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Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let it block $4B in foreign aid funding

4 months ago
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s ruling and allow it to withhold $4 billion in foreign aid that was previously approved by Congress. The case is one of many lawsuits challenging the White House’s efforts to supersede Congress’ spending authority by canceling funding without lawmakers’ […]
Jennifer Shutt

US Open Tells Broadcasters Not To Broadcast Trump Being Booed At The US Open

4 months ago
Good lord, here comes another act of preemptive cowardice in service of ensuring the most powerful man in the world enjoys his appearance before a crowd he can’t control or doesn’t own. Here’s Ben Rothenburg of tennis-focused blog Bounces with the scoop: An internal email sent by the U.S. Tennis Association leadership to U.S. Open […]
Tim Cushing

Walt Harrington to Speak at Carlinville Public Library

4 months ago
CARLINVILLE - An acclaimed writer and journalist will present a free, one-hour program at the Carlinville Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Walt Harrington of Carlinville, a former journalist at The Washington Post Magazine, will discuss his 2022 book, The Detective: And Other True Stories . “It’s a collection of eight of my in-depth, narrative non-fiction articles from The Washington Post Magazine,” remarked Harrington. “I’ll talk about where the ideas came from, how the stories were done, and what subjects thought of their stories.” Harrington will also read excerpts from some of his stories, to demonstrate his style and approach. He will also sign books. The recipient of numerous journalism awards, Harrington authored profiles of Rosa Parks, Carl Bernstein, Jesse Jackson, Rita Dove, and President George H.W. Bush. He also penned numerous in-depth accounts for the Post of ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. Harringto

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Granite City Celebrates Athlete Turned Officer Freddy Edwards

4 months ago
GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Department has welcomed Freddy Edwards back after he graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy and is preparing to begin field training with the department. Edwards, a Granite City High School alumnus and former college football player at Culver-Stockton, officially joined the department and will start his formal law enforcement training in the coming months. In addition to his new role in law enforcement, Edwards has been added to the Granite City High School football coaching staff as an assistant under head coach Steve Roustio. Edwards is one of the most multi-dimensional athletes to ever hail from Granite City High School and is now preparing to give back to his community in law enforcement and as an assistant football coach at Granite City High School, mentoring young athletes. Granite City High School Athletic Director John Moad has praised Edwards’ contributions both on and off the field. “Freddie

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The Coming Trump Stagflation

4 months ago
Today on TAP: The self-inflicted damage to Trump’s economy is deepening. Will he get away with it politically?
Robert Kuttner

Budzinski Slams Nippon Steel For Actions With Granite City Works 

4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued the following statement after U.S. Steel management alerted Granite City Works that, by October, they will no longer be receiving slabs. This comes after the Nippon Steel deal to acquire U.S. Steel failed to include any assurances or investment for Granite City Works. “Once again, President Trump has turned his back on America’s working men and women – and today, no community feels that betrayal more deeply than Granite City. Workers there have just been notified that, come October, no more slabs will be delivered to the mill, drastically impacting their operations. “Back in 2018, President Trump came to Granite City to boast about the supposed revival of American steel manufacturing. Now, he’s sold U.S. Steel to a foreign company and has put the very jobs he claimed to be saving on the chopping block. “Granite City Works deserved more than empty

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East St. Louis School Honors Grandparents With Special Event

4 months ago
EAST ST. LOUIS — Grandparents Day at James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, brought students and their grandparents together for a day filled with celebration and connection. The event honored the important role grandparents play in the lives of students, providing inspiration and support. Throughout the day, students, known as Thundercats, shared hugs, smiles, stories and special moments with their grandparents, creating memories intended to last a lifetime, East St. Louis School District 189 said in a statement. The district expressed its gratitude to all the grandparents and family members who attended, recognizing their presence as a vital part of the school community. The celebration underscored the district’s commitment to fostering strong family ties and support networks for its students.

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Alton, Highland Men Charged With Stealing From Elderly In Roof Repair Fraud Cases

4 months ago
ALTON – Local authorities have charged residents of Alton and Highland in separate but similar cases of home repair fraud involving elderly victims. Austin T. Frasier, 28, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 5, 2025 with one count each of aggravated home repair fraud and theft of property by deception from an elderly person (both Class 2 felonies), as well as a violation of the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (a Class A misdemeanor). On March 1, 2025, Frasier allegedly entered into a fraudulent contract with an elderly victim to perform roof repairs on her Granite City home using new roofing materials. Frasier reportedly entered into the $8,259.26 contract knowing he had no intention of performing the work. In addition to stealing over $8,200 from the elderly victim, Frasier also allegedly represented himself as a roofing contractor without being properly licensed as required under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Frasier’s case was presented b

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Young Racers Express Excitement at East Alton Soapbox Derby

4 months ago
EAST ALTON — The 30th annual East Alton Soapbox Derby took place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, drawing a sizable crowd to Berkshire Boulevard under clear skies. The event began with the National Anthem and a silent prayer to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Several area fire trucks and police cars paraded down Berkshire Hill with sirens wailing, setting the stage for the races. Racers paired off to navigate the course lined with safety cones, finishing amid hay bales. “This is awesome and the best day of my life,” one young racer said. The East Alton Fire Department sold its popular pulled pork, adding to the event’s offerings. Alongside the races, attendees enjoyed food, drinks, an inflatable obstacle course, and new this year, race cars on display for children to explore. Longtime attendees noted that the favorable weather contributed to a strong turnout for the annual community gathering.

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