WMOK – Metropolis, IL – Residents across the region felt a minor earthquake early Thursday morning.

According to seismic data, the brief rumble produced light shaking centered near Marion in Crittenden County, Kentucky.

Local authorities reported no structural damage or injuries, though many area locals turned to social media to confirm the sudden morning quake.

WMOK – Metropolis, IL – Legendary Southern Gospel group The Hoppers will headline the 31st Annual Gospel Benefit Concert for Cancer on Thursday, August 20, at First Methodist Church. The evening of music, fellowship, and support for a vital cause will begin at 6:30 PM.

Get all of the details here

WMOK – Metropolis, IL – Organizers are putting out the final call for the memorial T-shirt order honoring Coach Bango. The deadline is right around the corner this Friday, August 21st, and time is running out fast on this effort.

The original dream was to sell 100 shirts, but right now the team is pushing hard just to hit that 50-shirt minimum. They still need 38 more orders to get there, and the community’s help is needed to cross the finish line!

These shirts are $25 each, and $15 from every single order goes directly to the Walk for Hope. The design features a purple and teal ribbon with “YOU MATTER” written across it, plus a football stamped with “Play with heart, leave a legacy.”

• Payment Deadline: Friday, August 21st (no late orders accepted!)

• Price: $25 per shirt ($15 goes to Walk for Hope)

• Ways to Pay: Cash, Cash App ($gmoore1001), Venmo (@Gabrielle-Lindsey-3), or PayPal (paypal.me/glindsey1020)

Don’t let this one slip by! Let’s step up, order a shirt, and show some big love for a fantastic cause.

The Pope County Historical Society is hosting its 1st Family History Day on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the museum located at 112 N. Columbus Ave. in Golconda. This free community event is open to everyone—attendees do not need to have Pope County ancestry to benefit from the resources and presentations available throughout the day.

Event Highlights & Sales

To help support the ongoing operating expenses of the organization, the Society will have a variety of items available for purchase:

• Genealogy & History Materials: A large collection of donated genealogy books, history books, and magazines.

• Media & Refreshments: DVDs, CDs, and fresh baked goods.

Schedule of Events

Morning Session

• 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | “What is Evidence/Using Common Genealogical Websites”

  • Professional Genealogist Rick Allen will present on what constitutes valid genealogical evidence and demonstrate how to navigate key research websites to uncover ancestral roots.

Mid-Day

• 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break

  • Attendees are encouraged to support local Golconda restaurants for lunch.

Afternoon Session

• 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Afternoon Activities

  • Guided Museum Tours: Explore local history with special guided tours of the facility.

  • Individual Genealogy Consultations: Attendees facing research “brick walls” can take advantage of a free 30-minute consultation with Rick Allen. Consultations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a slot, email a description of the research problem to rick@backstorybloodhound.com.

  • Pope Pioneer Program: Learn about the process to have early ancestors officially certified as a Pope Pioneer.

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  WMOK – Massac County, IL – The hit History Channel documentary series American Pickers has announced plans to return to Illinois and Iowa to film new episodes throughout September 2026.

  The documentary show follows skilled pickers across the country on a mission to hunt down America’s most valuable antiques, rescue forgotten relics, and give historically significant objects a brand-new lease on life. In addition to rare and unique items, the show focuses heavily on unforgettable local characters, their personal stories, and their private collections.

  Producers are currently seeking local leads across the area for large, rare collections and items the Pickers have never seen before. If area residents or someone they know has a unique collection, a story to tell, and is ready to sell, the production team wants to hear from them.

  What the Pickers Are Looking For

  The producers are specifically hunting for specific types of vintage items, including:

  Motorcycles & scooters

  Old signs & advertising

  Vintage toys

  Oil & gas items

  Pedal cars & bicycles

  Early furniture

  Vending & pinball machines

  Jukeboxes

  Folk art

  Military items

  Taxidermy

  Submission Guidelines & Rules

  Private Collections Only: The Pickers exclusively visit private collections. They do not pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or any locations open to the general public.

  Required Information: Submissions must include full name, town & state, phone number, location where the collection is housed, and a detailed description of the items with photos attached.

  How to Submit: Email leads directly to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call and leave a message at (646) 493-2184.

Massac County, IL –