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MITCHELL - The Mitchell Fire Department assisted the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department in extinguishing a residential fire early Wednesday morning in Granite City. At approximately 3:01 a.m. on May 21, 2025, Mitchell Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 2100 block of Robert Avenue to provide mutual aid for a structure fire reported by the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Mitchell units, including Engine #1121, Engine #1122, and three chiefs, arrived to find a fully involved residential structure with partial collapse and heavy fire spreading to a neighboring occupied home. Firefighters successfully extinguished the flames at both residences without incident, and no injuries were reported. All units returned to service by 5:33 a.m. the same day.

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ALTON – Beginning May 27, students will have the opportunity to study regional watersheds and ecosystems while also important conducting water tests as part of the new Alton High Summer Watershed Academy. The academy is offered free to students thanks to a grant and will be provided during summer school with bus transportation, lunch and all supplies provided. Students will receive high school elective credit towards graduation for this unique opportunity that will have them exploring various watershed, river and wetland areas such as Deer Creek Watershed, Meramec River, Sugar Fork Watershed, Creve Coeur Creek, Mississippi River and the Watershed Nature Center. Students will also conduct vital water tests assessing for water quality, measuring temperature, pH turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and also checking for the presence of microorganisms and bacteria. Guest speakers from the field and visits to St. Louis bio testing labs will also highlight the program’s activities.

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City resident Karen Smith is organizing a fundraiser to support her family after a tornado severely damaged their home on Friday, May 16, 2025. The storm ripped the roof off the trailer where Smith lives with her six children in Granite City. Smith said they have not received assistance from the Red Cross, and FEMA informed them they would only be eligible for aid if the president declared the area a national disaster. Without insurance coverage, Smith expressed uncertainty about how to recover from the damage. “We unfortunately didn’t have insurance, and I just am at a loss for words on how to move forward next,” Smith said. The fundraiser aims to gather resources and support for the family as they navigate the aftermath of the tornado. Click here to contribute to the GoFundMe.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a spotlight hearing on the Trump Administration’s drastic cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The forum, which was hosted by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), detailed the dangerous outcomes of slashing funding for medical research and gutting federal agencies committed to public health. Durbin began by asking the panelists about what happens to researchers and their projects when federal funding is discontinued. “Can you tell me, from your own personal experience, what the typical outcome is for a researcher who has a grant discontinued? What happens next?” Durbin asked. Dr. Jeremy Berg, former Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, replied that some researchers may be able to temporarily secure short-term resources through their institution, but for most scientists, their project is discontinued

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer is moving to place CEMA Commissioner Sarah Russell on paid administrative leave pending a full external investigation into the actions of the City Emergency Management Agency on Friday, including the failure of the outdoor warning siren system. After learning of the failure of the sirens to be activated, Mayor Spencer immediately ordered an internal investigation. The initial focus was to correct the immediate issue, which Mayor Spencer did by changing the siren activation protocol to clearly place the responsibility of activating the sirens with the Fire Department. However, as the investigation continued, it became increasingly clear that there was not just one serious issue, but multiple. The mayor has directed her staff to initiate an external investigation to fully explore this and any other potential issues. Friday afternoon, CEMA staff, including Russell, were at a workshop at 1520 Market St. and were not at the CEMA office located

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) donated his pay raise for the month of May to Hope Christian Church's Food Pantry in Freeburg. Since taking office, Rep. Schmidt has donated every month’s pay raise to a different local food pantry or non-profit organization throughout his district since voting against the pay raise for legislators. “Hope Christian Church does an excellent job giving back to the community, and I’m happy to contribute to their food pantry,” said Rep. Schmidt. “Too many times, politicians make empty promises. I'm staying true to my commitment and look forward to continuing this monthly donation.” Hope Christian Church's Food Pantry has been helping the community since 2020. To make a donation, call 618-710-0004 or donate online at hopefreeburg.com . Food and household goods are a fundamental need for families in our communities. Whether you’re facing temporary hardship or ongoing challenges

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On May 23, 1925, 3-year-old Patricia Helen Jones of 404 Washington Avenue in Alton died after swallowing 10 to 15 pills she thought were candy. The pills were actually a laxative preparation, and according to medical testimony conducted by Coroner W.H. Bauer, each contained a minuscule quantity of strychnine, a poison that was used at the time as a powerful heart stimulant but is no longer used in medicine. The child ingested approximately a quarter grain of strychnine in the pills. The cause of death was accidental strychnine poisoning. The evening before, a neighbor came to the home to borrow two of the pills from Patricia’s mom, Dorothy. After getting the pills for the neighbor, she put them back in the medicine cabinet. A few minutes later, she found the box empty. It quickly became clear that Patricia had consumed them. Her parents rushed her to their family doctor in Upper Alton, but despite a five-hour fight to save Patricia’s life, it was too late. The funeral

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement on following last night’s shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC: “I was horrified to hear of the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC last night. Shortly after the incident occurred, I learned that a member of my team was attending the event. While they are shaken up, they are thankfully safe. MK and I are praying for the victims and their families and all of those affected by this tragedy. “Law enforcement has apprehended the suspected gunman, and although the investigation continues, make no mistake: this was an attack on the Jewish community. “An evening of connecting and belonging hosted by the American Jewish Committee quickly turned into a nightmare. Young Jewish people and diplomats came together in a museum built to honor their shared history but then had to flee gun shots and witness the killing of a young couple. As a Jew who

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Did you know that nearly 70% of homeowners report feeling unprepared when guests arrive unexpectedly? Hosting friends and family can be a joyful experience, yet it often comes with a degree of stress if your home isn’t ready to accommodate visitors comfortably. Preparing your space thoughtfully not only eases that tension but elevates the hospitality you provide, making visits memorable for all the right reasons. Whether you’re welcoming longtime friends, family members, or new acquaintances, creating an inviting environment requires more than just tidying up. It involves anticipating needs, optimizing comfort, and ensuring your home functions smoothly under increased use. Here are essential tips to help you prepare your home efficiently and effectively for summer guests. Assess and Optimize Sleeping Arrangements One of the most critical aspects of hosting is ensuring your guests have a comfortable place to rest. Consider the number of visitors and the available sleeping

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May 22 stands out in history as a day marked by transformative events that have shaped the course of human civilization in diverse ways. Arguably the most impactful event associated with May 22 occurred in 1990, when the World Wide Web was first proposed by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee. While the internet itself had been in development for decades, Berners-Lee's proposal laid the foundation for the modern web, revolutionizing how information is accessed and shared around the globe. This innovation has altered every aspect of daily life, from communication and commerce to education and entertainment, making May 22 a landmark date in the digital era. Moving back in time, May 22, 1455, witnessed the beginning of the Wars of the Roses in England with the First Battle of St Albans. This conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York was a pivotal series of civil wars that ultimately led to the rise of the Tudor dynasty. The battle itself, though relatively small, set the stage

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) is pleased to announce that more than $12.1 million in funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) has been awarded to support key infrastructure projects across the 56th Senate District. “Investing in local infrastructure is essential to improving quality of life for families in the Metro East,” said Senator Harriss. “Our region has a proud tradition of outdoor recreation, and these investments reaffirm our state’s commitment to expanding and enhancing safe, accessible options for bike and pedestrian travel.” The funding was announced at events held across Illinois, including one in Granite City earlier today (Wednesday, May 21, 2025). Seven projects in the 56th District were selected to receive funding for 2025: Bethalto – Erwin Plegge Multiuse Path – $761,640 Edwardsville – Center Grove Trail – $2,706,300 Glen Carbon

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ALTON – Residents of Alton, Cottage Hills, and Pontoon Beach are the subjects of multiple criminal cases involving stolen vehicles in Madison County. Anna F. Burns, 36, of Alton, was charged on May 13, 2025 with one count of offenses related to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. On Dec. 11, 2024, Burns allegedly possessed a 2011 Nissan Altima with an Illinois registration number which she reportedly knew was stolen, according to court documents. In a separate case filed the same day, Christine M. Ingram was also charged with a Class 2 felony count of offenses related to motor vehicles. The 46-year old Cottage Hills resident allegedly knowingly possessed a stolen 2018 Toyota Camry on Jan. 3, 2025. The cases against Burns and Ingram were both presented by the Metro East Auto Theft division of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Both were granted pretrial release from custody. In another unrelated case, Aarrion A. Grandberry, 24, of Pontoon Beach, was charged with a Clas

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ALTON - To mark National Women’s Health Week, Dr. Dennis Sands stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about HPV and cervical cancer. Sands, who serves as the chief medical officer for OSF St. Anthony’s, explained there are over 100 different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). If left untreated, HPV can develop into cervical cancer. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures and screenings that people can undergo for early detection and treatment. “We try to make sure we catch that and make that diagnosis in people when we see it,” Sands said. “We see decreasing rates in parts of the country due to the screening since it’s become available, decreasing rates of dysplasia and also decreasing rates of cervical cancer in a lot of areas.” According to Sands, Pap smears and HPV screens are the most common ways to screen for HPV. The physician sends the samples to the lab, and the results are

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and U.S. Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL-15) today reintroduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act ( DEFIANCE Act ), bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would grant survivors the right to take civil action against individuals who knowingly produce, distribute, solicit and receive, or possess with the intent to distribute nonconsensual sexually-explicit digital forgeries. Last July, the Senate unanimously passed the DEFIANCE Act of 2024 . “Sexually-explicit ‘deepfake’ content is often used to exploit and harass women and girls, and no one should have their privacy and autonomy violated by someone else generating explicit AI-generated content of them,” said Durbin. “Although the imagery may be fake, the harm to

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SPRINGFIELD – As teenagers across the state look for and begin summer jobs, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding parents and employers of the requirements that must be met for the employment of youth under 16. "Summer jobs offer young people valuable opportunities to gain experience and responsibility, but it’s essential that their safety and rights are protected," said IDOL Director Jane Flanagan. "We urge employers and families to understand the requirements of the Child Labor Law so that minors can work in secure, lawful, and supportive environments." IDOL regulates employment for workers under the age of 16 through several key provisions: Employment Certificate Requirement: Before starting work, minors under 16 must obtain an employment certificate confirming they are old enough to work, physically capable of performing the job, and that the job won’t interfere with their education (during the school year). Prohibited Work: Minors may

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Police have charged two city residents in separate cases of domestic battery. David L. Emerson, 70, of Granite City, was charged on May 12, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and a Class A misdemeanor count of domestic battery. On May 11, 2025, Emerson allegedly struck a household or family member about the face and body with his fist, causing great bodily harm to the victim, who sustained a fractured right wrist from the incident. A petition to deny Emerson’s pretrial release states the victim told authorities she and Emerson were arguing inside Emerson’s vehicle when Emerson began battering the victim. “She advised being struck by the defendant then exiting the vehicle,” the petition states. “The defendant also exited the vehicle and proceeded to strike her about the face multiple times with a closed fist.” A witness also reported seeing Emerson “shove and strike the victim

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 18,189 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring turkey season. This year’s total compares with the previous record total of 17,208 turkeys harvested in 2024. The top five counties for harvest in 2025 were Jo Daviess, 628; Jefferson, 518; Pike, 468; Marion, 428; and Pope, 425. The 2025 total includes the record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,099 birds, which compares with the previous record of 2,010 birds set in 2024. This year 89,687 permits were sold compared to 86,083 last year. Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The 2025 regular season dates were April 7 through May 8 in the south zone and April 14 through May 15 in the north zone. The 2025 youth spring turkey season was March 29-30 and April 5-6 statewide. County 2025 2024 Adams 350 324 Alexander 183 189 Bond 176 145 Boone 72 94 Brown

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville is the latest Riverbend community to establish its own 1% sales tax on groceries to offset major revenue loss as the state’s grocery tax expires. City Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance implementing a city-wide Municipal Grocery Retailer’s Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. These taxes will take effect starting on Jan. 1, 2026. The Illinois General Assembly voted last year to eliminate the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries, from which 100% of the proceeds went to local municipalities. They later passed a law allowing municipalities to impose their own 1% sales taxes on groceries, but only if they also adopt an equal 1% sales tax on grocery “services.” According to Tuesday’s meeting documents, city staff estimate the elimination of the 1% grocery sales tax would amount to a loss of over $1.2 million from the city’s General Fund. This grocery tax also accounts

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ALTON - A local high schooler has been named the Boys and Girls Club State of Illinois Youth of the Year. Isaiah Stueckel was recognized during the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education meeting on May 20, 2025, for his accomplishments. Al Womack, a Board of Education member and director of the Alton Boys and Girls Club, introduced Stueckel as “an outstanding young man.” “I’ve been at the Boys and Girls Club for over a decade now, 12 years, and it’s really just changed my life,” Stueckel said. Womack explained that Stueckel came to the Boys and Girls Club as a “hesitant, shy, quiet” 6-year-old. At 18, Stueckel now has “a vision for his future” and has made waves as an impressive student at Alton High School and beyond. Stueckel shared that he used to be impatient and angry as a child, and the Boys and Girls Club helped him “dull that down” and ignite new interests. He pointed to th

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GRANITE CITY — Officials from Granite City and the Illinois Department of Transportation gathered Wednesday at Wilson Park to announce a $1.9 million grant aimed at closing a gap in the regional path and trail system. The grant will fund a multipurpose path stretching 5,150 feet and measuring 10 feet wide, running alongside 27th Street to Central Street. This project is one of 66 approved statewide through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). The approved projects include bike and pedestrian paths and trails, streetscape beautification, and other initiatives intended to promote safe travel across various modes of transportation at the local level. According to IDOT, the department received 233 applications for projects totaling an estimated $383 million in this funding cycle. Granite City’s project was among those selected for funding.

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