Hello Metropolis, Massac County and Beyond!
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (CDT)
Sunrise in Metropolis, IL
A Breakthrough in Cold Case Investigations: How EWU Funded the Lisa Carnes Case
WMOK – Massac County, IL – EWU, short for Explore With Us, is an incredibly popular digital true crime network and YouTube channel. Rather than just retelling standard true crime stories, EWU specializes in highly detailed, long-form documentary-style case breakdowns. They are widely recognized for using raw interrogation footage, police bodycams, audio recordings, and step-by-step investigative timelines while incorporating expert criminal psychology and procedural analysis.
What sets EWU apart from many standard true crime channels is their active, real-world involvement in solving cold cases. The network uses a portion of its revenue to fund actual forensic testing for resource-strapped law enforcement agencies across the country.
How EWU Funded the Lisa Carnes Investigation
The 1984 cold case murder of Lisa Carnes in Massac County saw a massive break recently, resulting in the arrest and “not guilty” plea of 76-year-old George E. Bradfield. That breakthrough was driven heavily by advanced DNA testing, which was made possible through a direct collaboration between private media and forensic science:
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The Funding Gap:Â Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) is incredibly precise, but it is also highly specialized and expensive. Small local agencies and state police divisions often face budgetary constraints that make it difficult to send decades-old, degraded evidence out for advanced testing.
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EWU Media’s Sponsorship: EWU Media LLC stepped up to entirely fund the advanced DNA testing phase of the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 homicide probe.
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Parabon NanoLabs’ Execution: With EWU covering the financial costs, the preserved DNA evidence from the 1984 Massac County crime scene was sent to Parabon NanoLabs Inc. Parabon specializes in “Snapshot” DNA analysis, which performs DNA phenotyping (predicting physical traits) and kinship inference/genetic genealogy (building extensive family trees out of shared DNA databases to locate unknown suspects).
Because EWU funded Parabon’s specialized extraction and genealogy work, investigators successfully linked Bradfield (who was working in Joppa, IL at the time of the crime) to the scene, bridging a 42-year gap to finally bring the case to a Massac County courtroom.
The Duke's Trail: A John Wayne Timeline
John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison, lived from May 26, 1907, to June 11, 1979.
photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Wayne_-_1961.JPG
- May 26, 1907:Â Born in Winterset, Iowa.
- 1926:Â Began his career in the silent film era, eventually appearing in 179 film and television productions.
- 1939: Rose to major stardom with the release of Stagecoach, directed by John Ford.
- 1969: Won his only Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.
- June 11, 1979:Â Died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, at age 72.
The "King" and the "King’s Daughter"
photo https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2018/08/01/On-This-Day-Lisa-Marie-Presley-confirms-marriage-to-Michael-Jackson/8061532401407/
In 1994, Michael Jackson shocked the world by secretly marrying Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis. This unexpected union joined two legendary music dynasties. Despite intense media scrutiny and doubts about their romance, the famous couple stayed together for two years before officially divorcing in 1996.
Coming Up in Metropolis and Massac County
Tuesday, May 26
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12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis
Wednesday, May 27
5-7pm Trinity Food Pantry at 6th and Metropolis streets is open, specializing in Fresh Produce, with bread/meat/eggs when available. Clothing is available as well
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Thursday, May 28
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Friday, May 29
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Nifty Needles at the Metropolis Public Library
Looking to wrap up your week with some creative company? The Nifty Needles group meets this afternoon at the Metropolis Public Library! Whether you are a master of the crochet hook or just casting on your first knitting project, all skill levels are welcome to join in.
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When:Â 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
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Where: Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis Street
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What:Â A social hour for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and more
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The Vibe: A craft session—short, sweet, and social!
It is the perfect chance to “just breathe” after a long week, swap patterns, and enjoy some yarn therapy. Grab your current project and head downtown to join the fun.
Saturday, May 30
10am-12pm Grace Church Community meal and pantry held on the last Saturday each month at 102 East 20th Street, Metropolis
Fish Fry and Craft Bazaar on May 30th from 12-5 at the Harry Statham gym in Brookport
Sunday, May 31
Massac County High School Class of 1989 Plans Summer Reunion
The Massac County High School Class of 1989 is officially gearing up for a summer celebration. A “Save the Date” announcement has been issued for the upcoming class reunion, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
The event will be held at the Elks Lodge in Metropolis, offering classmates a great local venue to gather and catch up. Attendees can look forward to a casual and fun evening, with a taco bar set to be served. Organizers note that more specific details regarding the reunion will be released soon.
Old-School Fun: Fort Massac to Host 18th Century Children’s Table-top Games Event
METROPOLIS, IL — Families looking for a unique weekend activity can step back in time this July at Fort Massac State Park. The historic site will host an interactive session titled “18th Century Children’s Table-top Games,” designed to introduce modern kids to the entertainment of the past.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM inside the Fort Massac State Park Visitor’s Center.
Timeless Entertainment for Modern Kids
The hands-on program invites participants to explore tabletop games that originated centuries ago but are still widely enjoyed today. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and play classics such as:
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Shut the Box
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Mancala
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Dominoes
Organizers note that while early play is easy for beginners to pick up, deeper strategy naturally emerges as players become more proficient with the rules.
Event Details at a Glance
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What: 18th Century Children’s Table-top Games
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When: Saturday, July 18th | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
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Where: Fort Massac State Park Visitor’s Center
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Target Audience: Best for ages six and up
About Fort Massac State Park: Rich in frontier history, Fort Massac State Park regularly hosts educational programming to bring local and national history to life for the community.
For more information about the event, community members can visit the visitor’s center or check local park listings.
Save the Date: Steele Wings Swing Dance 2026
The Heroes of Massac Endeavors (HOME) has officially announced the return of their signature fundraising event. The Steele Wings Swing Dance is set to take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026. This 1940s-themed evening serves as a key benefit for the construction of a statue honoring Metropolis native and WWII paratrooper John Marvin Steele, along with a memorial for all Massac County WWII fallen heroes.
What to Expect
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Live Big Band Music: The evening typically features a full orchestra (past years have featured Steve Shininger & The ShinSings) playing authentic 1940s standards.
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Vintage Attire: Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest 1940s costumes. Trophies are traditionally awarded for the “Best Dressed Gal,” “Best Dressed Guy,” and “Best Dance Duo.”
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Nostalgic Atmosphere: The event often includes period-appropriate hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and vintage photo opportunities to transport guests back in time.
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Community Impact: All proceeds go directly toward the John Marvin Steele Statue and WWII Memorial project.
Event Logistics
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When: Saturday, September 19, 2026
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Where: Traditionally held at the historic Harry Statham Gymnasium in Brookport.
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More Information: Keep an eye on heroesofmassacendeavors.org for ticket sales and door times as the date approaches.
WMOK Coffee Break
WMOK's Coffee Break Program:
We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to
618-524-9209
We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to
618-524-9209
Happy Hearts Senior Center Menu
WMOK School and Sports News
WMOK School and Sports News
Job and Career Listings
Send your Job and Career Listings to WMOK Text the information to 618-524-9209
Links to Local Employers:
Massac Memorial Hospital
MMH is hiring! Join a team that puts patients first and supports the health of our community every day. Compassion. Excellence. Local Care. Apply today at www.massachealth.org/careers or by scanning the QR code.
Rural Health, Inc.
Metropolis Big John
Shawnee Community College
City of Metropolis
Southern Seven Health Department
