{"id":9563,"date":"2022-09-19T22:47:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T03:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/?page_id=9563"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:40:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T20:40:15","slug":"home-page-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Page 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/GCG-Final-Header-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/GCG-Final-Header-1-1.png 850w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/GCG-Final-Header-1-1-300x79.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/GCG-Final-Header-1-1-768x203.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026.png\" alt=\"Granite City Illinois Wilson Park\" class=\"wp-image-30995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026.png 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/May-Flowers-in-Granite-City-May-website-header-2026-1200x800.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our beautiful annual tulips coming alive in Wilson Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>HELLO GRANITE CITY AND ALL NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES<\/strong><br><strong>Welcome to GraniteCityGossip.com, the area\u2019s landing place <\/strong><br><strong>that brings our community together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay loop muted src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CELEBRATING-1-1.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/local-obituary-index\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24125\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Obituaries.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Obituaries.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Obituaries-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/archives-granitecitygossip-com-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"9628\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/button-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/button-2-1.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/button-2-1-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/yard-sales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"9629\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-2-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-2-1-1.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-2-1-1-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/members.boardhost.com\/GraniteGossip\/index.html?#t_1611803122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24127\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Discussion-Board.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Discussion-Board.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Discussion-Board-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/themill.events\/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMc2DRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGeVdjWmtYbmFGQUZEbWJQAR7TqWT5Mcd2OdeHkF83huNdGgQD66SrI8RJHWCpszsxSGVXf-Ee3zpwDweInw_aem_BlQgOZ9IXmxWeC7EPggqrA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24136\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-The-Mill-Event-Venue.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-The-Mill-Event-Venue.png 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-The-Mill-Event-Venue-300x52.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/organizations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"9637\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboardorganizations-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboardorganizations-2.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboardorganizations-2-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gcparkdistrict.com\/?fbclid=IwAR1MgfQ1QHw9U_FZDvjK8UJWmL008cydEdOFMLgTyRcfig0jn7YA3hjys14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24119\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/website-navigator-button.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/website-navigator-button.png 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/website-navigator-button-300x52.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/local-townships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"12064\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-2-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-2-2.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-2-2-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/local-government-offices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"9645\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-localgov-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-localgov-1.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-localgov-1-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.granitecitycinema.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24129\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-4-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-4-1.png 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-Mobile-copy-4-1-300x52.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"24131\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Contact-Us.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Contact-Us.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/navigator-button-Contact-Us-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"56\" data-id=\"9651\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-advertising-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9651\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-advertising-1.jpg 326w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Small-Leaderboard-Ad-advertising-1-300x52.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"#Calendar\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"854\" height=\"89\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-1.png 854w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-1-300x31.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-1-768x80.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/madison-county-police-blotter-index\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"175\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/blotter-banner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/blotter-banner.png 875w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/blotter-banner-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/blotter-banner-768x154.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@GraniteCityIllinois\/streams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"175\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-875-x-175-copy-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-875-x-175-copy-4.png 875w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-875-x-175-copy-4-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-875-x-175-copy-4-768x154.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-council-meeting-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"70\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-825-x-70-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-825-x-70-1.png 825w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-825-x-70-1-300x25.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blank-825-x-70-1-768x65.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 825px) 85vw, 825px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Shopper Wins $1 Million on Scratch-Off Bought at<\/strong><br><strong>Curly\u2019s Corner Market<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 15, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/money-match-winners-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/money-match-winners-1.png 602w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/money-match-winners-1-300x207.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 85vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">A Granite City woman who stops by her neighborhood store almost every day is now celebrating a $1 million Illinois Lottery win. Cynthia, who lives in Granite City, claimed the top prize on a $10 Money Match scratch-off ticket she purchased at\u00a0<strong>Curly\u2019s Corner Market<\/strong>, located at 527 Maryville Road. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.<br><br>According to the Illinois Lottery, Cynthia chose the ticket on a\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-shopper-wins-1-million-on-scratch-off-bought-at-curlys-corner-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to see more images.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regenerativehealthandchiro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" data-id=\"22313\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/regernative-banner-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22313\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/cionkos-meat-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-id=\"22311\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cionkos-banner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22311\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/dixon-heating-and-cooling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" data-id=\"22315\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dixonbanner2024-300x197-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22315\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/the-flower-emporium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"30211\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy.png 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Elegant-Flower-Empor-copy-1200x800.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/scooters-coffee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"186\" data-id=\"22316\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/scootersfinalbanner2025-300x186-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22316\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/state-farm-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"431\" height=\"283\" data-id=\"23423\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-19.png 431w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-19-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 431px) 85vw, 431px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/uncle-linnys-family-restaurant-catering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"243\" data-id=\"21113\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Copy-of-Your-paragraph-text-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Copy-of-Your-paragraph-text-2.png 391w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Copy-of-Your-paragraph-text-2-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 85vw, 391px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/business-equipment-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"195\" data-id=\"22309\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/BEC-banner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22309\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/linnys-food-brews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"421\" height=\"273\" data-id=\"23424\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/food-and-brews-banner-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/food-and-brews-banner-1.png 421w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/food-and-brews-banner-1-300x195.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 421px) 85vw, 421px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;text-align: center\"><strong>GraniteCityGossip.com is brought to you by our advertisers. We couldn\u2019t do it without them! Take a moment to click on a banner to see a full page of information including pictures, video, and you just never know, you may find a bargain!<\/strong> <br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here for more advertising opportunities.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Madison County EMA\u00a0Emergency Alert System Transitions Friday to a New Platform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>Madison County PRESS RELEASE, May 14, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Alert-system-1-791x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31334 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Alert-system-1-791x1024.jpeg 791w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Alert-system-1-232x300.jpeg 232w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Alert-system-1-768x994.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Alert-system-1.jpeg 927w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 85vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">EDWARDSVILLE \u2014 The Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is completing its transition to a new emergency notification platform and will officially discontinue use of the CodeRED system Friday.<br>\u00a0<br>Residents previously signed up for CodeRED were transferred into the new Everbridge alert platform. However, EMA officials encourage residents to create an account through Everbridge if they would like to review or update their information over time, including addresses and notification preferences.<br>\u00a0<br>Everbridge is also utilized by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and other state and local agencies across Illinois to distribute emergency notifications and critical public safety information.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">\u201cAfter Friday, Madison County will no longer use CodeRED for emergency notifications,\u201d EMA Director Fred Patterson said. \u201cResidents who are not signed up for alerts should do so as soon as possible to continue receiving important emergency information.\u201d<br><br>Patterson said residents who were previously enrolled in CodeRED\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/madison-county-ema-emergency-alert-system-transitions-friday-to-a-new-platform\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"31329\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap here to read entire article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Community Turns Out for Old Six Mile Historical Society &amp; Museum Appreciation Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 13, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/689486314_27739822678939452_741611723087061298_n-2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Thank You, Granite City! What an incredible day at the Old Six Mile Historical Society &amp; Museum! Our Community Appreciation Day was a huge success, and we want to thank every single person who stopped by, volunteered, donated, or simply shared the beautiful and sunny day with us.<br><br>A special highlight of the event was dedicating our historic smokehouse&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/community-turns-out-for-old-six-mile-historical-society-museum-appreciation-day\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"31291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap here to read full article, for additional photos and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wojstrom.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" data-id=\"22359\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wojstromebanner-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wojstromebanner-1-1.jpg 375w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/wojstromebanner-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 85vw, 375px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/teris-route-66-diner\/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMBWIdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkU1F3SjZPN2tnb0d6NENxAR7LVnh1y-cxicAF5zoEFFPWZtfD1JG6WKxlPM4Imuwp9Oq_Y6M1dZ_1pvq8MA_aem_aujuXz9lyolsjKHnfOsuDQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"431\" height=\"283\" data-id=\"23370\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-18.png 431w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-391-x-243-18-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 431px) 85vw, 431px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/the-flower-emporium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"192\" data-id=\"22310\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/thefloweremporiumbanner2025-300x192-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22310\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/central-bark-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"243\" data-id=\"26569\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024-2.png 391w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024-2-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 85vw, 391px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/forever-after\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"243\" data-id=\"23903\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after-1.png 391w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after-1-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 85vw, 391px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/columbus-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"411\" height=\"263\" data-id=\"19711\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/kchallbanner.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/kchallbanner.jpg 411w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/kchallbanner-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 411px) 85vw, 411px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>When Common Sense Takes a Day Off.<\/strong><br><strong>How AI Is Fooling People Who Should Know Better<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 11, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"805\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1-1024x805.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1-1024x805.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1-300x236.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1-768x604.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1-1200x944.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fake-image-3-final-1.jpg 1302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">In a world where anyone with a phone and a pulse can generate a \u201cmiracle moment,\u201d we\u2019ve hit a strange new era, people are believing things that any rational adult should immediately recognize as impossible.<br><br>We\u2019re not talking about subtle manipulation or deep philosophical trickery. We\u2019re talking about wild bears politely knocking on doors to hand over their freezing cubs so humans can warm them up like a Hallmark movie. We\u2019re talking about gorillas in\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/when-common-sense-takes-a-day-off-how-ai-is-fooling-people-who-should-know-better\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article, more images and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"194\" data-id=\"22357\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/place-your-ad-here.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22357\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wojstrom.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"250\" data-id=\"9883\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/wojstromebanner-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/wojstromebanner-1.jpg 375w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/wojstromebanner-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 85vw, 375px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/columbus-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"411\" height=\"263\" data-id=\"13507\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blank-391-x-243-20-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blank-391-x-243-20-1.jpg 411w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blank-391-x-243-20-1-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 411px) 85vw, 411px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/forever-after\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"243\" data-id=\"23414\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after.png 391w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/forever-after-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 85vw, 391px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/central-bark-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"243\" data-id=\"19292\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024.png 391w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/centralbarkwebsitebanner2024-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 85vw, 391px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/lisas-dairy-bar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"411\" height=\"263\" data-id=\"20621\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lisas-dairy-bar-2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lisas-dairy-bar-2025.png 411w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lisas-dairy-bar-2025-300x192.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 411px) 85vw, 411px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.4;text-align: center\"><strong>Senator Erica Harriss\u2019 Mother\u2019s Day Diaper Drive Collects Hundreds of Essential Items for Local Families<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"185\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/thumbnail-9-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/thumbnail-9-1.png 800w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/thumbnail-9-1-300x69.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/thumbnail-9-1-768x178.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 85vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \u00a0\u00a0May 11, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"31252\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mothers-Day-Diaper-Drive-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"31253\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Diaper-Drive-2026-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Thanks to the generosity of the Metro East community, State Senator Erica Harriss\u2019 2026 Mother\u2019s Day Diaper Drive collected hundreds of essential baby and toddler items for local families in need. On Friday, donations gathered throughout the drive were delivered to Safe Families for Children Metro East to help support moms and children across the region ahead of Mother\u2019s Day.<br><br>\u201cThe response from the community was incredible,\u201d said Senator Harriss. \u201cSeeing my office filled with &#8230;. <a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/senator-erica-harriss-mothers-day-diaper-drive-collects-hundreds-of-essential-items-for-local-families\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Worthen Park Splash Pad Ribbon Cutting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com May 9, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-1024x602.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-1024x602.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-1536x902.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1-1200x705.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/splash-pad-group-2-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Worthen Park Splash Pad Ribbon Cutting, images from the Granite City Park District Facebook.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Worthen Park had something to celebrate today as the community gathered for the official ribbon cutting of the brand\u2011new splash pad. Families, kids, and local residents came out to enjoy the sunshine and take part in the opening ceremony, marking a fun new addition to the park.<br><br>The splash pad will be open from\u00a0<strong>12\u20135 p.m. on weekends<\/strong>, giving families a place to cool off and\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/worthen-park-splash-pad-ribbon-cutting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and for more images.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Seniors Celebrate Spring With a Festive Luau Party<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 8, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"31183\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/690769147_122169327296887510_1687439553503162362_n-2.jpg 1738w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"747\" data-id=\"31184\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-1024x747.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-1024x747.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-768x561.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-1536x1121.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1-1200x876.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/693955219_122169327212887510_9185741858251500911_n-1.jpg 1822w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City seniors kicked off the season in tropical style Friday morning as the Granite City Senior Social Club and the Granite City Township hosted a lively Luau Party at the Township Hall. The event began at 10:30 a.m. and quickly filled with laughter, bright colors, and the unmistakable energy that comes whenever the senior community gathers.<br><br>Guests were welcomed with island\u2011themed decorations&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-seniors-celebrate-spring-with-a-festive-luau-party\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"31174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap here to read entire article, for additional photos and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Kelly Manno Returns to Granite City for One Night of Laughs!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com May 7, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"738\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1-738x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31172 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1-738x1024.jpg 738w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1-768x1066.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1-1107x1536.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/comedy-concert-benfit-1.jpg 1111w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 738px) 85vw, 738px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City\u2019s own\u00a0<strong>Kelly Manno<\/strong>\u00a0is coming home, and she\u2019s bringing her sense of humor with her! On July 10th, Kelly will take the stage for a one\u2011night\u2011only stand\u2011up show that promises to be equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.<br><br><br>If you\u2019ve ever wondered what happens when a Holy Family grad, Coolidge alum, and two\u2011time Pom Squad dropout gets a microphone, you\u2019re about to find out.<br><br><br>Kelly calls herself a\u00a0<em>\u201chumdinger drinking, paddlers swimmin\u2019, donkey basketball playing, lambs garden fightin\u2019 product of Granite City, Illinois\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 and honestly, that might be the most accurate local r\u00e9sum\u00e9 we\u2019ve ever heard.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">She\u2019s got stories that only Granite City folks will truly appreciate, from the glory days of smiley\u2011face cookies at Mrs. Seibold\u2019s to the kind of small\u2011town mischief that makes for comedy gold. And yes, she\u2019s doing it all for &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/kelly-manno-returns-to-granite-city-for-one-night-of-laughs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and ticket information.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Ameren Illinois Reminds Residents to Keep Mylar Balloons Secure During Spring Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 7, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/balloons-sharpened-1200x800-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/balloons-sharpened-1200x800-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/balloons-sharpened-1200x800-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/balloons-sharpened-1200x800-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/balloons-sharpened-1200x800-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">With graduation parties and spring gatherings underway across the Metro East, Ameren Illinois is reminding customers to be cautious with Mylar balloons, which can cause significant power outages if they drift into electrical lines.<br><br>According to Ameren, metallic balloons that escape into the air can become entangled in power equipment, leading to outages&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/ameren-illinois-reminds-residents-to-keep-mylar-balloons-secure-during-spring-celebrations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"31160\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap here to read entire article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Park District Receives Largest PEP Grant in Madison County<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, May 3, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"31090\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/660525509_1374738044690374_8150944084281198476_n-2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"552\" data-id=\"31089\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ffc1583139dcd00bb087e744942ce81e-kousa-dogwood-tree-granite-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ffc1583139dcd00bb087e744942ce81e-kousa-dogwood-tree-granite-1.jpg 736w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ffc1583139dcd00bb087e744942ce81e-kousa-dogwood-tree-granite-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 85vw, 736px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Madison County has announced more than\u00a0<strong>$3.3 million<\/strong>\u00a0in Parks Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants for 2026, continuing its investment in parks, trails, playgrounds, and public recreation spaces across the county. The PEP program, funded through countywide sales tax revenue, provides annual support to municipalities, townships, and park districts&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-park-district-receives-largest-pep-grant-in-madison-county\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"31082\">tap here to read the full article and to share.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>GCSD9 Crowns 2026 Elementary Spelling Bee Champions at Prather Elementary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px;line-height: 1\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 30, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/683676309_1426332599508973_4131489092993110609_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">All photos courtesy of Granite City School District 9<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City School District #9 brought together some of its brightest young scholars this week as students from across the district competed in the annual Elementary Spelling Bee, hosted Wednesday at Prather Elementary School. Finalists from each elementary building advanced to the districtwide competition, creating a spirited and supportive atmosphere for both the 3rd\/4th grade and 5th\/6th grade divisions.<br><br>Families, teachers, and administrators filled&#8230;. <a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/gcsd9-crowns-2026-elementary-spelling-bee-champions-at-prather-elementary\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30999\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap to read full article for additional images and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Senior Earns Honors in 2026 Teen Photojournalist Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com April 29, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"30966\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1-1200x1500.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-photo-1-1.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 85vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"185\" height=\"261\" data-id=\"30968\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brayden-Cook-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30968\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"30967\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Braden-image-2-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City High School senior\u00a0<strong>Brayden Cook<\/strong>\u00a0has been recognized by St. Louis Public Radio with\u00a0<strong>three Honorable Mention awards<\/strong>\u00a0in the 2026 Teen Photojournalist Prize, a regional competition celebrating emerging visual storytellers from across the metro area.<br><br>Cook, a student at Granite City High School has already built an impressive professional portfolio. He is the owner of &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-senior-earns-honors-in-2026-teen-photojournalist-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.4;text-align: center\"><strong>When Oversight Fails, Customers Pay:<\/strong><br><strong>Illinois American\u2019s Legalized Double Billing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com April 28, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gallon-for-gallon-article-image-2-1.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Illinois American Water bills customers the way it does for one simple reason: it is allowed to. The company charges wastewater fees based on every gallon that enters a home, even when that water never touches the sewer system. Filling a pool, watering a lawn, washing a car, or any other use that doesn\u2019t involve a drain still gets billed as if it flowed straight into the\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/when-oversight-fails-customers-pay-illinois-americans-legalized-double-billing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>New MCT Schoolhouse Trail Bridge Installed Over Highway IL-111 at Horseshoe Lake Road<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 27, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/resized_825-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/resized_825-1.png 825w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/resized_825-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/resized_825-1-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 825px) 85vw, 825px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The new Schoolhouse Trail bridge takes shape over IL\u2011111 at Horseshoe Lake Road. Photo courtesy of Patty Rose<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">PONTOON BEACH \u2014 A major regional trail project is now visibly underway as Madison County Transit (MCT) installs a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Illinois Route 111, directly at the Horseshoe Lake Road intersection.<br><br>The structure, which residents have watched rise over the past several days, is part of a formally announced MCT initiative to eliminate the dangerous at\u2011grade crossing&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/new-mct-schoolhouse-trail-bridge-installed-over-highway-il-111-at-horseshoe-lake-road\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30907\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap to read full article, for additional photos and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Backlash Grows After Rep. Amy Elik Supports Illinois \u201cMegaprojects\u201d Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 24, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1-1200x600.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mega-bill-image-1.png 1774w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">A controversial \u201cmegaprojects\u201d bill passed through the Illinois House is drawing increasing criticism, particularly after confirmation that Amy Elik voted in favor of the measure. Elik publicly acknowledged her \u201cyes\u201d vote in a video following the decision, sparking frustration among some of her constituents who ..<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/backlash-grows-after-rep-amy-elik-supports-illinois-megaprojects-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Should the customers of Special Service Area #1\u00a0<\/strong><br><strong>Pay Twice for their Sewer District?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>Submission from Kurt Prenzler, April 24, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30858\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1-1200x450.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sewer-district-article-image-1.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">If the Madison County Board votes to sell Special Service Area No. 1 sanitary sewer district (SSA #1) to Illinois American Water Co. (IAW), its customers would end up \u201cpaying twice\u201d for their sewer district.<br><br>How can I say that? Let me explain. SSA #1 was created in the 1970s to provide sanitary sewer service to users in the &#8230;T<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/should-the-customers-of-special-service-area-1-pay-twice-for-their-sewer-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ap this link to read the full article and to share. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"331\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot_27-6-2025_0414_granitecitygossip.com_.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot_27-6-2025_0414_granitecitygossip.com_.jpeg 998w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot_27-6-2025_0414_granitecitygossip.com_-300x99.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot_27-6-2025_0414_granitecitygossip.com_-768x255.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>St. Louis Board Approves $3 Billion Armory District Data Center Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 21, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"713\" height=\"510\" data-id=\"30780\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/armory-image-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/armory-image-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/armory-image-1-300x215.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 713px) 85vw, 713px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" data-id=\"30782\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1-1024x574.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1-1024x574.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1-768x430.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1-1200x673.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-vast-data-center-filled-with-server-racks-showcasing-advanced-technology-infrastructure-photo-1.jpeg 1249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">The City of St. Louis took a major step forward Tuesday as the Board of Public Service unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a\u00a0<strong>120\u2011megawatt data center<\/strong>\u00a0planned next to the historic Armory building, a project now estimated at\u00a0<strong>$3 billion<\/strong>\u00a0and envisioned as the centerpiece of a new \u201cArmory Innovation District.\u201d<br><br>The vote comes after weeks of review, revisions, and public scrutiny. In March, residents packed a &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/st-louis-board-approves-3-billion-armory-district-data-center-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Shows Its Heart: A Community Rallies for One of Its Own<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 19, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-1024x610.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-1024x610.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-768x457.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-1536x915.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1-1200x715.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/benefit-volunteers-1.jpg 1916w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City has always been a place where people look out for one another, but this past weekend, that spirit was on full display. A two\u2011day BBQ benefit was held for Julie Burnett Roberts, who is facing Stage 4 Bile Duct Carcinoma, and the turnout was nothing short of remarkable. Friends, family, neighbors, and even supporters from outside the city came together with one purpose: to lift Julie up and help carry the weight of the journey ahead.<br><br>Julie\u2019s fight has brought with it a long list of challenges, specialized treatments, out\u2011of\u2011pocket\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-shows-its-heart-a-community-rallies-for-one-of-its-own\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap to read the full article and to see more images and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Facebook\u2019s Quiet Transformation: From Social Network to<\/strong><br><strong>Profit Engine and Influence Machine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 19, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-1024x512.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1-1200x600.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/facebook-article-header-1.png 1774w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Over the past several years, Facebook has undergone a sweeping transformation, one that has happened quietly, without clear announcements, and often without users realizing how dramatically the platform has shifted beneath their feet. What began as a place to stay connected with friends and family has evolved into a highly engineered\u00a0..<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/facebooks-quiet-transformation-from-social-network-to-profit-engine-and-influence-machine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.Tap this link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Ministry\u2019s Rapid Expansion <\/strong><br><strong>Raises Questions About Granite City\u2019s Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 18, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-1024x522.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-1024x522.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-768x392.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-1536x784.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1-1200x612.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Saves-ministry-building-1.jpg 1970w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">There is a situation quietly unfolding in Granite City that deserves public attention before it becomes another social\u2011media firestorm or an outside news outlet defines the narrative for us. Over the past year, a non\u2011local ministry has expanded its footprint in the heart of our busiest commercial district, and many residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are now asking whether Granite City is prepared for\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/letter-to-the-editor-a-ministrys-rapid-expansion-raises-questions-about-granite-citys-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:39% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jeuveau-Flyer2024-768x644-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22347 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jeuveau-Flyer2024-768x644-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Jeuveau-Flyer2024-768x644-1-300x252.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 85vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\"><p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 21px;line-height: 1.1;text-align: center\">Crow&#8217;s feet?  Scowl lines?  Frown line or forehead wrinkles?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 18px;line-height: 1.5;text-align: center\">Look no further than <strong>Regenerative Health and Chiropractic, LTD<\/strong>, right here in Granite City.  Schedule a visit with <strong>Mariah today at 618-931-2050<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Homefield vs. Ameren: The Simple Truth Behind Your Opt\u2011Out Letter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 17, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30677\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Homefield-graphic-3-1.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Residents across Granite City and Madison County are receiving the latest\u00a0<strong>Homefield Energy electric aggregation opt\u2011out letter<\/strong>, and many are unsure whether they should stay in the program or continue with\u00a0<strong>Ameren Illinois<\/strong>, especially with summer rates still unknown. The good news is that the decision is much simpler than it seems once the numbers are &#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/homefield-vs-ameren-the-simple-truth-behind-your-optout-letter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap this link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Residents Question Claims and Transparency Surrounding Proposed SSA#1 Sewer Sale, Especially the Predicted Monthly Savings of 34 Cents if Sale is Approved<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 16, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/670858598_2044656932761791_7605686176846288318_n-1.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Residents in the unincorporated 62040 area , including Pontoon Beach and Mitchell , may soon face a major change to their sewer service, yet many still have no idea the proposal even exists.<br><br>The potential sale of Special Service Area #1 (SSA #1) to Illinois American Water has been discussed quietly for months, with no public meetings, no published notices, and no outreach to the thousands of customers who would be directly affected.  <a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/residents-question-claims-and-transparency-surrounding-proposed-ssa1-sewer-sale-especially-the-predicted-monthly-savings-of-34-cents-if-sale-is-approved\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30633\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap here to read entire article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Point of Departure Commemoration Returns to Lewis &amp; Clark State Historic Site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 15, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"30625\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lewis-and-Clark-display-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"465\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"30626\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tower-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tower-1.jpg 465w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tower-1-218x300.jpg 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 465px) 85vw, 465px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" data-id=\"30627\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cabins-and-fences-lewis-and-clark-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cabins-and-fences-lewis-and-clark-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cabins-and-fences-lewis-and-clark-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 85vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">The Lewis &amp; Clark State Historic Site will mark the 222nd anniversary of the launch of the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition with its annual Point of Departure Commemoration on May 9 and 10. The free, family\u2011friendly event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, Illinois 62048.<br><br>Visitors can step directly into the world of 1803 as they interact with military demonstrators, historic artisans, and&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/point-of-departure-commemoration-returns-to-lewis-clark-state-historic-site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.4;text-align: center\"><strong>Is Heavy Tourism Advertising Worth It? Alton Says No,<\/strong><br><strong>Should Granite City Ask the Same Question?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 10, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"845\" height=\"548\" data-id=\"30546\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/alton-illinois-july-18-views-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/alton-illinois-july-18-views-1-1.jpg 845w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/alton-illinois-july-18-views-1-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/alton-illinois-july-18-views-1-1-768x498.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"30545\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AltonAmphitheater-1200x800-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AltonAmphitheater-1200x800-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AltonAmphitheater-1200x800-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AltonAmphitheater-1200x800-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AltonAmphitheater-1200x800-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Communities across southwest Illinois rely on tourism dollars, but not every city is built to benefit equally from large\u2011scale destination marketing. That reality is now at the center of a growing debate, and one that recently came to a head in Alton and may soon deserve a closer look in Granite City.<br><br><strong>Alton Pushes Back on High Tourism Advertising Costs<\/strong>.<br>Recently, Alton Mayor David Goins announced that he and the Board of Aldermen are reevaluating how the city..<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/is-heavy-tourism-advertising-worth-it-alton-says-no-should-granite-city-ask-the-same-question\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Honoring His Roots, Dr. Robert Doroghazi Supports Old Six Mile Museum\u2019s Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 7, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"536\" height=\"457\" data-id=\"30478\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_7-4-2026_0163_granitecitygossip.com_-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_7-4-2026_0163_granitecitygossip.com_-1.jpeg 536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_7-4-2026_0163_granitecitygossip.com_-1-300x256.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 536px) 85vw, 536px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"757\" height=\"437\" data-id=\"30479\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_31-7-2025_2040_www.granitecitygossip.com_-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_31-7-2025_2040_www.granitecitygossip.com_-1.jpeg 757w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot_31-7-2025_2040_www.granitecitygossip.com_-1-300x173.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 757px) 85vw, 757px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">The clang of the Granite City Steel Mill. The pride of the local schools. The steady rhythm of hardworking families building a life in a new country. These are the memories that come rushing back to Dr. Robert Doroghazi when he thinks about growing up in Granite City.<br><br>\u201cAll five of my grandparents came from Hungary,\u201d he recalls. \u201cMany of them worked in the steel mill. Everybody worked hard.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/honoring-his-roots-dr-robert-doroghazi-supports-old-six-mile-museums-future\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30459\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap here to read full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.3;text-align: center\"><strong>Illinois\u2019 New Solar Preemption Law Takes Effect June 1:<\/strong><br><strong>Municipalities Lose Power to Say \u201cNo\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 6, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-13 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"482\" data-id=\"30432\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/muddy-solar-farm-1-1024x482.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/muddy-solar-farm-1-1024x482.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/muddy-solar-farm-1-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/muddy-solar-farm-1-768x362.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/muddy-solar-farm-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"315\" data-id=\"30433\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/broken-panels-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/broken-panels-1.jpg 474w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/broken-panels-1-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 85vw, 474px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">On June 1, 2026, a major shift in Illinois energy policy takes effect, one that directly limits the authority of cities and villages across the state. Under Public Act 104\u20110458, municipalities will no longer be allowed to prohibit solar energy systems within their boundaries. This includes residential solar, commercial solar, and large\u2011scale solar farm developments.<br><br>For the first time, every municipality in Illinois, including Granite City, Madison, Pontoon Beach, and all surrounding communities, is legally barred from refusing or blocking solar projects, even if\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/illinois-new-solar-preemption-law-takes-effect-june-1-municipalities-lose-power-to-say-no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap to read the entire article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Is Illinois\u2019 Gas Tax Ever Going to Stop Climbing?<\/strong><br><strong>Policies Under Governor Pritzker Say No.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 4, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-14 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"30409\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/00pol-pritzker-mbwv-articleLarge-1.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/00pol-pritzker-mbwv-articleLarge-1.webp 600w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/00pol-pritzker-mbwv-articleLarge-1-240x300.webp 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 85vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"445\" data-id=\"30408\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bailey-FEAT.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bailey-FEAT.jpg 696w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bailey-FEAT-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 85vw, 696px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">When JB Pritzker took office in January 2019, Illinois drivers were paying 19 cents per gallon in state gas tax. That rate had stayed the same for nearly 30 years. Just months later, the state doubled it to 38 cents and built in automatic yearly increases tied to inflation.<br><br>Those annual hikes have continued every year since, pushing the tax to 48.3 cents per gallon in 2026, with no end in sight. As long as inflation exists, the tax keeps rising automatically, and\u00a0&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/is-illinois-gas-tax-ever-going-to-stop-climbing-policies-under-governor-pritzker-say-no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tap the link to read the full article and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;line-height: 1.2;text-align: center\"><strong>Granite City Township Seniors Enjoy a Day of Discovery and Dining in St. Louis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px\"><em>GraniteCityGossip.com, April 3, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-15 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"30383\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/658882223_1358492516316423_3359638459591152942_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"30384\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/660131903_1358490756316599_1291222533979080482_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal\">Granite City Township seniors enjoyed a full day of exploration and fellowship during their recent trip to the St. Louis Science Center and the Old Spaghetti Factory. The outing marked the first of the Township\u2019s&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/granite-city-township-seniors-enjoy-a-day-of-discovery-and-dining-in-st-louis\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"30376\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tap here to read entire article, for additional photo and to share.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/archives-granitecitygossip-com-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blank-825-x-100-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blank-825-x-100-1.png 825w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blank-825-x-100-1-300x36.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blank-825-x-100-1-768x93.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 825px) 85vw, 825px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\" id=\"Calendar\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"854\" height=\"89\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3.png\" alt=\"Granite City Community Calendar\" class=\"wp-image-27487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3.png 854w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-300x31.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blank-850-x-85-copy-3-768x80.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<br><div data-tockify-calendar=\"granitecitygossip\" data-tockify-component=\"calendar\"><\/div><script type='text\/javascript'>if (window._tkf && window._tkf.loadDeclaredCalendars) {window._tkf.loadDeclaredCalendars();}<\/script>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 20px;text-align: center\"><strong>Call to set up an appointment today. (618) 931-2050<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video autoplay controls loop muted src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Darin-Chiropractic-1-1.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regenerativehealthandchiro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"277\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Blank-391-x-243-copy-13-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Blank-391-x-243-copy-13-1.jpg 425w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Blank-391-x-243-copy-13-1-300x196.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 85vw, 425px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 18px;line-height: 1.4;text-align: center\">Click the banner above to schedule your $25 exam plus x-rays<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"weatherwidget-io\" href=\"https:\/\/forecast7.com\/en\/38d70n90d15\/granite-city\/?unit=us\" data-label_1=\"GRANITE CITY\" data-label_2=\"GraniteCityGossip Weather\" data-theme=\"original\">GRANITE CITY GraniteCityGossip Weather<\/a>\n<script>\n!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https:\/\/weatherwidget.io\/js\/widget.min.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,'script','weatherwidget-io-js');\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;font-size: 18px;text-align: center\"><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/columbus-home\/\" target=\"_blank\">CLICK HERE FOR ALL INFORMATION ABOUT COLUMBUS HOME BINGO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-16 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/columbus-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"9732\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Queen-of-HEarts-Update-2-229x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Queen-of-HEarts-Update-2-229x300.png 229w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Queen-of-HEarts-Update-2-781x1024.png 781w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Queen-of-HEarts-Update-2-768x1006.png 768w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Queen-of-HEarts-Update-2.png 905w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 85vw, 229px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/columbus-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"215\" height=\"300\" data-id=\"9733\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blank-679-x-960-1-215x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blank-679-x-960-1-215x300.png 215w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Blank-679-x-960-1.png 709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 215px) 85vw, 215px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/183735166807574\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"408\" height=\"83\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-2-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-2-1.png 408w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-2-1-300x61.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 85vw, 408px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100079871322247\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"408\" height=\"83\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-3.png 408w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-400-x-75-3-300x61.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 85vw, 408px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \" style=\"font-family: Lato;font-weight: normal;text-align: center\"><strong>W<\/strong>e\u00a0<strong>thank you for visiting GraniteCityGossip.com, celebrating over nineteen years of service to our community, August 2006 \u2013 May 2026<\/strong><br><strong>We will update as we receive new information just as we always have, so remember to send your announcements, fund raisers, birthday wishes to granitecitygossip@yahoo.com so we can include them on our page. Here is to another nineteen years Granite City!<\/strong><br><strong>Website last updated May 15, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/payment-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"95\" src=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-875-x-150-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-875-x-150-1.png 875w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-875-x-150-1-300x33.png 300w, https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blank-875-x-150-1-768x83.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRANITE CITY GraniteCityGossip Weather<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9563","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9563"}],"version-history":[{"count":1998,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31367,"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9563\/revisions\/31367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/granitecitygossip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}