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Alton Fireworks Win Praise During America 250 Celebration

19 hours 19 minutes ago
ALTON - Alton Mayor David Goins said feedback from the city’s Friday night, July 3, 2026, fireworks display in Alton has described it as “one of the best in many years.” The mayor said the city placed extra emphasis on the event because of America’s 250th anniversary. Mayor Goins said the display was “a spectacular display” and that he received “a lot of compliments” afterward. He said that when he went to the grocery store Saturday, July 4,

Censorship Lawsuit Against Disinformation Researchers Dismissed — After Succeeding At Actual Censorship

19 hours 21 minutes ago
Trump-appointed Louisiana federal judge Terry Doughty has spent years bending over backwards trying to help some MAGA faithful manufacture nonsense claims about “censorship” for some grifters getting moderated on social media. As you’ll recall, he issued a bizarrely problematic ruling on July 4th three years ago, in which he said of perfectly reasonable, non-coercive communication […]
Mike Masnick

Daily Deal: Soundfreaq Sound Spot II Bluetooth Speaker

19 hours 26 minutes ago
The Soundfreaq Sound Spot II combines wireless audio performance, ambient lighting, and relaxing sound features in a compact design built for modern lifestyles. Featuring a Bamboo and White finish with eco-friendly materials, this Bluetooth speaker complements bedrooms, offices, living rooms, and personal spaces while delivering both style and functionality. Engineered with a custom-designed audio driver, […]
Daily Deal

As Trump buyouts shake offshore wind industry, states hope developers stay in the game

19 hours 41 minutes ago
President Donald Trump has shown the immense power of the executive branch to stymie offshore wind development, as nearly all projects are in waters where federal agencies operate as the landlord. Now, as the feds block new permits and dangle billion-dollar buyout offers to convince developers to walk away from their projects, state leaders are […]
Alex Brown

U2 releasing new single on Tuesday

19 hours 44 minutes ago
There's more new music on the way from U2.The Irish rockers announced they’re dropping a new single, "Street of Dreams," on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET. They also shared a snippet of…

Source

ABC News

Gov. Pritzker Signs Nation-Leading Artificial Intelligence Safety Law

19 hours 49 minutes ago
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 315, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Measures Act, a landmark legislation establishing the nation's strongest framework for AI safety, transparency, and accountability. The bipartisan law positions Illinois as the national leader by requiring the largest AI developers to identify, disclose, and mitigate risks while providing independent oversight and protections for workers who report safety concerns. The law earned widespread

First Columbia charter school targets 2027 opening amid lawsuit over Missouri law

19 hours 49 minutes ago
Kansas City-based Frontier Schools is on track to open Columbia’s first charter school in the fall of 2027. At this point, Frontier Schools has hired a contractor and is looking for possible locations for the charter school in the city. The Missouri Board of Education approved the opening of the STEM-based elementary school in April, […]
Annie Goodykoontz

Illinois sets national standard for AI regulation with new law

19 hours 50 minutes ago
Illinois has passed the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, which sets comprehensive requirements for developers of large-scale AI tools, including disclosure of safety practices, reporting of major incidents, and independent third-party safety audits.
John Clark

Edwardsville Police Department To Target Speeding, Risky Driving Behavior

19 hours 52 minutes ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police, and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies across Illinois in a statewide effort to encourage safer driving and reduce speeding. From July 7 through July 31, 2026, residents and visitors may notice additional traffic patrols throughout Edwardsville. Officers will focus on speeding and other behaviors that can increase the risk of crashes. "Our goal i

Attorney General Raoul Opposes Postal Service's Unlawful Attempt To Undermine Voting Rights

20 hours 5 minutes ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 24 attorneys general, took action to oppose the U.S. Postal Service’s attempt to aid the president’s efforts to seize control of elections and restrict mail-in voting through a proposed rule. The coalition is calling on the Postal Service to withdraw the proposed rule, which the attorneys general argue would violate a recent court order. “In recent weeks, courts have affirmed that Congress and individual

Gov. Pritzker Urges U.S. Postal Service to Uphold Fair and Free Elections, Defend Mail-In Voting Methods

20 hours 6 minutes ago
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker led a coalition of nine state governors in urging the U.S. Postmaster General to unequivocally reject Trump’s proposed amendment to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service (USPS), which would put an end to mail-in and absentee voting methods. In a joint comment issued by the governors of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin, Gov. Pritzker denounced this

Durbin Welcomes 60 New Citizens At Naturalization Ceremony

20 hours 7 minutes ago
URBANA, IL – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated the naturalization of 60 new citizens from 25 countries at a ceremony presided over by the Honorable Eric I. Long, United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of Illinois. Durbin was joined by Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams. “Today, 60 new Americans from 25 countries took an oath that binds us all—not by birth, but by shared belief in our