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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with six public health organizations regarding the failure of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its obligation to regulate e-cigarettes under the Tobacco Control Act . In 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland mandated that FDA finalize its review of e-cigarettes on the market by September 9, 2021. As FDA has delayed for more than nine months past that deadline on finalizing its reviews, FDA has made the senseless decision to give a free pass for addictive e-cigarettes with kid-friendly flavors to remain on the market and hook children on nicotine. During his meeting with these health groups, Durbin discussed his recent statement for Dr. Robert Califf to immediately clear the market of unauthorized, kid-friendly e-cigarettes or step aside. “We know that kids are getting hooked on these flavored e-cigarettes that are specifically targeted to children, like

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GREENVILLE - The following students were placed on the Dean's List at Greenville University for the Spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the GU Dean's List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above. Alton, IL Kaitlyn Hutson, junior Kara Plunkett, junior Eva Schwaab, junior Moriah Summers, senior Elizabeth Sutton, junior Bethalto, IL Mariah Harned, senior Ian Heflin, sophomore Alyssa Jones, junior East Alton, IL Stephanie Kamp, junior Glen Carbon, IL Hannah Beck, senior Godfrey, IL Abbigail Van Voorhis, senior Hope Wind, junior Granite City, IL Alyssa Comer, senior Kristen Hall, junior Jerseyville, IL Molly Heitzig, senior Neasha Hill, senior Samantha Tallman, senior Wood River, IL Chance Foss, senior Ashly McElroy, senior

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about the revelations the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol has shared in its first two public hearings. “After 11 months and more than a thousand interviews, the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol is sharing its findings with America and the revelations are so damning. In its first two public hearings, the Committee has shown that the attack on the Capitol was not a demonstration that changed spontaneously and became a riot. The attack on our nation’s Capitol, the attack on this chamber, was the result of a plan—a violent effort to prevent the peaceful transfer of power from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, to stop the peaceful transition of power in America for the first time in our history. T

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ST. LOUIS - As the St. Louis Region experiences record heat this week, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones joined Cool Down St. Louis and Ameren this morning to commend the work of this important partnership, remind St. Louis residents of available resources, and emphasized key steps residents can take to beat the heat. St. Louis residents should avoid activity outside, and if they must be outside stay hydrated while taking frequent breaks; never leave children or pets in a parked car, even briefly; and check up on elderly neighbors and anyone they think may need help. “Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are real threats as we hit record-high temperatures. Limit your activity outside, stay hydrated, and check up on your family and neighbors who need it,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “Whether you’re looking for the City’s pool schedule or trying to find a spot to cool down from the heat, visit stlouis-mo.gov/summer for a list of available resources and tips to hel

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ST. LOUIS - The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit The National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO., on Wednesday, June 22, from 9 am - 1 pm. The hot dog shaped vehicle, 27 feet long and 11 feet high, was created originally for the company in 1936. The Wienermobile will be parked at the Museum in The William R. and Laura Rand Orthwein Education & Visitor Center Welcome Circle for those who relish the opportunity for a photo opp with this iconic car. Museum admission is not required to see this unique vehicle. For more information contact Jessica Hood at 314-858-1603.

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker signed HB209 into law today, restricting the use of latex gloves in food preparation and medical services and protecting thousands of Illinoisans from adverse allergic reactions. Latex allergies can range from skin irritation to severe anaphylaxis, preventing those suffering from patronizing restaurants that use the gloves in food preparation or serving or receiving care from many medical practitioners. “We want to make sure that our spaces are accessible to all Illinoisans—including those with latex allergies,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this legislation, we are preventing avoidable allergic reactions and subsequent hospitalizations. I am proud to sign this bill into law to help create a more accessible, considerate, and healthy Illinois.” Patients with latex allergies are negatively impacted by the prevalence of latex gloves in healthcare settings, but providers also suffer. Anyone who frequently uses latex gloves

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JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Arts Council will offer two fairy garden classes this month. Participants 10 and above will build a fairy home on Wednesday, June 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring an empty milk jug or soda bottle to serve as a foundation for their fairy home. This project will require the use of a hot glue gun. This is a great opportunity for a child and adult to partner to create an adorable fairy garden. During the second class, which will be held Tuesday, June 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., participants will create a beautiful garden for their fairy homes using found materials and miniature plants. Guests may attend either or both classes. Both events will be held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, located at 400 S. State in Jerseyville. There is no fee for either class, but registration is required. To register, visit the Art Council’s Facebook page at JerseyCountyArtsCouncil@facebook.com or phone 618-639-5232. The Jersey

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GODFREY – Future movers and shakers from the Young Adults Committee of the RiverBend Growth Association’s Class of 2021-22 recently wrapped up their year with an impressive scholarship award presentation after a recap of the year’s equally impressive portfolio of work. With a mission of teaching them the importance of giving back to their communities, 18 students from five Riverbend area high schools had the opportunity to work with mentors from RBGA member businesses over the past year. This year’s senior student representatives included Kamren Mason-El and Allie Schrumpf from Alton High School, Kennedy Bickmore and Allie Lively from Bethalto’s Civic Memorial High School, Addison Denton and Reaghan Williams from East Alton-Wood River High School, and Audrey Bosse and Thomas Strohmeier from Roxana High School. The YAC’s junior student representatives were Anbrielle Blake and Jayden Ross from Alton High School, Olivia Goodman and Benjamin Werts

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville announced Monday it is working in cooperation with local facilities to provide cooling stations throughout the summer. Starting today through September 22, the facilities Edwardsville facilities below will be available as cooling stations when the heat index rises above 100°F. Additional sites and hours may be added as needed. Edwardsville City Library: 112 S Kansans Street – (618) 692-7556 Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Edwardsville Main Street Community Center: 1003 North Main Street – (618) 656-0300 Mondays - Fridays: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. YMCA Meyer Center: 7348 Goshen Road – (618) 655-1460 Mondays - Fridays: 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on July 4 YMCA Esic Center: 1200 Esic Drive – (618) 656-0436 Mondays - Fridays: 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on July 4

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ALTON - The Alton Salvation Army announced today it will serve as a cooling center when temperatures are 90 degrees or higher. The weather forecast for several coming days shows temperatures will top 90 degrees. The Salvation Army Alton location is at 525 Alby St. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during this high-temperature time for the public to cool off. The Alton Salvation Army will offer cold drinks, snacks when available, and a cool place to rest with games and puzzles. "People who want to support the mission can donate to The Salvation Army Midland Division on its website," Alton Salvation Army Capt. Cassy Grey said. The website is here: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midland/

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ALTON – St. Peters True Value Rental is planning to expand by adding a third location in Breese, Illinois opening early this fall in September. The new location will add a third component to their business, Farm & Ranch. The 16,000 square foot building located off Old US Hwy 50 on N 4 th Street is currently being remodeled to include full-service hardware, farm, and ranch, along with equipment and party rental departments. This store will sell traditional hardware products such as fasteners, electrical supplies, tools, plumbing, and will feature several “store-in-a-store” concepts – Work Gear and Clothing, Farm Supplies, Inspiration Realized Paint Center, The Tool Shop, Smoke and Grill Center, Bird and Pet Shop, and Outdoor Power Equipment. Shoppers will find many top-notch brands, that they know and trust. Dealer agreements have already been made with Echo Outdoor Power Equipment, Milwaukee Electric Power Tools, DeWalt, Black & Decker, Freud, Diablo, Behrens,

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MARYVILLE – COUNTRY Financial Representative Mark Ringering in Maryville announced that he made a $1,500 donation to Got Your Six Support Dogs to help with the expenses for providing a support dog to a first responder or veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Got Your Six Support Dogs is committed to providing specialized service dogs to veterans and first-responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or sexual trauma,” the organization’s website states. “Our mission is to help these men and women regain their lives through the healing power of dogs.” The donation provided will benefit the program by covering 18 months of veterinarian expenses and parasite preventatives for one of the service dogs in training. “We are so pleased to be able to help take care of those who help care for us and enrich our lives every day within our community – our first responders,” said Mark Ringering. “This

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – Busey is pleased to offer financial support toward continuing education endeavors to applicants of all ages and educational backgrounds through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship. Through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship Fund, $25,000 in scholarships will be awarded annually. Funds will be disbursed through 10 scholarships of $2,500 each throughout Busey’s service area. The scholarship funds can be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies for continuing education. The application deadline is June 30, 2022, and selected recipients will be notified by July 31, 2022. Applicants will be required to meet specific eligibility requirements. For more information, please visit busey.com/scholarship .

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EDWARDSVILLE - The 2022 Edwardsville Art Fair Sponsorship Drive invites your participation and is open to families and businesses that can show support at various sponsorship levels. Whether it’s a one-year sponsorship or a sustaining sponsorship for three years, the Edwardsville Arts Center is excited to offer the community opportunities to support the arts while promoting their business. The arts center will be reaching out to past and potential sponsors through the months of June and July to ensure there is ample time to include sponsorships in marketing materials and more. Art Fair 2021 was a huge success for the Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC) and participating artists reporting over $300,000 in sales. A variety of entertainment, treats, and amazing artwork surrounded residents and visitors alike. The Edwardsville Art Fair enriches the community and has become the largest cultural event in the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area due to generous support of the sponsors, artists,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today unveiled a pilot program focused on reducing the long-lasting effects of violence in communities by assisting victims of violent crime in obtaining sustainable employment. The Rebound to Work program brings together community and corporate partners to provide substantive, in-depth and individualized assistance to victims of violent crime as they work to rebuild their lives. “Survivors of violent crime face a host of obstacles when working to rebuild their lives,” Raoul said. “Difficulty finding and maintaining employment can often be among these challenges. The Rebound to Work pilot program brings together community and business leaders to help survivors showcase their skills and find a path to sustainable employment.” Program participants first engage in a series of webinars created by human resources representatives from Rebound to Work’s corporate partners. The webinars focus on specific, fundamental

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(OSF HEALTHCARE) - A January grocery trip for Charlotte Davis turned out to be life-altering. The Shipman, Illinois, woman was loading food into the back of her van when she says the hydraulics failed, and the back door slammed into her head. While she didn’t lose consciousness or have any visible signs of trauma, Davis doesn’t mince words: “It hurt really bad.” Davis says she put up with worsening headaches, garbled speech and weakened memory as long as she could. “I tried to drive one day. I hit a flower pot, drove through the ditch, missed my turn, forgot where I was going three times,” Davis says. “My eight year old granddaughter told her mom, ‘Please don't let Mawmaw drive anymore. She's scaring me.’” When a CAT Scan found no brain bleed, Davis wound up at the OSF HealthCare rehabilitation office in Alton, Illinois. She was skeptical at first but now considers herself a prime example of why you shouldn’t

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater is going GREEN This summer! Yes, after a two year delay, ALT will finally be producing the full Broadway Musical SHREK in all it's glory. Kevin Frakes ( Director) is so excited to finally bring this long-planned BIG production to the Showplace for at least eight performances July 15th - 24th. Thirty talented performers from around the region have come together to make a little magic for this family-friendly showcase, with reduced ticket prices so that families can better afford to come and enjoy a very special time together. Audiences will love Brant McCance as SHREK, Julia Gilbert as FIONA, Kar'Mel Brewer as DONKEY, Devin Sadler as LORD FARQUAAD, Gabe Levi as PINNOCHIO, Therese Melnykov as DRAGON -- and thirty other players taking on 2-5 roles, to make this a singing/ dancing dream of a show! Grand Ball Costumes in Charleston, Illinois built the costumes for ALT nearly 3 years ago and has stored and waited along with the Directors to " Shine"

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ST. LOUIS - U.S. News & World Report has again ranked St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University School of Medicine among America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. The publication ranked St. Louis Children’s among the top 10 percent nationally (No. 15) and No. 1 in the state of Missouri. This is the 14th consecutive year St. Louis Children’s has been ranked in the top 10% of all children’s hospitals nationwide. It is the only children’s hospital in a 200-mile radius to be nationally ranked in each of the 10 pediatric specialties evaluated by the report. In fact, of the 198 children’s hospitals evaluated, St. Louis Children’s is one of only 23 to be nationally ranked in all 10 specialties, exemplifying its depth and breadth of expertise. The 10 pediatric specialties and St. Louis Children’s national rankings in each are follows: Neurology & Neurosurgery (No. 5); Neonatology (No. 8); Orthopedics (No. 10); Pulmonology

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ST. LOUIS - Megan Ragan, assistant coordinator of the Centerstone Trauma, Treatment, and Training (CT3) program, is a finalist for the Young Professional Leader Award from the Marion Chamber of Commerce. After starting as an intern in May 2020 at Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, Ragan led the CT3 program to both achieve and exceed multiple grant goals including: Training 2,600 community members and service providers in mental health-related practices and activities Establishing 49 collaborative partnerships Creating and coordinating an advisory council with 100% of its members reporting lived experience Exposing nearly 200,000 individuals to mental health awareness messages Enrolled 129 children in the CT3 program between May 2020 – September 2021, a number which represents 194% of the enrollment goal for the period Ragan is one of three individuals up for the Marion Chamber of Commerce Young

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, has selected Tisha Brooks, PhD, associate professor and chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, to serve as CAS interim associate dean. Brooks will assume the position on Friday, July 1. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the CAS interim associate dean and work alongside of the rest of the CAS leadership team in furthering the mission of the College,” said Brooks. “I have greatly enjoyed serving in a leadership capacity as department chair and look forward to expanding that leadership to serve faculty, staff and students across the College. I have been deeply invested in faculty development and success since my arrival at SIUE, and I see this role as an opportunity to expand that investment.” In July 2020, Brooks became the chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, which is large and complex

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