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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened an emergency meeting of her Veterans Advisory Council to discuss how the government shutdown is impacting services for the brave men and women who served our country. The advisory group highlighted how the shutdown has caused uncertainty and exacerbated delays for veterans looking to access benefits. “Our veterans deserve to know that the benefits and services they rely on at VA will be available when they need them,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Right now, because of the government shutdown, that is unfortunately not the reality. I convened my Veterans Advisory Council today to hear from folks on the ground exactly how the veteran community – and the dedicated VA workforce – are being impacted by Republicans’ failure to come to the negotiating table. Our conversation underscored that we need a bipartisan solution that ends the shutdown, protects healthcare, and ensure

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Lebanon Road will be closed between Fon Du Lac Drive and Woodcrest Drive in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Oct. 13, for road repairs. Access to both Fon Du Lac Drive and Woodcrest Drive will be maintained throughout the duration of the closure, which is expected to remain in place for approximately two weeks. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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ALTON - An October 9, 1925, article in the Alton Evening Telegraph gave the statistics for fire losses of life and property in Illinois for the fiscal year ending June 20, 1925. Madison County ranked fourth for the amount of money lost to damage done by fire, following Cook County, Peoria County, and LaSalle County. St. Clair County was fifth. (The original Alton City Hall building burned down on April 22, 1924, and damages would not have been included in this fiscal year.) In the state of Illinois, for the June 1924 - June 1925 fiscal year, a total of $26,148,908 in fire damages were reported. (That would be approximately $478,622,520 in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.) The statistics for fire loss last year in Illinois are available from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s 2024 Annual Report: $530,582,107 in property and contents loss. There were 142 people killed by fires in 1925 and 102 in 2025. The population has increased from over

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) , the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is proud to announce the 2025-26 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence awardees , honoring Illinois high schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to student success by achieving high financial aid application completion rates. These schools have gone above and beyond in supporting their students and families through the financial aid process. This year, 469 Illinois high schools were honored, almost a 15 percent increase over last year’s honorees. “Here in Illinois, we’re committed to supporting every student as they pursue opportunities for higher education,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our high schools play a critical role in ensuring students have the resources they need to achieve their education and career goals, and this year, I’m proud to congratulate the hundreds of

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will use a new automated notification system to relay chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results to deer hunters starting with the current 2025-2026 deer season. Hunters who harvest deer across the 25-county CWD endemic area of northern and west-central Illinois are encouraged to have their deer tested by IDNR biologists at mandatory or voluntary firearm deer check stations, at participating vendors, or by dropping deer heads at self-serve drop-off sites. Hunters statewide who provide a mobile phone number with their CWD sample and have a valid email address linked to their ExploreMoreIL customer account will receive text and email notifications of test results. Notifications to hunters who harvest deer testing presumptive positive for CWD will include a link to an interactive mapping application to verify the location of where they harvested their deer. Final confirmation test results will be sent via text

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to announce the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new Director of the International Trade Center (ITC). Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international business with a concentration in global supply chain and logistics from Georgia State University. Her expertise in export readiness and strategic global expansion will be instrumental in supporting Southern Illinois entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to grow their international footprint. She succeeds Silvia Torres Bowman, who retired earlier this year after a distinguished 27-year tenure leading the ITC. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Louis to our team,” said Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Director of the Illinois SBDC at SIUE. “Her global perspective, marketing acumen,

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on Illinois 13 from Illinois 157 to South 23rd Street in St. Clair County. The meeting will be held: Wednesday, Oct. 29 4-7 p.m. Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus 231 2301 W. Main Street, Belleville IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has initiated the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study of Illinois 13. This section of Illinois 13 is located within the city of Belleville as well as unincorporated St. Clair County. The Phase 1 study will evaluate options to address traffic safety and mobility through the study area. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project and obtain public input. Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, along with information on engineering, land acquisition and environmental processes. Representatives fro

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ALTON – Two Alton residents have been charged in separate felony cases of domestic battery. Byron R. Delp Sr., 62, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 3, 2025 with one count each of criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On Oct. 2, 2025, Delp allegedly pushed a household or family member to the ground, causing them to fall; charging documents state he also caused over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s “television, bicycle, and hunting bow.” Another Alton man, 38-year-old James A. Stewart, was charged in an unrelated case from Oct. 1, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery, a Class 4 felony. Stewart allegedly strangled a family or household member and forcibly pushed the victim into a wall on Sept. 30, 2025. He had previously been convicted of attempted murder in a Madison County case from 2006. According to the state’s

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CARLINVILLE — Ricky J. Collins, 50, of Edwardsville, was charged with domestic battery causing bodily harm on Sept. 30, 2025, following an incident in which he allegedly struck his daughter in the head with his hand on Sept. 29, 2025. According to the charging document, Collins knowingly caused bodily harm to his daughter by striking her in the head. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department is handling the case. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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GODFREY - Gerard Fischer with American Family Insurance wants the best for his clients. Located at 3014 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, Fischer’s American Family office works closely with local businesses like Andy’s Auto Body Center to assess damage and turn in claims. Fischer collaborates with his clients to make sure they get the service they need, so his insurance office can help them afford the repairs and get back on the road. “If my client’s not happy with the claims adjuster or the claims adjuster’s not getting back with them or whatever, then they can contact me,” Fischer said. “I can step in and help. I can get the ball rolling, put a stick of dynamite underneath somebody and get the ball rolling so they can take care of my client.” Fischer shared that insurance coverage has changed a lot in recent years. As the technology in cars has increased, insurance companies have adjusted their rates. “Five or seven years ago

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GILLESPIE — Adam L. Bray, 44, of Gillespie, was charged with domestic battery on Oct. 1, 2025, after allegedly punching a family member in the face on Sept. 30, 2025. Bray was previously convicted of domestic battery in 2018. The charges state Bray knowingly caused bodily harm to the victim during the latest incident. In his earlier case, Bray was found guilty and sentenced to one year of probation and five days in jail with time served. The current charges are being handled by the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON - No matter what your car needs, you can get it serviced at Andy’s Auto Body Center and Andy’s Tire & Auto Service in Alton. Mark Anderson, owner of both businesses, expressed his excitement to serve the Riverbend community. From emissions testing to registration stickers to auto repairs, Andy’s can handle anything your car needs. “On the mechanical side, we do pretty much everything there,” Anderson said. “You have to be transparent about it, too. I’m not doing the bait-and-switch thing where it’s $285 and then when you get out it’s $490.” Located at 3001 Washington Avenue in Alton, Andy’s has seen its customer base increase in recent years. They average 2,000 emissions tests a month. Anderson noted that it’s much faster to go to Andy’s for stickers and emissions tests than going through the DMV. Andy’s works closely with insurance companies to make sure your repairs are covered a

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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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