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ALTON - Alton Redbirds boys golfer Sam Ottwell's time on the golf courses around the region will not be forgotten for years in the future. Alton's Ottwell at the IHSA Large Schools State Championship achieved a two-day score of 151 for 24th place at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington. Ottwell is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Earlier in the season, Ottwell achieved a school record by shooting a 65 to win the Collinsville Class 3A Regional at Arlington Greens in Granite City. He also finished as the runner-up in the Decatur MacArthur Class 3A Sectional at Hickory Point Golf Course, where he matched par on his last 11 holes, finishing at 1-under 71. Dylan Dudley, head boys golf coach for the Alton Redbirds, expressed pride in Ottwell's accomplishments. “To see him break through and win a postseason championship is special. He represents our school program better than almost anyone; he’s a coach’s dream,” Dudley said. Dudley praised

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) today applauded President Biden for signing into law their Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, legislation that extends funding for public health efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve childhood survival rates, prevent premature death and disability, and increase quality of life for the two-and-a-half million Americans living with congenital heart disease (CHD). Heart defects are the deadliest and most common form of birth defects—every 15 minutes a child is born with a heart defect. The bipartisan legislation builds upon the law Durbin and Young passed in 2018 to expand CDC’s research and awareness efforts for CHD. “Heart defects are the most common birth defect, and if you ever get the devastating news that your precious little one has a serious medical condition, you hope there’s a treatment or care option for them,”

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general in announcing a robust package of remedies to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition to benefit consumers. “For too long, Google has maintained a monopoly as an online search engine. The remedies included in our proposed final judgement will ensure increased competition for consumers who have been left with few alternatives to Google’s platform,” Raoul said. “Consumers deserve to have a choice and the confidence that they are getting the best search results. I will continue to work to increase options for consumers and reign in anticompetitive behavior wherever it occurs.” In 2020, Raoul and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines through anticompetitive

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School's Landon Kearbey is making a name for himself in the world of cross country, showcasing significant improvement as he approaches the final year of his high school athletic career. The junior runner recently competed at the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Cross Country Meet, where he finished 74th with a time of 15:36.30. For his tremendous time at state and the regional and sectional meets for CM, Landon is an individual Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month. Kearbey's journey has been marked by consistent progress. As a freshman, he recorded a time of 19 minutes, but his dedication and hard work have transformed him into a highly competitive athlete, clocking in at 15:19 as a best this season. His coach, Jake Peal, highlighted Kearbey's commitment, stating, "He had a really good summer and worked really hard. The miles you put in year after year add up to be when you dive into developing your craft." Kearbey's recent performances include

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) motions to discharge S.J.Res.111, S.J.Res.113, and S.J.Res.115, which would suspend the sale of $1 billion in certain U.S.-made weapons to Israel: “I believe passionately that Israel has not only the right to exist, but the right to defend itself in the dangerous neighborhood of the Middle East. The terrorist attack of October 7 was truly horrific and the Hamas terrorist group, which is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, should be eliminated. I have consistently voted for military assistance to Israel throughout my congressional career to protect it from the threats which it faces on a daily basis. “I voted today to suspend three specific arms sales to Israel. My reason is very straightforward. It is reported that more than 43,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict in Gaza—60 percent of them have been

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School freshman Olivia Wiley has made a notable impact in her inaugural season on the girls cross country team, demonstrating significant improvement and potential under the guidance of head coach Jake Peal. At the Madison County Championship Meet, Wiley recorded a time of 22:16.8, followed by a performance of 21:37 at the Mississippi Valley Conference Meet. She continued to show her progress at the Jacksonville Regional, finishing the three-mile race in 21:42. Olivia is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for CM. CM Head Girls Cross Country Coach Peal expressed his pride in Wiley's development as a runner. "I love to see her closing the gap," he said. He noted that Wiley, along with other freshmen, has shown growth since her middle school career and is adapting well to the high school training regimen. "I think with all of our kids as freshmen, we see a lot of growth and potential at the high school level," he added. Peal

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BUSHNELL- Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), local leaders, and Marshalltown Hammer Company leadership to announce new investments in Bushnell. In support of the project, the State of Illinois provided a $5 million grant to enable Marshalltown Hammer to acquire and establish operations in the former Vaughan & Bushnell facility. “Economic prosperity for the working families of Illinois ought to be our state’s North Star,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, we celebrate an important milestone, securing jobs, facility improvements for this storied institution. Thanks to the collaboration of State and local partners, the resilience of the people of Bushnell, the great folks at Marshalltown Hammer, and an assist from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – the city will continue to prosper, and the families of this region will have an opportunity to thrive.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement following Matt Gaetz withdrawing from consideration to be Attorney General: “A qualified nominee for the highest position in law enforcement in America must be honest and complete in disclosing his background. Mr. Gaetz did not meet that standard. “It’s time for Donald Trump to put forward a serious nominee for Attorney General who will fight for equal justice for all Americans. The Senate must uphold its constitutional responsibility of advice and consent on this critical position.”

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the former Wayne City police chief with selling forfeited items confiscated by the department for his personal benefit. Anson Fenton, 46, of Belle Rive, is facing one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. “Officials in positions of power must be held to the highest ethical standard, and those accused of defrauding the public will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. Asset forfeiture is a legal process to confiscate the means or proceeds of a crime and can apply to a range of property, including money, vehicles, and real estate, among other assets. Wayne City stores forfeited items at the Wayne City Police Department until city officials pass an ordinance to authorize the sale of the property. “During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence

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A beloved actress from one of America’s most popular TV shows has shared the story of her breast cancer journey with the world. Jenna Fischer, widely known as Pam from “The Office,” announced on social media she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in December 2023. The 50-year-old’s cancer journey unknowingly began after her routine mammogram in October 2023. She tells The Today Show’s Hoda Kotb that her doctor called with the results, saying they were fine, but that there were a few spots that were difficult to see. The doctor added that Fischer has very dense breast tissue. Fischer went in for a follow-up breast ultrasound and received the news on her patient portal while on a hike by herself. “I checked the portal on the hike, and that’s when I saw words like ‘invasive,’ ‘ductal,’ ‘carcinoma,’ ‘malignant,’” Fisher told Kotb. “And I was like, ‘Those word

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced their legislation to clarify that victims of discrimination can seek damages for emotional harm under federal law—after the Supreme Court curtailed their ability to do so in its devastating April 2022 ruling in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller . The Clarifying Civil Rights Remedies Act of 2024 ensures that people who suffer emotional harm because of discrimination they experienced are able to recover damages under federal anti-discrimination statutes—recognizing that while discrimination may not cause a financial loss, it can and often does cause lasting emotional distress. “Discrimination can leave a lasting mental impact on those who experience it. That’s why the Supreme Court’s decision in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller is so harmful. It prevents those who have suffered emotional distress

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ST. LOUIS – Today, the City of St. Louis released its plan for providing additional shelter to the unhoused during the coldest months of the year. “I am grateful to our Department of Human Services, which has collaborated with community partners to ensure that more shelter beds will be available for our unhoused neighbors this winter than a year ago,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “My administration is committed to finding sustainable long-term solutions, but we also have a responsibility to step up our efforts in the winter, and that’s what we’re doing.” The Jones administration’s recent efforts to support unhoused individuals include launching an employment program specifically for the unhoused, this week’s signing of legislation that makes it easier to open shelters and transitional housing, and the mayor’s leadership in creating a regional approach to address homelessness through the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Office of Tourism today released its annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide , highlighting 16 small businesses statewide that are part of the Illinois Made program, just in time for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30th. The 2024 guide features a variety of handcrafted items and homemade goods, each reflecting the diversity of Illinois’ local businesses. From artisanal candles and essential oils to savory treats and seasonal coffee blends, this guide celebrates the unique craftsmanship of small businesses across the state. “Small businesses are the backbone of Illinois’ economy, and through this annual guide we’re helping both visitors and residents discover the incredible Makers in every corner of our state,” said Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) . “By discovering the items featured in the Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide, holiday shoppers can support

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EDWARDSVILLE - Two individuals from out of state face the same set of felony charges in two separate but related cases of money laundering. Michael J. Reese, 40, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Lester A. Vega, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas, were charged with two counts each of money laundering, all classified as Class 1 felonies. On Nov. 13, 2024, the two allegedly drove a Freightliner tractor-trailer through Madison County, Illinois. The vehicle was reportedly carrying approximately $255,000 in U.S. currency which was placed “in heat-sealed bags hidden behind a refrigerator.” According to court documents, the currency had been “criminally derived” and was concealed in an effort “to avoid a transaction reporting requirement.” The charges against both individuals were filed on Nov. 15, 2024. Both have since been granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt.

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s newest police officer was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, November 19, 2024. Officer Daniel Meredith graduated from the police academy in 2016 and worked as a full-time certified officer in Belleville, Illinois before coming to the Grafton police department in April 2024. The city is happy to officially welcome Officer Meredith to the force. The City Council accepted the retirement of Police Chief Eric Spanton, who has faithfully served the city and residents of Grafton since 2017 when he had just retired as a 28-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. The community is grateful for his service and guidance during his term of office. Grafton has greatly benefited from his experience and leadership and the police department is on solid footing because of these attributes. SGT Dave Womack was sworn in as Interim Chief of Police and will work with retired Chief Spanton to ensure good communication and a smooth transition. SGT Womack

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Police Officer Isom Thomas Gillham is finally receiving recognition after being killed in the line of duty in 1852. During the Madison County Board’s regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor shared information about Gillham, one of the first police officers to be killed in the line of duty in Madison County. Connor explained that Gillham will be recognized on the Madison County Fallen Officer Memorial that they are currently working to build at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve recently been working to create a new Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office, and in that process, we’ve been doing some research, locating a Madison County Sheriff Constable we found out that had been killed in the line of duty that was not recognized,” Connor said. “And what we found out is that on Dec. 11, 1852, we found the deputy that was killed in the line of duty in

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ST. LOUIS - The Precautionary Boil Water Advisory that was issued by the City of St. Louis Water Division on Nov. 19, 2024 for portions of North and South city has been lifted effective 8 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2024. The Water Division conducted several tests on water samples collected in the affected areas and has verified the water is not contaminated and is safe to consume.

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ST. LOUIS - After more than a year of soliciting ideas and feedback from the public, the Board of Aldermen will now determine how to direct the Rams settlement to address a range of resident-backed, city-wide priorities. Members of the public identified six priority areas for funding in January 2024. The most important issues to residents were water and street infrastructure, Downtown streets and sidewalks, subsidized child care for city residents, and the establishment of a revolving redevelopment loan fund to support distressed areas throughout the city. Public hearings on specific topics began in May 2024 where experts and advocates presented the estimated cost of those ideas and their feasibility. Previous public hearings held in Fall 2023 reported on data collected on priority challenges identified by residents and which resident-submitted policy ideas received the greatest support. The final online phase of the public engagement process invites the public to review legislative

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is releasing an economic impact report, which shows SIUE’s role as an economic engine in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan Area. SIUE leaders will also share details of future growth potential in the area. Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, will address the following: A 2023 fiscal year report that includes generated revenue, job growth and SIUE students, personnel and visitor expenditures in the surrounding area SIUE’s commitment to community and the region Return on investment for students, the State of Illinois and the 60% of SIUE alumni who continue to reside in the area SIUE Points of Pride and Public Impacts Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Jebaraj Asirvatham, PhD, in agricultural and applied economics and Scott Gilbert, PhD, in economics, who authored the report, will be in attendance. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, the Madison County Board approved the 2025 budget summary. The total budget for Financial Year 2025 is $187,531,116. Chris Guy, the chair of the Finance Committee, provided context about the budget. “This is the eighth year in a row since 2017, when the county chairmanship changed and the majority of the Board flipped, this is the eighth year in a row that a zero tax levy hike has taken place,” Guy said. “I think we should commend this Board, administration and all department heads and county employees who work with everybody on passing another balanced budget without a property tax levy hike.” Guy noted that the flat levy is $30.7 million, which is $3 million lower than ten years ago. He said this was “something to be commended” considering inflation and other rising prices. “When you look at your tax bill and you look at your levy, and your property taxes have gone up

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