Metro East

Luis Morocho-Minga had worked at a Fairview Heights pizza restaurant for several years before he was indicted on an immigration-related charge in February.

Fairview Heights restaurant employee sentenced; family fears he’ll be deported

Mike Koziatek

Luis Morocho-Minga’s roughly 20-year life in the Metro East was upended after a weapon charge lodged against him in December in St. Clair County led to a federal firearm possession charge.

Wastewater goes through the aeration process at the Granite City Sewage Treatment Plant on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Granite City.

Economy & Business

Illinois American Water buys Madison's wastewater system for $3M

Will Bauer

Illinois American Water has $9.1 million in investments planned for the Metro East community's wastewater system over the next five years.

Collinsville residents were recently warned in a letter that elevated levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been detected in their water.

Health, Science & Environment

Is Collinsville’s water safe? City changes its answer after new PFAS tests

Lexi Cortes

Just five months after the city said the water was safe, the Metro East suburb is now recommending that residents filter city tap water because of elevated levels of "forever chemicals."

Bethalto residents created a Facebook group in the last year where they would share photos, like these, of the brown water coming out of their faucets.

Health, Science & Environment

Illinois EPA says Bethalto water is safe, but residents want more done

Will Bauer

While residents see the state agency’s results as a sign that temporary progress has been made thanks to increased public scrutiny, they want to solve the underlying issues that have plagued their water system.

A packed room filled the Columbia school board meeting on Thursday, where roughly a dozen supporters came to speak on behalf of high school English teacher Mary Adams, who resigned after a social media post she allegedly made of a Charlie Kirk quote went public and she became victim of what some residents are calling a cyber bullying campaign.

Education

How a Facebook controversy led to Metro East teacher’s resignation

Madison Lammert

A Columbia High School teacher’s resignation sparked a flurry of public comments at a school board meeting last week.

A member of United Steelworkers holds up a flag during a rally for steelworkers in Granite City on Sept. 20.

Economy & Business

'Right thing to do': Steelworkers rally in Granite City for long-term commitments

Will Bauer

After newly acquired U.S. Steel scrapped its decision to wind down processing at the Metro East mill later this fall, steelworkers rallied this weekend in hopes of keeping the plant open beyond 2027.

Kaelyn O’Brien, a Columbia High School graduate, is overcome with emotion when describing high school English teacher Mary Adams, who resigned after her alleged social media post about recently-slain Charlie Kirk went public and she became the target of what speakers described as a bullying campaign.

Education

Metro East teacher faces backlash and resigns after alleged Charlie Kirk post

Madison Lammert

A Columbia, Illinois, teacher's alleged social media posts sparked a flurry of public comments at the school's board meeting this week.

A U. S. Steel worker inspects equipment after emptying a pot of liquid steel.

Economy & Business

U.S. Steel reverses plans for Granite City Works — plant to continue operating

Will Bauer

The company announced earlier this month it would stop work at the Metro East plant this fall but now has changed course.

Education

Increased SIUE enrollment and program cuts led to balanced budget, chancellor says

Will Bauer

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James Minor says greener pastures are ahead for the Metro East school.

An architectural rendering shows what the main building of HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital will look like after renovations and expansions. The hospital plans to add eight new emergency department treatment rooms and 32 inpatient beds.

Health, Science & Environment

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital to add beds, double emergency room capacity

Sarah Fentem

Officials said the $116 million project is necessary to meet the needs of an aging population.