in the dynamic real estate market. In addition to his new role, Jackson

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ST. LOUIS – Diarra Williams, 30, and Nicholas Warford, 31, both from Edwardsville, Illinois, were indicted on Feb. 26, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a scheme that defrauded more than $7 million from school meal programs intended for low-income children in Missouri. The couple, who operated a local non-profit organization, were arrested on March 4, 2025, following the indictment, which charges them with multiple counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering. The indictment details a fraudulent operation that reportedly lasted from March 2020 through July 2022, during which Williams and Warford allegedly misrepresented their service of over 2.2 million meals through Missouri’s At-Risk Afterschool Program and Summer Food Service Program, both funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the indictment, Williams claimed that her non-profit, The Bailey Foundation, served large quantities of meals while in reality, Warford's

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GLEN CARBON/EDWARDSVILLE — High winds led to power line malfunctions in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville on Wednesday morning, March 5, 2025, leaving approximately 1,800 customers without electricity for a short period. The incident occurred at around 9:55 a.m. Wednesday when winds caused a power line to malfunction in Glen Carbon, affecting 1,600 customers in that area and 200 in Edwardsville, according to Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois. "Crews quickly spotted the issue and safely secured the area," Bretsch said. He noted that while the crew faced strong winds, they were able to successfully repair the power line. Power was restored to all affected customers by 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, just 25 minutes after the initial outage began.

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GODFREY — Firefighters from the Godfrey Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025, successfully containing the blaze that threatened to engulf the home. The fire was reported shortly after 5 a.m., with crews arriving to find heavy flames emanating from the garage, which were quickly spreading to the attic. Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack on the fire, working to protect the rest of the home from further damage. In addition to their firefighting efforts, the first-in engine crew conducted multiple animal rescues, ensuring that both residents and pets were safely evacuated from the burning structure. The Godfrey Fire Protection District said the prompt response and tactical operations played a crucial role in preventing what could have been a total loss of the home. "We are incredibly proud of our Godfrey firefighters for their outstanding work, professionalism, and dedication on this

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a new measure that looks to crack down on companies that contract out more than 10% of their agreed-upon work for the state overseas. “We’re finding out that companies across Illinois and the United States are bidding on state contracts and then turning around and contracting out 50% of the work to India or China,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We shouldn’t allow this to continue. Companies that use workers in the United States should get priority for all state contracts.” Illinois has an established process for entering into contracts for services, construction and goods between a unit of state government and a person or entity. Some examples of state contracts include construction projects and software development. The majority of state contracts receive bids from multiple parties, and Belt’s legislation would ensure that companies using overseas workers get penalized for doing so.

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EDWARDSVILLE/CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) announced two Spring Career Fairs this month targeting former federal workers: one in Edwardsville and one in Chicago. Taking place March 6 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and March 20 at Malcolm X College, former federal workers along with members of the public will be able to explore diverse job opportunities, connect with hiring professionals, and take the next step in their public service journey. “In response to the indiscriminate firing of workers, I directed CMS to host these fairs and recruit experienced workers who can bring their strong work ethic and talents to the State of Illinois," Pritzker said. Job opportunities are available in a variety of fields at the State, including Engineering, Healthcare, Accounting, Auditing, Environmental Services, Fiscal Management, Legal, and more. Representatives from multiple different agencies wil

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EDWARDSVILLE - City Engineer Ryan Zwijack will be the new Public Works Department Director for the City of Edwardsville, effective Monday, March 24. He was appointed by Mayor Art Risavy and unanimously approved by the City Council during the Tuesday, March 4, meeting. Mr. Zwijack will replace Public Works Director Eric Williams, who will step into the role of City Administrator on March 24. “Ryan Zwijack has the experience and knowledge to ensure a seamless transition at our Public Works Department and to continue to deliver the quality our residents deserve,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “He is committed to providing exemplary public service and I know he will be a tremendous asset for this community in that role.” Mr. Zwijack has been with the City’s Public Works Department since April 2009, including nearly 11 years as Edwardsville’s City Engineer. He first joined the City as its Project Engineer, advancing two years later to Assistant City Engineer

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EAST ALTON - Wieland, a cornerstone of the East Alton community for over a century and a leading global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, is excited to break ground on a significant modernization project. This initiative expands the facility's capabilities, enhances operational efficiency, and delivers even higher quality and reliability standards. The $500 million project underscores Wieland's dedication to technological advancement and its valued North American customer base while preserving its legacy as an essential employer in the area. "This investment positions Wieland as the undisputed leader in North American rolled products and underscores our commitment to the revitalization of American manufacturing," says Dr. Erwin Mayr, CEO of the Wieland Group. The plans include adding a state-of-the-art hot rolling mill that will enable Wieland to increase and improve the production of essential copper and copper alloy components. These components are crucial

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has appointed Steven D. Weinhoeft to serve as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Weinhoeft, returns to the role he held from 2018 to 2022, bringing decades of experience in federal law enforcement and complex litigation to the position. “I am honored and excited to return to this role to serve the people of the Southern District of Illinois,” said Weinhoeft. “I look forward to working with Attorney General Bondi, our talented team, and our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law with integrity and resolve.” Weinhoeft has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois since February 2008, holding multiple leadership roles, including United States Attorney (2018–2022), First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Supervisor of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and Dangerous Drugs Division.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)— and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) reintroduced legislation to help keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 would implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and buses are equipped with safety measures like stability control and automatic braking systems. The bill would also create a grant program to help school districts modify school buses to meet these important safety modifications. “No parent should have to worry about the safety of their children when they get on a school bus—but school buses often lack seat belts and other basic safety equipment that every parent demands,” said Senator Duckworth. “Nothing is more important

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — A community is rallying to support a grieving family following the death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones, who was fatally injured in a shooting on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The shooting incident occurred in the 100 block of Lazarcheff, and Jones succumbed to his injuries three days later, on Tuesday, February 25. In response to this tragedy, his sister, ShaMarla, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses. She noted that the family did not have insurance for her brother. “No amount is too big or small and I appreciate any amount given,” ShaMarla stated in the campaign. She also provided an alternative method for contributions, stating, “If you don’t want to give through GoFundMe you can cash app $Destinymarj. Thank you for your support during this hard time.” The GoFundMe effort reflects the family's need for community support during this difficult period. To contribute to the GoFundMe for Charles E. Jones

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today announced that the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) can no longer operate in Illinois due to the Trump Administration cutting funding for the programs. Without explanation, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed states that it was ceasing reimbursements for any costs incurred after January 19, 2025. The USDA established the LFPA program to strengthen statewide food systems, using federal funds to buy food from growers and producers at fair market value that is distributed to communities in need at no cost. In Illinois, 883 community sites have distributed food from 176 farmers, 58% of whom meet the USDA definition for new farmers. In addition, Illinois is the only state committed to sourcing 100% of products from socially disadvantaged farmers. Illinois was approved to distribute $43 million under the course of the multi-year

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in filing a professional misconduct complaint against Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove with the New York State Bar. In a letter to the Attorney Grievance Committee of the First Judicial Department in New York, which handles complaints against lawyers whose offices are in Manhattan or the Bronx, the Senators cite reported inappropriate conduct by Bove involving the dismissal of charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Senators begin by expressing grave concern about actions taken by Bove and request a disciplinary investigation, writing: “We write to express our grave concern about actions taken by Emil Joseph Bove, III that may constitute serious professional misconduct under the New York State Unified Court System Rules of Professional Conduct. Since becoming Acting Deputy Attorney General for the U.S. Departmen

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WOOD RIVER – The Wood River City Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 5 p.m. to vote on changing the requirements to call for a special meeting. The agenda for the meeting, signed by Mayor Tom Stalcup on March 4, calls for just one item of business – to amend the requirements for a special meeting to be held by the City Council. Currently, special meetings can be called by the mayor or by two council members who submit their request in writing. The proposed amendment would require three council members to request a special meeting. This comes just two days after Councilman David Ayres called for a special meeting to be held next Monday, March 10, on the subject of firing City Manager Steve Palen. Ayres and Councilman Bill Dettmers had previously submitted written requests for a special meeting to be held on the subject of a forensic audit and independent investigation into the city over alleged mishandling of TIF funds and much more.

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EDWARDSVILLE - EXO Lounge in Edwardsville will offer special St. Patrick’s Day fun next weekend. On March 15 and 16, 2025, community members can enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day-themed experience at EXO, located at 2 157 Center in Edwardsville. Featuring Irish music, decorations, and corned beef and cabbage crafted by Michelin-star Chef Gianni Colucci , the weekend is sure to be a ton of fun for everyone who stops by. “I think life is short and deserves a party as often as possible,” said EXO owner Gina Gamblin. Gamblin said EXO Lounge is an “oasis” in Edwardsville, with a med spa, nail bar and restaurant. People can enjoy the St. Patrick’s festivities while being pampered at EXO. She noted that EXO tries to celebrate as many holidays and special events as they can. They enjoy elevating an average day with affordable luxury and fun experiences. Gamblin shared that the lounge’s restaurant will have several specials over the next

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Bost Issues Statement On President Trump's Join Address To Congress U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's Joint Address to Congress: “President Trump’s address tonight sent a powerful message to the American people – and to every friend and foe across the globe – that ‘America First’ wasn’t just a campaign slogan; it forms the governing philosophy of his second term. It’s a vision I look forward to working with President Trump to make a reality. “We must secure the border, shrink government, extend tax relief, unleash America’s energy potential, and protect our national security in a dangerous world. We have a president who won’t rest until we’ve achieved all of those objectives and more. He sounded strong and confident; and that’s the type of leadership this country desperately needed.” Budzinski Statement on President Trump’s Joint

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with his guest for President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress, Dr. Elizabeth Sokol, a practicing oncologist and medical researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Sokol specializes in treating children with neuroblastoma, the leading cause of cancer death for children aged one to five. Dr. Sokol is in the midst of conducting federally-supported clinical trials that are now being endangered by the Trump Administration’s devastating, and illegal, cuts to funding and resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Like Dr. Sokol, many NIH-funded researchers and institutions are facing an uncertain future because of President Trump and Elon Musk’s move to shut off critical research funding. Illinois universities and hospitals receive approximately $1.2 billion annually in NIH funding—which supports 14,000 jobs in the state and $3.5 billio

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Did you know that nearly 70% of people feel pressured to host elaborate gatherings, often leading to stress and budget strain? Yet, the most memorable events often stem from simplicity and creativity rather than extravagance. With a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, you can throw a spring gathering that leaves your guests delighted without breaking the bank. Here’s how to make your next event both enjoyable and economical. Embrace the Power of Potluck One of the easiest ways to save money and encourage guest participation is by hosting a potluck. This approach not only alleviates the financial burden of catering but also celebrates diversity through food. To make it more organized, you can create a theme—such as international cuisine or comfort food—and send out a list of suggested dishes. This way, everyone can contribute something they enjoy making, and you’ll end up with a delightful array of flavors. Tip: Set up a shared document or messaging group

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