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"Keys for Kids" Dueling Pianos Event to Raise Money for Local Families During the Holidays
ALTON - Riverbend Rescue will host their Keys for Kids event to raise money for local families in need. From 7–11 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, up to 100 community members can enjoy a gourmet meal, drink tickets, raffles, networking opportunities and dueling pianos on the Simmons Hanly Conroy Building rooftop in Alton. Tickets cost $50 and all proceeds go back to Riverbend Rescue’s mission to provide gifts for kids during the holidays. “What I love about Alton is we do serve our community,” said Riverbend Rescue founder Adam Marburger. “We want to make sure we help kids at Christmas.” This year marks the second Keys for Kids event, now with a “Christmas in July” theme. Last year, they raised $20,000 at the event, and all of this money went to local families. Marburger explained that he works with the schools and Al Womack at the Alton Boys and Girls Club to identify families who could use assistance during the holidays.
Schools in tornado's path across St. Louis look to return to normalcy
A transportation mixup may have contributed to low attendance in 12 St. Louis Public Schools that were relocated after the tornado.
When was the last time St. Louis City had a tornado?
As the city of St. Louis continues to pick up the pieces of what Friday's tornado left behind, for residents who live in St. Louis City proper, it's rare to experience this kind of deadly tornadic activity.
St. Louis tornado path was 1 mile wide and 23 miles long. Winds topped 150 mph
The tornado that tore across the St. Louis area Friday reached EF3 intensity and a mile in width, the National Weather Service said after a damage survey.
Not-so-empty garden: Elton John rose to debut at London’s Chelsea Flower Show
In his classic song "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," Elton John sang, "Now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City." But London is another story.An Elton John-branded…
Rachel Brown Is Among Nation's Leaders In Saves For MELHS Girls Soccer Team
GLEN CARBON - Senior goalkeeper Rachel Brown was a stalwart and linchpin for the girls soccer team at Metro-East Lutheran High School during the 2025 season and Brown stood tall in goal, making 265 saves this season, which was the 11th most in the nation, according to MaxPreps, a national high school sports website. The Knights lost their IHSA Class 1A regional semifinal match 9-0 to highly touted host Father McGivney Catholic on May 16, 2025, at McGivney High School to conclude their season. However, Brown made two great saves to prevent the Griffins from scoring. It was typical of her performance in goal all season. Brown is a BJ's Printables Female Athlete of the Month for MELHS. Brown logged the most time in goal for the Knights, at 1,101 minutes, and had a goals-against average of 8.21. and a save percentage of .701. But the Knights showed resiliency all season, never backed down, and kept striving and playing hard, no matter what. In her post-match interview, Brown felt
Madison County: Road Closure on IL 143/157
EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a temporary road closure will be encountered on IL 143/157 in Edwardsville that began today, May 19, 2025. IL 143/157 (Vandalia St.) will be closed to through traffic between IL 159 (Main St.) and Buchanan St. for sanitary sewer repairs on IL 143/157. A detour will be marked utilizing IL 159 (Main St.), Schwarz St., and Buchanan St. to assist travelers around the closure. (See attached map.) All lanes will reopen as soon as possible. Pfund Construction will be making the needed repairs. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the 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 the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s
State of Illinois Marks Highest Workforce Levels Since 2008
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced that the State of Illinois has achieved historic outcomes in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees. These gains are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the State’s hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today. "These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Resolution Recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY-06) introduce a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. “No matter what anyone says, AANHPI stories are the American story—from our struggles to our triumphs, our diversity has always made our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “Every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, uplift diverse stories and celebrate our community as we continue to forge that path toward a better tomorrow where the American Dream remains within reach for
St. Louis faces more severe storm threats Monday and Tuesday, after hit from tornado
St. Louis faces more possible rounds of severe weather on Monday and Tuesday, just days after a deadly tornado tore from Clayton to Edwardsville on Friday.
Dr. Kumar: Identifying Suspicious Moles Is Very Important
Summer means outdoor activities and a reminder to watch for suspicious moles, a possible sign of skin cancer. But doctors say skin lesions come in many forms, and you should know when to get an expert opinion. What is and isn’t a skin lesion? Raman Kumar, MD , a colorectal and general surgeon at OSF HealthCare, has your checklist: YES: moles, blisters, bumps, acne, boils, peeling skin from a sunburn, rashes, poison ivy or similar skin reactions, warts, skin tags and bug bites YES, BUT: Dr. Kumar says freckles and birthmarks are lesions, but they are not harmful. In other words: “A skin lesion is any type of abnormal growth. It can happen anywhere on the body. If it doesn’t look like normal skin, it’s considered a growth,” Dr. Kumar says. Causes for each of these lesions vary. We know acne is due to bacteria, and warts are from a virus, for example. Medications, lifestyle choices (like eating certain food that doesn’t agree with you) and medical
After GAO Started Investigating DOGE, DOGE Decided To ‘Investigate’ GAO
In a brazen attempt to avoid oversight, Elon Musk’s DOGE team is now trying to “audit” the very agency tasked with auditing them. On Friday, NOTUS reported that DOGE officials showed up at the Government Accountability Office — Congress’s independent watchdog — to attempt their signature hostile takeover routine. There’s just one small problem: DOGE […]
Governor Comments On Trump Administration Termination Of Digital Equity Program
CHICAGO - In mid-May, the Trump Administration, through U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), terminated the Digital Equity Capacity Program. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) was in the process of implementing a Digital Equity Capacity Grant under this Program. This grant would have provided more than $23.7 million to Illinois organizations across the state to equip households and residents with the skills, resources, and tools needed to use high-speed internet and fully participate in Illinois’ economy. “The internet is a key to our economy. In Illinois, we need to make sure our many rural areas have the tools they need to access the internet and the doorways it opens for jobs, education, and telemedicine,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Instead of enabling more people to participate in our economy, Donald Trump is turning his back on rural
Drury Announces Spring Day School 2025 Dean's List
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment. The recognition means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top Midwestern university, according to US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. In the spring semester, the following student(s) made the day school Dean's list: Established in 1873, Drury University stands as the first higher education institution in Springfield, MO. A private, church related institution, Drury exemplifies a strong spirit of community, passionate about student success. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, HIGH SCHOOL East Alton, IL Hannah Ritter, Metro East Lutheran HS Edwardsville, IL Connor Bain, Triad High School Max Conrey, Edwardsville Senior HS Tyler Frolik, Edwardsville Senior HS Godfrey, IL Wes Laaker, Alton High School Jerseyville, IL Jeremy Vanost, Jersey
2 dead, 4 hurt in crash after police pursuit in north St. Louis County
Authorities said a stolen car driven by a boy, 17, ran head-on into an oncoming pickup truck on Bellefontaine Road about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Park Hills daycare under investigation following child’s death
The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are investigating after a three-year-old with special needs died at a Park Hills daycare last Friday.
St. Louis County reopens animal shelter after containing parvovirus outbreak
No new cases of parvovirus have been detected since May 1, the county Department of Public Health said.
Josh Hawley calls on insurance, FEMA to 'step up' after St. Louis tornado
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley flew into St. Louis on Monday and headed to the 4200 block of Kossuth Avenue, an especially hard-hit area of north St. Louis.
KSDK to move near Forest Park
KSDK said it will move to a new location near Interstate 64 and Forest Park. The station, Channel 5, has been based in downtown St. Louis for over 70 years.