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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC). Following a thorough line by line review of each of these Biden era partnerships, it became clear that the majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers. Select projects may continue if it is demonstrated that a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers. We continue to support farmers and encourage partners to ensure their projects are farmer focused or re-apply to continue work that is aligned with the priorities of this Administration. With this action, USDA is cutting bureaucratic red tape, streamlining reporting, lowering the paperwork burden on producers and putting farmers first. Additionally, we have reformed and overhauled the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities initiative

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Donald Trump’s pick for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine (retired), possesses an extraordinary record of service—in Iraq, in special access programs and in the National Guard. There is no question of his capacity to lead, devotion to our country, character, courage or competence. But those aren’t the qualifications required by law to be the senior-most military officer in our Armed Forces. Federal law requires the chairman to be active duty and have served in any of three senior roles: vice chairman, service chief (except the Coast Guard) or commander of a combatant command. Caine fails to meet one of these. The president can waive most of the qualifications if he determines it is in our "national interest." But the only justification that President Trump has stated for waiving these legal standards in this instance is that he remembers Caine stating he "loved" Trump, would "kill" for Trump and

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ALTON - You can learn more about who you are at an upcoming free conversation about spirituality. At 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, community members are invited to River Bend Yoga in Alton for “Soul Travel Explorations,” the final installment of the three-part “Raise Your Spiritual IQ!” series. This final conversation will talk about who you are as Soul, an “eternal, creative spark of God,” explained organizers Sheila Aehle and Chuck Frasher . “Soul travel is a unique experience that each of us can have,” Frasher said. “We’re Soul. We’re not just this physical body that we’re in right now. We’re in the physical universe experiencing many different things, but ultimately, we’re meant to learn to find our way back to God. We are sparks of God. We are divine in that we can connect to divine love, which emanates from God and flows back to God. Soul travel is that experience of finding a way to trave

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Did you know that in 2020, the IRS processed nearly 150 million individual income tax returns? This staggering figure not only highlights the scope of Tax Day but also underscores its integral role in the American economy and society. Tax Day, which falls on April 15 (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday), is a date that resonates deeply within the fabric of American life. But why does this day command so much attention, and what is its historical significance? The Origins of Tax Day The roots of Tax Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. While the U.S. government had collected taxes in various forms since its inception, the modern income tax system began with the 16th Amendment in 1913. This amendment authorized Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states based on population. Initially, the tax was aimed at the wealthiest Americans, with rates that started at just 1% but quickly escalated during World War I to fund military

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April 15 is a date that has witnessed some of the most significant events in history, spanning various domains such as politics, arts, disasters, and advancements. Let's turn to 1947, when Jackie Robinson made history by breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. On this day, Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, forever changing the landscape of American sports and society. His courage and talent paved the way for future generations of athletes of color, and he became an icon of the civil rights movement. Robinson's legacy extends beyond baseball, as he exemplified the struggle for equality and social justice, inspiring countless individuals to fight against racial discrimination. In 1961, another pivotal moment occurred when the United States launched its first manned space mission, the Mercury-Redstone 3, also known as Freedom 7. Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space, albeit for a brief 15-minute flight, but it was a crucial step

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Multiple fire departments responded early Tuesday, April 15, 2025, to a large fire at a pallet recycling company in East St. Louis. The call came in at 1:30 a.m. for a fire at Eco Recycling Solutions, located at 225 S. Main St. in East St. Louis. The company processes pallets by splitting them up and recycling the usable lumber, while unusable wood is mulched. The building was filled and surrounded by pallets, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Firefighters from more than 10 departments, including East St. Louis, Cahokia, Worden, Fairmount City, Sauget, Freeburg, Scott Air Force Base, Marine, Grantfork, Washington Park, Hollywood Heights, Alhambra, Prairietown, Holiday Shores, and other area departments, worked to contain the blaze. Some of the company’s trucks, trailers, skid steers, and mulching equipment were damaged, and there was a reported explosion involving one of the trucks. No injuries have been reported. The State Fire Marshal’s

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ALTON — Early Tuesday morning, a single-vehicle crash left a car stranded on railroad tracks near the old Amtrak station on College Avenue, prompting a response from local authorities and Union Pacific officials. At 4:58 a.m. on April 15, 2025, the Alton Police Department was alerted to the incident in the 3300 block of College Avenue, where a vehicle had crashed through a protective fence and become stuck on the tracks. Officers arrived quickly and notified Union Pacific to halt rail traffic in the area. Despite these efforts, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said an Amtrak train carrying approximately 35 passengers struck the vehicle. He added that authorities believe the vehicle was unoccupied at the time of impact. The Alton Fire Department confirmed no passengers or officers were injured, and the train did not derail. The driver of the vehicle has not yet been located, and the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Alton Police

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MASCOUTAH - After receiving submissions from across the 114th District, State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) was proud to select Donna Mae's Beauty Salon to be his “Business of the Month” for April. Rep. Schmidt presented the owner of Donna Mae's Beauty Salon, Donna Mae Schlueter, with an official certificate in recognition of a local small-business who’s been serving the community for over sixty years. “Donna Mae's Beauty Salon has been committed to serving locals with salon services and products for over sixty years,” said Schmidt. “Donna has exemplified her dedication to the community of Mascoutah by carrying on four generations of salon services. She deserves recognition for operating a “hometown” salon, but also for her service to the community through positive engagement.” Donna Mae's Beauty Salon opened in 1965 offering salon services to the community, including those who served in Vietnam. Over the years,

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BRIGHTON — Dustin M. Kraushaar, a 33-year-old resident of the 15000 block of Humbert Road in Brighton, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following an incident involving a cat. The Madison County State's Attorney's Office said the charges stem from an incident on March 19, 2025, where Kraushaar intentionally shot a one-year-old black and white cat named “Lil Bit” with a compound bow arrow, resulting in the animal's death. The incident occurred in the 3700 block of East Doerr Avenue in Alton. The Alton Police Department investigated this case, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office said. The charges were officially filed against Kraushaar on April 14, 2025, in the Third Judicial Court of Madison County. The case highlights ongoing discussions about animal welfare and the legal consequences of animal cruelty.

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ILLINOIS - A national ambassador with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is sharing more about MADD’s resources during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Erin Rollins stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to share her experience with MADD and the ways the organization has helped her. Rollins was paralyzed from the waist down after she was hit by a drunk driver. She emphasized that drunk driving is a “100% preventable crime.” “MADD believes in justice, and they believe in connecting individuals to resources, and they help advocate for resources and support,” Rollins said. “For me, it was vital.” This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ran from April 6–12, 2025. Rollins explained that MADD uses the week to shed light on the crime of impaired driving. Though she believes many people take drunk driving lightly, Rollins and MADD remind folks that it is a crime, and it can have devastating

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JERSEYVILLE - Students of a quilting class offered by Joan and Meredith Dougherty with the Jersey County Arts Council successfully learned the fundamentals of creating large block quilts and T-shirt quilts. The class took place at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville, each Monday night throughout March 2025. The program, designed to introduce participants to the art of quilting, attracted a diverse group of students eager to develop their sewing skills. "The class has been a great opportunity for community members to come together and learn a new craft," said Joan Dougherty.

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EDWARDSVILLE – In recognition of Mother’s Day and the essential needs of families in the Metro East, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is proud to announce the launch of her 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Diaper Drive, taking place from April 14 to May 9, 2025. The drive aims to collect essential childcare items for local mothers and children in partnership with Safe Families for Children Metro East. “This initiative is about lifting up the incredible mothers in our community who are working hard every day to care for their children,” said Senator Harriss. “We want to ensure they feel supported and appreciated this Mother’s Day.” Members of the public are invited to contribute by donating new, unopened items. Requested items include diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5), pull-ups (boys and girls, 2T–5T), sippy cups, baby wipes, toddler-sized socks and underwear, toothbrushes and toothpaste for toddlers, shea moisturizing shampoo

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GRAFTON — The annual Grafton Easter Egg Hunt drew a lively crowd on Saturday morning, April 12, 2025, at Red Hawk Park, where families gathered to celebrate the arrival of spring and partake in a cherished community tradition. The event commenced at 11 a.m. Saturday, welcoming children from six months to fourth grade, all eager to search for brightly colored, candy-filled eggs hidden throughout the park. The Easter Bunny made a special appearance, greeting the young participants as they prepared for the hunt. Each age group had the chance to find a Golden Egg, with the finders receiving a special Easter basket that included a gift certificate from Go-Go May’s ice creamery. The event was made possible through the generous donation from Go-Go May’s, which was recognized by the community for its support. The Grafton Community Outreach Committee, chaired by First Ward Alderwoman Donna Smith, sponsored the event. Chris Petrea, a member of the Children’s Committee,

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PONTOON BEACH – A man from Cicero faces his sixth DUI charge after allegedly driving drunk with a minor passenger in his vehicle before being arrested by state police. Fernando Orozco, 45, of Cicero, Ill., was charged with his sixth offense of aggravated driving under the influence, a Class X felony. Orozco was additionally charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated driving under the influence and a Class A misdemeanor count of endangering the life or health of a child. In this case, a 15-year-old child was a passenger in the vehicle Orozco was operating under the influence on I-270 and IL-111 in Pontoon Beach. Orozco’s driver's license had also been revoked or suspended at the time of this latest incident. Charging documents state Orozco had previously been convicted of driving under the influence on five prior occasions from 2007 to 2022, each in Cook County, Ill. A petition to deny Orozco’s pretrial release states the Illinois State Police responded t

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ST. LOUIS - Registration is now open for FreightWeekSTL 2025, set for June 2-6, 2025. The St. Louis Regional Freightway is hosting the conference for the eighth consecutive year. The week-long freight and logistics event features panel sessions, interviews, a riverboat tour through the Ag Coast of America and more. FreightWeekSTL spotlights the latest trends and innovations impacting global freight movement and highlights the leadership role the St. Louis region continues to play in advancing major infrastructure projects that support its position as a world-class logistics hub. “FreightWeekSTL will once again deliver a wealth of timely information for those engaged in the industrial real estate, manufacturing and logistics sectors. It also will spotlight the St. Louis region’s continued advancement as a key hub in the global supply chain,” said Mary Lamie. Lamie is Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, which operates the St.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released its updated Illinois School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard . The updated dashboard includes data from the current 2024-25 school year. The interactive platform provides valuable insight into statewide, county, and school district vaccination trends, using publicly available data collected by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). “Providing Illinois residents with access to real-time data to guide their medical decision-making is a critical IDPH priority,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The updated school vaccination dashboard now allows parents and caregivers to review the latest vaccination trends in their local school districts. As a pediatrician, I know how important vaccinations are for protective children from preventable illnesses. As measles outbreaks spread through various parts of the United States, it is now more important than ever to make sure yo

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TROY - Triad High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter is seeking financial support as it prepares for the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., this summer. The organization, which aims to equip high school students with essential business skills, has qualified two students for the prestigious event after successfully navigating local and state competitions. FBLA, a nationwide organization established in the 1940s, provides students with opportunities to learn about various aspects of business, including finance, economics, and small business management. This year marks the second year of competition for the Triad High School chapter, which has achieved significant success with ten national qualifiers. However, due to scheduling conflicts, only two students — seniors Mary and Andrea — will attend the national competition. The estimated cost for each student to participate is approximately $1,695, which includes registration fees, travel expenses,

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JERSEY COUNTY — A motorcycle crash on Illinois Route 100 at Scenic Drive resulted in the death of the driver at 6:16 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, according to the Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8. ISP said preliminary reports indicate that the single-unit crash involved a motorcycle that struck a guardrail. Emergency responders pronounced the driver deceased at the scene. The ISP is currently gathering more information, but no further details have been released at this time.

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GRAFTON - The Great Mushroom Hunt at Raging Rivers WaterPark was another successful event. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, hundreds of Riverbend residents stopped by Raging Rivers to hunt for mushrooms and Easter eggs on the park’s property. Attendees could enjoy major prizes and a vendor fair in addition to the hunt. General Manager Jeremy Hayes said the fifth annual event was a great experience for all involved. “It’s really awesome,” Hayes said. “It's just keeping Raging Rivers fresh in everybody’s minds and another way for us to give a little bit of family events and family things to do. That’s what Raging Rivers is all about, just making memories for everybody. We hope to make lasting memories for people, whether it be at the water park or one of our events. However, wherever, we're out to make memories for people.” Attendees could visit with the Easter Bunny and other mascots, including the Raging Rivers Mississippi Monster.

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ALTON - Pride, Inc. hosted their biannual City Wide Litter Pickup. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, community members across Alton participated in the cleanup. Pat Stewart, president of Pride, Inc., expressed her gratitude to the many groups and individuals who came out to help the community. “We had a great turnout. We’re so appreciative of everybody,” Stewart said. “Obviously, trash is more than a twice-a-year problem, so the more we can get the message out, maybe people will start carrying a trash bag in their car. And who knows, if they see a nasty street, maybe they’ll just pull over and continue to do this cleanup throughout the year.” Stewart said many “concerned citizens” took time to help out on Saturday, including the Alton Boys and Girls Club and St. Ambrose School. She emphasized the importance of getting the youth involved and teaching kids about how to properly dispose of trash and care for the community. "It’s

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