Area News
Caritas Family Solutions spreads holiday cheer with annual Secret Santa program
For many children in foster care, the holiday season can pass without the traditions or gifts that make this time of year feel special. That’s why Caritas Family Solutions is inviting the community to make a difference by sponsoring a child through its annual Secret Santa program, which helps provide gifts and holiday joy to…
Read MoreAmeren Illinois employees deliver 20,000 pounds of food to pantries ahead of Thanksgiving
Employee-driven effort helps fight hunger across central, southern Illinois Ameren Illinois employees turned generosity into action this Thanksgiving season, collecting and delivering over 20,000 pounds of food to local pantries across the state. This marks the fourth consecutive year of the company’s employee-led food drive, and participation continues to grow with 4,000 more pounds raised…
Read MoreGovernor announces more than $400M in medical debt erased since relief program launch
Program reaches one year mark; nearly 358,000 Illinoisans benefitted; with four counties seeing more than 10 percent of residents receiving relief Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program has erased nearly $430 million in medical debt during its first year, benefitting 357,800 Illinoisans across all 102 counties. Illinoisans who have…
Read MoreNew study: Illinois ranks #9 in nation for live entertainment spending
A new study ranks Illinois #9 in the nation with residents spending an average of $183 on live entertainment in 2024; 7.3 times higher than the lowest-spending state Mississippi at $25. The record rise in ticket prices for concerts, shows and live events, known as “funflation,” has gripped the nation. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour grossed…
Read MoreO’Fallon’s Functional Health celebrates new location with chamber ribbon cutting
Functional Health of O’Fallon recently moved and celebrated its relocation with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce. Its new location is at 784 Wall Street, Suite 110, in O’Fallon. To view a video of the event and learn more about Functional Health, visit online at: Functional Health O’Fallon – O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber…
Read MoreMetro East Humane Society looks to ‘Clear the Shelters’ this Black Friday
MEHS hosting fee-waived adoption event sponsored by Trouw Nutrition and in memory of “Miri” Dunn Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) will host its eighth annual fee-waived Black Friday Adoption Event on Black Friday, Nov. 28. With adoptions down this year, MEHS is calling on the community to help give as many pets as possible a…
Read MoreTurkey prices help lower Thanksgiving meal costs
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Although shoppers might notice higher prices for certain ingredients, the overall cost of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner has decreased, according to an annual survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). In its 40th year, the Thanksgiving survey reports a table of classic dishes for 10 people will cost an average…
Read MoreAnderson Hospital Foundation hosts annual sporting clay event at NILO Farms
The Anderson Hospital Foundation held its 14th Annual Sporting Clay Classic on Oct. 18, 2025, at NILO Farms in Brighton, Ill. The event featured 100 targets and 12 stations on two courses; the event also included a large BBQ buffet for the shooters. 200 registered shooters that came out on a “beautiful fall day to…
Read MoreGovernor awards $10M in grant funding to Illinois small businesses
Grant funding will support 47 small business capital improvement projects throughout Illinois On Nov. 21, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined businessowners, legislators, and community stakeholders at Soul Good Coffee to announce nearly $10 million in funding for 47 small businesses through the Small Business Capital…
Read MoreSIU SDM students host free veterans dental care day, receive lifetime of memories
Fighting the war in Vietnam, being deployed to armed conflict in Bosnia and training in Fort McClellan as a woman medic in the first integrated unit are just a handful of stories shared by patients who arrived at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) Veterans Dental Care Day. On Thursday, Nov.…
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