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ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross has opened a shelter located at Saint Angela Merici, 3860 N. Highway 67, Florissant, MO 63034 following the explosion yesterday morning in North St. Louis County. Individuals affected by the explosion are encouraged to come to the shelter for water, meals, snacks, resources and a safe place to stay overnight. Individuals do not have to stay overnight at shelters. Individuals affected can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance or download the Red Cross Emergency app for shelter updates and resources. Identification and/or proof of residency is NOT required to be admitted to a Red Cross shelter. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. The role of the Red Cross in any disaster is to focus on addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The Red Cross is coordinating with the community, government, and emergency management officials to determine

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Let’s face it. Back pain is no fun. Millions of people suffer from some type of back discomfort and will try anything to find relief. But one the best paths to getting some relief may be an old standby – walking. Walking might strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and stabilize your back – all of which can help lessen pain, reduce flare-ups and prevent future problems. Back pain is very common, says Brittni Zick, a physical therapist for OSF HealthCare. It can impact anyone of any age for a variety of reasons. “Maybe there was an injury in the past, or poor posture is usually a big reason for it,” she says. “Or it’s the type of work that people do if they're bending and lifting a lot. It's one of the most common things I see as a physical therapist.” Zick adds that walking increases blood flow, which is important because tissue in your back can get irritated. By walking, blood circulates to those areas, helping heal

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials, business, faith, and education leaders, community advocates, and law enforcement leaders to condemn the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the National Guard or active duty military in Chicago despite objections from state and local leadership. After witnessing weeks of federal overreach from Washington, a broad coalition of leaders from across the city gathered to present a united front and denounce Trump’s abuse of power "There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention that will disrupt the daily lives of our people. What President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. And it is un-American,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our civilian police force and elected leaders work every day to promote public safety – efforts that have successfully brought down crime. The State of Illinois is ready to stand

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Tilden, Illinois man was sentenced to 180 years in prison for predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13. 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 material online. Clyde Thibodeaux, 68, was sentenced today by Randolph County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy R. Walker after pleading guilty to three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, Class X felonies. During the investigation Thibodeaux admitted to committing acts of sexual abuse against 11 different children over the course of 50 years. “Those who prey on and victimize innocent children must be held accountable. This sentence ensures this predator who admitted to these heinous crimes will not harm these children again,” Raoul said. “My heart goes out to

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CHICAGO – While the Trump Administration plans to deploy the National Guard, active-duty military, or federal agents into Democratic-led states, Illinois is showing that smart, data-driven policies, investment in strong law enforcement, and community engagement produce real results. In contrast to the declines in violent crime in Illinois and Chicago, a number of Republican-led states continue to see a high level of violent crime. Yet, the Trump Administration ignores these crime levels, undermining their public safety claims. Deploying military officers only seeks to undermine the hard work both state and local police departments and community members have built on to regain trust, including the ways that state and local law enforcement already coordinate with federal law enforcement to tackle crime. Instead, the Trump Administration should focus on releasing critical crime prevention and law enforcement funding back to local communities and states, rather than undermining

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer signed Executive Order 90, removing barriers that can slow down the process of rebuilding and repairing property. The scope of this order includes neighborhoods impacted by the May 16 tornado; the City is also beginning work on a major overhaul of its Zoning Code in a thorough effort to remove barriers across the city. “While all of St. Louis needs and deserves zoning reform to remove burdensome regulations, the need to move even more urgently in the neighborhoods damaged by the tornado is obvious,” said Mayor Spencer. “This executive order brings quick, localized reform to remove barriers for those who have lost so much, effective today.” Executive Order 90 relieves regulatory barriers by: Giving the Cultural Resources Office staff flexibility when reviewing and approving permits with the applicable standards of the impacted local historic districts (such as roof materials or windows) in cases of verified hardship

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SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office recently discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection gained access to Illinois license plate camera data – a violation of state law his office initiated. During a recent audit, Giannoulias’ office found that Flock Safety, which operates the largest automated license plate reader (ALPR) system in the nation, allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate cameras on Illinois roads and surveil drivers. As a result, Giannoulias immediately ordered the company to shut off access to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “This sharing of license plate data of motorists who drive on Illinois roads is a clear violation of the state law. This law, passed two years ago, aimed to strengthen how data is shared and prevent this exact thing from happening,” Giannoulias said. “I take my responsibility as Secretary of State seriously. It’s why we spearheaded this

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Investigators are examining a house explosion and subsequent fires that injured five people and damaged more than two dozen homes Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, in the 13800 block of Evan Aire Drive. The incident occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. on Aug. 25 when the Black Jack Fire Protection District and North County Precinct officers responded to reports of an explosion. Upon arrival, first responders found five homes engulfed in flames and about 20 additional residences in the surrounding area with damage. Five victims were located at the scene. An 18-year-old male was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. An adult female was also hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. An adult male and female remain hospitalized for minor health complications related to the explosion. Another adult male was treated at the scene and declined transport. No first responders were injured. Vera Clay, Acting Public

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WESTMONT, IL – Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement in response to news reports that the Trump administration is deploying the National Guard to Chicago. “The Illinois Federation of Teachers strongly condemns the decision by the Trump administration to send the National Guard into Chicago. There is no basis for sending soldiers here or to any other city. There is no emergency. “This deployment will inevitably lead to more racial profiling and the terrorizing of Latino and immigrant communities, especially undocumented families who already live with the constant fear of deportation. If the goal were truly safety, Trump and his administration would not have frozen $158 million in funding for violence prevention programs in cities like Chicago, dismantled the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), or terminated more than $800 million in anti-violence grants nationwide. “Every dollar spent on militarization

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Aug. 25, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education approved several design and construction changes to the track and field and varsity softball field project. The project now includes partial area track stabilization at $33,900, F&I Storm outlet control structures at $19,150 and up to $58,855 for soil stabilization. The project will no longer include a new perimeter fence, returning $55,125 back to the budget. A Pro Style Panel Wall Backstop will also be installed for $64,945, the majority of which will be funded by the EHS Softball Boosters. During the Board’s discussion, representatives from Oates Associates, a civil engineering firm, provided recommendations to the Board. Tom Cissell and Nate Clarey with Oates Associates talked about their findings and reiterated that their firm was not involved in the signing of the contract between the district and Byrne & Jones Construction. Several

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ALTON - Kennedi Taylor has had an illustrious girls' tennis career at Father McGivney Catholic High School, but on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Alton Doubles Tournament at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, she secured her 100th win, a landmark accomplishment in high school tennis. Father McGivney Catholic High School secured second place overall as a team at the Alton Invitational tennis tournament held Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Gordon Moore Park. The event highlighted the achievements of doubles team Natalie Beck and Kennedi Taylor, who also won Flight A and received the sportsmanship award. Beck is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month. Beck was also recently a recipient of the same honor. Taylor and Beck are both three-time state qualifiers in doubles. Their performance contributed significantly to McGivney’s strong team showing. The Alton Invitational provided a competitive platform for local high school tennis players to showcase their skills and

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What if one day each year held the power to highlight the profound influence dogs have on our lives—beyond just being pets, but as heroes, workers, and sources of unconditional love? National Dog Day is precisely that day, offering an opportunity to honor dogs’ diverse roles in human society and to promote their well-being worldwide. The Origins of National Dog Day National Dog Day was founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle expert and animal advocate. Paige created the day to raise awareness about the number of dogs that need rescuing and to encourage adoption from shelters rather than purchasing from breeders or pet stores. The choice of August 26th was intended to serve as a yearly reminder of the responsibilities that come with dog ownership and the importance of acknowledging dogs’ positive impact on our lives. Since its inception, National Dog Day has grown beyond a simple awareness campaign. It has been recognized by various organizations, media

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August 26 has witnessed numerous pivotal moments throughout history, shaping cultures, politics, and societies around the globe. Looking back in time, August 26 marks the day in 1789 when the French National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This seminal document established fundamental human rights and became a cornerstone of the French Revolution. Inspired by Enlightenment ideals, it articulated principles such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, influencing not only France but also the development of human rights worldwide. The declaration’s emphasis on universal rights continues to resonate in modern democratic societies. In the realm of culture and arts, August 26 is notable in the history of music. On this day in 1920, the famous American jazz musician Louis Armstrong made one of his earliest recordings with his Hot Five band. Armstrong’s innovative trumpet playing and charismatic vocals helped transform jazz from a regional

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GILLESPIE – Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, September 8 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, September 8, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. 2801 South 10th Street | Springfield, Illinois | (217) 753-1530 Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800)

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ALTON – Despite facing heavy skepticism from two aldermen, the Alton Committee of the Whole on Monday agreed to pay an SIUE graduate student with ARPA funds to collect and analyze data as part of the city’s effort to become a “Child Friendly City.” Committee members voted 5-2 to allocate $14,616 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). This GRA would be tasked with collecting and analyzing data about Alton’s safety, social services, living environments, and more as part of the city’s ongoing effort to be recognized by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City . This data would be used as guidance to ensure the city’s children and their needs are considered in any future policy decisions. Under the proposal from the Southern Illinois University System Office of Community Engagement, the GRA from SIUE would work for 20 hours per wee

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District always has a lot of events, activities and resources available for patrons, but people often overlook their databases. Executive Director Mary Cordes noted that there are several databases available to Hayner patrons, accessible with their library cards. She highlighted LearningExpress, A to Z World Food, and Mango Languages as three examples of databases that are helpful for community members. “The databases, to me, are one of the best resources that we have at the library, and they’re the hardest ones to market,” Cordes said. “Everything on these databases has been vetted. It’s been edited. You can trust the information. It’s accurate. It’s timely because it’s updated every single day and new information is added. They’re just really, really helpful.” LearningExpress is great for anyone who is studying for a major exam like the SAT, ACT, U.S. Citizenship Exam, GED,

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O’FALLON, Ill. — At least nine fights and a shots-fired incident disrupted the City Fest in O'Fallon, IL., over the weekend, prompting multiple arrests and the temporary closure of nearby businesses, officials said Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. The disturbances occurred on Friday and Saturday at the annual festival held in O’Fallon, IL. The incidents included a series of fights involving juveniles near the rides and along the U.S. Highway 50 corridor, culminating in shots being fired behind Community Financial on Saturday evening, Aug. 23, 2025. O’Fallon Police, Fire and EMS personnel, with assistance from several regional law enforcement agencies, implemented crowd control measures including closing U.S. Highway 50 at Hilgard and Lincoln, shutting down rides and music, and directing unaccompanied juveniles to leave the festival area. “Due to the fights and disruptive behavior, multiple businesses in the surrounding area closed their doors until the crowd dispersed,&rdquo

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a wide variety of programs available over the next few weeks. Mary Cordes, executive director at Hayner, noted that the library is consistently planning fun new activities and events for people to enjoy. “We have a lot coming up for the fall,” Cordes said. “We’ve got some really fun programs coming up. We’ve got some really interesting programs coming up. We’ve got some programs that we’ve not done before.” The Cookbook Club meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at the Alton Square Mall Hayner location. This month’s theme is centered around involving kids in the cooking process. Families can choose a recipe from either “The Cookbook for Kids,” “BHG New Junior Cook Book,” and “Rachel Ray Yum-O!: The Family Cookbook” to make and then share at the meeting on Aug. 26. On Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, local teens can check out Teen Expressive

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GRANITE CITY - An electric contractor struck a gas line in Granite City on Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, leading to a service interruption for one customer but no explosion, Ameren Illinois said. The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Aug. 25 in the 200 block of Ralph Street, according to Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois. A gas crew responded promptly, arriving on the scene at 9:39 a.m. and working to shut off the gas and make repairs. The gas was fully shut off by noon and repaired by 2 p.m. Monday, Bretsch said. Only one customer was affected by the outage. Bretsch clarified that the gas line hit in Granite City did not cause the loud boom. He noted that the sounds heard in Florissant, Mo., and were unrelated to the incident in Granite City.

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Chief Jason Lamb and Deputy Fire Chief Dan Bartels reported that a single driver sustained minor injuries after striking a power box near the QuikTrip in Bethalto early Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025. The QuikTrip is located at 605 W. Bethalto Drive in Bethalto. The incident occurred around 7 a.m., Monday, when the police chief said a driver coming from Arby's experienced a medical issue and collided with a QuikTrip power box. QuikTrip was closed for a period of time after the incident, but a manager said it was reopened this afternoon. The impact caused a temporary power outage in the area, but power has since been restored. Emergency responders cleared the scene by approximately 9 a.m.

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