Justine PETERSEN presents PNC Bank with community banking award
Justine PETERSEN recently recognized PNC Bank as the 2025 recipient of the Justine PETERSEN Award for Community Banking, an honor that celebrates private banking partners in the St. Louis metro area who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to financial inclusivity and economic empowerment for low-income and socially disadvantaged individuals. Named in honor of Justine PETERSEN’s…
Read MoreAsk SCORE: What are dos and don’ts of building a website for my business?
These days having a website for your business is all but a requirement. It’s often the first place current and potential customers will turn to learn about your company and its offerings. Creating an attractive, accessible and informative website can expand your reach and bring in new audiences. There are many tools to help you…
Read MorePlentiful pig inventory to start new year; pork supply ample
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek With more profitable hog prices, lower feed costs and higher production efficiency compared to recent years, the U.S. has an ample supply of pork to start 2026. USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report Dec. 23 pegged the nation’s hog herd at 75.5 million head, up 1% from a year ago…
Read MoreNew Year relief: New funds available for Ameren customers
Ameren encourages customers to apply for energy bill assistance in 2026 Ameren is reminding residential customers across Illinois and Missouri that a wide range of resources remain available to support qualifying households with their energy bills in 2026. In addition to programs funded by the company, Ameren partners with United Way of Greater St. Louis,…
Read MoreSchnucks customers, company donate over $180K to The Salvation Army
Schnuck Markets Inc. and The Salvation Army recently announced that Schnucks customers and the company donated a total of $181,677 to The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign through the most recent Round Up at the Register. Schnucks customers had the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent of…
Read MoreGov. Pritzker signs historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
Bill will lower monthly utility bills for working families while strengthening grid; bill expected to save Illinois consumers $13.4 billion over the next two decades Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for…
Read MoreAmber Donnelly named as new Madison County Mental Health Board ED
The Madison County Mental Health Board named a new Executive Director — selecting a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in child and family welfare, trauma-informed care, and systems reform. Amber Donnelly, Ed.S., will serve as the new executive director. She brings a specialized background in educational leadership, policy analysis and strategic…
Read MoreSierra Club of Illinois to present views on data centers on Jan. 13
The Sierra Club’s local speaker’s series continues on Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, 2026, at Old Bakery Beer Co., 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. The program runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., is open to the public and is free to attend. Attendees are welcome to come early and enjoy a meal from the venue prior to…
Read MoreHRIF provided $50M for New Markets Tax Credits
Allocation matches highest amount given to STL Partnership subsidiary Heartland Regional Investment Fund LLC (HRIF), a subsidiary of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), was recently allocated $50 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) through the U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). This matches the largest allocation…
Read MoreCommentary: Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S. By RAVI MISHRA Illinois Policy Institute Illinois lawmakers frequently boast about economic growth and development, yet Illinois has posted one of the slowest gross domestic product growth rates in the nation while…
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