Lexi Cortes

Investigative reporter for @bellevillenewsd. 22-23 @Poynter fellow. Reach me at [email protected].

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

The BND is dedicated to shining a light on local abuses of power, government failures and harm to citizens. Here's one way to share tips about issues you think need attention in southwestern Illinois:
https://t.co/62yXXqzifV

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

“For now we’re still in the heat, holes in the ceiling, leaks,” one tenant said.

[BND.com @bellevillenewsd]

Already in ‘disrepair’, metro-east apartments lose manager, maintenance staff https://t.co/n4nC2rDIy5

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

And get an inside look at the newly-constructed St. Clair County animal control facility in Belleville https://t.co/L3rqWdoDtL

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Today's front-page St. Clair County news: Officials have picked a promoter for races at the Belle-Clair Speedway https://t.co/MC3eDg8Z8d

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

At a recent meeting, critics challenged arguments about rewards and raised concerns about the potential risks of data center developments. https://t.co/CZu1do6QDZ

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

After community-organized testing finds E. coli, @SenDuckworth, @SenatorDurbin and @RepNikkiB call for action from water providers. https://t.co/mEf2imiXXa

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

“We finally get this pertinent, serious information to support us. And it hurts because we already knew it,” a resident said. https://t.co/oeQEENFi2d

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

“I can tell you, at this point, no council member or myself is in support of a data center,” the mayor said. https://t.co/HDdipL0M5t

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

At a recent meeting, @SenDuckworth, @RepKatieStuart and Granite City's mayor discussed their hopes and concerns about data centers. https://t.co/YZlMtqduX7

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Here's an update on the Veterans Assistance Commission of St. Clair County's budget for next year. https://t.co/8wsbschkMn

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

The county rejected the Veterans Assistance Commission's initial request for a $282,000 budget increase that included about $100,000 for a new office and furniture. https://t.co/l3uJ20Bww0

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Democrats with ties to St. Clair and Madison counties have held one of Illinois’ two U.S. Senate seats for the past four decades, but that streak could be ending with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement. https://t.co/E9I6RT0Zdw

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

“He’s being separated from his children, and for what? For what benefit to the community?” one rally attendee said. “He’s a business owner. ... He’s actually invested in our community." https://t.co/gtXLGQfnkR

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Local leaders say demand at food pantries is already growing. They expect it to grow even more in the coming weeks if assistance from food stamps halts. https://t.co/BgPlL40UZi

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Two of the community’s representatives in Congress recently traveled to the area to discuss next steps and obstacles posed by President Donald Trump’s administration. https://t.co/K4Ork3CmEI

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Families who live in the federally-subsidized apartments say their complaints about leaks, mold, crime and multiple summers without air conditioning have gone largely unanswered. https://t.co/U72fktJIix

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

The National Transportation Safety Board, @NTSB, has announced what it believes caused the collision that killed three people in 2023. https://t.co/BEn9oNTA72

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

Residents could face an increased risk of cancer in their lifetime from long-term exposure to certain pollutants, according to the CDC. https://t.co/HtJZ8QIRYO

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

The Clinton County resident sent a letter to President Donald Trump and members of Congress, saying Republican budget proposals would cause “irreversible damage.” https://t.co/edtjbuvNsr

[Lexi Cortes @lexicortes]

The USDA cut grant money that paid local farmers to send fresh food to community food banks, saying the program “no longer effectuates the goals of the agency.” https://t.co/Bc6iYo7TcO

[Meredith Howard @News_MeredithH]

Have you been affected by staffing cuts at the National Weather Service or NOAA? We'd love to talk to you for a Belleville News-Democrat story. Feel free to message me here or reach out at [email protected].