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Did you know that Leif Erikson may have reached North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus? This remarkable fact challenges popular narratives about the "discovery" of the New World and invites us to reconsider the complexities of history. Leif Erikson Day, observed annually on October 9th, commemorates this pioneering Norse explorer and his groundbreaking voyage. But how did this day come to be recognized, and why does it hold significance today? Exploring the history of Leif Erikson Day reveals fascinating insights into cultural heritage, historical memory, and the celebration of exploration. The Historical Context: Who Was Leif Erikson? Leif Erikson, born around 970 AD in Iceland, was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlements in Greenland. According to Norse sagas, Leif embarked on a westward voyage around the year 1000 AD. His journey led him to a land he named Vinland, widely believed to be part of present-day Newfoundland in Canada.

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October 9th is a date marked by significant milestones that have influenced the course of history across the globe. Perhaps the most globally impactful event associated with October 9th occurred in 1967, when the Outer Space Treaty entered into force. This treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, set the foundation for the peaceful use of outer space. It was a pioneering international agreement that prohibited the placement of nuclear weapons in space and banned the establishment of military bases on the Moon and other celestial bodies. Signed initially by the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, the treaty opened a new chapter in international cooperation. It established space as a global commons, meant to be used for peaceful purposes and scientific exploration. Today, it remains a cornerstone of space law, influencing how nations

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ST. LOUIS — Five men were shot Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2025, during a balloon release held to honor a victim of violence in north St. Louis City, leaving one dead and others injured, police said. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. in the 5900 block of Wells, according to St. Louis police. All five victims were men between the ages of 19 and their early 30s. One man died at the scene, while another remains in critical, unstable condition at a local hospital. The three other victims are reported to be in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the gunfire during the balloon release, which community members organized to remember a victim of violence. Police have not released any information regarding suspects or motives at this time.

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ALTON – Alton is officially applying for grant funds from Madison County as the city seeks to update its Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. City Council members gave final approval on Wednesday for the city to apply for a grant under the Metro East Parks and Recreation District’s (MEPRD) Community Planning Grant program. If approved, the grant could cover up to 40% of the cost to update the city’s current parks plan, which was prepared in 2012 by Heartlands Conservancy. The resolution states the 13-year-old plan is now “outdated and in need of replacement.” Alton would agree to contribute at least 60% of any awarded amount in local matching funds towards the new plan, which will also be prepared by Heartlands Conservancy. At Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting , Alderwoman Rosetta Brown suggested city officials gather feedback from community members about improvements they’d like to see in their local parks. Stakeholder

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EAST ST. LOUIS — The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced the results of a violent crime suppression detail conducted October 4-5, 2025, targeting high-crime areas and known offenders in St. Clair and Madison counties, with a focus on East St. Louis and surrounding Metro East communities. The operation, which employed intelligence and technology, resulted in 17 arrests, 23 felony charges, 29 criminal charges, and 15 firearm-related charges. Officers seized nine firearms during the detail. Several traffic stops on October 5 led to notable recoveries and arrests. At St. Clair Avenue and 19th Street, troopers stopped a vehicle for an Illinois Vehicle Code violation and recovered a handgun and suspected cocaine following a probable cause search. The passenger was taken into custody, with charges pending. Later that day, a traffic stop on the I-55 northbound ramp to IL-3 southbound resulted in the seizure of a rifle, handgun, and cannabis. The driver and three passengers were arrested

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Key takeaways: Labored breathing can be a sign of a serious, underlying health issue Contacting your child's pediatrician and getting them treatment quickly is paramount Depending on the severity of respiratory distress, an emergency department visit may be needed During times your child is sick, focus on temperature control, hydration and rest Childhood vaccines can help protect against viral infections and the severity of illness When a child is struggling to breathe, it can be one of the most frightening experiences for a parent or caregiver. Labored breathing, known as respiratory distress, can develop quickly and may signal a serious underlying illness. Knowing what to look for, and when to seek care, can make all the difference in protecting your children. “It’s important for parents and caregivers to know the signs of labored breathing, also known as respiratory distress,” says Kelsey Grimes, DO , outpatient pediatrician at OSF

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ALTON - Faith, fun and community combine at this weekend’s St. Mary’s Oktoberfest. Starting on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, and running through Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, St. Mary’s Church and School in downtown Alton will host their 18th annual Oktoberfest, complete with inflatables, games, free beer, live music, a 5K run, bingo, and plenty of other activities. The event raises money for St. Mary’s Church and School. “It’s just a wonderful experience to be there and to see our faith and our community at work,” said Carolyn. Organizers Carolyn and Ryan shared that they have been working for months to “revamp” aspects of Oktoberfest so there’s more fun than ever before, perfect for all ages to enjoy. On Friday, Oct. 10, the festivities will kick off with a 5K or one-mile fun run at 6 p.m. DJ Dave will provide 5K entertainment, followed by the Glendale Riders from 7–11 p.m. on the main stage. The festival itself

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GODFREY – A Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy will soon be assigned to help increase security at the Great Godfrey Corn Maze amid reports of fighting and other “unsavory behavior.” Parks and Recreation Director Chris Logan announced at Tuesday’s meeting that after a few weeks of the Great Godfrey Corn Maze being open, things have been going well overall. However, he said there have been occasional issues including a fight between middle-school-aged children and other “unsavory behavior,” prompting two police responses since the maze opened this year. “We do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Logan said. “I want to make sure that we do our best to let people know that this is a family-friendly event and that they’re always welcome there.” When asked if the village needed to look into additional security measures, Logan indicated the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has been receptive to assigning

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ST. LOUIS - The pedestrian bridge spanning Forest Park Parkway and the MetroLink tracks in northeast Forest Park is closed effective Wednesday, Oct. 1, following a recent vehicle collision that damaged the bridge’s superstructure. The City of St. Louis Board of Public Service ordered the permanent closure after an engineering inspection determined the structure was unsafe and should be removed. Demolition of the low-clearance bridge is scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. and is expected to be completed by Monday, Oct. 13, at 6 a.m. During this period, sections of Forest Park Parkway will be temporarily closed to traffic. Westbound lanes will be closed between Kingshighway Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue, while eastbound lanes will be closed from Union Boulevard to Kingshighway. With the bridge out of service, pedestrians are advised to use alternate crossings within Forest Park. These include the Grand Drive overpass accessible from West Pine Drive and a route via Kingshighwa

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and Chapter, an independent Medicare adviser, are partnering to offer current and newly eligible Medicare patients free, unbiased consultations on choosing a Medicare plan that best fits their health care needs. Chapter advisers provide expert, up-to-date information about Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap), Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans. They are trained to assist existing Medicare patients aged 65 or older maintain or change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) beginning Oct. 15 and continuing through Dec. 7. They also offer guidance year-round to patients who become Medicare-eligible on their 65th birthday. HSHS is committed to ensuring patients and all members of the community have access to compassionate, high-quality health care through all stages of life. “Choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming, with many factors to consider,” said Jeffery Sterling,

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ALTON – An Alton man accused of attacking a domestic battery victim after dragging them from their vehicle faces his latest set of felony charges. Michael A. Steele, 38, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 3, 2025 with one count each of vehicular invasion (a Class 1 felony), robbery (a Class 2 felony), and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony). Steele allegedly entered an occupied motor vehicle by force with the intent to commit a theft or felony on Oct. 2, 2025. He reportedly pulled the victim by her hair, struck her about the head, and took her cell phone by force. A petition to deny Steele’s pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, the victim reported Steele approached her vehicle before “placing his hand on her throat in a threatening manner.” “He then dragged her from the vehicle by her hair, striking her in the face and taking

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ALTON - The Alton Symphony Orchestra invites the community to come out and enjoy their upcoming concert. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Hatheway Hall on the Lewis and Clark Community College campus, ASO will perform Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Sibelius’s “Finlandia,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.” Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 18 and under. “This concert is going to be wonderful,” said Maestro Wm. Shane Williams. “We want to always be there for the community. We’re in our 81st year. So 81 years ago, people had this vision. They’re gone by now, but I think that they would smile if they knew that it was still going on." Williams and Board President Jessica Poddig noted that ASO aims to provide musical opportunities for the community. They also like to involve the community in their work. During “Finlandia,” audience members will be encouraged

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O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital formally announced, today, $116 million in major growth projects for the O’Fallon campus. The projects will expand the emergency department, increase inpatient nursing capacity, as well as add a new outpatient surgery center, advanced imaging options and medical office space. At a press conference held at the hospital on Monday, Sep. 15, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital President and CEO Chris Klay and Chief Operating Officer Michael Janis announced the plans for the project and highlighted the longevity of this health care ministry. “It is incredible that in the year we celebrate 150 years of existence, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital remains vibrant and positioned for growth as demonstrated with these new expansions. By expanding our facilities and services, we are not only addressing the growing needs of today but also preparing to meet the demands of tomorrow. Along with enhancing the economic climate

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Now that kids are back in school, families are settling into their new routines after a long summer break. It can certainly be a busy time for everyone. But this transition can also be a great opportunity to help our kids — and our households — build healthy behaviors that can carry through the year, and beyond. While many behaviors are important for our children’s health and wellness, improving their sleep and activity habits can have especially wide-ranging benefits. “It is vital for children to get enough sleep, exercise regularly and limit screen time because these habits are strongly linked to positive outcomes for their physical, mental, cognitive and social development,” said Dr. Mary Fournier, an associate professor of pediatrics at WashU Medicine in St. Louis. Together, these behaviors can help boost heart health, immune function and bone health, among other physical health benefits, she said. But the specific benefits can also reach many

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today as Texas National Guard troops arrive in Illinois: “Deploying the Texas National Guard, over the objections of Illinois elected officials, is not only unnecessary, but it is also unlawful. The law, specifically the Posse Comitatus Act, expressly forbids our nation’s military to be used for domestic law enforcement without express statutory or constitutional authorization. National Guard personnel do not deserve to be used as political pawns in President Trump’s political theater. “As made clear in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the Trump Administration continues to shut out Illinois officials. Administration officials have recklessly sent in troops and agency leaders, including FBI Director Kash Patel, to Chicago without speaking to our state’s leaders. “If the Trump Administration

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FREEBURG - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hours in Freeburg on October 9. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss state legislature and to talk about changes they would like to see from elected officials in Illinois. “I look forward to meeting my constituents to have open conversations about what matters most to them and their families,” said Schmidt. “This event is designed to give individuals the time to share their voice with me so I can better serve them during legislative session.” Mobile Office Hours Details: When: October 9th, 2025 Where: Freeburg Municipal Center Address : 14 Southgate Center, Freeburg, IL 62243 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Monday joined 22 other attorneys general to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court decision that prevents individuals from suing to enforce the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Raoul and the coalition filed an amicus brief in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe that defends the right of individuals to sue to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a provision that is essential to ensuring Americans can cast ballots free from racial discrimination. “For decades, the Voting Rights Act has ensured access to the ballot box has not been restricted or obstructed based on discrimination,” Raoul said. “I am proud to join my fellow attorneys general to protect voters’ rights, as nothing is more fundamental to the preservation of our democracy than the right to vote.” Congress enacted the VRA in 1965 to guarantee that the voting rights of the American people would not be denied or restricted

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ST. LOUIS – In an effort to restore the tree canopy and its many benefits to the St. Louis neighborhoods damaged by the May 16 tornado, the City of St. Louis Recovery Office is proud to partner with the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forest Park Forever and Commerce Bank on the Trick or Tree™ drive that will mobilize children across the region to collect donations while trick or treating on Oct. 31, 2025, with all funds directly supporting tree-replanting efforts in tornado-impacted neighborhoods. Since the tornado, City staff and contractors have removed or trimmed an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 tornado-damaged trees from parks, homes and streets. This does not include many more trees that have been removed or trimmed by private property owners and community groups, or may require removal in the future. Trick or Tree™ provides families, neighbors and community members with an opportunity to contribute to the restoration of that lost tree canopy.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi at a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Durbin’s questions focused on the weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Trump and AG Bondi, Bondi’s conflicts of interests as a former lobbyist for Qatar who signed off on accepting the gift of a Qatari plane, the Department’s role in the President’s surge of troops and federal agents to Chicago, and how she has failed to release the Epstein files. Durbin first questioned AG Bondi about the Trump White House deploying the National Guard to Chicago and if she was consulted beforehand or had any knowledge. Despite repeatedly asking her, AG Bondi refused to answer. “Were you consulted by the White House before they deployed National Guard troops to cities in the United States?” Durbin asked. AG Bondi responded that

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker joined Illinois’ congressional delegation and local elected officials to condemn the Trump Administration’s latest act of political retaliation — an illegal freeze of $2.1 billion in already-approved federal funding for the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension and Red and Purple Line modernization projects. Together, Illinois leaders vowed to fight back against this baseless attack on Chicago’s working families and to defend the State’s right to the federal investments it was promised. “At a time when federal agents are sowing chaos in Chicago, the Trump administration is holding bipartisan funding hostage,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Using transportation funding to score political points doesn’t just hurt the hardworking people who rely on public transit to get to work or school—it weakens our economy, drives away investment, and makes it harder for businesses to

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