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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 54 attorneys general, issued a letter on Tuesday urging Congress to study how artificial intelligence (AI) can and is being used to exploit children through child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In their comment letter , Raoul and the attorneys general highlight the dangers of AI as it relates to CSAM in three main categories: a child’s likeness who has not been physically abused being digitally altered in a depiction of abuse; a child who has been physically abused being digitally recreated in other depictions of abuse; and a child who does not exist being digitally created in a depiction of abuse that feeds the market for CSAM. “AI technology has the potential to transform nearly every segment of our economy and the way we live,” Raoul said. “It also presents new threats, including to our children’s safety. Congress must act now to ensure the dangers of AI are fully understood

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PIASA - Senior Hunter Newell is proving to be a key piece of the Piasa Southwestern football team's offense so far this season. Through two games he is the Piasa Birds' leading receiver with 162 yards and three touch downs. Friday night, in a 27-21 win over the Litchfield Purple Panthers, Newell had 145 yards on just seven catches. He also finished up with 24 yards rushing, eight tackles, and an interception. For his stellar performance, Hunter Newell is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Month for Southwestern High School. Newell knew he had to step things up this season when the Piasa Birds lost one of their go-to receivers, junior Greyson Brewer, in week one against Gillespie. Brewer went down and was later confirmed to be out for the season with a broken clavicle. “All the guys knew that we had to put the extra load on our back and step up, make some plays,” Newell said Friday night. That's exactly what he and sophomore quarterback Blake

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ROXANA - Whether you’ve struggled with suicidal ideation, lost someone to suicide, or just want to help, the “Out of the Darkness” Madison County Walk is the place to be on Sept. 9. The day starts at 11 a.m. at Roxana Park. Speakers will share their experiences with suicide and stories about loved ones they lost to suicide. The walk itself is estimated to take 20–30 minutes and will end back at the park, where attendees can enjoy vendors and food trucks until 4 p.m. “It’s not sad. It’s really a happy occasion,” Jen Herring, who chairs the event, said. “This year, I really wanted to grow it and I wanted to include the community…You can come out and show your support for those people.” Currently, there are almost 100 participants and 15 teams registered for the Madison County walk. They have raised approximately $8,500 of their $12,000 goal for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. To donate or register

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GODFREY - Godfrey trustees approved a liquor license for a proposed Top Shelf liquor store, moving the proposed business one step closer to construction. While more details on the exact location or construction timeline were not available yet, Top Shelf’s owners are hoping to have it open by next Memorial Day on May 27, 2024. Mayor Mike McCormick said he was in favor of Top Shelf, which has a location in Effingham, building a new location in Godfrey. “After seeing the pictures, these people want to invest in our community,” Mayor McCormick said. “They just want to have the security of knowing that they can have a liquor license, and I don’t see the problem in that.” Business Partners Don and Patrick Schutzbach said at the meeting they plan to build a 6,500 to 7,000 square foot facility which would include a high-end wine cellar, tasting area, and a closed-off section for video gaming which also allows customers 21 years of age and over to have

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s Annual Family Fun Day has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 9, 2023. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on that day in Red Hawk Park. Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow said rain canceled the event on August 26. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new pickleball courts will still be held at 7 p.m. to officially open them to the public, he added. Mayor Morrow urged area residents to gather children, friends, and family for this last touch of summer and welcome to fall. "The evening will feature face painting, balloon animals, rock painting, a DJ, pickleball, and so much more," he said. "Free hot dogs, chips, and water await all hungry attendees. Bring your own chairs and blankets and claim your spot. The QEM fire trucks, a Jersey County ambulance, Survival Flight helicopter, and a Grafton Police car will all be available for your hands-on inspection. "Jersey County Queen and Little Miss will help to celebrate this favorite (and greatly anticipated)

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GODFREY – Recently, Madison County Transit (MCT) donated a retired 2010 Gilig 40-foot bus to the Lewis & Clark Community College automotive program. Containing an L9 engine and Voith transmission, the bus will provide students with more robust equipment on which to learn, including rare, hands-on 24-volt system training. Pictured, from left to right, are L&C Vice President of Academic Affairs Susan Czerwinski, Automotive Technology Assistant Professor/Co-Coordinator Clayton Renth, Automotive Technology Co-Coordinator Ben Cook, Automotive Technology Professor Chris Reynolds, L&C President Ken Trzaska, MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison and MCT Fleet Director Justin Dixon.

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GRAFTON - A Saturday jet ski collision left a person with a serious leg injury and they were airlifted to a St. Louis area hospital from the Grafton area. Gerry New, the QEM fire chief, said when they arrived, the individual involved in the jet ski crash was out of the water and they were directed to a boat ramp area to set up a landing zone. “We helped set up the air transport,” he said. “It was by the lighthouse and boat ramp.” New was uncertain of the details of what happened in the jet ski crash but he knew it was a collision and said the person appeared to suffer a broken leg. Right after that incident, he said they were called to another motorcycle incident on Illinois Route 100 close to Elsah and a motorcyclist had to be airlifted from that scene.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced the Attorney General’s office has charged a St. Clair County man with alleged possession and dissemination of child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. Raoul’s office charged Elijah I. Ames, 18, of Swansea, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and 11 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Ames’ bond was set at $350,000, and his next court date is scheduled for Sept. 8. “Survivors of child abuse and exploitation are revictimized each and every time an individual trades or downloads one of these heinous images o

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A serious crash at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, involved three motorcycles and one apparently struck a deer. Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns said the accident which occurred on Illinois Route 100 north of Elsah involved a 48-year-old from Tuscola, a 40-year-old, and a 45-year-old from Heyworth. “One of the motorcycle riders struck a deer to start the accident and then the other motorcycles became involved and eventually a helicopter was called to transport the victim,” Manns said. “Alton Police and other law enforcement came to assist the Jersey County officers,” he said. Manns said the most seriously injured motorcycle rider suffered serious injuries and was airlifted from the scene.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is once again offering to share the cost of adding a tree to residential properties as part of the Tree Planting Program. This long-running annual initiative is overseen by Edwardsville’s Beautification and Tree Commission and the Public Works Department. Participants are reimbursed half the cost, up to $100, of buying and planting one tree at the property owner’s primary place of residence. To be eligible for reimbursement, an application must be received and approved prior to final selection and planting of a tree. Only trees listed on the City’s approved tree list can be considered for the program, which is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, while funding is available. Previous program participants are eligible to apply. Applications must be received by Thursday, November 30, 2023. The tree must be planted by Friday, December 15, 2023. “Many people think spring is the time of year to plant, but when

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COLLINSVILLE – A Madison County constituent was recently awarded more than $15,000 after State Senator Erica Harriss’ office and the Illinois Treasurer’s office teamed up through the state’s Unclaimed Property Program, which helps Illinoisans find and claim money owed to them. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Collinsville Memorial Public Library located at 408 West Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234. “This particular individual had inherited money from a relative’s bank account and was unaware of it until my office was able to get into contact with him,” said Senator Harriss. “I know some people are skeptical about answering the phone in thinking this program is fake or a hoax due to the increase of scammers out there, but this program is very much real, and this person is just one of several examples relating back to the state’s program.” Both Senator Harriss and the Treasurer’s Office are joining

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GRANITE CITY - Senior D.J. Dutton is considered to be the top runner for the cross country team at Civic Memorial High and on Sept. 2 at the 50th running of the Pete Robinson/Harry Lang Granite City Invitational meet at Granite's Wilson Park, Dutton had a great time in helping the Eagles finish seventh in the team standings. Dutton had the second best time for CM with a 15:31.1 as the Eagles had six of their seven runners have times under 17 minutes, the first time in the school's history that it's ever happened. Dutton is considered to be one of the area's top runners and is also a very hard worker who mentors the younger runners and provides leadership and inspiration to the entire team. For his efforts both on and off the courses, Dutton has been named a Tom Lane State Farm Male Athlete of the Month. "He's definitely the leader of the team this year, no doubt about it," said Dutton's and the Eagles' head coach, Jake Peal. "He's really taken his running this past spring and summer

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ALTON/GODFREY - Alton Mayor David Goins and Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick today issued a joint statement in light of the recent disturbances that occurred at Alton High School last week . The two mayors said this incident impacts their respective communities and they "stand together to offer our support during this difficult time." Godfrey Mayor McCormick made this statement: “The actions of kids last week have given our area a black eye. I did not attend Alton High, but they have adopted me, and I’m a Redbird fan. My heart goes out to the Sheriff’s Department, the teachers and support staff, the administration, and the vast majority of students not involved in these senseless fights. The Alton School Board has some tough decisions moving forward making Alton High a safe and secure place to send the children of our community. “On behalf of the Village of Godfrey, we are available if there is anything we can do to help. Our thoughts and prayers are with this

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ALTON - Calling all leaf peepers and history buffs: the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is once again offering a series of guided Fall Color and River Road History Tours in Grafton and Elsah starting in late October and running through early November. The Fall Foliage and River Road History Tours are 20-passenger guided shuttle tours that will highlight the stunning fall colors found on the river bluffs flanking the mighty Mississippi River and include visits to the historic Village of Elsah, Principia College and Pere Marquette State Park. The three-hour tours will kick off Thursday, Oct. 12 and are scheduled to run Friday, Oct. 13, Thursday, Oct. 19, Friday, Oct. 20, Thursday, Oct. 26, Friday, Oct. 27, Thursday, Nov. 2, Friday, Nov. 3, Thursday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Nov. 10. “These are one-of-a-kind tours that can’t be found anywhere else in southwest Illinois,” Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said. “We want to be

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ALTON - Families and longtime residents of the Mexico region in Alton came together for a “Back to Mexico” block party on Sept. 2. Alton’s Mexico area stretches from Tremont Street to Union Street along Central Avenue. The Back to Mexico Committee organizes this event every year so former and current residents can connect and remember the area’s history. “It just brings me so much joy,” committee member Faye Taylor said. “It’s just like a big family gathering or picnic. It is a community event…and we have people come back from Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Indiana, wherever.” This year, attendees marked the occasion with a cookout, bounce house, face painting, vendors and games. Alton High School students who are part of the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women volunteered throughout the day. While the Back to Mexico event is a fun celebration, it’s also a nod to history. This section of Alto

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ALTON - The Alton Expo will take place as planned at the Alton Amphitheater from Thursday, Sept. 7 to Sunday, Sept. 10, and Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said there will be "a large police presence" at the event as well as private security used at all events at the Alton Amphitheater. As usual, the Alton Expo will feature live entertainment, rides, games, and of course fair food. "The Alton Expo has long been a family friendly event," Chief Ford said. "The safety and security of the event is always a top priority. Given recent altercations at Alton High School, we are implementing additional security protocols for the Alton Expo this year. Specifically, anyone 17 years of age and under will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while at the Alton Expo. Those who are not will be required to leave until they can return with a parental figure." Ford added that while he has no specific information that leads him to believe that further altercations will take place, "we

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JERSEYVILLE - A wide range of charges including armed violence, battery in a public place, unlawful production of cannabis, and several more were filed in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Steven A. Gold Jr., 22, of Jerseyville, was charged with armed violence (category three), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Court documents state that on Aug. 29, Gold unlawfully carried a loaded pistol on his person while in possession of a substance containing Vyvanse and while not on his own property or property he had been invited to. The pistol was allegedly “immediately accessible to the defendant at the time he carried it,” according to court documents. Gold was charged with one Class 2 felony for armed violence and two Class 4 felonies for controlled substance possession and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. His bail was set at $25,000. Shelly A. Reed, 51, of Brighton, was charged

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EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that nearly two dozen school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years. “These investments will do wonders for the physical and intellectual learning environments across the district, and the students are more than deserving of the utmost support,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Raising children is a community effort, and I am thankful for all the hard work parents, teachers and other staff have done to uplift their students.” The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number

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ROLLA, Mo. - During a time when many students enjoy some well-deserved rest, Hannah Butkovich, a junior in civil engineering at Missouri S&T, had other plans this summer. Over the past few months, Butkovich, of Bethalto, Illinois, participated in an internship with Keeley Construction. Plus, she was selected as a national student ambassador for the American Society of Civil Engineers. “I had a busy summer, but I learned so much in the process and had a great time being part of the Keeley team,” Butkovich says. “I am going to stay with the company this fall for a cooperative education program as well, which I can do remotely while still being a full-time student.” At Keeley Construction, Butkovich focused on pre-construction duties, such as estimating, calling contractors, marking up bid forms and reviewing construction drawings. “It was amazing,” she says. “Right from the beginning, they gave me real jobs to do. I had multiple projects

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GODFREY – L&C is inviting the public to celebrate this year’s garden show, “Discover the Monticello Sculpture Gardens,” at an upcoming Garden Festival, from 5:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. The festival is a free event and includes food, activities, live music, and fun for the whole family. “We want our community to view the Monticello Sculpture Gardens as a place to bring the family to enjoy art and nature,” said Garden Designer and Horticulturist Katie Piper. “This festival celebrates that and hopefully draws some new people to the gardens who have not had the chance to see the other wonderful things L&C offers outside of the classroom.” Make sure to grab a map and take a stroll across campus to discover eight beautiful themed garden locations and 14 unique bronze sculptures, which are permanent fixtures on the Godfrey Campus. L&C’s College for Life students will serve Icy Joes (from Bunkhouse Joe Coffee) from their Coffee

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