When the News Left Town
In my lifetime, America lost a third of its newspapers. The research on what happened next should worry us all - and should inspire us to show up.
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 29, 2026
News
City council, school board, park district, public safety, development projects
Questions Worth Asking: A Citizen's Guide to Data Center Proposals
5th and final part of a series on what Granite City residents should know
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 28, 2026
What's Happening Elsewhere: Illinois Communities Grapple With Data Center Proposals
Part 4 in a series on what Granite City residents should know
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 27, 2026
Follow the Money: Electric Bills, Tax Breaks, and Who Really Pays
Part 3 in a series on what Granite City residents should know
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 26, 2026
The Jobs Question: How Data Centers Compare to the Industries That Built Granite City
Part 2 in a series on what Granite City residents should know
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 25, 2026
What Are Data Centers, and Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?
Part 1 in a series on what Granite City residents should know
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 24, 2026
How to Engage With Your Local Government
City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Here's how to show up - in person or online.
By Michael Halbrook | Jan 23, 2026