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Flemington woman dead, 2 seriously injured after crash in Polk county

4 days 23 hours ago
POLK COUNTY, Mo. - A Flemington, Mo. woman was killed and two others were left injured Monday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash in Polk County. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the crash happened around 4:35 p.m. on Highway 83, approximately 1.5 miles north of Rondo, involving a Chevrolet Equinox [...]
Nick Gladney

Rights groups oppose U.S. attorney's retaliation against press

4 days 23 hours ago

Any serious journalist would tell you that it’d be journalistic malpractice for a local journalist not to report that a prominent public official listed a boarded-up house as his official residence in order to claim eligibility for his position. But that’s not how John Sarcone III, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, sees it.

He was reportedly “incensed” by reporting from the Times Union of Albany and ordered his subordinates to remove it from his office’s media list. In response, Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), Demand Progress Education Fund, and Reinvent Albany have filed a complaint against Sarcone with New York’s Attorney Grievance Committee.

As the complaint explains, “Sarcone is the chief legal officer charged with enforcing federal law in a district that covers over 30,000 square miles and is home to 3.4 million people. And yet he either does not know or does not care about the ‘practically universal agreement that a major purpose of [the First] Amendment was to protect the free discussion of governmental affairs.’”

The complaint requests that the Committee open an investigation to determine whether Sarcone's conduct violates New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct, and exercise its power to impose sanctions, which can include disbarment.

FPF’s Director of Advocacy Seth Stern said: “All licensed attorneys — but especially top prosecutors entrusted to protect the public, not just their clients — should know better than to retaliate against newspapers for basic public-interest journalism. Sarcone has repeatedly abused his office in his brief tenure. The committee should ensure he can no longer undermine the Constitution and embarrass the legal profession.”

Demand Progress Education Fund Special Advisor Kate Oh stated: “A prosecutor who so flagrantly disregards his ethical and professional obligations and tramples over the First Amendment rights of the press should not be empowered to enforce the laws of our nation. Sarcone’s professional history is littered with red flags and must be investigated. No less than the public’s faith in the rule of law is at stake.”

Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny said: “With great power comes great responsibility, and U.S. Attorneys like John Sarcone are among the most powerful people in America. Unfortunately, Mr. Sarcone has grossly abused his authority and betrayed the public trust. Mr. Sarcone's flagrant misuse of his authority to retaliate against the Albany Times-Union and his repeated, well-documented dishonesty are completely unacceptable, unethical, and violate basic democratic norms and rules of professional conduct. The Times Union is one of the most respected newspapers and civic institutions in New York, and it's chilling to see it attacked by an unethical U.S. Attorney with a personal grievance.”

You can read the complaint here or below. If you’d like further comment, please contact media@freedom.press or eric@demandprogress.org ,or info@reinventalbany.org.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

City of St. Louis to Undertake “ZOUP”: First Major Zoning Rewrite Since 1950s

4 days 23 hours ago

The City of St. Louis is about to begin a significant upgrade to the zoning regulations that guide how the city will develop and grow in the decades ahead. The effort, nicknamed “ZOUP” short for “ZOning UPgrade  – a modern code to meet the moment”, will be the first major rewrite and map update to […]

The post City of St. Louis to Undertake “ZOUP”: First Major Zoning Rewrite Since 1950s appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

RiverBend Patriots Hosts Events to Raise Money for Veteran Services

5 days ago
ALTON - Community members can support local veterans through several new initiatives and fundraisers. RiverBend Patriots, based in Alton, is a newer organization that supports veterans through VA navigation, wellness support, and other resources. They host trivia nights every first Wednesday of the month at Mac’s Downtown, and they’re planning a golf scramble for Aug. 30, 2025, at Lockhaven Golf Course. President Brad Yount explained that the organization aims to provide resources for veterans where there are currently none. Yount founded RiverBend Patriots alongside Tim Brown and Dustin Dixon. “We figured out there isn’t something that fits perfectly — putting the square peg in a round hole — for our generation of veterans,” Yount said. “We don’t necessarily love all of the older organizations, but we don’t necessarily love some of the newer organizations, either. So how can we meet in the middle and make that

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Gateway Arch National Park Earns Top National Museum Recognition 

5 days ago
ST. LOUIS – Gateway Arch National Park has again earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for museums in the United States. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Gateway Arch National Park, formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, has been accredited since 1980. Museums undergo re-accreditation at least every 10 years to maintain their status. "Being reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums is a prestigious honor that validates the dedication, expertise, and collaborative efforts of everyone involved with Gateway Arch National Park,” said David Murray, superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park. “This distinction not only reflects our commitment to maintaining world-class exhibits and collections, but it also elevates the park’s stature among museums and cultural institutions nationwide."

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Swansea Police Department Swears In Two New Officers

5 days ago
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department welcomed two new officers who served in the United States Air Force during a special board meeting, as Nicholas Wallace and Jeffrey Rankin took their oaths of office from Mayor Jeff Parker. Wallace and Rankin's military backgrounds are expected to contribute to their roles in protecting the local community. “Thanks for your service to our country and we look forward to you serving and protecting our community,” the Swansea Police Department said in a statement. In a photo above from the event, Rankin is pictured in the center and Wallace on the right.

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Lunch and Learn Speaker Series Topics Announced

5 days ago
ALTON – Intellectual and biological appetites will be satisfied thanks to what the Psychological Services Department at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center will be serving through an upcoming Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series. Residents in and around the Riverbend region can pick and choose from an a la carte menu of topics available during any of the seven (7) monthly sessions – each highlighting a different mental health topic. The Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series will give participants valuable insights, important information, and useful resources on each of the seven (7) topics highlighted throughout the speaker series. Each monthly session is held on the second Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and led by Mission Partners (i.e. employees) from the Psychological Services Department. The scheduled topics and presenters for the Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series are: September 10

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Former Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway appointed attorney general

5 days 1 hour ago
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that Catherine Hanaway will replace Andrew Bailey as the state’s next attorney general. Bailey, 44, resigned Monday after a little more than two years on the job to become co-deputy director of the FBI.  Hanaway, 61, will be the fourth person to serve as Missouri attorney general since 2018, […]
Jason Hancock

Sen. Belt Expands Access To Construction Job Training Programs in Metro East

5 days 1 hour ago
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to expand career and technical education programs to support regional manufacturing was signed into law. “Many kids have no idea that these jobs exist and they can be a part of this industry,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Without a family member or friend working in the trades, kids may never have a clue how to get started. That’s why this law is important – it amplifies access to the trades through training programs.” Senate Bill 58 expands a current program that is successful in other parts of the state to the Metro East. The program allows manufacturing companies to partner with local community colleges and high schools to set up technical training programs that translate directly into a job. This gives students from all backgrounds access to job training programs at their high school or local community college through the regional partnership. “Manufacturing is a cornerston

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Country Artist Matt Jordan to "Rock the Block" at Free Jerseyville Concert

5 days 1 hour ago
JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville invites the community to come out for a free country concert. At 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, community members can meet at the corner of Washington and Arch Streets for the summer’s third “Rock the Block” concert featuring country star Matt Jordan and local opener Cash Goetten. Will Strang, Jerseyville’s director of tourism, expressed his excitement to share the experience with the community. “Come out and enjoy some amazing music and some good friends and just a beautiful evening outside,” Strang said. “I think it’s a really important piece of building community spirit or really building a community atmosphere where everybody wants to participate. It’ll hopefully drive some economic development, some love in the community, and just really bring people together in a fun and energetic way.” Jordan’s band includes bass player Byron Beiermann, a Jerseyville native who

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