Area News
Madison County Project Homeless connects to offer free goods, services on Jan. 31
Madison County is set to connect persons experiencing homelessness this week with services and goods. Madison County will hold its annual Project Homeless Connect event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31 at Riverbend Family Ministries, 144 E. Ferguson Ave, Wood River, which is the day after the county’s Point in Time…
Read MoreDeadline approaching for Illinois Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant
$6.5 million in state funding is available to help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain talent The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) has announced $6.5 million is available in competitive funding for the Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant. This grant aims to increase the quantity and quality of police officer recruitment programs…
Read MoreIDOC partners to expand cadet training with new regional academies
This month, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) established two new partnerships to address needs and expand training opportunities for cadets across Illinois. To support corrections facilities in the Southern Region, IDOC has signed an intergovernmental agreement with John A. Logan Community College in Carterville to prepare cadets for careers at Big Muddy River, Centralia,…
Read MoreSign up now for SIUC’s Feb. 11 SouthernTECH, connecting research, real-world application
SouthernTECH 2025: Advancing SIU Research, Building Businesses, Igniting Smart Growth is a conference created to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world application, and it’s happening at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Feb. 11. Regional business leaders who want to stay ahead of industry trends, government agency partners, graduate students interested in exploring…
Read MoreSCORE celebrates 60 years of empowering small businesses nationwide
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, SCORE stands as a testament to the enduring power of mentorship and entrepreneurial spirit. Since its founding in 1964, SCORE has grown into the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. This milestone not only marks six decades of invaluable service but also highlights the organization’s…
Read MoreIllinois unemployment rate down, jobs up in December
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced on Jan. 24, 2025, that nonfarm payrolls increased +8,800 while the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent in December, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The November monthly change in payrolls was revised…
Read MoreAs tax season begins, hundreds of millions in tax credits available to Illinoisans
New this year: Child Tax Credit for families, free IRS Direct File program With the 2025 tax season set to officially begin on January 27, Economic Security Illinois is encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of new and expanded tax credits that will put hundreds of dollars back in their pockets. New this year, the state’s…
Read MoreMadison County reminds residents about winter dangers on ponds
Madison County Emergency Management Agency wants to remind the public about the dangers of playing on ponds and lakes this winter. EMA Director Fred Patterson said police and fire departments throughout the county have received phone calls about children playing on the ice of ponds, including retention ponds. He said in hopes of avoiding water…
Read MoreAlaska Airlines begins seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta from STL
Alaska’s service is the airline’s first offering from STL flying south of the border On Jan. 25, 2025, Alaska Airlines began operating a weekly round trip to Puerto Vallarta. The direct flights are a seasonal service that will operate once a week on Saturdays from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to the Mexican resort…
Read MorePritzker announces the addition of over 5,000 publicly funded preschool seats
Seats made available for low-income families through ‘Smart Start’ program By JADE AUBREY and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois Over 5,000 preschool seats have opened for low-income families in Illinois through Smart Start Illinois in the past year. Smart Start Illinois is an initiative of Gov. JB Pritzker that’s designed to expand…
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