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ILLINOIS - As National Kinship Care Awareness Month comes to a close, representatives from Brightpoint are sharing more about their work to keep kids with family members. As an organization, Brightpoint provides foster care and support services to kids and families across the state of Illinois. Loni Wilson, LCSW, Statewide Director of Foster Care, shared that while there will always be a need for traditional foster parents, Brightpoint makes kinship care — foster care that places a child with a relative or someone else known to the child — a priority. “We know that outcomes for our families are going to be so much better if we can keep families together at their core,” Wilson explained. “We really do try to make sure whenever possible we can keep kids with their family, however that is defined for them…Our goal is always to ensure that our kids are stable and that they are loved and that they’re able to maintain those cultural connections,

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O’FALLON, Ill. – HSHS Medical Group is pleased to welcome Dr. Roula al-Dahhak, a board-certified neurologist, to HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - St. Elizabeth’s at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., Suite 5000, O’Fallon, Illinois. Dr. al-Dahhak has more than 30 years of clinical experience. She specializes in neuromuscular diseases, clinical neurophysiology and cognitive rehabilitation. As a staff physician at John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, Dr. al-Dahhak founded the Memory Training Center, where she offered personalized cognitive training programs for adults experiencing memory and attention difficulties. She holds board certifications in neurology, clinical neurophysiology and neuromuscular medicine from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. After earning her medical degree from Damascus University Faculty of Medicine in Damascus, Syria, Dr. al-Dahhak completed her neurology residency at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus,

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions recently celebrated an Adoption Day event at the St. Clair County Courts, where 15 children in Caritas’ care officially joined their forever families. Held at the St. Clair County Courthouse in collaboration with Judge Elaine LeChien, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and other adoption and family services agencies, Adoption Day is expected to become an annual event where families gather to celebrate and finalize adoptions. “Adoption Day has quickly become one of our favorite days of the year and serves as a reminder of why we do what we do,” said Brooke Portz, Assistant Program Director of Foster Care at Caritas. “There is nothing that compares to the joy of seeing children find safe, loving, and permanent homes. These moments reflect the heart of our mission, while also honoring the dedication of the families who open their hearts and homes, and the tireless commitment of caseworkers

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MARYVILLE - Maryville Christian School has welcomed back alumna McKayla Hendrick as part of its teaching staff, where she now educates students in sixth-grade social studies and seventh-grade Bible. Hendrick, a 2020 graduate of Maryville Christian School, returned to her alma mater after earning a degree in History and Secondary Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In her second year of teaching at Maryville Christian School, Hendrick expressed appreciation for the community that shaped her experience as a student. “When I was a student at MCS, my favorite thing was the family-like community I experienced and the care and intention I received from my teachers. It’s what inspired me to become a teacher myself!” she said. Hendrick described her current role as a privilege, and said: “I feel both blessed and privileged that I now get to continue experiencing the care and community of MCS as a staff member.”

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JERSEYVILLE - As the harvest season commences, students at Jersey Community High School have started an initiative to promote road safety for farm vehicles. The JCHS Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter formed the Safety in Agriculture Committee to support farmers. They recently launched the "Start Seeing Farmers" initiative, which aims to bring awareness to farm vehicles and the importance of patience when encountering these vehicles on the road. “I decided that the ‘Start Seeing Farmers’ initiative would be good because we’re a very large farming community, and it could help us,” said Tucker Woolsey. “I feel like it would help the community, being able to get it out there and say, ‘Hey, there are these things that we could do to help prevent other issues.’” Woolsey, a sophomore at JCHS, serves as the 2025–2026 FFA sentinel. He is leading the Safety in Agriculture Committee and has worked hard to spread the word

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BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident reported near the intersection of West Main Street and Carbon Street on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2025. The department was notified around 4 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2025, after a student from Belleville West High School reported the incident. Authorities have not confirmed the nature of the event and are addressing conflicting statements. "We are aware that there are other social media posts classifying the incident as a Child Abduction or an Attempted Child Abduction circulating on social media," the Belleville Police said. “At this time, there are conflicting statements regarding what occurred,” the Belleville Police Department said in a statement. “This is an ongoing investigation.” Officials are urging anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and who may have witnessed anything or has information to contact the Belleville Police Department. No

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VIRDEN — A 28-year-old Virden man faces multiple charges after allegedly breaking into two homes and damaging a police vehicle in the same community. Timothy J. Garrison was charged with two counts of residential burglary and one count of criminal damage to government property. On September 20, 2025, Garrison allegedly broke into two residences on the same street in Virden with the intent to commit theft. Additionally, he is accused of damaging a Virden police car by breaking a door handle. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement in support of Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s lawsuit filed against the Trump administration in response to its unlawful takeover of the National Guard to deploy troops to Portland. “I proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with my colleague Attorney General Dan Rayfield as he challenges Donald Trump’s unlawful, un-American takeover of Oregon’s National Guard. And I absolutely condemn the president’s deployment of American servicemembers against their fellow Oregonians, in direct violation of the Constitution. “It is unlawful for the president to deploy National Guard units without the consent of and over the opposition of state and local leadership. It is unlawful under the Posse Comitatus Act for National Guard units to perform routine law enforcement functions, such as searches, seizures and arrests, that our local law enforcement officers conduct in our communities each day.

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CHICAGO – Gov. Pritzker released the following statement in response to the federal deployments in the Village of Broadview: “The State of Illinois is closely monitoring the federal deployments in the Village of Broadview. Public safety is always my top priority, and the Illinois State Police remain in close communication with the Broadview Police Department to monitor and maintain public safety. “Whether it be in Broadview here in Illinois or in Portland, Oregon, the Trump Administration is intentionally creating chaos to threaten sending military troops to American cities and suburbs. The suggestion that chemical agents like tear gas or pepper spray could be used indiscriminately against peaceful demonstrators, or even first responders, is unacceptable and not normal. "Illinois will always defend Americans’ right to peacefully protest and make their voices heard. We denounce any violence against the general public, members of the media, and law enforcement

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MOUNT VERNON, Ill. – Today, 25 Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs met in Mt. Vernon to discuss the impacts of the Trump Administration’s harmful agenda on rural communities in Southern Illinois and beyond. Leaders highlighted the escalating crisis in healthcare access, failing infrastructure, and the crushing toll tariffs are taking on local and regional farmers, just some of the devastating consequences of Trump’s failures. “Donald Trump’s agenda is devastating our rural communities. He’s recklessly cut healthcare access and education funding, all while our farmers are being crushed by his needless tariffs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s completely irresponsible and against the best interests of all Southern Illinoisians. They deserve people who will fight for them, and as long as I’m governor that’s what I’ll do every single day.” “Southern Illinois families deserve leaders wh

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a multistate coalition on Friday in opposing a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) effort targeting providers of gender-affirming care to minors. On July 28, the FTC issued a Request for Public Comment to solicit public information about gender-affirming care, especially as it relates to minors. According to Raoul and the coalition, the FTC’s request was a badly disguised effort to intimidate and interfere with the deeply private relationship between health care providers and the patients who rely on them for medically necessary gender-affirming care. “The Trump administration’s attempt to politicize an independent consumer-protection focused agency is unprecedented and the latest in a string of discriminatory laws and policies targeting the very existence of the transgender community. Relying on faulty pseudoscience to attempt to punish health care providers for upholding their medical oath is illegal and sets a dangerous

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s abrupt, needless and wasteful speech to much of our nation’s top military leadership on Tuesday, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)—members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—pressed the Secretary on the serious risks that such a gathering poses to security—on top of the monstrous cost to American taxpayers as Republicans march us toward a government shutdown. In a letter to Secretary Hegseth, the Senators requested a briefing or detailed written answers to over a dozen questions, including what these additional flights, hotel rooms and other expenses will cost taxpayers, what impacts this meeting will have on operations around the globe in the absence of senior leadership and more. Emphasizing the impacts this meeting could have on security, the Senators wrote, “If reports are accurate, this gathering would represent an unprecedented

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging unlawful conditions the Trump administration is attempting to apply to longstanding reproductive and sexual health education programs for youth. The Trump administration is threatening to pull funding directed to states for these programs if the educational materials include language affirming young people’s gender identity. “This illegal action by the Trump administration is a cruel effort to deny comprehensive, inclusive sexual education to young people for purely political reasons,” Raoul said. “All students deserve to feel safe and supported at school, and I remain committed to standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ students.” In Illinois, these federal grants at issue support comprehensive, evidence-based educational programming to reduce pregnancy, HIV and

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) announces that $19.6 million was returned to consumers this year from lost or unclaimed life insurance policies and annuities, thanks to the Life Policy Locator service available to consumers at no charge. “September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, an ideal time to remind Illinoisans to use the free Life Policy Locator tool on our website if they believe they are the beneficiary of a deceased loved one’s unclaimed policy,” said IDOI Director Ann Gillespie . “Illinois requires insurance companies to attempt to find the beneficiaries of deceased policyholders when life insurance or annuity proceeds remain unpaid. We want to help people claim those benefits.” The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that millions of dollars in life insurance benefits remain unclaimed each year. Check for unclaimed life insurance policies at these sites: IDOI: Life Policy Locator

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As cooler weather sets in and busy fall schedules take over, families are turning to one-pot meals for quick, comforting dinners. These dishes offer the perfect balance of flavor, nutrition and convenience — and dairy products play a starring role. “One-pot meals are ideal for busy families because they save time in the kitchen and cut down on dishes,” said Maggie Nosic, registered dietitian and nutrition educator with St. Louis District Dairy Council. “Adding milk, cheese or yogurt not only boosts flavor and creaminess, but also provides protein, calcium and vitamin D.” Popular one-pot dishes featuring dairy include white chicken chili made with Greek yogurt, cheesy chicken and rice skillets with vegetables, creamy tomato basil tortellini soup, loaded potato and broccoli soup, and classic beef stroganoff finished with sour cream. These meals highlight how dairy adds richness and flavor while pairing easily with fall produce. Nutrition experts note tha

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NORMAL - The Illinois State University Planetarium, ISU Astronomy Club, and Twin City Amateur Astronomers are collaborating to host a free International Observe the Moon Night event on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Held at the ISU Planetarium, the show will feature hands-on activities to celebrate the moon at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. An astronomical observing session, using large telescopes, will follow at 8 p.m., weather permitting. For more information on this worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation and understanding of our moon and its connection to space science, exploration, and human culture., visit International Observe the Moon Night at the Illinois State University Planetarium - News - Illinois State .”

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group arrested 38-year-old Michelle A. Schultz of Belleville for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony). On September 26, 2025, ISP Special Agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department (ESLPD) to assist with a homicide investigation that occurred in the 6900 block of Church Lane. The victim, 67-year-old Van T. Perry of East St. Louis, IL, was stabbed multiple times inside his residence and later pronounced deceased. After a thorough investigation by ISP and ESLPD, Schulz was identified as the suspect. On September 28, 2025, the case was presented to St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric, and the above-mentioned charge was filed. ? Schultz is currently in-custody during the issuance of charges. No further information is available. The charge is not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty

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ALTON - A local Girl Scout recently went above and beyond to serve her community. Kennedy Ridgley, a freshman at Alton High School, has completed her Silver Award, one of the highest honors a Girl Scout can achieve. As part of this award, Kennedy built two buddy benches for Lovejoy Elementary School students so they can learn how to make friends. “Kids around the world don’t get the basic social skills on how to make friends,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to help out with that and just teach them that it’s not that scary once you know what to do.” On Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, Kennedy and fellow Girl Scout Chloe Freeman showed the students at Lovejoy Elementary School how to use the buddy benches. Kennedy explained that students can sit on the benches, and their friends can approach them to make conversation or ask to play. The benches will be placed on the Lovejoy Elementary School playground. Kennedy started working on her Silver Award project

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Do a web search for “a life well lived,” and you might just find Wally Fisher’s picture. The 87 year-old from Jerseyville, Illinois, is adding her voice to those marking 100 years since the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George came to St. Louis, Missouri . The Sisters eventually established what today is OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in nearby Alton, Illinois. Fisher’s story Fisher hails from northern Germany. After eighth grade, her parents said her school days were over, and helping on the family farm would be her profession. But turning 18 afforded her some freedom. Fisher says she met the Sisters, who introduced her to nursing and recruited her to come to America and work at Saint Anthony’s. “I think they thought we would become nuns,” Fisher says with a smile. Instead, it was the start of a long career serving the sick at Saint Anthony’s – from 1961 to 1997. “I couldn’t

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GRANITE CITY – A man accused of sharing child porn via Reddit faces three Class X felonies after authorities linked the Reddit account to his Granite City address. Cameron K. Krause, 21, of Granite City, was charged with three Class X felony counts of child pornography on Sept. 25, 2025. On March 6, 2025, Krause allegedly shared multiple video files via Reddit depicting children under the age of 13 engaged in sex acts with adults. According to the state’s petition to deny his pretrial release from custody, the investigation began after detectives with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department “received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a suspect was disseminating child sexual abuse material via Reddit.” After serving Reddit and Spectrum with search warrants and/or subpoenas, authorities linked the IP address associated with the dissemination of child porn to an address in Granite City. The case was then transferred

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