Category Archives: Local News
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
Illinois House speaker calls Bears stadium ask 'insensitive' amid budget pressures
Franchise threatened to move to Indiana if Illinois lawmakers don't lend a hand By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Illinois House Speaker Emanuel...
Jan 08, 2026 Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, speaks at a news conference at the Illinois Capitol in May 2023. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Salem woman faces aggravated battery and domestic battery charges following Centralia incident
A 20-year-old Salem woman has been formally charged in Marion County Court with aggravated battery and domestic battery following an incident on a Centralia city street on Tuesday. Kjay Bumgarner of S...
Jan 08, 2026 Blogtrepreneur / CC
Homeless Centralia man gets 3.5-year prison term on drug charge
A 35-year-old homeless Centralia man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after his probation was revoked a second time on an original conviction for possession of methamphetamine. S...
Jan 08, 2026
Mt. Vernon man hurt in car-deer crash south of Salem
A 33-year-old Mt. Vernon man was injured in a car-deer crash on Route 37 near the Route 161 intersection south of Salem early Wednesday morning. Marion County Sheriff's Deputies say Jordan Robinson of...
Jan 08, 2026
New Illinois Bill allows poultry farmers better opportunity for distribution
Numerous pieces of legislation went into effect on the 1st of January in the state of Illinois. One of those sponsored by State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) makes it easier for small pou...
Jan 08, 2026 Steven-L-Johnson / CC
Carlyle named one of best boating cities in country for 2026
Carlyle has been named one of the 12 Best Boating Cities in the United States for the second year in a row. The list is put together by BoatBooker. Carlyle Lake is recognized for its calm lake setting...
Jan 08, 2026
Marion County Coroner's office handles 442 deaths in 2025
The Marion County Coroner's Office handled 442 deaths in 2025. Coroner Claude Howell says the number is up for 415 in the prior year. Howell reported 421 of the deaths were the result of natural cause...
Jan 08, 2026 File photo: Marion County Courthouse.
Salem woman joins staff of United Way of South Central Illinois
United Way of South Central Illinois is welcoming Trish Mulvaney of Salem as the newest member of its team. The Executive Director of United Way of South Central Illinois Natalie Shook says they are i...
Jan 08, 2026
Illinois Department of Human Services reports yearslong data breach
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois January 6, 2026 Article Summary IDHS says it inadvertently stored protected health information on a publicly accessible website involving more than 32,000 Divis...
Jan 07, 2026 Capitol News Illinois File Photo
