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SWANSEA - The Rotary Club of Swansea presented financial educational awards to four Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence (CAVE) District 201 graduating seniors on May 8, 2025. A total of $8,000 was awarded to help further the students in their future trade careers and continued training. Funds were raised by the Club through a ticket raffle held in Fall 2024. The following are the award recipients (featured left to right in the top photo): ? Kennedi Allen ? Daniya Holmes ? Aliayah Anderson ? Lillian Averbeck ? Eric Morgan-Cox ? Adela Gagen ? Noah Mesiti (Darice Bohnenstiehl Endowment Award) ? Serenity Graham The School District 201 Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence (CAVE) Program, located at 7645 Magna Drive in Belleville, is an educational program designed to address the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of at-risk students in order to successfully transition back to Belleville East or West High School or on to college or career. It offers

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will host its Spring Vendor Summit on June 4, 2025. The event will take place at The Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Dr., Marion, Illinois from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This half-day summit will give attendees an opportunity to learn how to do business with State of Illinois agencies — providing a detailed understanding of the certifications and registrations required and how to complete a Business Enterprise Program Utilization Plan. “We invite business owners to attend the Spring Vendor Summit in Marion, whether they’re seeking resources to help grow their business or looking to better understand how to do business with the State,” said Andy Manar, Deputy Governor for Budget and Economy. “This event is designed to empower businesses to compete and succeed in Illinois.” Vendor Summits are key components in the State’s efforts to diversify its vendor pool and provide equitable

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance detail on May 13-16, 2025. This commercial motor vehicle enforcement campaign occurred at fixed and portable scale locations in Cook, Will, Madison, Montgomery, and St. Clair Counties. Officers successfully enforced state and federal motor carrier safety regulations by conducting North American Standard Inspections and educated drivers on the importance of safe driving, seat belt use, and safe equipment. Detail Results Total Motor Carrier Safety Inspections: 1,870 Total Motor Carrier Safety Out of Service Notices: 339 Total Citations: 112 Total Warnings: 2,124 Total Criminal Arrests: 1

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of 20 attorneys general, today urged the American Medical Association (AMA) to take stronger action to protect health care providers from risky in-person medical board certification requirements. In testimony submitted to the AMA, Raoul and the coalition argue that mandating in-person board certification testing in states that have aggressively criminalized or penalized reproductive and gender-affirming health care endangers providers and threatens access to essential care nationwide. In particular, the attorneys general highlight the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG), which requires OB/GYNs seeking board certification to travel to Texas for in-person testing. Texas has imposed some of the most severe restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care in the country. “Illinois medical professionals who provide lawful health care should not be forced to travel to states that have criminalized reproductive

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, today filed an amicus brief supporting a challenge to an executive order that indefinitely suspended the entry of refugees through the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program (USRAP) and dismantled the USRAP’s infrastructure by terminating agreements and funding for resettlement agencies. Raoul and the coalition filed their brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Pacito v. Trump, arguing that Executive Order 14163 is unlawful because it violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits the federal government from barring entry to a specific class of people unless those individuals’ entry would be detrimental to the national interest. The order includes no findings specific to USRAP refugees, who are legally admitted to the country, authorized to work and have undergone rigorous vetting. “Our country has a long history of welcoming refugees into our

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) led 15 lawmakers in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy urging him to protect funding for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant Program. CCBHCs provide lifesaving care to millions of Americans; however, a leaked draft of President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget called for the elimination of their funding. As part of her recent district-wide Medicaid tour, Congresswoman Buzinski visited Chestnut Health Systems in Granite City , which receives funding through the CCBHC Expansion Grant Program. The members write, “Eliminating the CCBHC program would immediately disrupt these critical services, potentially leading to increased, more costly hospitalization rates and exacerbating homelessness. Such cuts would reverse the significant progress that has been made in ameliorating the opioid

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TROY, Ill. — The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce will host its Spring E-cycling and Shredding Day on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at Triad High School, 704 E. U.S. Highway 40 in Troy. Residents can drop off electronic items with cords for recycling free of charge, except for televisions and monitors, which will incur a small fee from CJD E-cycling. There is no limit to the number of items accepted. A list of items not accepted is available on the Chamber’s website. In addition to e-cycling, attendees can take advantage of free unlimited document shredding provided by The Shred Truck. The event also offers drop-off options for old prescription medications, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. No appointments are necessary. The event is funded through the City of Troy’s tourism funding and organized by the Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber at 618-667-8769 or via email at dawn@troymaryvillecoc.com. Additional details

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ALTON – The Wedge Innovation Center Powered by SIUE today announced the hiring of Stephanie Schrage as Community Manager. The former Alton Main Street President brings over 10 years of experience connecting entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration, and driving social impact innovation, exactly the expertise needed to fuel The Wedge's mission as the region's premier startup community. In her new role, Schrage will develop community engagement strategies, coordinate events and programming, and support the network of entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals at The Wedge. "Stephanie's track record of building vibrant, welcoming communities and her passion for supporting people with big dreams makes her an ideal fit for The Wedge," said J. Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge. "Her experience in nonprofit leadership, combined with her deep understanding of community development, will be invaluable as we continue to grow our community of dreamers, doers and thinkers. Stephanie

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ALTON - Enjoy the sounds of multi-platinum selling rock band Puddle of Mudd as they take the stage at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 2, 2025, with gates opening at 6 p.m. “A Saturday evening on the Alton Riverfront with another multi-platinum selling band like Puddle of Mudd will be a great night for Alton and the region,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. Ticket sales will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025. VIP tickets will sell for $65.00, reserved tickets for $46.50, and general admission tickets for $34.25 plus all applicable taxes and fees. Tickets will be available at www.Metrotix.com and through MetroTix outlets. A VIP ticket includes entry to the concert, assigned seating in the VIP area, reserved parking, and access to the VIP tent on the side of the stage with private concessions. A reserved ticket provides entry to the concert and assigned seating at the amphitheater while general admission tickets include entry

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EDWARDSVILLE - Teachers and union members for Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 rallied outside of Liberty Middle School ahead of May’s regular Board of Education meeting. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a few dozen District #7 employees donned red and held a rally in the hour before the meeting. Teachers spoke about the need for increased pay and less district spending on “luxury items.” “We are just standing out here to show that we support each other and hoping the public supports us as well,” said Karla Brinkman. “We are rallying because our negotiations are coming up. We’ve had a lot of teachers let go that shouldn’t have been let go. There’s been a lot of spending by the district on superficial things, luxury items like a new gym floor, a new track for the track team, new office buildings over in Edwardsville rather than just using the office buildings like the Hadley House that the district has always used, jus

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What if the simplest way to enjoy a healthy, refreshing treat was literally at your fingertips? Homemade popsicles made from fresh fruit offer a delicious and nutritious alternative to store-bought frozen snacks, loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients. Not only do they satisfy your sweet tooth, but they also provide a creative outlet to experiment with flavors and textures while utilizing seasonal produce or leftovers before they spoil. Why Choose Homemade Popsicles? In recent years, consumer awareness around clean eating and natural ingredients has surged. According to a 2023 Nielsen report, 65% of Americans prefer snacks made with real fruit and minimal additives. Commercial popsicles often contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and preservatives, which many people aim to avoid. Making your own popsicles empowers you to control what goes into your treat, ensuring it is both wholesome and tailored to your taste. Moreover, homemade popsicles can be a fun

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May 28 has been a date marked by remarkable events across the globe, spanning centuries and touching upon themes of revolution, discovery, culture, and political change. One of the most significant events to occur on May 28 happened in 585 BCE, when the Battle of Halys, also known as the Battle of the Eclipse, took place. This confrontation between the Medes and the Lydians was famously interrupted by a solar eclipse, an event so striking that it halted the fighting and led to a peace treaty. This eclipse was so precisely predicted by the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus that it stands as one of the earliest recorded instances of scientific forecasting influencing human affairs. The ceasefire marked a rare moment when cosmic phenomena directly impacted the outcomes of earthly conflict. Fast forward to the late 18th century, May 28, 1754, saw a key moment in North American history when the Albany Congress convened in Albany, New York. Representatives from seven of the thirteen

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JERSEYVILLE – A new event space is one step closer to opening in Jerseyville. Members of the Jerseyville City Council on Tuesday unanimously granted a request to rezone a green building at 209 S. Washington St. from R-5 (multi-family residential) to B-3 (retail business) for special use with alcohol. Property Owner Tammy Shireman confirmed at Tuesday’s meeting that this is the latest step in reopening the building as an event space. Mayor Kevin Stork wished her “good luck.” Known locally as the historic Bell Telephone building, the newly renovated Washington Street property is being transformed into a wedding venue and event space called “The Bell Haus.” According to their Facebook page, The Bell Haus is a joint venture between Shireman and her daughter, Jamie, who will be finalizing the building’s Bell Haus transformation “over the next several months.” They describe the “quaint space” as an ideal venue for small-scale

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JERSEYVILLE/HIGHLAND - The Riverbend region will welcome Carden Circus today. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Jerseyville, and Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Highland, community members can enjoy Carden Circus , an international act with motorcycle stunts, archery, aerialists, animals and more fun for people of all ages to enjoy. Performers look forward to sharing their acts with local families. “The circus is fun,” said Arline Carden, the fifth-generation manager of Carden Circus. “They’re really, really, really going to be excited to come and see it. If they come, I promise they’re not going to regret it. They’re going to be enjoying it so much.” In Jerseyville, the show starts at 7 p.m. on May 27 at American Legion Post 492. In Highland, community members can come at 7 p.m. on May 29 to the Madison County Fairgrounds. Carden encourages attendees to arrive an hour before showtime to enjoy all of the preshow fun. Families can check out

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ALTON - As artificial intelligence becomes more popular, a local clinical psychologist reflects on how AI can be useful in therapeutic settings — and how it comes up short. Dr. Ari Lakritz, PsyD, works with OSF St. Anthony’s Psychological Services Department. Lakritz noted that a lot of people utilize AI to help them accomplish tasks, and this technology can be useful as a motivator to finish therapy homework or process emotions in between sessions. But he noted that overreliance on AI might also have downsides. “This was kind of inevitable when they made AI. It’s going to help you with your term papers, it’s going to help you with your homework, and maybe it’ll be your therapist one day,” he said. “It’s all very new and you can’t really make huge generalizations because you don’t really have this longitudinal data that’s three, five, ten years out, but you do have some observations about how people use

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning Illinoisans to keep on the lookout for text message scams claiming to be from the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles” that threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges. The text messages are phishing attempts designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information. Recipients should not respond or open any links found in unsolicited texts and emails. “Phishing scams are unfortunately an increasingly prevalent threat in our modern society, seeking to cheat Illinoisans out of their personal information and hard-earned money,” Giannoulias said. “Please remain vigilant to avoid these scams and report them to protect yourself and others from falling victim to fraud schemes.” The office only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send text messages regarding driver’s license or vehicle registration

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EDWARDSVILLE - From a young age, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Michael Denn, PhD, has loved aviation and rocketry. Denn, instructor in the SIUE School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Mechatronics Engineering, has taken his passion for and years of expertise in the aerospace industry and propelled them into an impressive pedagogy that has caused many of his students’ learning to soar. A recent accolade for Denn’s persistent and consistent excellent teaching is the 2025 Faculty Award – St. Louis Section from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Denn was recognized at the AIAA annual awards banquet on Thursday, May 22 at Orlando’s Events Centers in Maryland Heights, Mo. “The Faculty Award recognizes faculty members who has provided outstanding support to an AIAA student branch and individual student members at his/her university or provided outstanding education to

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Does your pin oak look like it’s breaking out in little bumps? Those odd, round growths are called twig galls, and they’re more than just a cosmetic nuisance. In spring, tiny gall wasps—no bigger than a grain of rice—lay their eggs just under the bark of new shoots. As each larva grows, your oak responds by building a hard, knobby shell around it. That shell is the gall. When the wasp finally matures, it chews its way out, leaving a telltale hole—and the cycle begins again on fresh twigs. Twig galls form because your tree is trying to protect itself. The chemical signals from the wasp egg trick the plant into redirecting nutrients and hormones to build the gall. Inside, the larva finds both food and shelter. While a few galls here and there won’t kill your tree, a heavy infestation can sap vital resources from young shoots. Over time, your oak’s new branches will be stunted, uneven, or even die back before they mature. The damage goes beyon

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MARYVILLE - The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association has had a busy year so far, and they’re still working to support consumers and businesses throughout the region. Shannon Stelling stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about some of the HBRMEA projects and initiatives. She encouraged people to utilize the HBRMEA as a resource to find reputable builders and remodelers, and she emphasized that the organization aims to help consumers get what they need to be successful home owners. “You always have the Home Builders & Remodelers Association that are all local companies that can be trusted here in the area that can help you,” she said. “If you’re not sure and you want a good reference, call the HBR.” In addition to acting as a resource, the HBRMEA advocates for homeowners. Stelling explained that the local chapter is currently working with municipalities like Granite City and Belleville to pioneer

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PHOTOS: Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, Keyler G. Barreto, and Jose Mora Herrera. EDWARDSVILLE – Three Venezuelan natives have been charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal cash from an Edwardsville bank ATM. Carlos A. Marcanos-Gonzales, 27, Keyler G. Barreto, 19, and Jose Mora Herrera, 24, were each charged on May 23, 2025 with attempted theft (each Class 3 felonies) and computer tampering (each Class 4 felonies). On May 22, 2025, the three allegedly accessed the locked panel of an ATM at the Bank of Madison County in Edwardsville in attempt to steal over $10,000. Each are accused of taking part in an ATM theft scheme involving the installation of a computer program to cause the ATM to dispense money without authorization. Petitions filed to deny each of the defendants’ pretrial release describe the incident as follows: “Defendant and two co-defendants were located near the scene of an ATM alarm activation at Madison County Bank,” the petitions state.

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