Category Archives: Local News
Mt. Vernon Police make arrests in connection with residential burglary
Three individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a burglary in Mt. Vernon, according to a release from the Mt. Vernon Police Department. 24-year-old David Porter of Belle Rive was a...
Jan 09, 2026 David Porter
Woodlawn man arrested for possession of child pornography
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office reports that a 36-year-old Woodlawn man has been arrested for alleged possession of child pornography. The sheriff's office received a criminal complaint regardin...
Jan 09, 2026
Centralia woman sentenced to three years in prison
A 34-year-old Centralia woman has been sentenced to three years in prison for possession of methamphetamine and felony disorderly conduct. Bianca Meeks of North Beech Street admitted to making a false...
Jan 09, 2026
Pritzker signs major energy reform bill amid projected shortages; State Senator Plummer says 'Energy Omnibus Bill' will only make energy costs worse
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois January 8, 2026 Article Summary The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act incentivizes battery storage among other measures aimed at bolstering grid reli...
Jan 09, 2026 An industrial-scale battery storage facility at G&W Electric in Bolingbrook, which was installed in 2024. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Marion County residents can get free help to expunge some criminal records
The Land of Lincoln Legal Aid and South Central Illinois United Way are providing a free program to expunge or seal your Marion County Criminal Records. Many non-violent drug possession charges are el...
Jan 09, 2026
Centralia man receives three-year prison term on multiple felony offenses
A 36-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to a combined three years in prison after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to criminal trespass to an occupied residence, theft, aggravated battery...
Jan 09, 2026
Only minor damage reported from Thursday night storm activity
A line of sometimes heavy shower activity crossed South Central Illinois on Thursday night, resulting in several severe thunderstorm warnings being issued. The Marion County Sheriff's Department repor...
Jan 09, 2026
Police Beat for Friday, January 9th, 2026
A 24-year-old Centralia man has been sanctioned to serve 15 days in the Marion County Jail after being found to have violated his pre-trial release in a pending misdemeanor criminal damage to property...
Jan 09, 2026
Bailey proposes 'Illinois DOGE' as Republican governor's race focuses on spending
New poll shows Bailey holds commanding lead in four-person primary By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Republican candidate for governor Darren Ba...
Jan 08, 2026 Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey speaks at a news conference with running mate Aaron Del Mar on Jan. 8, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Trump freezes $10B in social service, child care funding for Illinois, 4 other blue states
HHS cites 'serious concerns' about widespread fraud and misuse of funds, cites no evidence By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Story Summary The Trump administratio...
Jan 08, 2026
