New Year Relief: new funds available for Ameren customers
By Tribune Staff • ST. LOUIS – Ameren is reminding residential customers across Missouri and Illinois 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, the Energy Assistance Foundation…
Read MoreUS trade rep: renewal of deal with Mexico, Canada not a ‘rubberstamp’
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said while there is value with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the US will not rubberstamp the agreement with its current shortcomings. “USTR will keep the president’s options open, negotiating firmly to resolve the issues identified, but only recommending renewal if resolution can be achieved,” according to a…
Read MoreGeorgia man sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for leading $90,000+ bank fraud, identity theft scheme in downstate Illinois
EAST ST. LOUIS – A district judge sentenced a Georgia man to 70 months in federal prison after he admitted to leading a check cashing conspiracy that involved stealing the identities and checks belonging to local business owners and defrauding financial institutions across central and southern Illinois. Traveon H. Reese, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty…
Read MoreEmpowering tomorrow’s leaders: Six $1,500 scholarships available for high school seniors across the Midwest
WEST DES MOINES — Six high school seniors will each earn a scholarship valued at $1,500 through the 2026 ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship program. This program is sponsored by ISL Education Lending and is designed to make higher education more accessible while equipping students with essential financial literacy skills. Who Can Apply? All high school…
Read MoreBeyond the Ballot Backs Dylan Blaha for Congress in IL-13
SPRINGFIELD – New year, same generation demanding more than symbolic politics and empty promises. Ordinary people know incremental fixes won’t solve systemic failures rooted in greed and corporate control. That’s why Beyond the Ballot is proud to endorse Dylan Blaha for Congress in Illinois 13th Congressional District. While Washington remains captive to wealthy elites, Dylan…
Read MoreChristmas tree farm gears up for bright future
By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek About 300 central Illinois families admired brightly decorated Christmas trees in their homes this season that were nurtured on the Krone Tree Farm in Sangamon County for six to 10 years, depending on tree size and type. The Krone family is all about Christmas tree joy. Even the first letters of…
Read MoreNew law to improve overdose reporting information among initiatives enacted for 2026
By Tribune Staff • SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that several new laws designed to strengthen public health initiatives will take effect with the start of the New Year, Jan. 1, 2026. “The new year offers a critical opportunity to advance public health and protect Illinois families through new laws…
Read MoreAs America Approaches 250: Maryville holds close ties to baseball in its history
By Kathy Turner • January looks closely at the history of our region from 1940 to 1960. And, nothing stands out more in Maryville’s history than its support of and involvement in our nation’s pastime—baseball. The Maryville Red Sox formed in the early 1900s. Over the decades, Maryville boasted many players who went on to…
Read MoreCollinsville girls’ wrestlers win at Jacksonville invite
By Mark Jurgena It was a successful Winter Break for the Collinsville High School girls’ wrestling team, winning the Jacksonville Invitational and competing well at the Wonder Women event in Columbia, Mo. “Jacksonville was a hard-fought tournament,” said CHS girls’ coach Adam Gillespie. “It was good for us and it was a tough turn around…
Read MoreCongress advances whole milk bill to president’s desk
Would mark whole milk’s return to school menus for first time in more than 12 years By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, passed by the U.S. House…
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