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September 27th and 28th are dates that carry a rich tapestry of historical events, spanning from groundbreaking scientific achievements to cultural milestones and significant political moments. One of the most globally impactful events to occur on this date was the launch of the first successful Mars rover mission by NASA in 1997. The spacecraft, named Sojourner, marked a pioneering moment in space exploration as it landed on Mars, beginning a new era of robotic planetary exploration. This mission was not just a technological triumph but also ignited worldwide interest in space science and the possibility of life beyond Earth. Going back further, on September 27, 1825, the world's first passenger railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened in England. This event signaled the dawn of the railway age, revolutionizing transportation and catalyzing the Industrial Revolution. The ability to move goods and people efficiently over long distances transformed economies and societies

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WICHITA, Kan. - More than 430 students completed a total of 453 degrees and certificates at Wichita State University in summer 2025. The breakdown of degrees and certificates granted includes: Undergraduate: 257 degrees and certificates for 250 undergraduate students Graduate: 196 degrees and certificates for 180 graduate students Included in the grads was this Alton native: HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR Alton, IL Samantha Smith, Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology-Community For bachelor's degrees, honors were conferred to the following: Summa cum laude: 13 students Magna cum laude: 49 students Cum laude: 48 students Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude. See a full list of summer 2025 Wichita State graduates here: https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2025_graduates/summer_24-25_graduates_all.php.

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon trustees recently approved site plans for a new Retina Institute location opening in the village’s Sunset Park Plaza development. A resolution approving site plans for the Retina Institute were approved unanimously at the Sept. 23, 2025 Village Board meeting. Their current location is at 5 Country Club Executive Park in Glen Carbon. According to Community Development Director Erika Heil, the new facility will consist of an approximately 6,318 square foot office building and parking lot on 0.97 acres of land in Sunset Park Plaza. Developers are not seeking any variances since the property is already properly zoned for its intended use, which according to the resolution, is as a “retina institute for patients and office space.” Trustee Ben Malischeski asked about the landscaping plans for the site, as nearby residents were reportedly concerned about losing trees which currently serve as a landscape buffer. Justin Venvertloh

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on Illinois 159 between Kinloch Avenue and Clay Street in Madison County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Sept. 30. One lane will be open in each direction. All lanes will be open daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during these lane closures. 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. The work is expected to be completed by mid-November. 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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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general and agencies to stop a deceptive nationwide charitable fundraising scheme. Raoul and the coalition filed a complaint and proposed settlement alleging Kars-R-Us.com Inc. (Kars) and its operators made false claims to deceive tens of thousands of people across the country to donate vehicles. Attorney General Raoul and the coalition filed a lawsuit against professional charitable fundraiser Kars-R-Us.com Inc. and its operators, Michael Irwin and Lisa Frank, who purported to solicit charitable donations nationwide on behalf of United Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. (UBCF), a New York-based charity that claims to assist individuals affected by breast cancer. Raoul, the FTC and the coalition allege that Kars ran national and local TV, radio and online ads in English and Spanish to solicit vehicle donations and contributions with little regard for the truth

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus, Inc. (SSP), located at 2603 N. Rodgers Avenue in Alton, will host an informational presentation, “Wills & Powers of Attorney Paperwork,” on Friday, October 24th, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Chelsea Jakob, Senior Paralegal with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, will be speaking at this event, aimed to help you safeguard your future by outlining your wishes for your estate and ensuring trusted individuals can make decisions on your behalf if you are unable. This event will take place in the School House Grill inside Senior Services Plus. Doors will open at 11 AM and speakers will begin at noon. The event is free, open to the public, and lunch will be provided thanks to sponsor AARP Illinois. Registration is required, and space is limited. To reserve your seat, call 618-465-3298 ext. 123 or visit https://events.aarp.org/SSPWillPOA About Senior Services Plus Senior Services Plus, Inc. is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization established to help enric

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum invites the community to come out for a night of spooky fun. From 6–9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, community members can enjoy “Night at the Museum,” complete with education stations, animal visits, trick-or-treat opportunities, a costume contest, bonfires and haunted tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. “This is going to be a fun after-hours event for Halloween at the museum,” said Elise with the National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM). NGRM will screen “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in their theater. Kids can enter a costume contest, judged by the NGRM mascot Bobber the Water Safety Dog. The Nature Institute will be onsite with a bat-related activity. You can visit with snakes from the St. Louis Herpetological Society. Audubon Center at Riverlands will offer an activity, and the National Great Rivers and Research Education Center will have a station about nocturnal animals. The Alton

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CHICAGO – Last week, Governor Pritzker demanded answers from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the deployment of federal law enforcement agents in Illinois after she recorded b-roll and fled the state without providing any answers . Prior presidential administrations have always kept local leaders and members of Congress updated on their immigration enforcement plans, but the Trump Administration is refusing to provide clear answers. In response, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation issued a letter requesting a meeting with Chicago Field Office Director Russell Hott after ICE rescheduled their meeting. The Governor stands with the Illinois Congressional Delegation’s calls for transparency and accountability, and continues to push for answers from the Trump Administration in the wake of uncoordinated federal deployments. “Secretary Kristi Noem and the Trump Administration are not serious about public safety—they only care about producing

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois residents now have 24/7 access to driver’s license and vehicle renewal services through Central Illinois’ first drive-through DMV kiosks located at the office’s Springfield Flagship Center, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced. “The Fast-Lane kiosks at our Springfield Flagship Center provide a new level of convenience for Central Illinois drivers, offering driver’s license renewals and vehicle sticker purchases outside of normal business hours, without ever leaving the car,” Giannoulias said. “This is an important step in our ongoing effort to modernize the office and make it easier for people to access essential services.” Located at 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, the two kiosks allow customers to: Renew vehicle registrations and immediately print license plate stickers. Renew driver’s licenses or state IDs and receive a temporary document on-site while the new card is mailed within 15 business

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the work of community leaders from throughout the state. The event was an opportunity to reflect on great achievements and present awards to eight Latino leaders: the president of Aurora University; the head soccer coach at South Suburban College; an entrepreneur who launched importing and candy businesses; the president and CEO of a community foundation; a business manager with a union local; the executive director of a family resource center; a state lawmaker; and a theater educator, director and researcher. “Today, we shine a spotlight on some of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors to formally recognize their contributions,” Frerichs said at the event held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St in Chicago. “We’re expressing appreciation for their longtime dedication, and we’re celebrating their work in making

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released the Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint - a roadmap designed to improve maternal healthcare and birth outcomes in Illinois. The Blueprint builds upon the Illinois Birth Equity Initiative, which was featured on MSNBC during a panel to discuss the Blueprint release hosted by Morning Joe’s Mika Brzezinski with panelists Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Chicago Beyond Founder and CEO Liz Dozier, and actress and Baby Yams founder Tatyana Ali. “The Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint is the way forward in maternal health and birth equity. Conceived, written, and published with the input of experts, advocates, community leaders, and providers across the state – this report is a roadmap for unlocking an improved future for Illinois’ mothers and families,” said Governor Pritzker. “Since our first days in office, Lieutenant Governor

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WOOD RIVER - The Illinois Secretary of State's mobile Driver Services unit will be at Wood River Public Library on Monday, November 3, 2025. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 326 E. Ferguson Ave, Wood River, IL 62095. Representatives of the Secretary of State's office will be on hand to assist with renewing or correcting driver's licenses, converting existing standard driver’s licenses into REAL ID driver’s licenses, obtaining renewed or first time Standard or REAL state IDs, issuing free state IDs for seniors aged 65 or older, and purchasing license plate stickers. Attendees can also register to be an organ donor/tissue donor and register to vote while applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Please contact the Wood River Public Library at (618) 254-4832 or info@woodriverlibrary.org with questions. A list of acceptable documents for the issuance of first time ID’s and REAL ID’s can be found at www.ilsos.gov .

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JOLIET – Today, Governor Pritzker joined school leaders, elected officials, students, staff and community members at Joliet Junior College (JJC) to celebrate the grand opening of its new Center for Student Wellness and Support (CSWS), a dedicated space designed to promote the holistic well-being of students through accessible, compassionate, and culturally responsive mental health services. Rooted in a commitment to equity and inclusivity, the center honors the diverse identities and experiences of JJC students while empowering them with tools to thrive both academically and personally. JJC alumnus and former student trustee, Josh Stamborski, initially came up with the idea for a center and student retreat on campus, and with collective support from Government Pritzker and Illinois General Assembly partners, Illinois allocated $250,000 of state funding to make it possible and further invest in the wellbeing of Illinois students. “Joliet Junior College is an engine of economic

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced the success of the most recent round of SmartBuy, a first-of-its-kind initiative that helped 533 Illinoisans eliminate $16 million in student loan debt while achieving the dream of homeownership in only 12 weeks. Through SmartBuy, homeowners were able to purchase a home eight years earlier than traditional IHDA borrowers. “Making life more affordable for working families in Illinois is core to my mission as Governor, and my administration is committed to helping Illinoisans turn their dreams of homeownership into a reality,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’re proud to help more than one thousand Illinoisans become proud homeowners while forgiving millions of student loan debt through this innovative state program.” Relaunched in December 2024, SmartBuy offered an affordable 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with $5,000 in deferred down payment or closing

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) introduced the Balanced Agricultural Support and Efficiency (BASE) Act to require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update base acres for all farms as soon as is practicable. The last mandatory update was completed in 1985; the last voluntary update was completed in 2014. “The current base acre allocations do not accurately reflect what’s really being planted across the United States. For the folks I represent in Illinois, it’s simply not fair,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “This legislation will finally bring fairness back to base acreage for the first time in 40 years, see that farmers are accurately supported for what they grow today, and ensure that we serve as better stewards of taxpayer dollars.” “It’s been four decades since the last mandatory update, and production agriculture has changed drastically

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has been awarded the 2025 Government Experience Project Award by the Center for Digital Government (CDG). The Project Awards recognize innovative digital initiatives nationwide that make it easier for residents to interact with government. DoIT earned the honor for its “Move Over Illinois! Real-time Emergency Alerts Mapping and Navigation” project. In partnership with Google and the Illinois State Police, DoIT integrated emergency alerts into the Waze navigation app in 2024, delivering timely notifications about crashes, hazards, and critical incidents. The project enhances driver awareness, promotes safer roads, and supports first responders, earning praise for its direct impact on public safety. “This recognition is a meaningful reminder that our efforts are making a real difference in the lives of first responders and those who share the road with them,” said Illinois Department

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ST. LOUIS – We are all joined by blood and patients with sickle cell disease need our help now. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is partnering with the American Red Cross for the Joined by Blood Sickle Cell Blood Drive, hosted on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 500 N. Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108. This blood drive is held in memory of Ronicia Britts, who passed away at age 29 of sickle cell disease. Ronicia’s mother, Rosemary Britts started the Sickle Cell Association in St. Louis and has been a strong advocate for those with the disease. “Each year, I do this blood drive in memory of my daughter Ronicia who lived with sickle cell,” shared Rosemary Britts, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association. “Receiving regular blood transfusions is what allowed her to live well and attend college. I hope that the community will come out and donate blood to help those living with sickle cell in memory of my daughter, Ronicia.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Township is excited to announce that our Touch-A-Truck event is back for another year on October 4, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This year marks our 11th annual Touch-A-Truck event! Vehicles scheduled to be on display this year include the SSM Cardinal Glennon helicopter, first responders (fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles), a truck mounted crane, an electric school bus, 1937 Chevy Pickup, diesel truck, tractor & skid steer, Bobcat & excavator and much more! Food will be available for purchase from several local food trucks. Edwardsville Township will be providing goodie bags for attendees. Additionally, we will host our Bicycle Safety Sessions at this year’s event to include helmet fittings and free giveaways thanks to the ACT Community Action Grant. Overflow parking will be available at Edwardsville High School and buses will transport visitors from EHS to the park. Please note that Township Park will be open from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Octobe

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ALTON – An Alton property owner is calling on city officials to take action on power lines she says are dangerously close to her building and have gone unaddressed for 15 years. Erin Frew, owner of the historic “Snyder Block” building at 301 Piasa Street, spoke up at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 22 and City Council meeting on Sept. 24, 2025. “I’m here tonight to put on the record a public safety hazard that the City of Alton has ignored for 15 years,” Frew said at the committee meeting. She said immediately after purchasing the building in 2010, she raised concerns about the overhead power lines she says are “less than six feet from the building’s facade.” “The National Electric Safety Code requires a minimum of seven feet of clearance,” Frew added. “That means no tenant, no contractor, no worker can safely be on the front of my building. This is not just my problem, this is a public

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WOOD RIVER – Midwest Members Credit Union is proud to sponsor the “Oiler of the Month” program at East Alton-Wood River High School. A Senior student is selected each month by members of the faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. September's winner is Abigail Hersman. Abigail is a Senior at EAWR and is involved in Band, Spirit Club, Senior Mentors, Scholar Bowl, TMHFA, National Honor Society, and Peer Leadership. After graduation, Abigail is planning on attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and majoring in Biology. Congratulations Abigail and we all wish you good luck in your future! Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 90 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members Credit Union and what they are doing in your community,

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