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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised religious leaders for condemning the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for unlawful raids, encouraging Americans to join in condemning the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Durbin began by praising and entering a homily by the Archbishop of Washington and a letter to the editor from Jewish rabbis in Illinois condemning the actions of ICE and DHS into the Congressional Record, saying: “The Cardinal from the District of Columbia and the Jewish rabbis know—and we all know—that this is a reign of terror from this Administration aimed not to make America safer, but to make sure that people who weren’t born here leave.” Durbin then shared insights from a visit to suburban Elgin, Illinois, one of the first targets

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ROCKFORD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) for Startups agreement for Rockford Brake Manufacturing’s $6.6 million investment to reestablish the company and reopen a historic Rockford factory. Four former employes of Gunite Corporation have created a new business, which will save Rockford’s longest-standing factory since parent company Accuride closed Gunite’s doors in February 2025 after announcing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Bolstered by State incentives, the former Gunite employees are purchasing the idled factory and are relaunching operations as Rockford Brake Manufacturing. “Here in Illinois, we strive to support our businesses and strengthen our communities through new economic opportunities — and that’s exactly what we’re doing in Rockford. Our state incentives are empowering Rockford Brake Manufacturing to

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JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville City Council members on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, unanimously approved amending two sections of the City Code regarding video gaming cafes and terminals. The current Jerseyville City Code clearly states video gaming cafes are “not permitted in the City.” It defines a “video gaming cafe” as an establishment whose primary focus is on video gaming, with food and alcohol sales being “secondary to the video gaming operation.” Mayor Kevin Stork said at Tuesday’s meeting that an updated version of the ordinance will clarify that the majority of a business’s revenue must come from food and/or alcohol sales, not video gaming. The ordinance will also be “cleaned up” to make certain sections less “cumbersome” and easier for the city’s Planning & Zoning Board to enforce. Stork said any new business seeking a video gaming license will have to prove the majority of their revenue

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ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Three juveniles were taken into custody after a burglary at Crown Guns in St. Charles early Tuesday morning, Oct. 28, 2025, resulting in the theft of several firearms, St. Charles County Police said on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. At approximately 3:23 a.m., on Oct. 28, 2025, St. Charles County Emergency Dispatch received an alarm notification from the gun store located at 1964 S. Old Highway 94. St. Charles County Police said upon arrival, officers found severe damage to the front door and evidence of forced entry. The business was searched, but no suspects were located at that time. The business owner confirmed that multiple firearms were stolen. St. County Police said security footage revealed several suspects and vehicles involved in the burglary, prompting the St. Charles County Police Department Property Crimes Division to open an investigation. Later that evening, at about 7:30 p.m., St. Louis County Police located one of the vehicles identified in the

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GRANITE CITY - Kyleigh Fisher has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fulfill the final wish of her mother, Helena, before her health deteriorates further. Helena was diagnosed in March 2024 with stage 4 breast cancer that has since spread to her bones, liver, lungs, and brain, her daughter said. She added that the disease has severely compromised her spine, with tumors causing fractures. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Helena’s prognosis remains limited, with doctors estimating she may have up to 18 months to live, Fisher said. One of Helena’s greatest desires is to visit Louisiana and swim with otters at Magnolia Wilds in Ethel, an experience she has long hoped for. Helena is not only a mother to Kyleigh and her two brothers, including one with Down syndrome, but also a grandmother to five granddaughters. Before her illness, she worked as a nurse in various settings such as nursing homes, home health, hospice and behavioral health. Kyleigh’s GoFundMe campaign aims

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ST. LOUIS - President Megan E. Green addressed the temporary removal of Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office, expressing confidence in the officials overseeing the Sheriff's Office during this period. In a statement released Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, Green said, "I have full faith and confidence in Circuit Attorney Gore, Chief Tracy, and the presiding judge to run the Sheriff’s Office following Sheriff Montgomery’s temporary removal from office." The statement also outlined the Board of Aldermen's preparedness to collaborate with the Mayor and the Comptroller should Sheriff Montgomery be permanently removed. "The Board of Aldermen stands ready to work with the Mayor and the Comptroller to run a transparent process for appointing an interim Sheriff—as it did previously in 1972, 1977, and 1978," Green said. Additionally, the Board affirmed its commitment to holding a special election in accordance with state law to ensure residents retain their democratic right to

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from illegally cutting some congressionally approved funding for K-12 mental health programs. He and a coalition of 16 state attorneys general filed suit in June , alleging Department of Education funding cuts violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the U.S. Constitution. On Oct. 21, U.S. District Court Judge Kymberly Evanson rejected the U.S. Department of Education’s motion to dismiss the case. In a preliminary injunction issued Monday, she said the department appears to have acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, violating the Administrative Procedure Act. Evanson limited her injunction to grantees that had submitted declarations to the court explaining how they’d been harmed by the cuts. “This preliminary injunction means that vital congressionally approved funding will not be blocked at the expense of Illinois students’ mental health,&rdquo

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The River des Peres has long been both a symbol of St. Louis’s resilience and a reminder of its challenges. Once a natural waterway, it was engineered (and buried through Forst Park) to control flooding—an uneasy balance between nature and infrastructure. Today, efforts like the annual River des Peres Trash Bash reflect how residents and […]

The post River des Peres Trash Bash: Building a Cleaner, Greener St. Louis appeared first on NextSTL.

Dairy foods and fiber: A smart pairing for diabetes management November is National Diabetes Month — a national proclamation designed to raise awareness and education about diabetes. In the United States, approximately 38.4 million people have this chronic disease that affects how an individual’s body turns food into energy. Food choices, in conjunction with medication and physical activity, are key to managing diabetes. Protein-rich, low-fat dairy, paired with fiber-rich foods, can play an integral role in this management. Following a meal, the body’s digestive system breaks down carbohydrates — starches and natural or added sugars — into glucose, a simple sugar that is the body’s preferred energy source. To provide the body’s cells with this energy, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which allows glucose to enter the body’s cells. However, when people have diabetes, they no longer make insulin (type 1 diabetes), or they make

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The Missouri House Ethics Committee on Wednesday wrapped up an investigation into an obscene text message sent from one lawmaker to another during September’s legislative special session. State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican from Joplin and chairman of the ethics committee, said after the panel adjourned that he does not plan any more hearings into […]

PEORIA — Sean Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey during a police encounter in Springfield. The verdict came after an eight-day trial. The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024, when Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at Massey’s residence on the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue. During the interaction inside the home, Deputy Grayson discharged his firearm, striking Massey and causing her death. Body camera footage showed Massey, who was compliant and apologetic, picking up a pot of boiling water from the stove. The footage also captured Grayson escalating the situation by shouting and drawing his weapon before firing three shots that struck Massey in the head. Grayson faces up to 20 years in prison, with the possibility of probation and parole. His sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Sangamon County. In response

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It was just last month that Brett Kavanaugh gave his explanation for why it was perfectly okay for Homeland Security goons to profile brown people and detain them based on nothing more than the color of their skin. While his cowardly colleagues in the majority on that shadow docket decision refused to explain their thinking, […]

ALTON — OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center celebrated 100 years of service to the Riverbend community with an Open House event on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. The free event invited the public to tour the hospital, meet staff, and explore more than 20 departments offering a wide range of medical services. Founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, Saint Anthony’s began after six months of preparation and remodeling before opening its doors to local residents. Sister M. Beata Ziegler, vice president of operations and special projects, reflected on the hospital’s origins with Our Daily Show! host C.J. Nasello on the day of the open house, noting the strong community support that helped establish the facility. “The Sisters were blessed by receiving extraordinary support from residents who believed in our Mission to follow Christ unconditionally and witness to the beauty and totality of being given over to the One who has

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ALTON - Community members have the chance to support the YWCA’s programs at their upcoming trivia night. At 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2025, at Great Rivers Ascend Hotel in Alton, the YWCA will host a trivia night to raise money for programs like their child enrichment, health and wellness, economic empowerment and advancement, and racial and social justice initiatives. Executive Director Dorothy Hummel noted that the organization works hard to support kids and adults in the Riverbend region. “We’ve got good things going on,” she said. “We're excited to offer these programs to support the community in new ways or expanded ways from what we’ve had in the past.” A table of eight costs $200 or you can purchase an individual ticket for $25. In addition to the trivia, which Hummel promises will be “challenging yet fun,” attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, and additional prizes. Participants are encouraged to bring their ow

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The six states that lead in corn production — Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas — have seen higher rates of cancer among young people than other states over the past decade, according to Washington Post reporting published this week.  The Washington Post data analysis found that six corn belt states have cancer rates […]

by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum In 2019, architect and unconventional developer Steve Smith teamed up with concert promoter Tim Weber to transform a Washington Avenue building in Grand Center into a music venue. They built the plan, lined up the capital — and were set to launch March 1, 2020, just as COVID […]

The post Six Years in Making, Sovereign Opens as St. Louis’ Newest Independent Music Venue in Grand Center appeared first on Construction Forum.

S. M. Wilson & Co. has promoted Brad Homes and Nichole VonderHaar from Senior Project Manager to Project Director roles. As Project Directors, they provide leadership and operational oversight on a variety of construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that the entire team has the resources necessary and maintains high-level communication throughout each stage […]

The post S.M. Wilson Promotes Homes and VonderHaar to Project Directors appeared first on Construction Forum.

St. Ambrose Catholic School 2025-2026 1st Quarter Honor Roll 4th Grade High Honor Roll Vivian Kerkemeyer Theadora Mendoza 4th Grade Honor Roll Chase Baumgartner Avenly Burns Jackson Hoefert Vincent Hollinger Margaret Kessler Lea Kiel Jonah Krueger Vivienne Morrissey Nolan Nixon Lucas Pulaski Bianca Rodrigeuz-Frias 5th Grade High Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Thatcher Gregory Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Cayla Kory Lucas Lacy Reid Pruetzel 5th Grade Honor Roll Colton French Jordan McCormick Samantha McCormick Leo Noss Ella Schroeder Lily Yemm 6th Grade High Honor Roll Elijah Baird Benjamin Burns Tucker Eberlin Audrina Klasner Maizy McCahill 6th Grade Honor Roll Julian Certa Holly Franklin Kamryn Hollinger Alysa Kochan Barrett Kohl Jackson Lacy Marley Palmer Helen Rakers 7th Grade High Honor Roll Finn Kane Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey 7th Grade Honor Roll Collin Cruse Charlie Droste Charlotte Hendrickson Emma

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Members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Boeing Defense this week urging its leaders to offer a fair contract to the more than 3,200 striking St. Louis-area workers in the name of national security. “These workers are essential to the success of your company, and they deserve compensation that reflects […]