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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC) and Armed Services (SASC)—slammed a senior official from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after he failed to publicly commit to rehiring Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) workers who were fired in Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs of federal workers. Duckworth pressed the VA official on the importance of maintaining robust mental health and suicide prevention resources for Veterans amid the Trump Administration’s ongoing cuts to the VA, which have already made it harder for Veterans to access quality health care. Video of Duckworth’s remarks can be found on her YouTube . “From the mass layoffs of federal workers, including Veterans working with the Crisis Line, to canceled contracts and continued attacks on Veterans belonging to underserved communities, Donal

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led an open letter to the legal community, condemning actions by several of the country’s largest law firms to capitulate in the face of the Trump administration’s continued dangerous attacks on the rule of law. Some firms have even opted to strike deals to provide free legal services to support the president’s priorities. “President Trump’s unlawful threats undermine the democratic principles upon which our nation was founded,” Raoul said. “Law firms that capitulate to these threats become complicit in the administration’s continued efforts to undercut the judicial process, which depends on the rights to free speech, effective counsel and due process. I am proud to stand with the many lawyers who have shown courage in the face of these unconstitutional attacks, and I call on all of my colleagues in the legal community to join us.” Since taking office, President Trump has issue

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GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that repairs to westbound Interstate 270 between Illinois 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri will require lane closures starting, weather permitting, at 9 a.m. Friday, May 2. One lane will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 5. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a multistate coalition of 25 states and attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency. Through an 85% reduction of its workforce, the Trump administration has effectively ended the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations and funding that make its important work possible. “Since 1993, approximately 1.3 million Americans have patriotically served their communities through AmeriCorps, assisting veterans and children and protecting the environment,” Raoul said. “The gutting of AmeriCorps is the latest example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution to achieve their political goals. I will continue to fight back against these illegal and meritless decisions that will have real negative consequences across our country.” AmeriCorps is an

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has announced its 2025 Summer Camp Schedule with available camps for baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, football, girls volleyball and softball. GCHS Camps are designed to instruct athletes on fundamental skills involved in their sport in a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere. Athletes will be divided by their grade level and skill level receiving individual instruction. These camps will be directed by the Granite City High School coaching staff along with current players from the Warrior teams. Information regarding each camp can be found in our brochure, which are available in the main office at Granite City High School. REGISTRATION: https://forms.gle/j2NduvATN1Mb8ajf8 Forms and money can be sent to: Granite City High School C/O Name of Head Coach 3148 Fehling Rd. Granite City, IL. 62040 For more information, please contact each head coach: Baseball - July 14-16 - $30 K-4th Grade:

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ALTON - Alton Main Street proudly announces the incredible lineup of regional musicians that have been booked to perform at the organization’s upcoming events. Get ready for the sounds of live music floating through the air in historic Downtown Alton! Eight weeks of live bands have been scheduled for the Night Market on Broadway, which takes place every Thursday in June and July from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Offering a diverse mix of styles and sounds, there’s something for everyone at the 2025 Night Market which will be relocating to the green space on 3rd Street as well as taking over “Sugar Alley” which runs parallel to Broadway! Local favorite HOOKiE, which always draws a huge crowd, gets the party started on 6/5 with their familiar favorite jams, followed by acoustic folk rock from Psychedelic Symphony on 6/12. Relax to the 5-piece bluegrass/country melodies of Silver Creek Bluegrass Band on 6/19, and then on 6/26. The Wherehouse Project known for its unique style

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GLEN CARBON – Distinguished volunteer Mary Anne Hopper from Waterloo has been honored with the annual Heart of Gold Award by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. This prestigious award recognizes the tremendous long-term impact a volunteer has had on girls and adults in his or her community through Girl Scouts, and it is the highest award a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois adult volunteer can earn.Mary Anne started volunteering in Girl Scouts with her daughter’s troop in the late 1980s and has dedicated incredible service ever since. She has served in numerous roles, including Troop Leader, Service Unit Manager, Product Program Manager, Day Camp Director, and so much more. In her hometown of Waterloo, her positive presence is so powerful that she’s known as simply “Head Girl Scout” to many community members. Throughout the Council, she’s inspired countless girls to pursue their highest awards as a member of the Gold Award Committee. “By focusing

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the CEO of the Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association (WETA), Sharon Percy Rockefeller, to discuss the need to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). During the meeting, they also discussed the Trump Administration’s threats to defund National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). “The ruthless cuts and attacks on our federal government was not enough for the Trump Administration—now they want to go after public broadcasting, which has been providing unbiased, informative, and breaking news for years, especially for our nation’s rural communities,” said Durbin. “During today’s meeting, we discussed the vital need for public broadcasting. Congress must act to stop these cuts on public broadcasting—our democracy depends on it.” Through the government funding bill passed earlier this year, CPB

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to honor the four American soldiers—including one Illinoisan—who were stationed in Lithuania and tragically died last month while on a mission to recover a vehicle immobilized during a training exercise. The soldiers include Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. from Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sergeant Edvin F. Franco; Staff Sergeant Troy S. Knutson-Collins; and Private First-Class Dante D. Taitano—all part of the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. “I have come to the Senate floor before to talk about my connections with the country of Lithuania—where my mother was born. She came to the United States as an immigrant at the age of two… During my time in Congress, I have tried to make sure Lithuania’s heroic path to freedom, the EU, and NATO are strongly supported by their American allies and the United States Congress. Now more

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has shut down the City’s private building stabilization program, which the City had used to make repairs to private properties, billing the property owners. The Mayor’s Office is now working with the Assessor’s Office and City Counselor’s Office to lift all remaining liens and ensure that no cloud is left on any title as a result of the program. “This building stabilization program was well-intentioned but, unfortunately, very poorly executed,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “As we have seen in previous media coverage, the City has been billing property owners for work that wasn’t done and causing undue stress to communities already suffering from blight. Given the widespread and well-documented problems, we had no choice but to end this program and re-evaluate more effective ways of making much-needed investments in North St. Louis.”

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 14 attorneys general today in sending a letter to Congress, urging members to oppose two Congressional bills that would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from relying on scientific assessments from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, which are critical to protect Americans against deadly exposure to toxic chemicals. Raoul and the coalition’s letter also urges Congress to oppose the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD), which is the research arm of the EPA that provides the scientific basis for EPA’s work. “I am urging Congress to oppose the Trump administration’s attack on science and the Office of Research and Development, which is critical to helping the EPA and states protect residents from toxic chemicals. The EPA must be able to conduct research and rely on scientific data in order to hel

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What if you could improve your mental clarity, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being with just a few minutes of practice each day? Meditation, an ancient practice embraced worldwide, offers precisely that and more. Far from being a mystical or esoteric activity, meditation has garnered significant attention in scientific communities for its profound effects on the brain and body. This article explores the tangible benefits of meditation and provides practical guidance on how to begin your own practice. The Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation Meditation is more than a method of relaxation; it’s a powerful tool for mental and physical health supported by extensive research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that regular meditation can positively impact brain function, emotional regulation, and physical health. Improved Mental Health and Emotional Well-being One of the most widely recognized benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress. The American

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April 30 has long been a date marked by pivotal moments that have shaped the course of global history. Perhaps the most impactful event associated with April 30 is the fall of Saigon in 1975, a defining moment that effectively ended the Vietnam War and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia. On this day, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, leading to the reunification of the country under communist control. The event marked the culmination of years of conflict and had profound consequences for international relations, American foreign policy, and the lives of millions of Vietnamese people. The images of helicopters evacuating embassy personnel and desperate civilians seeking escape remain etched in global consciousness as symbols of the turbulent era. Going back in time, April 30, 1789, holds a special place in American history as George Washington took the oath of office to become the first President of the United States. This

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Orchestra and Choirs and Opera Edwardsville will wrap a week-long residency with a concert performance of Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni. The performance weekend is a co-presentation with SIUE’s Arts & Issues . Guest soloists from Opera Edwardsville will join SIUE student performers in both the orchestra and choir, conducted by Michael Mishra, DA, Director of Orchestral Studies. Concert times are 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday evenings, May 2 and 3. "We are thrilled to continue our established relationship with Opera Edwardsville through the Cavalleria Rusticana residency,” said Marc Schapman, professor of voice and chair of the Department of Music. “This collaboration brings some of the finest voices in opera to work alongside our talented students, orchestra, and choir. We are deeply grateful to Arts & Issues for partnering with us to present this powerful concert, and to the Illinois Arts

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement in response to the devastating car crash in Chatham, which claimed the lives of two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old, and an 18-year-old. Six other children were hospitalized, one of whom remains in critical condition as of this morning. “The loss of these young lives is something no parent, no family, and no community should ever have to bear. To the families of these four victims and those injured, my heart aches for you. You and all those touched by this nightmare are in my constant thoughts and prayers. “I am grateful to the first responders who acted with remarkable bravery and urgency, as well as to the school staff, faith leaders, Red Cross, and volunteers who have offered their support to our community. "As the days and weeks unfold, I hope our community continues to support and uplift one another through this challenging time.”

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ROXANA – Phillips 66 is proud to celebrate April as Good Energy Month , a company-wide initiative that encourages employees across the country to engage in meaningful volunteer service. Employees around the country participate in company-sponsored service projects and are also encouraged to donate their personal time to support local organizations. Wood River Refinery hosted its annual volunteer project to support a local native forest preserve. On April 24, sixteen employees, including members of the Refinery’s Environmental team, donated 64 hours to support the Edwardsville Children’s Museum Micro Forest. Volunteers performed critical tasks including weeding, staking, replacing tree tubes, and mulching to help the young forest thrive. “This is our fifth year supporting this project, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the progress and growth of the trees in this micro-forest,” said Melissa Erker, Director of Mid Continent Public Affairs

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township is pleased to announce that the Township Board passed Paid Parental Leave for Edwardsville Township full-time employees. The resolution provides up to twelve weeks of paid leave for new mothers and fathers. “Edwardsville Township strives to be a leader in our community and is aware of the many challenges facing new parents,” said Township Supervisor Kevin Hall. “We hope this demonstrates how much we value our great employees and will be an example for other organizations in our community.” From the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employee Relations: Paid parental leave is associated with lower rates of child mortality, higher rates of vaccination, reduced risk of childhood obesity and diabetes, and more regular health check-ups. Paid parental leave increases weekly hours worked for mothers by up to 17 percent in the years after birth, boosting labor force participation. Paid leave for fathers shortens

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ALTON - OSF Moeller Cancer Center will host their inaugural Women’s Health Fair to kick off Women’s Health Month. From 3–5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, community members can stop by the Moeller Cancer Center in Alton for free breast exams, skin cancer screenings, genetic testing, cholesterol and glucose testing, blood pressure readings and more. Jill Pruitt, oncology services navigator, and Dana Matesa, cancer care coordinator, explained that the goal is to provide free services to women and remind them to take care of themselves. “We wanted to do it around Mother’s Day,” Pruitt said. “Women just are so busy taking care of everybody that sometimes we forget about ourselves. So we thought it would be a good idea to do it.” There are only 32 slots available for the breast cancer screenings; you must register for a slot by calling 618-433-7610 to make an appointment. Every other service is available on a walk-in basis. Severa

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings to discuss plans to replace the bridge that carries Illinois 111 (Kingshighway) over the CSX Rose Lake Railroad Yard between Fairmont City and Washington Park in St. Clair County. The meetings will be held: Thursday, May 15 4-7 p.m. Community Space at City Hall 4001 Cookson Road, Fairmont City Tuesday, May 20 4-7 p.m. All Nations Church (HOPTAN) Community Center 5501 N. Park Drive, Washington Park This project involves replacing the Illinois 111 (Kingshighway) bridge over the CSX Rose Lake Railroad Yard between Fairmont City and Washington Park in St. Clair County. The bridge was originally constructed in 1935 and last rehabilitated in 1985. The purpose of the meetings is to provide an overview of the project and obtain public input. Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, as well as information regarding engineering,

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Musicians from the US Air Force Band of Mid-America’s will give a series of public concerts in and around St. Louis in May. The concerts include: May 16, 12:00 PM, St. Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110) May 17, 7:00 PM, Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, Strauss Theater (210 E Monroe Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122) May 18, 2:30 PM, Benedictine Living Community at The Shrine (726 Community Drive, Belleville, IL 62223) May 19, 7:00 PM, McKendree University, Hettenhausen Performing Arts Center (400 N Alton St, Lebanon, IL 62254) The USAF Band of Mid-America will present an evening of chamber works in an intimate concert setting. Program will include music of all genres, performances by solo musicians, duos, and chamber ensembles. Admission to these performances is free and open to the public. These are family-friendly, all-ages events.

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