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Did you know that over 85% of mothers in a recent survey said that the most meaningful gifts they receive are those that show thoughtfulness and personal connection rather than material value? This statistic challenges the conventional approach of relying on flowers, chocolates, or generic cards and invites us to reconsider how we celebrate the incredible women who have shaped our lives. Honoring mothers in ways that resonate deeply can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Rethinking Traditions: Moving Beyond Conventional Gifts Mother’s Day has long been associated with standard gestures—bouquets, breakfast in bed, or spa vouchers. While these are appreciated, they often lack a personal touch that reflects the unique relationship between mother and child. To truly honor moms, consider what makes her unique: her interests, her passions, and the moments you share. For example, instead of buying a generic gift set, one family created a personalized cookbook featuring

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) is pleased to announce that House Bill 1237, the proposed School Mascot Ban, has failed to advance in the Illinois Senate following Friday’s Senate committee procedural deadline for moving House bills out of committee. “This is a great win for schools across Illinois that were faced with the uncertainty of having to erase longstanding traditions and absorb yet another unfunded mandate from out-of-touch Chicago politicians,” said Senator Harriss. House Bill 1237 would have required schools to prohibit the use of names, logos, and mascots referencing Native American tribes or terms such as “Braves,” “Chiefs,” “Chieftains,” “Tribe,” “Indians,” or any similar terminology. The bill also sought to ban imagery depicting Native Americans, including feathered headdresses, tomahawks, and arrowheads. Under the bill, any school wishing to retain

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is kicking off National Women’s Health Week 2025 with a video message from Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton encouraging women in Illinois to take control of their health and well-being. Observed annually starting on Mother’s Day and running this year from May 11 to May 17, the theme for 2025 is: “Let’s Talk about Women’s Health: Uplifting Women in Their Health Journey.” “The goal of National Women’s Health Week is to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Lt. Governor Stratton. “Here in Illinois, under the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, focusing on women’s health is not something we just talk about – it is a priority we are committed to throughout the year.” “Women’s health is public health and the foundation

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EDWARDSVILLE – There’s no better way to get to know Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) than by seeing it for yourself, and summer is the perfect time to do just that. Prospective students and their guests are invited to schedule a relaxed, personalized campus visit that will give them a real feel for life as a Cougar. “Summer is a great time to visit campus before school starts up in the fall and life gets busy,” said Alicia Taylor, associate director of admissions in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. “Prospective students can get a jumpstart on their college planning and refine their lists of schools once applications open in the fall.” Daily campus visits are offered Monday-Friday and on select Saturdays throughout the summer, giving visitors flexible options for planning their trip to campus. During the visits, guests will be guided by a current SIUE student who will show them where Cougars live, learn, and connect across

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JACKSON, Tenn. - 326 students have been named to the Union University Dean's List for the spring 2025 semester, including the following local student: Eliana Snyder - Godfrey, IL The Dean's List includes full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average on a four-point scale. Founded in 1823 and affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union University is characterized by quality Christ-centered teaching and learning. Union offers liberal arts training in more than 100 majors and programs of study along with professional programs in business, education and nursing.

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ALTON - Siteman Cancer Center, Alton Memorial Hospital and Senior Services Plus (SSP) are once again hosting a Bingo Lunch and Learn with free cancer screenings in SSP’s School House Grill on June 17, 2025. Siteman is based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The event aims to promote preventive cancer screenings, but in a unique way. Passionate health professionals from Siteman and Alton Memorial Hospital are collaborating to share facts about cancer screening and eligibility through fun activities and conversation. New this year is Siteman’s Health on the Move mobile health unit, a 40-foot van operated by Siteman's Program for Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD). It will bring cancer screenings directly to event attendees from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The van also offers a motorized lift to ensure accessibility for all. Available services include: Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT kits), which are take-home stool screening

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SPRINGFIELD - 10 small Illinois nonprofits are receiving a combined $200,000 in grants through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, which is managed by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office. “Throughout our state, small nonprofit organizations provide hot meals, job training, and other vital services to people who need a helping hand,” said Frerichs at a news conference at Christian Care in Rock Island to announce the grants. “This good work benefits individuals, and it makes our communities better places to live and raise a family. I’m proud to support nonprofits through the Charitable Trust program.” Charitable Trust grants help nonprofits fulfill their missions to serve people in need by providing housing, food, and workforce and economic development assistance. For the fall 2024 grant cycle, funds were awarded to nonprofits in two categories: organizations with food programs and organizations with workforce and economic development programs

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ST. LOUIS - United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) hosted its annual Run for the Roses Derby event at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. The event served as a precursor to UWGSL’s community fundraising campaign, and thus, nearly 200 Leadership Giving Society members committed early campaign donations that will be used to invest into UWGSL’s efforts to support the St. Louis region. The Derby event included a fashion show where participants sported Kentucky-Derby themed attire that included a best hat contest for women and dapper gent for men. Attendees also enjoyed popular traditions like the Bourbon Pull, Mint Juleps, Derby-themed appetizers, games, and watched the Derby race on the big screens. “Thank you to our leadership donors for making our third annual derby party a grand success! Their generosity and early pacesetting pledges continue to propel us forward each year as we prepare for our upcoming fall fundraising campaign,” said Michelle D. Tucker,

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SPRINGFIELD – A new exhibit coming to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will let visitors explore history using their eyes, ears and hands. It transforms images from Lincoln’s life into three-dimensional objects that visitors can touch while listening to audio presentations explaining his accomplishments and enduring legacy. “Lincoln: Sight, Sound & Touch” opens May 23 and runs through Aug. 24. Everyone can enjoy its unique features, but they offer an especially powerful experience for visitors with impaired vision. This traveling exhibit was created by Tactile Images in cooperation with the National Federation of the Blind. The ALPLM is supplementing the exhibit with touchable facsimiles of artifacts, such as Lincoln’s briefcase, a life mask and Tad Lincoln’s model cannon. Authentic Lincoln artifacts from the ALPLM collection will also be on display, including many commercial items with Lincoln’s image. Many of them

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EAST ALTON - Local women have the chance to enjoy a “Mom Prom” while supporting a good cause. On Saturday, June 28, 2025, community members can come out to Julia’s Banquet Center in East Alton for “A Night to Remember” prom. This ladies-only, 21-and-up event encourages attendees to enjoy the prom while raising money for Dream Home Charities. “It’s like we're high school girls again, going to go to the prom,” said Sherry Gilleland, founder of Dream Home Charities. “We’re really hoping that this is very successful and people are very generous with their donations and we can just all have ‘A Night to Remember.’” Tickets to the Mom Prom cost $50, and attendees are encouraged to sell raffle tickets for the chance to be crowned Prom Queen. Tickets include dinner, dancing, karaoke, and more fun. There will also be carriage rides and photo ops available throughout the night. Gilleland said they are “in

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RIVERBEND - Local community members, nonprofits and businesses have new opportunities to receive training in Mental Health First Aid. The Community Mental Health First Aid Collaborative, founded by Kristina and Isaac Sandidge, will provide discounted or free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to Riverbend residents. Businesses or nonprofits can send their staff members to the trainings while providing free seats for community members. Isaac Sandidge explained that MHFA is an important skill for anybody to learn. “Statistically, you’re far more likely to encounter somebody experiencing a panic attack than you are someone experiencing cardiac arrest. You’re more likely to need the Mental Health First Aid skills than you are to need your CPR skills,” Sandidge said. “We want Mental Health First Aid to be just as common and just as accessible as CPR to the general population.” MHFA teaches people how to recognize worsening mental health an

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BETHALTO - Kasey Hardester always wanted to be a teacher, and she has loved every second in her dream career. Hardester teaches special education at the pre-K level at Bethalto East Primary School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is proud of every student she has ever taught, and she can’t wait to see what comes next. “My brain rarely shuts off from ‘teacher mode,’ but I wouldn't change it,” Hardester said. “There is literally never a dull work day! These kids brighten my day every single day I come to work. I may be exhausted by the end of the day, but I still always wake up ready to be here again.” Hardester knew early on that she would one day become a teacher. She enjoyed playing “school” with her little sisters, and she started babysitting at 12 years old. The decision to work with kids was a natural one for her. Because she teaches pre-K, she sees the same students

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GODFREY - Crews from Illinois American Water are repairing a water main break Saturday evening just south of 3043 Godfrey Road in the Village of Godfrey, affecting approximately 144 local customers. The repair is expected to be completed Saturday night. Traffic remains open in both directions on Godfrey Road, though one northbound lane is partially closed between Pleasant Valley Drive and Crestwood Drive. Motorists are advised to drive slowly and follow all traffic signs while passing through the area. A boil water order will be in effect once water service is restored. Illinois American Water will notify impacted customers by phone about the order. The boil water advisory is mandatory when water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in the system. During this time, customers should bring water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Water remains safe for bathing, washing, and other common uses. After water tests confirm all regulatory

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department responded to a reported domestic hostage situation at an apartment complex in the 2400 block of Mills Avenue at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Officers arrived after receiving a report that a female had been battered by a male subject and was being held against her will. Upon arrival, no one answered the door, prompting officers to continue attempts to make contact while requesting tactical assistance from Metro East SWAT due to the potential severity of the situation. Before a court-authorized search warrant could be executed, the female occupant exited the apartment. The male suspect later surrendered to police without incident. He was taken into custody and transported to the Alton Police Department Jail pending criminal charges. The incident remains under investigation by the Alton Police Department.

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SOUTH ROXANA — A house fire broke out Saturday afternoon, May 10, 2025, in the 400 block of Indiana Avenue in South Roxana. Flames scorched the back of the home when firefighters arrived rapidly. South Roxana Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Cherry, who was on the scene, said the homeowner had left the residence approximately 30 minutes before the fire began. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered fire through the roof on the corners of the house and the entire back porch. Fire crews from South Roxana were assisted by personnel from Roxana, Edwardsville, Rosewood Heights and Wood River fire departments. Cherry said the teams worked to contain the fire primarily to the affected house, with only minor heat exposure reported to the neighboring property. “The fire was through the roof on the corners and the entire back porch when we got here,” Cherry said. “We did the best we could when we got here and we contained it mostly to this house, a little heat exposure

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ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis in partnership with Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc., will offer two free disaster preparedness classes on May 15, 2025. The Red Cross team will present “Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms,” from 1–2 p.m. and Hands-Only CPR Training from 2–3 p.m. Both sessions will be held in classrooms on the second floor of the Urban League office at 1408 Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63113. “Preparing for disasters and emergencies is an important part of keeping our families and communities safe and ready for unplanned events,” said LaKricia Cox Executive Director, American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “We are excited to work with community partners such as Urban League to promote preparedness within the St. Louis community.” Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. The Be Red Cross Ready! for Severe Storms presentation addresses

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EDWARDSVILLE — Today, the New Democrat Coalition made a second stop on the New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative spearheaded by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) to get New Dem Members out of Washington to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations and local leaders about how to secure policy outcomes that best support working families. Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) in her district for a roundtable discussion with clean energy business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers. At the roundtable, participants discussed the scaling of energy sources like solar and hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, efforts to pass permitting reform in Congress, job creation, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits. The group also discussed the

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Bailey Hanks and Emilee Saggio as Students of the Month for April. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. BAILEY HANKS Four-year member of concert and marching band and boy scouts ... Volunteer for Boys Scouts and Scouting for Food ... Member of National Honor Society ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Eagle Scout ... Marching Band Section Leader ... Member of SIUE Wind Symphony and Webster YPSO Orchestra

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues today sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary raising concerns about recent changes to the FDA that will weaken the Human Foods Program, which spearheads all food safety and nutrition efforts at FDA. The Senators’ letter comes as Secretary Kennedy has slashed staffing at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), terminating 10,000 employees, including 19 percent of the FDA workforce. “The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States. It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information. Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorte

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ALTON – The Salvation Army of Madison County will celebrate National Salvation Army Week May 12-18, 2025 with open houses at both of its locations and with a Dine to Donate collaboration with several local restaurants. Scooters at 5330 Godfrey Road in Godfrey will donate a portion of their proceeds from Tuesday, May 13, to support local Salvation Army youth programs. Alton’s Old Bakery Beer at 400 Landmarks Blvd, and Brown Bag Bistro at 318 East Broadway, will join the e?ort on Wednesday, May 14. On Thursday, May 15, Applebee’s in Granite City will share a portion of their proceeds from those presenting a Salvation Army flyer, available at both corps o?ces. Visitors can learn firsthand how The Salvation Army provides food, shelter, counseling and hope to youth and adults in Madison County at open houses at the Corps facilities: Wednesday, May 14, from 1:15- 2:45 p.m. 525 Alby Street in Alton Thursday, May 15, from 2-6 p.m. 3007 East 23rd Street in Granite

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