Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Will Bauer

@will-bauer.bsky.social

280 followers 110 following 160 posts

Metro East reporter at St. Louis Public Radio. Northern Minnesota native & University of Nebraska grad. Sarcasm is my own. Email: [email protected].

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 2h

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A new bus service from the St. Clair County Transit District and Metro Transit will take St. Louis Blues fans in the Metro East to and from the Enterprise Center at select home games this season. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/...

New bus service will take St. Louis Blues fans to and from Belleville this season

A round-trip ride will cost $10 on the "Blue Note Express."

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 6h

GOP Congressman Mike Bost's challenge to Illinois' law that governs mail-in ballots will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court today. At issue: whether a federal elected official has standing to sue. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/u...

Supreme Court to Consider Illinois Mail-In Balloting Lawsuit

www.nytimes.com

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 7h

Blight — the most ambiguous word used in municipal government.

From @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social:
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Officials say Cortex area still blighted after all these years, move renewal forward

An aldermanic committee moved forward with a plan to renew a blight determination for St. Louis’ Cortex district in an effort to finish redeveloping the area.

Reposted by Will Bauer

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 2d

A new documentary follows two brothers from Collinsville as they travel the U.S. attempting a “Big Year” — spotting as many bird species as possible in 12 months.

Quentin and Owen Reiser sat down with @stlpublicradio.bsky.social to talk about their journey.

A smoke sesh inspired Collinsville brothers' hit documentary on competitive birdwatching

Owen and Quentin Reiser spent a calendar year traveling across the U.S. to identify as many bird species as possible.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 6d

The National Defense Transportation Association and U.S. Transportation Command’s fall meeting scheduled in St. Louis next week is the latest victim of the federal government shutdown. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Government shutdown cancels major military transportation conference in St. Louis

Last year’s meeting in St. Louis attracted nearly 2,000 attendees, according to the National Defense Transportation Association Foundation.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 7d

MADISON, Ill. — The city is the latest Metro East community to sell its wastewater system to Illinois American Water. The publicly-traded firm acquired the system, which served about 1,500 customers, for $3 million. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 7d

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Board of Education voted unanimously last week to suspend Superintendent Patrick Shelton with pay. The district and school board did not provide any specifics about why Shelton was suspended, however. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/...

Edwardsville school board suspends superintendent with pay and installs acting leader

After suspending Superintendent Patrick Shelton, the Edwardsville District 7 Board of Education said in a statement that it was confident in acting Superintendent Allen Duncan's ability to lead the di...

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 7d

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ill. — The county's Historic Preservation Commission recently received $5,000 to study creating a visitor center where explorers landed in 1673 after discovering the Illinois River. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/culture-hist...

Illinois historic home could become a visitor center thanks to preservation grant

The grant will help Calhoun County’s Historic Preservation Commission study what needs to be done to turn a 1900s house into a visitor center for the Perrin’s Ledge historic site.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 13d

ICYMI: Tom DeVore, the Bond County Republican who ran for Illinois AG in 2022, will lose his law license for 60 days.
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Ex-GOP nominee for Illinois AG Tom DeVore temporarily loses law license over inappropriate client relationship

DeVore rose to prominence filing lawsuits over COVID restrictions during pandemic.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 14d

ICYMI: In a presentation to SIUE employees yesterday, Democratic state Rep. Jay Hoffman said that it’s a critical time to fix Illinois' pension program for public-sector employees hired after 2011 — but it may not happen this fall. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/government-p...

Rep. Hoffman says Illinois needs to fix its pension system for public workers

Problems with part of the current pension system have created issues for school districts hiring teachers.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 14d

BETHALTO, Ill. — After months of residents dealing with brown water, tests by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency found the drinking water "meets all state and federal water quality standards."
@stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/health-scien...

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 14d

COLUMBIA, Ill. — Public records provide new insight into the events leading up to the resignation of a high school teacher after posting about Charlie Kirk.

Side note: These records have to be about some of the most unusual that I've seen reported on.
www.stlpr.org/education/20...

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 16d

What do St. Louis channels 2, 5, and 11 have to do with what’s going on on channel 30 and Jimmy Kimmel?

From @ryankrull.bsky.social:
www.stlmag.com/news/nextsta...

St. Louis TV merger is just one factor in Kimmel suspension

What do channels 2, 5, and 11 have to do with what’s going on on channel 30*? For now, funny man Jimmy Kimmel is off his Jimmy Kimmel Live late night show, which airs on ABC. That’s not unrelated to ...

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 17d

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Hundreds of steelworkers, their families and local supporters rallied in downtown on Saturday afternoon to keep the Metro East mill open beyond 2027. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

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

After the newly-acquired U.S. Steel scrapped its decision to wind down processing at the Metro East mill later this fall, steelworkers rallied this weekend in hopes of keeping the plant open beyond 20...

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 19d

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — U.S. Steel has scrapped its plans to wind down processing at the Metro East mill later this fall.

“We are pleased to have found a solution to continue slab consumption at Granite City for the foreseeable future."
@stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

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

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

Reposted by Will Bauer

St. Louis Public Radio @stlpublicradio.bsky.social · 20d

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville projects a balanced $341.6 million budget for fiscal 2026 after pulling out of a $10.3 million deficit.

What helped? Enrollment gains for the first time in four years.

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 20d

After a $10.3 million deficit at @SIUE last year, the Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve a balanced budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

My conversation on @stlpublicradio.bsky.social with Chancellor James Minor regarding the school's financial picture & more:
www.stlpr.org/education/20...

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 22d

O'FALLON, Ill. — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is revamping its emergency department, adding more patient rooms and building a new surgery center in a $116 million project to meet meet the needs of an aging Metro East population. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/health-scien...

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

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

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 23d

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A new $13 million affordable housing development, consisting of 38 apartments and townhomes, have already all been spoken for since going on the market a couple of months ago. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

East St. Louis affordable housing development quickly sells out

The project, spearheaded by a Baptist church’s economic development arm and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, aims to breathe new life into East St. Louis.

Reposted by Will Bauer

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 25d

NEW: On CNBC Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears to have said the Trump administration prevented the complete closure of Granite City Works. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Trump blocked Granite City Works closure, commerce secretary says

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that the Trump administration exercised its veto power over plant decisions.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 25d

NEW: On CNBC Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears to have said the Trump administration prevented the complete closure of Granite City Works. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

Trump blocked Granite City Works closure, commerce secretary says

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that the Trump administration exercised its veto power over plant decisions.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 29d

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — The newly-acquired U.S. Steel will move the steel slab processing that's currently happening in the Metro East to the company's mills near Pittsburgh and Gary, Indiana. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

U.S. Steel will move processing from Metro East to Indiana and Pennsylvania

Confirming the company will cut processing later this fall in Granite City, U.S. Steel said it will move those responsibilities to bigger mills.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · Sep 8

www.stlpr.org/economy-busi...

U.S. Steel will stop processing at Granite City Works after October, union memo says

There will be no layoffs after October because of the decision, according to the memo.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · Sep 8

INBOX: @budzinski.house.gov, D-Springfield, weighs in on the latest news regarding Granite City Works.

Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · Sep 6

Scott Air Force Base — The head of the EPA and a southern Illinois farmer launched the pilot to a new nationwide program to distribute excess food to military members and their families yesterday. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social
www.stlpr.org/health-scien...

New EPA initiative debuted at Scott Air Force Base donated 40,000 pounds of fresh produce

Dubbed “Feed It Onward,” the new program from the Environmental Protection Agency aims to cut down on food waste by connecting farmers to military bases. It debuted at the Metro East military base on ...