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Gov. Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation For Jersey, Calhoun and Cook Counties

1 day 8 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker today issued a state disaster proclamation after severe weather and flooding caused extensive damage across Cook, Jersey, and Calhoun Counties from July 25–28, 2025. The proclamation ensures that state resources can be directed to support local response and long-term recovery efforts. “Illinois families and communities are still facing the impacts of these devastating storms,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this proclamation, we are making sure every tool at the state’s disposal is available to support recovery. Our administration will continue working alongside local leaders and federal partners to ensure impacted residents and businesses get the resources they need.” The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), in partnership with local government entities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), conducted joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs)

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BBB warns of scam surge with Missouri sports betting

1 day 8 hours ago
Sports betting in Missouri becomes legal on Dec. 1. In the meantime, the Better Business Bureau reports a risky underbelly of pseudo-gambling, illegal gambling and scams has developed. The BBB says the number of Scam Tracker reports and complaints it has received about online gambling has doubled since 2023.
Mike Colombo

ICJIA Releases 2025-2029 Statewide Violence Prevention Plan

1 day 8 hours ago
CHICAGO — The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) today announced the release of the 2025-2029 Statewide Violence Prevention Plan . The 2025-2029 Statewide Violence Prevention Plan serves as a framework for grantmaking that can create more resilient, safe, and thriving communities. The plan supports the Governor's goals of breaking the cycles of violence caused by years of failed criminal justice policies, overincarceration, and economic disinvestment in minority communities. “Since we first stepped into office, the Pritzker-Stratton administration has been committed to healing communities in partnership with the people we serve,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton . “For decades, too many voices have gone unheard, and too much pain has gone without relief. We are proud to uplift this statewide plan in service of those who need it most.” The plan incorporates a public health approach to violence prevention and was

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Simmons Hanly Conroy Champions Perrin's National Asbestos Litigation Conference  

1 day 8 hours ago
ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy , a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that the firm has partnered with Perrin Conferences in support of this year’s National Asbestos Litigation Conference , which will take place September 16–17 at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. As a Platinum Sponsor, the firm is proud to sponsor the opening networking cocktail reception taking place on September 15. Simmons Hanly Conroy Senior Partner Perry J. Browder , a 2025 conference co-chair, will deliver opening remarks. Several firm attorneys have also been invited to participate in various sessions, including: Partner Jennifer Alesio , who will present at the “Trial Attorney Perspectives: Trying Cases, Staying Sane and the Teams that Make that Possible” panel on September 16 Partner Donald P. Blydenburgh , who will speak at the “Talc Litigation Overview”

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South Roxana Police Charge Resident With Series Of Burglaries

1 day 8 hours ago
SOUTH ROXANA – A South Roxana man faces multiple felonies after a string of burglaries along the same street in South Roxana. Randal L. Mamino, 58, of South Roxana, was charged on Aug. 8, 2025 with three counts of burglary, each classified as Class 2 felonies. Mamino is accused of entering multiple buildings in South Roxana without legal authority and with the intent to commit theft on three different occasions. On March 16, 2025, Mamino allegedly entered a building in the 400 block of Southard Place in South Roxana, which he reportedly burglarized again on April 8, 2025. Then on Aug. 1, 2025, Mamino reportedly burglarized a different building in the 100 block of Southard Place. The case against Mamino was presented by the South Roxana Police Department, and he was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Welcome Event Draws LC Students Back to Godfrey Campus Ahead of First Day

1 day 8 hours ago
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College welcomed more than 350 new and returning students to the Godfrey Campus for Trailblazer Welcome Day, Wednesday, Aug. 20. The event included a welcome from President Ken Trzaska in the afternoon, followed by a Campus Scavenger Hunt that sent students to more than two dozen locations across campus, collecting stamps for a chance to win prizes. At each location, they had the opportunity to learn about services available to students. “The goal was to get students more familiar with campus and create some visibility for a wide variety of student services we offer,” said Director of Student Services Crystal Robinson. “Students in attendance were able to interact with faculty and staff and were able to build a rapport that will make them successful and feel like a part of the community.” Students also had the opportunity to pay for classes, register for parking hang tags and get books and

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One Cardinal Way: 5 years of St. Louis revival

1 day 9 hours ago
One Cardinal Way opened five years ago in downtown St. Louis as part of a revitalization effort to bring people back into the area. Ballpark Village would grow with multiple businesses and residences, but especially One Cardinal Way.
Kamryn Mendoza

St. Clair Officials Identify Mascoutah Victim in Fatal Belleville Crash

1 day 9 hours ago
BELLEVILLE - A 33-year-old woman from Mascoutah struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, on Green Mount Road near Eckert’s in Belleville has been identified, authorities said. Emily Johnson, who lived in the 500 block of Augusta Street in Mascoutah, was identified as the pedestrian involved in the incident, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Johnson was pronounced dead at 4:35 a.m.on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in the emergency room of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run, although no other details have been released. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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Missouri teachers union asks judge to freeze private-school-voucher payments

1 day 9 hours ago
Attorneys for Missouri’s largest teacher’s union are hoping to stop tax dollars from pouring into the state’s voucher program, arguing in Cole County Circuit Court Thursday that payments should be paused until a judge rules on the legality of the program’s funding. The State Treasurer’s Office has already begun dipping into a $51 million appropriation […]
Annelise Hanshaw

Ctrl-Alt-Speech: You Asked, We Answered

1 day 9 hours ago
Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast about the latest news in online speech, from Mike Masnick and Everything in Moderation‘s Ben Whitelaw. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Pocket Casts, YouTube, or your podcast app of choice — or go straight to the RSS feed. This is the second of our special episodes for the […]
Mike Masnick