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ALTON - There’s a new martial arts gym in town, and these instructors put a faith-based spin on traditional karate. Christian Karate, located at 2300 Henry Street in Alton, will open its doors for an open house from 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Owners Steve and Jen Wilson encourage people to come out, see the new space, and consider signing up for a class to learn karate skills and Christian-based character qualities. “We combine traditional karate, modern fitness and character development all into one unique package,” Steve said. “The goal is, you come in, you’re challenged, you’re motivated, you get sweaty, and you’re encouraged and you’re ready to do it again.” During the open house on Aug. 16, visitors of all ages can meet the instructors, take a free introductory class, climb on an obstacle course and enjoy giveaways. Steve and Jen hope to welcome many people in a “no pressure, no contracts, no commitments”

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general, is urging Instagram to make immediate changes to its newly implemented location-sharing feature. In a letter to Instagram , Raoul and the attorneys general outlined serious public safety and data privacy concerns about the change, which allows users’ precise locations to be displayed on a map. The letter emphasized the heightened dangers for vulnerable users, including children and survivors of domestic violence, noting that such tools can be exploited by predators, stalkers and other bad actors. “Location sharing should be an optional feature that users and guardians can turn off to help prevent the dangers associated with predators using social media to learn the location of a child or domestic violence survivor,” Raoul said. “In Illinois, we will always put the well-being of our children and survivors first. I am calling on Instagram to take steps

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ROXANA — This is one of those stories that isn't done because of performances on cross-country courses, but one about a group of young runners who did the right thing for their community after a recent severe storm. During a recent run through a local park, the Roxana junior high cross country team encountered Roxana Park and Recreation staff cleaning up debris left by a recent storm that caused major power outages and issues in the region. The Roxana athletes chose to join in the cleanup effort, assisting the staff in restoring the park. In recognition of their help, the Park and Recreation staff thanked the team by providing Bomb Pops and pool passes. One team member reflected on the experience, saying, “We came, we ran, and we left the park a better place.” The Roxana junior high cross country boys are Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athletes of the Month. Roxana’s Athletic Department expressed gratitude toward Deb Ferry and the entire Park and

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GRANITE CITY — Granite City High School track and field coaches announced the passing of Naiesha Henry, a 2025 graduate and key member of the girls track team, on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. Dr. Donald Harris, Granite City School District's Superintendent, issued this statement about Henry's loss: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of 2025 GCHS graduate and former track and field student-athlete Naiesha Henry. Our thoughts and prayers are with Naiesha’s family, friends, and all who knew her during this difficult time." Henry was described by her coaches as “the heart and soul” of the team this past season. Henry’s family, friends, and teammates are mourning her loss, with the coaches saying she is “irreplaceable and will be forever in the hearts” of those who knew her. The Granite City track team will dedicate its 2026 spring season in her memory. Henry posted notable times in 2025, running the 100 meters in 12.72 seconds and the 200 meters

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ALTON - The Wedge hosted its monthly Community Collaboration Lab to engage community members in conversations about public safety data. On Aug. 13, 2025, community members came together for a free workshop at The Wedge titled “Making Public Safety Data Work for Communities.” Led by Dr. Dennis Mares, Professor of Criminal Justice Studies and Director of the Center for Crime Science and Violence Prevention at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the conversation centered on how to access and utilize public safety data. “We’re trying to unlock the potential of the data,” Mares said. “How does it help a community to figure out what problems a community has, and what can we do to make those problems less?” Mares explained that public safety data includes computer-assisted dispatch data, or the data that comes from 911 calls, and records management system data, or crime data. His organization is working with local police departments

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City School District #9 recently received generous donations from two local organizations aimed at supporting students as they begin the 2025-26 school year. Hope Lutheran Church contributed socks, underwear, and school supplies as part of their July Social Ministry project. The school district expressed gratitude toward Pastor Alan Beuster, his wife Sandy, and the entire congregation for their ongoing support of the students. In addition, Jesus Saves Ministries donated 100 school supply sets for junior high and high school students, along with 55 TI calculators and extra supplies for all students in the district. These additional items included folders, glue sticks, scissors, toothbrushes, colored pencils, pens, loose-leaf paper, and earbud cases. Director DeeAnn Billings and Outreach Minister John Cipponeri were acknowledged for their generosity. These donations are intended to help Granite City School District #9 students start the school year prepared

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GRANITE CITY - Ryan Brokaw is a senior running back and defensive back for the football team of Granite City High School, and feels very confident that the Warriors will have a successful season in 2025. Last year, for a team that finished 0-9, Brokaw was the team's leading rusher, running for 179 yards and two touchdowns, also catching nine passes for 63 additional yards. He had his most success returning kickoffs, taking 12 back for 313 yards, also running back one punt for 25 yards. He expressed confidence and enthusiasm over how things have gone for Granite in the opening week of workouts. Brokaw is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for Granite City. "It's been going pretty well," Brokaw said, "We've had very intense practices, a lot of energy. It's looking good, we're excited, ready to play Alton next week (in a week zero scrimmage Aug. 22), we're ready to go get them." The Warriors open up the 2025 season at home Aug. 29, 2025, against Peotone, and Brokaw

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DECATUR – The Illinois State Police (ISP), partnering with the Decatur Police Department, the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, has created the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group (ITEG) to take its work in combating human trafficking to the next level. Similar to the nine ISP Metropolitan Enforcement Groups and 13 Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces created to combat drug trafficking, ITEG will consist of local and state partners focused on fighting human trafficking, while also working with community groups and health organizations to provide trauma-informed support services to individuals who have been trafficked. “Human trafficking occurs not just globally, but locally, and it is critical law enforcement at all levels work together,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group enables state and local law enforcement to literally work side by side, while coordinating with ou

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GLEN CARBON - Kannon Kamp was a standout player for McGivney High School’s baseball team during the recent season, according to head coach Chris Erwin. Kamp, who wore No. 20, was a key contributor both at the plate and on the mound, helping lead the team to one of the highest-scoring seasons in the country. Erwin described Kamp as the team’s “No. 1 pitcher” and a “mainstay at the top of the order” as a lead-off hitter. Kamp finished the season with a .410 batting average, collected 50 hits, including 12 doubles, and drove in 37 runs while drawing 38 walks. His offensive production was part of a larger team effort that scored 437 runs, tying for third most in the country. Kamp and Justin Terhaar were McGivney IHSBCA All-State selections. Kamp is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. On the pitching side, Kamp was a workhorse for the team, starting the state championship game and compiling an 8-1 record with

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CARROLLTON - Greene County Deputy Sheriff Chris Weller is pleased to declare his candidacy for Greene County Sheriff in the 2026 general election following the retirement of Robert McMillen in August, 2026. With over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, Weller has built a substantial resume that illustrates his commitment to his community. He began his career as a correctional officer at the Greene County Jail in 2000, where he worked until graduating from the Police Academy in 2002. While working as a temporary full-time deputy, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois College in 2004. During those years, Weller served as a police officer in Greenfield, Carrollton, White Hall, and Roodhouse. In 2006, he began his full-time career with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Weller takes great pride in having served his home county for the entirety of his career, accumulating experience in all the major municipalities. A lifetime resident of Greene County

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today convened health care leaders to discuss how Trump and Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill will harm Central Illinois and rip health care from as well as increase costs for Illinoisans. Duckworth and Durbin met with leaders from Memorial Health, Springfield Clinic, Hospital Sisters Health System and SIU Medicine to discuss the looming crisis of more than half a million Illinoisans losing health coverage and loss in funding for rural health providers. Photos from today’s event are available on the Senator’s website. “Access to quality health care is already too difficult in this country—especially in rural areas—and thanks to Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal things are only going to get worse,” Duckworth said. “Trump and Republicans succeeded in making the largest cuts to Medicaid in history and because of them,

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state legislators and stakeholders to sign SB 1953, also known as Sonya Massey’s Bill. The law will revise police hiring procedures across Illinois, requiring agencies to comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history—including detailed employment records—before making a job offer. The legislation aims to increase policy accountability across the state and prevent future tragedies such as the killing of Sonya Massey . “When Sonya Massey feared for her safety, she did what anyone would do—she called law enforcement for help. Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I sign Sonya Massey’s Bill to help prevent these tragedies, to better equip law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and to continue working

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Did you know that water play not only entertains children but also significantly boosts their cognitive development and motor skills? Studies have shown that interactive water activities can enhance sensory experiences, improve hand-eye coordination, and foster creativity. Designing a DIY outdoor water play area offers a fantastic opportunity to blend fun with learning, all within the comfort of your own backyard. Understanding the Benefits of Water Play Water play is more than just splashing around. It encourages problem-solving as children experiment with pouring, measuring, and transferring water between containers. It also introduces basic scientific concepts such as volume, flow, and buoyancy in a hands-on environment. Moreover, water play encourages social interaction and cooperative play, which are vital for emotional and social development. Planning Your Water Play Area: Space and Safety Before gathering materials, assess the available outdoor space. The area should be flat

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August 14 marks a day rich with moments that have shaped history across the globe. On August 14, 1948, the Berlin Airlift was in full swing as Allied forces continued their extraordinary effort to supply West Berlin by air amid the Soviet blockade. After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The city of Berlin, deep inside Soviet-controlled territory, was similarly divided. In June 1948, the Soviets blocked all ground access to West Berlin, hoping to force the Allies out of the city. Faced with the prospect of abandoning West Berlin’s 2 million residents to Soviet control, the United States and its allies launched the Berlin Airlift—an unprecedented operation that involved flying thousands of tons of food, fuel, and supplies daily into the city. By August, the operation had reached a remarkable pace, with planes landing every few minutes. This massive logistical feat

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Today's Weather: High 87, low 68. Mostly sunny with some clouds today. It's humid with a gentle east wind around 5 mph. The feels like temperature could get close to 98 degrees at the warmest point this afternoon, so dress comfortably and stay hydrated. Allergy index shows moderate ragweed pollen levels, so allergy sufferers should be prepared. Mold, grass, and tree pollen are all low, and air quality is good. Tomorrow's outlook: High near 93, low 70. Expect mostly sunny skies with hot and humid conditions under a mostly clear sky at night. The heat will pick up, so take it easy if you plan to be outdoors. The UV index will be very high, so don't forget sunscreen. For the latest updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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SWANSEA, Ill. — On August 9, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Swansea Police responded to a business in the 4500 block of North Illinois Street following a report of a subject removal related to a domestic disturbance. Officers discovered that the incident involved two family members and that the suspect, identified as Napoleon Mond, had brandished a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses reported that Mond shoved the firearm into the victim’s face, causing the victim to fall to the ground, and then pointed the weapon at the victim’s face as he left the scene. Mond fled before police arrived. A search warrant was obtained for Mond’s residence, and on August 12, 2025, Swansea officers and detectives, with assistance from the St. Clair County Drug Tactical Unit, executed the warrant. Mond was found inside the home and taken into custody without incident. Multiple firearms were recovered during the search. The Swansea Investigations Unit submitted the

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MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES — A severe storm that swept through Madison and St. Clair counties on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12, 2025, left nearly 10,800 Ameren Illinois customers without power, with outages peaking around 3:30 p.m. in communities including East Alton, Wood River, Granite City, and a portion of St. Clair County. Ameren Illinois crews worked feverishly from the very start and by 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, had rerouted power to nearly all affected customers in St. Clair County, reducing outages there from 2,868 to just 26. The utility was able to isolate the problem and control the affected lines, allowing many residents to regain electricity within a few hours. The storm, characterized by intense lightning and thunder, began impacting the area around 2 p.m. Tuesday, initially causing outages in Wood River and East Alton. East Alton experienced the most significant impact, with roughly 4,000 out along Old St. Louis Road. Wood River and nearby areas reported outages

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction finding that Illinois and a coalition of states were likely to succeed on their claim that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with unfettered access to individual personally-identifying information violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s prohibition on arbitrary and capricious rulemaking. DHS houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The preliminary injunction blocks DHS from using the plaintiff states’ Medicaid data for immigration enforcement purposes. It also blocks HHS from sharing that Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement purposes. The preliminary injunction will remain in place until 14 days after HHS and DHS complete a reasoned decision-making process that complies with

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 7th annual United We Lead Gala on Friday, September 12, 2025 at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville, IL. The United We Lead Gala, themed “Building a Sweeter Future” in 2025, is the premier fundraising event for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois that brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. “We are thrilled to once again host the United We Lead Gala on September 12,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Development for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Our mission aims to ensure that all girls – regardless of any socioeconomic barriers – have the opportunity to discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. It’s how they become leaders - but they need our support. This is why they need Girl Scouts.” We are honored to celebrate Agency for Community Transit (ACT) with the Distinguished

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) welcomed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to the Springfield Urban League to highlight growing concerns about federal budget cuts and eligibility requirements that would threaten access to essential social service programs, such as Head Start and SNAP. The members met with local families and educators to hear firsthand how these cuts could jeopardize the greater community. “Today, Leader Jeffries had the chance to visit Springfield and meet with the resilient, hardworking people who make this community so special. We heard directly from families in Springfield who depend on programs like Head Start and SNAP – programs that are essential investments in our children’s future. But right now, those programs are under serious threat,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “The President’s inadequate funding request for Head Start, combined with harmful

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