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As America Turns 250, Eagle-Watching Events About This Winter At State Parks

4 weeks 1 day ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites families, wildlife watchers and nature lovers to experience eagle-watching events across the state this winter. The best time to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois is during the winter when the raptors seek open water areas for fishing. Certain Illinois state parks and locations, including Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County and the Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds Museum in Fulton County,

Listen Up: Here's The Scoop On Earwax

4 weeks 1 day ago
We’re taught at an early age the importance of keeping our bodies clean. That includes most body parts. But your ears? That’s a little more complicated. According to Chris Workman, AuD, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare, cleaning your ears is fine – in moderation. The real question is what to do about the earwax or cerumen that tends to build up. “Earwax is a substance that's produced by glands in the ear canal that consists of an oily substance that mixes with

Managing Diabetes While Enjoying Sweet Treats Responsibly

4 weeks 1 day ago
If you have diabetes, you've probably heard "Watch your sweets!" or "Watch your carbs!" often. “Blood sugar numbers are going to be higher. That’s going to require more oral medication or insulin shots,” says Jennifer Adcock , RN, BSN, CDCES, explaining what can go wrong if you overindulge. “If blood sugar levels are left unchecked, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. That’s where all of the available sugar is not being used by your cells. Your cells need

Pritzker Signs Historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act

4 weeks 1 day ago
JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future. Building upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA tackles rising electricity costs driven by private grid operators, expands cost-saving energy resources, and continues

Madison County Sheriff's Office Announces Key Promotions

4 weeks 1 day ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced the promotions of three deputies, effective immediately, recognizing their contributions and assigning them to new roles within the department. Detective Matt Werner has been promoted to captain and will serve as the patrol commander. Detective Jared Fravell has been elevated to lieutenant and will continue his work in the investigations division. Detective Jason Thatcher has been promoted to sergeant and will als

Illinois DCFS Opens Post-Secondary Scholarship Application to Current and Former Youth in Care

4 weeks 1 day ago
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line

Difference Makers: St. Clair Sheriff's Office Honors Caroline Vancamp and Others' Community Support With Gratitude

4 weeks 1 day ago
BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office received an unexpected holiday donation just before Christmas from Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center. The group delivered more than 70 hams and boxes containing ingredients to prepare a Christmas dinner, including stuffing, mashed potato mix, yams, and cornbread mix. Caroline Vancamp, her daughter, friends, and the Good Samaritan Center are Difference Makers in their community. The donation was

Homicide Investigation Underway After Adult Male Found Fatally Shot

4 weeks 1 day ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County Police are investigating a homicide after an adult male was found fatally shot in the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2026. The deceased has been identified as Johnathan Brown, 34 years of age, of the 10800 block of Glen Garry Road, St. Louis, MO., 63137. Officers from the North County Precinct responded at approximately 4:51 p.m. on Wednesday to a call reporting a suspicious death. St. Louis County Police said

Edwardsville Student Recognized On Dean's List For University Of Wisconsin-Madison

4 weeks 1 day ago
MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.

Area Students Recognized: Columbia College Announces Dean's List for Fall 2025

4 weeks 1 day ago
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Columbia College recently announced its dean's list for the Fall 2025 Semester (August-December 2025). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for 175 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the college takes pride in its smal

Growth Corp Announces Leadership Transition as Organization Enters New Era of Strategic Expansion

4 weeks 2 days ago
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Growth Corp, one of the nation’s highest-producing SBA 504 lenders, recently announced a significant leadership transition effective January 1, 2026. After 35 years as President, Doug Kinley will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Sara Vanhala, a nearly 20-year veteran of the organization and current Chair of the Board of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), has been appointed President. Serving small and mid-sized, for-profit

Storyteller Studios Launches "Storyteller Small Batch" to Bring Emmy-Winning Video Productions to Local Small Businesses

4 weeks 2 days ago
BUZZ MAGAZINE – Storyteller Studios, the award-winning video production company known for premium, story-driven marketing campaigns nationwide, today announced the launch of Storyteller Small Batch, designed to make high-quality brand storytelling accessible to local small businesses in Springfield and Sangamon County. Launched January 1, 2026, Storyteller Small Batch delivers the same Emmy Award-winning team, cinematic production values, and strategic storytelling that have defined Storyteller

This Day in History on January 8: Elvis Presley Born

4 weeks 2 days ago
On January 8, 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered what became known as the “Fourteen Points,” a set of principles meant to guide peace negotiations as World War I neared its end. The speech called for ideas that were still relatively new in global diplomacy at the time: more open agreements between countries, freer trade and navigation, reductions in arms, and the notion that borders and governments should better reflect the people living under them. It also proposed an

Today's Weather: Rain and Thunderstorms Expected

4 weeks 2 days ago
This morning starts mostly cloudy with temperatures near 43 degrees. Light rain showers will begin early, but by afternoon, rain will pick up along with thunderstorms. The high today reaches 63 degrees, with winds from the south-southeast gusting up to 39 mph. These storms may bring gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours that could cause localized flooding. By evening, rain continues with thunderstorms gradually easing to lighter showers. Winds remain breezy, shifting southwest and gusting near

Illinois Officials React After Trump Administration Freezes Childcare Funding

4 weeks 2 days ago
Governor Pritzker Blasts Trump’s Partisan Freeze to Crucial Child Care and Family Assistance Programs Approximately 152,000 children in Illinois are served through the Child Care Assistance Program that the Trump administration is attacking. CHICAGO – Today, the Trump Administration and Department of Health and Human Services announced the freezing of $10 billion in federal funds, including approximately $1 billion for Illinois, for social services and child care across five

Grassley-Durbin Statement on Judiciary Committee's Exclusion from Administration's Briefing on its Operations in Venezuela

4 weeks 2 days ago
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today released a joint statement on the Trump administration’s decision to exclude the Senate Judiciary Committee from this evening’s Capitol Hill briefing on the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, who was indicted for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy: “President Trump and Secretary Rubio have stated that this was a law enforcement operation tha

Attorney General Raoul Wins Civil Hate Crime Lawsuit Against Carroll County Residents Who Engaged In Race-Based Intimidation

4 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office has won the first civil hate crime lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s office. As a result of Raoul’s lawsuit, a Carroll County Circuit Court judge ordered two white Carroll County residents to pay more than $90,000 for their monthslong campaign of intimidation against their neighbor, who is a Black man. “This behavior is shocking, racist and un-American. I appreciate the judge’s order that shows

Governor Pritzker Announces $24 Million Manufacturing Training Academy Expansion

4 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $24 million is now available in grant funding to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in the state’s downstate regions to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Our skilled workforce is part of what

Attorney General Raoul: Appeals Court Affirms Permanent Injunction To Halt Defunding Medical, Public Health Research

4 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit for affirming a lower court ruling permanently preventing the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from cutting funding that supports cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country. The ruling protects “indirect cost” reimbursements at research

Duckworth Cosponsors Kaine's Bipartisan War Powers Resolution on Venezuela ย 

4 weeks 2 days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is now cosponsoring a War Powers Resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) as well as Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) that would block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. “Our Constitution requires the American people, through their elected representatives