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CHICAGO - Today, Governor Pritzker signed SB3514, designating the Calvatia gigantea, commonly known as the “giant puffball,” as the official mushroom of the State of Illinois. Senate Bill 3514 began as an initiative led by elementary school students from Prairie School of DuPage in Wheaton, who embarked on a civic journey to see their chosen mushroom recognized as a state symbol. “Today we celebrate not only a new state symbol, but the hard work and dedication of our state’s young leaders,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “The giant puffball will now stand as a testament to the curiosity and determination of the bright students of Illinois, who have shown us that even the youngest among us can make a difference.” “Thanks to the passionate advocacy of the Prairie School students, Illinois is deepening our connection to the natural world,” said Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton . “Now a cherished state symbol, the giant puffball

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today signed into law Senate Bill 3463, an amendment to the Juvenile Court Act, which creates a clear process for implementation of already existing juvenile expungement laws. ? “It is no secret that the procedures of our court system can be difficult to navigate. People deserve to know what resources and rights are available to them,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “By cutting red tape and creating a process where expungement is more accessible, we can create more opportunities for more people who perhaps made a mistake when they were young, as we all have. This is a step in the right direction and I am proud to sign this legislation.” “The juvenile justice system is grounded in the science of juvenile and adolescent brain development,” said Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Director Robert Vickery. “This legislation recognizes that young people may make mistakes on their path to adulthood, but

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Today, Mayor Jones’ administration issued a Request for Proposal soliciting proposals from Certified Public Accountants to provide audit services to the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis. “Our parents and families deserve answers,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “The children of St. Louis and the future of our City are suffering due to mismanagement. Parents and students in St. Louis deserve a school board that is held to the highest standard of financial accountability.” State law (Section 165.181, RSMo.) requires the Mayor to appoint this auditor “at the close of each fiscal school year.” The same law requires the school district to pay for this auditor. The RFP calls for an audit period of three fiscal years starting with the 2023 - 2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. According to district budget documents, the school district’s general operating budget went from a surplus of $17 million to a projected

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law his legislation to clarify that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The measure builds on the work being done by Attorney General Raoul’s office, in collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies, to crack down on child sexual abuse images throughout Illinois. “I initiated this legislation because AI-generated child sexual abuse images are an increasing concern that need to be addressed before technology outpaces our ability to distinguish between AI images and images of real children,” Raoul said. “Just like child sexual abuse images containing real children, AI-generated child pornography is used by predators to lure and groom minors and to normalize their own reprehensible behavior and child sexual abuse. Gov. Pritzker’s signature today will help us address

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, August 13th at 5:30 p.m. at the iMerge Community Center, located in the Riverbender building at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. You’ll be in the know on topics from the evening’s featured speakers, including: - Lisa Brown from The Renaissance X - Markus Boyd from My Just Desserts - Sparkle Sims from Precious Diamond Boutique - Jen Farley from Persnickity by Jen Farley - Alton Main Street will share a synopsis of what was learned through the survey recently taken by 1,500+ community members, which will inform the organization’s strategic plan for the next 3 years. New this year,

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BRUSSELS/EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will cross the river to bring “The Tempest” to three local parks. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, audiences can stop by Brussels Heritage Park in Brussels to catch the show. The production will return to the Riverbend on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at City Park in Edwardsville, then on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Bellevue Park in Belleville. The show runs from 6:30–8 p.m. and is completely free for audiences to attend. “Whatever barriers there might be, we want to just swat those out of the way,” explained Producing Artistic Director Tom Ridgely. “If it’s the cost of the ticket, forget about that. If it’s a river or a bridge or a road that you’re not used to crossing over, we’ll go ahead and cross that ourselves and meet you where you are. We want to make it as easy as possible for folks to just try it out if they haven’t tried it out before.” Ridgl

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ALTON – Country music sensation Scotty McCreery delivered a stellar performance at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, marking a significant success for the venue and the city. The event, organized by the Alton Amphitheater Commission, drew a large crowd, with perfect weather contributing to the evening's success. "We are always thrilled when we bring a national act to Alton. The show was a huge success; people loved it. Scotty put on a great show, and the weather was perfect. By all accounts, it was a home run," said Dan Herkert, Chair of the Alton Amphitheater Commission. McCreery, who has been a prominent figure in the country music scene since winning "American Idol" in 2011, showcased his down-to-earth personality and genuine connection with fans during the event. "Just in the little bit of chance I had before the show, I could see what a very down-to-earth artist he is. He is not one that has an ego. It was great to see him interact with the meet-and-greet

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BELLEVILLE – The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department has announced the passing of retired Deputy Kenneth Joseph, a dedicated public servant whose career spanned over two decades in law enforcement. Joseph, who graduated from Freeburg Community High School in 1958, began his career by serving in the United States Navy for four years. After his military service, he pursued higher education and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from McKendree College. Joseph's law enforcement career commenced in the Village of Freeburg, where he served as a police officer before joining the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department in 1973. Joseph spent 22 years with the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, retiring in 1995. His contributions to the community were significant, and he is remembered for his unwavering commitment to public safety. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of retired St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputy, Mr. Kenneth Joseph," stated the department in a

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ALTON — A fire early Sunday morning, Aug. 11, 2024, completely gutted an unoccupied house undergoing renovation in the 2600 block of Salu Street in Alton, according to local authorities. Firefighters responded to the blaze after receiving a call at 5 a.m. Upon arrival, they found the brick house fully engulfed in flames, with fire burning through the roof. Alton firefighters immediately called for assistance from the East Alton Fire Department. Despite their combined efforts to battle the fire defensively, the house was ultimately gutted and the roof was destroyed. The intense heat from the blaze also caused damage to a neighboring house on the west side, resulting in melted siding and a broken window. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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BELLEVILLE — The identities of a Belleville woman and child who were killed Sunday when a vehicle crashed into a home were released Monday by authorities. Shavonne Green, 35, and Torianna Bohanna, 4, were pronounced dead at the scene in the 100 block of South 8th Street, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Green was pronounced dead at 11:44 a.m., and Bohanna at 11:46 a.m., Dye said. On August 11, 2024, at approximately 9:11 a.m., Belleville Police responded to the 100 block of South 8th Street following reports of a vehicle collision that resulted in a structure fire. Upon arrival, officers found a fully involved structure fire and managed to rescue one juvenile male from the building. However, Green and Bohanna were located deceased inside the residence after the fire was extinguished. Preliminary information at the scene indicated that a person of interest fled on foot. Belleville Police, along with several assisting agencies, quickly canvassed the area.

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss has partnered with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to help bring professional licensing assistance to the Metro East. “A top constituent issue at my office has been the delays and challenges with IDFPR,” said Senator Harriss. “While my office has had success in working alongside this state agency as they navigate transitioning to a more modern system, it made sense to bring them to our area to further assist those having trouble with their applications.” The IDFPR is Illinois’ primary regulatory agency, responsible for ensuring that professional licenses—covering a wide range of fields including healthcare, social work, and business—meet the state’s legislative and regulatory requirements. "We're fortunate to have so many skilled professionals in the Metro East," Senator Harriss added. "It's our responsibility as a state to ensure that licenses

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ALTON - In the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful,” host Brian Trust spoke about his relationship with God and his reasons for starting the “You’re Beautiful” show. The show just celebrated its tenth episode. You can watch or listen at 2 p.m. on Thursdays at RiverBender.com/Beautiful . Trust explained that he decided to start the podcast because he was overwhelmed by peace, joy and love once he developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. He wanted to share those feelings with the community. “When you see this infectious glow, people are like, ‘Yo, Trust, what drugs are you on?’ Man, I’m high on Jesus,” he joked. “I started a relationship with Jesus. Why do I have to wait to know the Bible or the scripture to share this with you? If you want to know what I’m doing, glory be to God, guys, and that’s honest to God why I’m doing this show.” Trust is open about his newness

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COLLINSVILLE – The new Caseyville Elementary School opened its doors with a ribbon cutting and open house on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. This event marked the first public viewing of the new building, which welcomes students for the 2024-25 school year starting Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The newly designed Caseyville Elementary School offers an ADA-compliant, state-of-the-art learning environment. The facility includes larger classrooms, adequate space for support services, a modern gym/cafeteria, a dedicated conference room, improved restrooms, and enhanced air quality. The organized pick-up and drop-off areas aim to improve traffic flow around the school during peak times. A prominent feature of the lobby is a large mural with images of Caseyville students and positive messages in both English and Spanish, reflecting the community's spirit. The original Caseyville Elementary, constructed in 1935 with subsequent additions in 1948 and 1951-61, was located on a four-acre property

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EDWARDSVILLE – Wang Gang Asian Eats, a long-standing Pan-Asian restaurant located at 1035 Century Drive in Edwardsville, has closed its doors after more than 14 years of service. The announcement was made through a statement on the business’s door and Facebook page. “Due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control, Wang Gang is now closed. Thank you for the 14-plus years of support and patronage that has allowed us to be a bigger part of the community,” the statement read. Wang Gang was known for its contemporary take on Pan-Asian cuisine, offering a variety of dishes including noodles, stir-fry, bánh mì sandwiches, and global burgers. Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy commented on the closure, noting that he had not been contacted by the restaurant’s ownership regarding the decision. “The business has been a long-time staple in the Edwardsville community,” Risavy said. The closure marks the end of an era for the local dining

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $15 million in funding for 33 organizations across Illinois for the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED). JTED provides workforce training and wrap-around services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. As part of Illinois' workforce recovery efforts, JTED grants focus on helping increase employment among workers and industries hardest hit by COVID-19. “As we continue to bounce back from the pandemic, my administration remains committed to an equitable workforce recovery that uplifts every worker and industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With an additional $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development Program, we’re providing even more Illinoisans with the skills and support they need to succeed. From revitalizing our healthcare and tourism

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August 12th might seem like any other day, but history tells us otherwise. The Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Division (1961) On August 12, 1961, East German authorities closed the border between East and West Berlin, marking the beginning of the construction of the Berlin Wall. This barrier, which eventually extended 155 kilometers (96 miles), became a powerful symbol of the Cold War's division between the communist East and the capitalist West. The wall physically and ideologically divided families and friends for 28 years until its fall in 1989, which signaled the end of the Cold War era and the beginning of Germany's reunification. Cleopatra's Alleged Suicide: The End of an Era (30 BC) One of history's most famous deaths reportedly occurred on August 12, 30 BC, when Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, is said to have died by suicide. According to legend, she allowed an asp (a venomous snake) to bite her after the defeat of her forces

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EDWARDSVILLE — In a significant move to bolster local infrastructure, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy will hold a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. CDT at Edwardsville City Hall. The event will address the $21,241,730 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation allocated for the Goshen Road and Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation Improvement Project. The substantial grant was awarded to the City of Edwardsville through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, a highly competitive initiative aimed at enhancing safety, sustainability, and connectivity within communities. The funding announcement, initially made in June, was a collaborative effort by Budzinski, alongside U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. The Goshen Road corridor, which will benefit from this project, is a crucial artery for the city, linking commercial areas, schools, residential neighborhoods, a medical

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JERSEYVILLE - For her fifth birthday, Stella Schultz received the biggest gift of all: a heart transplant. The little girl, who turned 5 on July 30, 2024, has spent the last 254 days in Children’s Hospital. But Stella is home now and recovering from the surgery, and her parents, Karrie and Matt Schultz, could not be more grateful to God and the people who have followed Stella’s story over the past eight months. “We were in the basement earlier today and we heard feet running across the floor upstairs. That is music to our ears,” Karrie said. “God literally performed a miracle for her.” Karrie spent most of the morning writing down a list of miracles that God has performed for Stella. She remembers the beginning of Stella’s illness, when her daughter’s days of being a healthy and energetic 4-year-old suddenly stopped. Stella’s heart wasn’t squeezing, and she was quickly becoming very sick. Within five days at Children’s,

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that an intersection replacement project on Illinois 3 between Niedringhaus Avenue and Rock Road will begin as planned weather permitting, at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. To complete the necessary work, Illinois 3 will be closed to through traffic at 20th Street. Motorists should follow the marked detour as follows: Illinois 3 northbound: Illinois 3 to Plank Road to Packers Avenue to eastbound Interstate 70 to northbound Interstate 255 to westbound Interstate 270 to Illinois 3. Illinois 3 southbound: Illinois 3 to eastbound I-270 to southbound I-255 to westbound I-55/70 to Illinois 3. The work is expected to be completed by mid-September. Drivers are urged to remain alert while traveling the marked detour throughout construction. Drivers should reduce speed, obey all construction signage and refrain from using mobile devices while driving the detour route.

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EDWARDSVILLE - More details have surfaced concerning the attempted kidnapping of a child in Edwardsville reported last week on Riverbender.com . Jennifer S. Haley, 60, of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 2, 2024 with one count each of attempted aggravated kidnapping (a Class 1 felony), aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), and unlawful restraint (A Class 4 felony). The day prior on Aug. 1, 2024, Haley allegedly grabbed a two-year-old child and refused to return them to their mother. A petition filed to deny Haley’s pretrial release offers more insight into the moments leading up to the incident. “Victim reported that she was walking with her two-year-old daughter on N. Main Street and the young girl went to say ‘hi’ to a woman sitting on the sidewalk,” the petition states. “The woman, the defendant, grabbed the two-year-old victim and pulled her close. The defendant then restrained the child, refusing to give her back to her mother, claimin

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