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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Whitney Hermandorfer to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; Zachary Bluestone to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; Joshua Divine to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Western District of Missouri; Maria Lanahan to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; and Judge Cristian Stevens to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Key Quotes: “A decision was made last week by Attorney General Bondi that the Justice Department will no longer cooperate with the American Bar Association rating process for judicial nominees. What is going on here? Why is this being changed so abruptly? Well, you look back and you can understand if you look at the history o

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COLLINSVILLE - Good Shepherd Lutheran School recently released their High Honor Roll and Honor Roll lists for Quarter 4 of the 2024-2025 school year: High Honor Roll with Distinction (Gr. 7&8 - GPA 4.00+) 8th Grade: Chloe B., Raelei B., Trinity B., Liam D., Zoe G., Cooper I., Elle J., Prabhgun K., Jake R., Chance S., Elise T., Cali W. 7th Grade: Will B., Isabella B., Owen C., Agnes H., Livy P., Caroline S. High Honor Roll (Gr. 5&6 - GPA 3.51 to 4.0; Gr. 7&8 - GPA 3.51 to 3.99) 8th Grade: Robert A., Brayden B., Ezra C., Rory D., Meghan M., Caleb M., Hunter S. 7th Grade: Zion C., Myla G., Sydney H., Alexis K., Jacob K., Elise L., Violet M., Piper M., Sophia N., Charlotte P., Isaiah W. 6th Grade: Alison B., Vivian C., Molly F., Lola F., Lena G., Hunter M., Adelynn M., Bhavneet S., Natalie S., Riley Y. 5th Grade: Remy B., Brad B., Aiden B., Livi B., Alayna E., Hazel F., Gavin G., Savannah G., Camy H., Francesca H., Isla J., James K., Lucy P., Amelia R., Jed S.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) reintroduced the bipartisan Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act to help struggling rural hospitals stay open by reforming Medicare repayment structures. As many rural hospitals struggle with rising costs, this bill gives them the support they need to continue serving communities in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District and around the country. “Rural hospitals are a lifeline for the folks they serve. But with healthcare costs rising and outdated Medicare repayment rules, many have been forced to close their doors,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act offers a real solution to help rural hospitals become more financially solvent so they can continue to serve our communities. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Graves to make sure that every American can access quality care

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MADISON COUNTY – Madison County Transit (MCT) is reminding residents that MCT Micro, its affordable, on-demand public transportation service, is now available in Bethalto, Cottage Hills, and Rosewood Heights, with extended evening service in Collinsville on Saturdays. Operating Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the Bethalto | Cottage Hills zone includes convenient transfer points at Wood River Walmart and Main & Edwards in Upper Alton. In Collinsville, Saturday evening service now runs until midnight, giving riders more flexibility to work late, attend events, and get home safely. “The MCT MicroTransit service meets people where they are—literally and figuratively,” said SJ Morrison, MCT Managing Director. “By offering flexible, affordable rides in Bethalto, Cottage Hills, and now late into the evening in Collinsville, we’re expanding transit access and helping residents stay connected to work, school, healthcare, and each other.”

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GLEN CARBON – Following are the full High Honor Roll and Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year at Father McGivney Catholic High School: High Honor Roll is awarded to students with a 4.0 or greater weighted GPA. 12th grade: Tyler Ahring, Kylie Becker, Julia Behrmann, Liam Boeving, Aaron Broadwater, David Carroll, Jane Cummins, Joseph Feldhaus, Molly Foppe, Lillian Gilbertson, Milania Harris, Brynn Hawkins, Mason Holmes, Leah Hopfinger, Levi Huber, Sabrina Ivnik, Kannon Kamp, Chase Kelley, Andrew Kleinheider, Rachel Kretzer, Emma Mathews, Sophia Mineman, Emily Moody, Alivia Peck, Caroline Rakers, Gracelyn Ratchford, Olivia Rodgers, Elena Rybak, Carissa Speight, Evelyn Sturdivant, Spencer Sundberg, Justin Terhaar, Lily Terrell, Isabella Venarsky, Courtney Vrenick 11th grade: Natalie Beck, Elise Bishop, Madilyn Collignon, Gretchen Ertel, Kaitlyn Foppe, Anastasia Hasenstab, Chase Jansen, Erin Kretzer, Grace Lubeck, Andrew Nohl, Zoe Oller,

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Following the passage of Governor JB Pritzker’s seventh consecutive balanced budget, the State of Illinois today highlighted a historic $500 million investment in site readiness—marking a bold step forward in transforming unused state properties into hubs of economic opportunity. This investment—which represents the largest site readiness investment in state history—will prepare sites across the state to attract new industries, create jobs, and bring new life to communities that have long been impacted by shuttered or unused facilities. The Site Readiness initiative includes two major components: $300 million for the “Surplus to Success” program led by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), which will prepare idle state-owned properties for private development. $200 million for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to expand its existing Site Readiness programs

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is proud to announce the deployment of a new state-of-the-art command vehicle designed to improve emergency response coordination, enhance public safety, and provide crucial on-site support during critical incidents across the state. The command vehicle was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Radiological Security. The new command vehicle, a 2025 Freightliner, replaces an 18-year-old vehicle with antiquated technology. The new command vehicle is equipped with high-definition cameras and monitors, state-of-the-art communications technology, real-time data access, and dual slide outs for a large conference room. It will serve as a central hub for ISP officers during emergencies such as natural disasters, large-scale accidents, public events, and search-and-rescue operations. "This command vehicle gives us the ability to respond faster, coordinate more effectively, and better serve our communities during critical incidents,"

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ROODHOUSE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Roodhouse, Illinois man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse images online. Ethan T. Seaton, 20, was sentenced Tuesday by Greene County Circuit Court Judge Zachary Schmidt after previously pleading guilty to two counts of Class 2 felony possession of child pornography. “This sentence sends the message that offenders who commit these horrific crimes will be held accountable,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement officers throughout the state to protect children from exploitation and secure justice for survivors.” Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Roodhouse Police Department

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ALTON - The Wedge Powered by SIUE announces its June programming lineup designed to empower small businesses, foster community connections, and drive regional economic development. The events offer practical tools, expert insights, and collaborative opportunities for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and residents across the Metro East region. As part of AltonWorks' community revitalization efforts and leveraging SIUE's academic excellence, The Wedge brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals under one roof, providing a dynamic center for ideation, innovation and community engagement. “A key feature of The Wedge programming is that it is accessible to a wide variety of people,” said J. Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge. "From the curious minds exploring what's possible to the experienced professionals ready to mentor the next generation, we're creating a space where every idea and dream has room to grow." The Wedge Open House & Networking Event Thursday,

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey may soon have new rules on the books concerning food trucks. An ordinance outlining rules and regulations for food trucks received a first reading at Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting. The item will be given a second and final reading before coming up for a vote at the board’s next meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Godfrey seeks to clarify its legal language concerning food trucks, as the rules are currently too vague to properly regulate these businesses and meet the village’s health and safety needs, according to the ordinance. If passed, operators of “portable vending establishments,” including food trucks, push carts, and kiosks, would be required to pay a fee to obtain a license to operate from the village. The exact amount of these fees will be established in a future resolution. The ordinance also regulates where food trucks can be located - if passed, they would only be allowed in B-1, B-2, B-4 o

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ALTON - Alton’s Knights of Columbus has an impressive history, and their work continues to be just as important as when they were founded 125 years ago. Richard R. Ruedin recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about the Knights of Columbus organization and their work throughout the Alton area. The K/Cs frequently volunteer in the community to give back. “We’re active and supporting things,” Ruedin said. “We are invisible in many ways, but we’re working behind the scenes for the City of Alton and the community.” The Alton K/Cs support St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. This “dual church council” is “unusual,” Ruedin said, but the members are eager to help both churches by volunteering their time and organizing events. For example, the K/Cs recently raised over $20,000 to assist St. Peter and Paul Church with renovations. They also

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MADISON COUNTY — Deputy Michael Reynolds has retired after nearly 27 years of service with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division. The announcement was made by the sheriff’s office, which praised Reynolds for his exemplary career serving the citizens of Madison County. “Deputy Reynolds, thank you for your service. We wish you the very best in all your future endeavors, enjoy retirement,” the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Reynolds’ long tenure reflects a sustained commitment to public safety in the community. The sheriff’s office recognized his contributions and extended congratulations on his retirement.

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band will kick off their free summer concert series this week. Every week in June and July, community members can enjoy a 7:30 p.m. concert on Thursday nights at Riverview Park and a 7 p.m. concert on Sunday nights at Haskell Park. This year’s series starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Riverview Park, and Adam Rodgers invites the community to come out and enjoy the music. “Gosh, there’s just such a long tradition and history,” Rodgers said. “It’s a quality-of-life thing, between us and parks and all those things. People kind of take it for granted, but we have so many programs and institutions here in this city that really make the community great.” This week’s theme is “Strike Up the Band,” with a variety of contemporary music and music that’s “really, really old; the paper was yellowed,” Rodgers joked. Next week, on Thursday, June 12, and Sunday, June

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MARYVILLE — The Maryville Police Department issued 35 citations during the Memorial Day "Click It Or Ticket" campaign, officials said. The enforcement effort, which took place over the holiday period, focused on promoting seat belt use and overall road safety. Among the citations, 12 were for seat belt violations. Other citations included one child car seat citation, one felony arrest, two fugitives apprehended, four suspended or revoked license citations, three uninsured motorist citations, five speeding citations, and four distracted driving citations. Sgt. Brian Gressi of the Maryville Police Department said the campaign aimed to improve safety on Illinois roads. "Through the Memorial Day enforcement campaign, we helped make Illinois roads safer and spread the word that seat belts save lives," Gressi said. The "Click It Or Ticket" campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief defending a Michigan law that prohibits licensed health professionals from practicing conversion “therapy” on minors. Conversion “therapy,” also called sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts, are harmful and ineffective practices that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Michigan’s law, which prohibits licensed health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on children, is being challenged in a lawsuit now on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Raoul and the coalition support Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy, explaining in the brief that it is not a safe or effective treatment for any condition, puts youth at risk of serious harms, including increased risks of suicide and depression, and falls below the standard of care for mental health

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after meeting with representatives from gun violence prevention groups GIFFORDS and Brady: United Against Gun Violence: “Lax gun laws in America are enabling international criminals. Drug cartels are acquiring weapons from our country to help facilitate violence and trafficking around the world. It’s a deadly, vicious cycle—one that we must cut off at its source by strengthening our gun laws. “We need to explore every solution we can to stop the flow of illegal guns from the United States to Mexico, including leveraging President Trump’s new foreign terrorist organization designations and legislative solutions. “My Stop Arming Cartels Act would ban the manufacturing and sale of the cartels’ weapon of choice, the .50 caliber rifle, as well as strengthen other tools to combat gun violence. I’

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) bipartisan legislation, the Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act , was adopted unanimously as an amendment to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Durbin’s amendment would ensure school food service staff receive essential training about food allergies, so that they are better equipped to prevent, recognize, and respond to food allergic reactions, which can save lives. “When parents drop their kids off at school, they should have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe with personnel who are trained to look out for their children’s food allergies,” said Durbin. “Peanuts, eggs, soy, and milk are nutritious, and may be in school lunches or brought by classmates. But for some kids, they are allergens that can be deadly. Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee adopted my bipartisan Protecting

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JOLIET – The Illinois Department of Labor's (IDOL) On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program (On-Site) joined the Chicago South Area Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Pepper Construction Company, and the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council to celebrate the successful completion of the Hollywood Casino Joliet construction project and the impact of their OSHA Strategic Partnership. “Our partnership exemplifies what’s possible when employers, labor, and government work together to prioritize safety,” said IDOL Director Jane Flanagan. “By embedding a culture of prevention and vigilance from day one, we helped ensure that thousands of hours of construction work were completed with minimal injuries and maximum care for worker wellbeing.” Launched in mid-2024, the partnership was designed to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses during the construction of the new casino. The collaborative effort focused on worker

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Did you know that Americans consume nearly 40 pounds of cheese per person annually? This staggering statistic underscores cheese’s remarkable role in global cuisine and culture. Yet, beyond its everyday presence on tables, cheese is celebrated annually on National Cheese Day—a special occasion that honors this versatile and beloved dairy product. But how did this day come to be, and why does cheese deserve such dedicated recognition? Origins of National Cheese Day National Cheese Day is observed every June 4th in the United States, but its origins are somewhat obscure. Unlike many national food days established by official organizations or government proclamations, National Cheese Day emerged more informally through food enthusiasts, dairy industry advocates, and social media communities seeking to spotlight cheese’s culinary and cultural significance. The exact year of its inception is unclear, but it gained traction in the 20th century as cheese production expanded

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SPRINGFIELD - As commencement season wraps up across the SIU System, the latest podcast episode of Office Hours with SIU System President Dan Mahony offers a timely exploration of the transition from college to career, capturing both the emotions of spring 2025 graduates and the wisdom of accomplished SIU alumni. The latest episode opens with real-time reflections from members of the class of 2025, recorded just moments before crossing the stage. The graduates share their excitement, hopes and questions as they prepare for life after SIU. President Mahony is then joined by three distinguished SIU alumni who reflect on how their SIU experiences shaped their professional paths and offer advice to this year’s graduates: Bill Luan (SIU Edwardsville, class of 1984 & 1985), Senior Program Manager at Google Terita M. Walker (SIU Carbondale, class of 2001), Principal of Denver East High School and 2025 Colorado High School Principal of the Year Dr. Kevin M. Simon (SIU School

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