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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and their fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration for answers on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). In the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators called on the Administration to immediately cease funding for GHF and restore support for existing United Nations aid distribution mechanisms. The Senators’ letter comes as the people of Gaza face a looming famine due to lack of aid and hundreds have been reported killed while seeking food at GHF distribution sites. The Senators begin, “We write with grave concerns regarding the U.S. role in and financial support for the troubled Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private group supported by U.S. security contractors and connected to deadly violence against starving people seeking food in Gaza. Blurring the lines between

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Daniel Douglas, 19, of the 4200 block of Tupelo Drive in St. Louis, was identified as the victim in a fatal shooting that occurred Friday, July 25, 2025, in the 2200 block of Union Road, the St. Louis County Police Department confirmed Monday, July 28, 2025. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at approximately 7 p.m. on July 25 to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found Douglas suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. Detectives from the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are actively investigating the homicide. No suspects have been taken into custody at this time. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477), with a possible reward offered. Further details will be released as the investigation

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ALTON — The Melvin Price Lock and Dam in Alton is expected to be fully open by the end of Monday, July 28, 2025, according to lock officials. The move comes after some torrential rains around the Grafton and Calhoun areas and Alton region this past weekend, in anticipation of rising Mississippi River water levels. Lock and Dam officials reported that the lock has opened 150 feet over the past day and a half and is preparing to reach an open river status for the first time in a year and a half on Monday. This marks a significant change for the river, which has been constrained by the lock for an extended period. “We are most likely to have it completely open by the end of the day,” a lock official said. “All this depends on Mother Nature. We are hoping that if it goes completely open, it will settle, and river levels will drop back down.” The reopening is anticipated to improve river conditions and navigation along this stretch of the Mississippi River.

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BETHALTO — Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine has modified the charges against Joshua J. Morrison after a vicious assault incident on July 19, 2025, at an apartment complex in Bethalto . Morrison was initially charged with aggravated arson, arson, aggravated battery, and now, as of Monday, July 28, 2025, is charged with a hate crime, authorities said. The State's Attorney now charges that Morrison faces a Class 4 felony hate crime charge for battering Winston Rulo because of his perceived sexual orientation after an investigation of the incident. This is the exact new charge filed by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office: COUNT IV: HATE CRIME (CLASS 4 FELONY): "in that said defendant, by reason of the perceived sexual orientation of Winston Rulo, knowingly battered the victim in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a) in that defendant repeatedly struck the victim about the face and head with his fists, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-7.1." Karen Alexander Mack,

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, legislative leaders, and stakeholders to sign two bills focused on improving gun safety in Illinois. The Safe Gun Storage Act (SB 0008) outlines strengthened safe storage requirements in homes where a firearm could be accessed by a minor, an at-risk person, or someone otherwise prohibited from using firearms. Governor Pritzker also signed HB 1373, which requires every law enforcement agency in Illinois to participate in the federal firearm tracing platform eTrace to strengthen investigations and make communities safer. “Illinois has been one of the most aggressive states in the nation in combatting the epidemic of gun violence that has plagued our communities for far too long,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve spent the past six years working with law enforcement, engaging with frontline communities, and studying the most effective policy solutions

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined Governor JB Pritzker today as the governor signed two gun safety bills into law, including Raoul’s legislation to require all local law enforcement agencies in Illinois to participate in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) eTrace platform. The eTrace platform allows law enforcement to submit crime-gun tracing information to the ATF National Tracing Center. House Bill (HB)1373 was initiated by Attorney General Raoul and sponsored by Rep. Curtis Tarver and Sen. Bill Cunningham. The legislation was passed by the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support and goes into effect immediately upon being signed. “Advocating for commonsense gun safety measures has been one of my top priorities throughout my career. I initiated House Bill 1373 as part of that work because law enforcement agencies’ participation in the ATF’s eTrace platform is needed to identify gun traffickers

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BELLEVILLE - IMPACT Strategies, Inc. is currently making significant progress on the medical office renovation project that SIHF Healthcare has undertaken at 180 S 3rd Street in Belleville, Illinois. This project is a phased comprehensive renovation involving all floors of the existing medical office building, which was recently purchased by SIHF Healthcare. In our role as the construction manager, IMPACT Strategies provided pre-construction services to support design, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, and subcontractor selection. As our role has transitioned into construction execution, we are transforming the space across multiple phases to include a Pharmacy, Intensive Outpatient Program, Specialist services, InstaCare, and Family Medicine suites, totaling 7,300 square feet. IMPACT is targeting a mid-fall completion. IMPACT Strategies’ President, Mark Hinrichs said, “With our extensive healthcare experience and long-standing relationship with SIHF Healthcare, we

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JERSEYVILLE/HARDIN - Illinois American Water reported significant flooding and sewer backups in its Jerseyville and Village of Hardin operating districts following approximately 10 inches of rain in those vicinities. The heavy rainfall, which occurred Saturday night, July 26, 2025, and early Sunday, July 27, 2025, has overwhelmed local sewer systems and led to backups in many areas of the communities. The company stated that crews have been actively working to address the sewer issues on Sunday and Monday, but officials noted that the sewer collection systems are currently at capacity due to the volume of rain. It will take time for the systems to recover once the rainfall subsides, the company said. “We appreciate your patience,” said Terry Mackin, communications and external affairs representative for Illinois American Water. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed and exercise caution as crews continue mitigation efforts.

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ALTON - Mental Health First Aid is an important skill for community members to learn, says instructor Isaac Sandidge. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , Sandidge explained what Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is and how people can benefit from taking a class. He believes MHFA is a vital way to help people experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. “Have you ever heard of CPR? It’s like that for mental health,” Sandidge said. He explained that MHFA covers a variety of mental health and substance use challenges that community members might encounter, including panic attacks, overdoses, psychosis and suicide. The training explains how to help someone experiencing these challenges. Sandidge has served as an MHFA instructor for the past ten years. There are now 4.3 million Americans certified in MHFA, a big step up from Sandidge’s first year in 2016 when the organization

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EDWARDSVILLE – Imagine a setting that sparks children’s natural curiosity – even when it involves serious, real-world challenges. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for Crime Science and Violence Prevention (CCSVP) is turning that spark into learning by teaming up with the St. Louis Zoo Wildcare Park , where young minds can explore and understand complex topics in a hands-on, engaging way. At the request of the St. Louis Zoo, CCSVP began working in April on a virtual reality simulation to introduce school-aged children to the new Wildcare Park in North St. Louis County. The simulations are being designed and built by Logan Holland, SIUE computer science student; Manas Das, PhD, incoming SIUE computer science assistant professor; and Dennis Mares, PhD, professor of Criminal Justice Studies and director of CCSVP in Belleville. “They wanted us to create a simulation that shows how caretakers feed and care for the animals in the new barns

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ALTON - Centerstone is a national leader in mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and they have a special program for teenagers who are dealing with substance dependency. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , Rose with Centerstone shared more about PYOTreat, which stands for Preventing Youth Overdose with Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness and Training programs. “Really, anywhere where there’s teenagers, we want to be there,” Rose said. ““It’s awesome when we can open up our doors to the community and just be a source of hope. I think Centerstone is really good at that.” The PYOTreat program serves young people aged 10–25 who are experiencing challenges related to substance use or mental health. Centerstone offers presentations in schools or at community events that aim to teach young people about the dangers of substance use

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HARDIN — The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office provided an update after the storm ripped through the area with torrential rain of up to 10 inches late Saturday, July 26, 2025, into early Sunday, July 27, 2025. The severe weather caused flooding, washed out roads, and downed trees, impacting transportation and residences. Photos provided by James Palmer of Kampsville depict damage near his home, including a tree that fell on his vehicle. Several county roads were closed or damaged due to flooding and debris. According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in one of its latest reports, Hamburg-Michael Road between Illinois Highway 100 and Retzer Hill remains closed except for emergency use. "Large sections of the roadway have been washed away, and debris and fallen trees continue to pose hazards," the sheriff's office said. "Highway crews have been working to restore access but caution is advised, and alternate routes are recommended." Illinois Highway 100 between Hardin

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is reminding Illinoisans to make sure they are following proper safety practices when using their grills throughout the rest of the summer. July is the peak month for grill fires followed by June, May and August. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reports around 64% of U.S. households own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill or smoker. July was the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August. Gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Six percent of gas grill structure fires and 13% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks based on 2019-2023 annual averages. More than one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Eight percent began when an outside wall caught fire; 3% began with some type

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BETHALTO/WOOD RIVER - Amare offers peer support for people struggling with substance use disorders, and you can help the organization extend its reach at an upcoming event. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , peer-led recovery coach Andrea shared that Amare works hard to support community members. Their upcoming Rockin’ 4 Recovery event invites the community to share that support with one another. “Recovery looks different for everybody,” Andrea said. “We just try to get back on track. They don’t have to be clean for us to work with them. We try to meet people where they’re at. The goal is abstinence, but we just want to help them be a productive member of society and try to get their life back on track.” From 1–6 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2025, community members can come out to Bethalto Park in Bethalto for Rockin’ 4 Recovery. This family-friendly

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MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Walgreens pharmacy at 6607 State Route 162 in Maryville remains closed Monday morning, July 28, 2025, due to power issues caused by a storm on Sunday, the store confirmed. Maryville Fire Chief Doug Dankenbring said the storm knocked out one phase of the store’s electricity, and repairs are currently underway. The pharmacy has not yet been able to have its HVAC unit inspected, delaying the reopening. In a statement, Walgreens said, “Your pharmacy at 6607 State Route 162 in Maryville is temporarily closed. We are sorry. We'll let you know when it reopens.” Customers needing prescriptions urgently were advised to visit neighboring Walgreens locations. The store hopes to provide an update on its status later Monday afternoon.

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - A new, permanent supportive housing community being developed by Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF Healthcare). The new development is located at 5708 Bond Avenue next to Touchette Regional Hospital and is named in memory of Vivian Cash, a Saint Clair County resident who spent decades as a volunteer and advocate for local housing. The first phase of this multi-phase development includes 16 one-bedroom townhome units with income eligibility requirements offered through the St. Clair County Housing Authority along with a Community Building that will provide health care and supportive services for the development’s residents. This development will help improve living standards for the overall community and be a critical component of residents’ health and well-being. Officials of SIHF Healthcare along with other regional dignitaries and IMPACT Strategies celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony in June. “IMPACT Strategies is honored to

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has once again earned Gold Tier recognition as a 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School, placing the University among the top 10% of institutions nationwide for its commitment to serving military-affiliated students, including active-duty service members, veterans, and military-connected families. The prestigious designation is awarded by VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs® Magazine, and is based on a rigorous, data-driven evaluation process. More than 1,800 institutions participated in the 2025-2026 survey, with 537 receiving special awards for exceeding Military Friendly® standards. SIUE was evaluated in the small public institution category and also earned the designation of Military Spouse Friendly® School, reflecting its broad support for military families. “This designation reflects our deep commitment to serving those who have served,” said Kevin Wathen, EdD, director of Military and Veteran Services.

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SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, July 28, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will convene a roundtable discussion in Springfield focused on improving mail delivery and protecting postal services across Central and Southern Illinois. Local leaders, postal workers, and community stakeholders from across downstate Illinois will join the conversation. The discussion will cover key issues impacting mail service in the region including efforts to improve on-time delivery, protect local postal jobs, oppose privatization, and stop harmful facility consolidations that reduce access in rural and underserved areas. WHAT: Congresswoman Budzinski to Host Roundtable on Strengthening Postal Service in Central and Southern Illinois WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Budzinski, Illinois’ 13th District State Senator Doris Turner State Representative Mike Coffey Springfield Chamber President Mike Murphy Barbara Bridges, Champaign Postal Worker and Activist President Pam Shumard, Illinois Rural

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MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Police Department, in coordination with Mayor John Lewis, has identified the victims of a shooting that occurred on July 27, 2025, and announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident. The victims have been named as Zomarrius Williams, a 20-year-old male from Mount Vernon, and Demonta Woodward, a 26-year-old male from Mounds, Illinois. Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Jerria J. Smith of Mount Vernon, charging her with reckless discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. Officials stated the investigation is in its early stages and that additional arrests and charges are expected as they continue to gather evidence and develop leads related to the shooting, which resulted in multiple casualties and injuries. The Mount Vernon Police Department is urging anyone with information who has not yet spoken with investigators to come forward. Witnesses or those with video evidence can contact the department at 618-242-2132,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released a statement after the federal government agreed to temporarily halt implementation of harmful new restrictions on access to public benefit programs. “I am glad that the administration agreed to pause its notices prohibiting state safety net programs from serving all residents, regardless of immigration status, to allow time for the court to hear from both parties in this case. These burdensome rules would endanger some of Illinois’ most crucial social service programs, including preventative health care and maternity care from community health centers, violent crime victim counseling and legal services, Head Start early education and adult literacy education. I will continue to work to defend these programs from unlawful requirements.” Earlier this week, Attorney General Raoul and 20 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit opposing the federal government's attempt to change how eligibility for federally

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