State News

  What began as an idea to help Salukis support one another has quickly become a success story. Since launching in late 2025, Saluki Market, the SIU Alumni Association’s newest venture, has generated more than $6,000 in first-month sales, connecting alumni, students and friends of Southern Illinois University Carbondale with businesses owned by alumni and friends of…

  By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek  Drought, flooding, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and extreme temperature swings; 2025 had it all and it varied drastically by location, making last year a memorable one from a weather standpoint for many Illinois farmers. State Climatologist Trent Ford, with the Illinois State Water Survey, reviewed weather statistics from 2025 and events…

  By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek  Text for a new farm bill could be released by February and Congress will likely consider ag labor reform during the first quarter of this year, congressional ag leaders told attendees of American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pennsylvania; House Ag ranking member…

Following Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order, GOMB identifies nearly $500 million in reserves to safeguard Illinois’ budget amid economic uncertainty driven by the Trump Administration Following Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order directing state agencies to prepare for federal economic disruptions, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) has released its FY26 budget reserves list, identifying funds within the current FY26 enacted budget that agencies…

In total, the Congresswoman secured $34 million in community project funding during the 2026 Fiscal Year On Jan. 22, 2026, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) announced that $6,650,000 in funding for local projects she championed passed out of the full House of Representatives. This comes just weeks after the House passed $27.8 million in funding for…

IDOT, ISP urging public: Avoid unnecessary travel, take special precautions The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the public that a winter storm with heavy snow as well as bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will have major impacts on Illinois roads this weekend and potentially into next week. Travel is not advised in the areas most affected. “Our snow…

On Jan. 21, 2026, Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) introduced the American Family Housing Act, following President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Stopping Wall Street From Competing With Main Street Homebuyers.” The American Family Housing Act directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to restrict large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, putting an end to Wall Street…

  SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – The Secretary of War praised the success of the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force (PCS JTF) and has announced that Scott Air Force Base has been selected as the home for the new Personal Property Activity (PPA). The new command will consolidate all functions of the…

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Southern District of Illinois collected $8,125,957.90 in criminal and civil actions in FY 25, announced U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. Of this amount, $3,937,603 was collected in criminal actions and $4,188,354.34 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Southern District of Illinois worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components…

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – An Edwardsville man is facing a federal arson charge for allegedly setting fire to an insurance office building in Alton. A federal grand jury charged Jason Dawson, 38, with one count of arson. According to charging documents, Dawson is accused of setting fire to an insurance office building on East…