Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's 'Our Communities' section. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.

The primary draws to southern Illinois are the outdoor recreation activities in Shawnee National Forest, including hiking, cycling, rock climbing and ziplining, as well as vineyards and wine trails.

Discover southern Illinois as a travel destination, with Shawnee National Forest, unique wineries, and small-town charm drawing visitors year-round.

In 1850, a number of free Black abolitionists began settling in the territorial city of St. Paul and helped with the freedom ...

Western Illinois University and Elgin Community College Establish Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway July 3, 2025 MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University and Elgin Community College (ECC) are ...

Illinois students whose grades are high enough won’t need to fill out applications to earn admission to most state universities, thanks to a new state law. The direct admissions program was ...