News

By AP/St. Louis Public Radio

Granite City, Ill. – Crews are on the scene of a train derailment in Granite City.

No one was injured when at least a half dozen cars of the Norfolk Southern train derailed late Monday. Several of the cars contain propane and ended up in a ditch, although none of them are said to be leaking or posing a public danger.

Pontoon Road is closed in both directions, and several businesses are closed.

By AP/St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis – A man is in custody after he allegedly tried to abduct a girl at a school bus stop in Florissant early Tuesday, then led police on a high-speed chase through north St. Louis county.

It began around 6 a.m. after authorities say the man tried to force a girl into his SUV.

A chase began and continued even after police used stop sticks to deflate the tires of the SUV. Police say the suspect continued to drive on the rims.

By St. Louis Public Radio

Belleville, Ill. – The Belleville Township School Board in has expelled two students accused of attacking another student on a school bus last week.

The incident was captured by a security camera on the bus and received widespread attention.

Board president Curt Highsmith said expelling kids is regrettable, but he wanted to send the message that such behavior is intolerable. The expulsions were the most severe punishments the school board could hand out.

By AP/St. Louis Public Radio

Peoria, Ill – Customers in Illinois who get their natural gas service from Ameren will pay less to heat their homes this winter.

The St. Louis-based utility said Monday that lower demand triggered by the global recession could reduce heating bills by 26 percent. A company vice president, Scott Glaeser, said Ameren also hedged most of its supply to avoid having to adjust rates every time the market changes.

By Rachel Lippmann

East St. Louis, Ill – Officials in East St. Louis have rejected plans to close a budget gap by laying off firefighters.

The city must close a $2.9 million deficit by December 31. A plan from Mayor Alvin Parks would have laid off 11 firefighters and closed a firehouse. But the city's Financial Advisory Authority rejected that suggestion.