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WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated today, various Illinois political figures expressed their perspectives on the significance of the event and its implications for the state and the nation. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, representing Illinois' 13th Congressional District, emphasized her commitment to her constituents despite differing views on the new president. "I swore an oath to serve the people of Illinois' 13th Congressional District, and that commitment will always come first—regardless of who occupies the White House," Budzinski stated. She noted her focus on bipartisan cooperation to address economic challenges in Central and Southern Illinois. In Dieterich, State Representative Adam Niemerg expressed optimism about Trump's inaugural address, stating that it represented a vision of hope. "We have seen what happens when our leaders put the needs of regular Americans last," Niemerg said, criticizing previous administrations for their

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WOOD RIVER - An East Alton man accused of aggravated robbery in the parking lot of the Wood River Recreation Center has been released after a Madison County court found insufficient evidence was presented in the case against him. Antonio M. Shaw, 19, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated robbery (a Class 1 felony), robbery (a Class 2 felony), and theft (a Class 3 felony). On Jan 12, 2024, Shaw allegedly stole two pairs of Air Jordan shoes from two different victims after “indicating verbally or by his actions …. that he was presently armed with a firearm.” According to a petition to deny his pretrial release, the incident unfolded at the Wood River Recreation Center when officers responded to a report of a robbery. One of the victims told authorities they were meeting with Shaw “to exchange a pair of shoes for a laptop computer.” “Upon arrival, victim and victim’s mother observed defendant along with two other individuals,”

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PIASA — Ian Brantley, a senior athlete for the Piasa Birds, has made a significant impact on the basketball court this season, averaging approximately 17 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He is 6-foot-7 inches tall and has outstanding rebounding and shooting ability. Brantley's versatility has drawn attention from opposing teams, often leading them to double-team him. Brantley is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Brantley’s offensive skills include the ability to make three to four three-point shots in many of the Piasa Birds' games, which opens opportunities for his teammates. Coach Jason Darr highlighted Brantley’s contributions, stating, "Offensively, he is our leading scorer, rebounds the basketball, and defensively his presence inside makes it hard to score around the basket. He is a shot blocker, and his presence is felt." In addition to his basketball prowess, Brantley has also showcased his athletic

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PIASA - Vivian Zurheide, a dynamic 6-foot junior at Southwestern High School, is making her mark this season as a standout player for the girls' basketball team. Known for her scoring ability and impressive ball-handling skills, Zurheide plays a pivotal role in both offensive and defensive strategies alongside teammate Gracie Darr. Vivian is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month. Zurheide and Darr share responsibilities on the court, each contributing to the team’s success. Coach Darren Mosley highlighted their complementary skills, stating, "On the basketball floor, they are not the same player, but they complement one another." This season, Zurheide has been tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player, while also excelling as a top scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. In addition to basketball, Zurheide is a prominent athlete in volleyball and softball, further showcasing her versatility as a three-sport athlete. Coach Mosley praised

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ROXANA — Roxana sophomore Cohen Dugan has emerged as a key player for the Roxana High School basketball team, averaging 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. His contributions on the court have earned him recognition as a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. Dugan, who plays as a shooting guard, has shown significant growth in his game this season. Coach Mark Briggs noted that Dugan has developed not only his shooting skills but also his defensive capabilities. “Cohen has really adapted and is buying into playing both ends of the court,” Briggs said. “This year, he has had the opportunity to play varsity basketball and it is like a switch has gone off; he is good on both ends of the court.” In addition to his basketball achievements, Dugan is also a member of the Roxana football team, further demonstrating his athletic versatility. As the Shells continue their season, Dugan remains a player to watch as he contributes

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ALTON - Sacred Spaces of CARE is gearing up for a great 2025 with several events already planned. The Alton-based nonprofit works with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use and mental illness. They help connect people to resources, and they also work with the Alton Police Department to respond to crises in the community. They have multiple events planned in the next few weeks, including a film screening and a trivia night fundraiser. “There’s significant need out there,” said Megan Tyler, founder of Sacred Spaces. “But also, one thing I want to talk about today is we still need to celebrate the success stories, because these are people’s lives behind these numbers…We do have those numbers, but we need to tell stories and we need to understand that those are people behind those numbers.” From 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, community members are invited to a “Community Connect” event at Cal

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JERSEYVILLE — Jaxon Brunaugh made history Friday night, Jan. 17, 2025, as he became Jersey Community High School's all-time leading scorer, surpassing a long-standing record set by former player and now Panthers' head coach Matt Murphy. Brunaugh scored 12 points during a game against Civic Memorial, bringing his career total to 1,489 points, just one point ahead of Murphy's previous record of 1,488 points, which had stood since 2012. Brunaugh is a Sparklight Male Athlete Of The Month for the Panthers. Brunaugh's achievement not only marks a significant milestone in his athletic career but also highlights his journey as an inspiration to younger players at the school. Murphy, who graduated in 2012, was a prominent figure in Jersey basketball, holding the all-time records for both points and rebounds, with 958 rebounds to his name. Brunaugh has often looked up to Coach Murphy and admired the legacy he created. Following the game, Brunaugh expressed his pride in the accomplishment

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CARROLLTON - Carrollton High School is gearing up for its next Career Fair on Feb. 27, 2025, showcasing a variety of career options to students while shining a spotlight on the opportunities available from local businesses. Blaine Hartwick, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Carrollton High School, said he’s excited to see the Career Fair return to CHS for 2025. “Carrollton High School is proud to be hosting our Career Fair for students again!” Hartwick said. “Students have the opportunity to engage with local businesses and have conversations about different career options.” This year’s event will take place in the CHS cafeteria. Participating businesses are asked to begin setup at 8 a.m., with the Career Fair officially kicking off at 9 a.m. and concluding by 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided for all exhibitors. Hartwick said the purpose behind the Career Fair is two-fold, aiming to benefit both students and local businesses. “Our

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ALTON—Local leaders and community members gathered at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church on Amelia Street in Alton on Sunday, January 14, 2024, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of the national holiday commemorating the civil rights leader on Monday. The event, organized by the Alton Branch of the NAACP, included tributes to both Dr. King and the late James Gray, a long-time member of the organization. Leon Smallwood, President of the Alton Branch of the NAACP, reflected on the event's success, describing it as a "wonderful great program" that paid tribute to both Dr. King and Gray, whom he referred to as a "legend and icon." Smallwood highlighted the contributions of the day's speakers, including Reginald Riddle-Young, a journalist with the East St. Louis Monitor. He also thanked Alton Branch of the NAACP Youth President Tori Porter, for the efforts to represent the younger generations at the ceremony. Alton Mayor Goins expressed the significance

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EDWARDSVILLE - Community members gathered at Mt. Joy Church for a special service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On MLK Day on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, Mt. Joy Church welcomed attendees to the 39th annual Martin Luther King celebration with music, speeches and prayers that recognized King’s legacy. Featured speaker Crystal Officer addressed this year’s theme, “Faith Over Fear: Courageous Leadership in Times of Change.” “I do thank you for being here today as we gather together in a moment that demands more than just remembrance, as we come together today not just to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory and legacy, but to reignite the living flame of his vision in our hearts and throughout our community,” Officer said. To kick off the service, Pastor Matthew Ware from Love Fellowship Outreach Ministries of Granite City led attendees in prayer. Otis Redditt, a renowned local musician, provided a rendition of “Lift Every Voice.&rdquo

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SWANSEA — Two in Swansea face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an investigation into alleged animal neglect that left several dogs in dire conditions. On Jan. 15, 2025, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office received a case that led to 12 felony counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and 12 misdemeanor counts of Cruelty to Animals against Paige N. Clubb, 24, and Dorian H. Pattumma, 25. The charges stemmed from an incident that began with a call to the Swansea Police Department at 4:19 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2025, regarding possible animal neglect in the 1500 block of North Belt West. According to the Swansea Police, the couple had vacated the residence just one week prior to the complaint, leaving behind nine malnourished and emaciated dogs confined to crates without food or water. Officers also discovered three deceased dogs in the garage during their inspection of the property. Following the initial complaint, police consulted with the St. Clai

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ALTON – According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, abundant evidence shows that medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone all reduce opioid use and opioid use disorder-related symptoms, and they reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission as well as criminal behavior associated with drug use. Additionally, these medications also increase the likelihood that a person will remain in treatment, which itself is associated with lower risk of overdose mortality, reduced risk of infectious disease transmission, reduced criminal justice involvement, and greater likelihood of employment. That’s why, the Psychological Services department at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center (1 St. Anthony’s Way, Alton) is hosting an upcoming “lunch & learn” program exploring how Medications for Addiction Therapy (MAT) can assist in recovery when other options have not been successful. This “lunch & learn” program (ideal for

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ILLINOIS - Golden Apple, a non-profit committed to preparing, supporting and mentoring aspiring teachers, is accepting applications for both its Accelerators and Scholars programs. Through these programs, Golden Apple seeks to provide pathways for aspiring educators to enter the profession and fill crucial open teaching positions across the state. Illinois faces an ongoing teacher shortage crisis, leading to classrooms lacking the highly-effective, well-qualified educators our students deserve. A report earlier this year from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents found that there were more than 4,000 teaching positions unfilled for the 2023-2024 school year, with 91% of school leaders indicating experiencing a teacher shortage. “Recruiting the new cohorts of our Scholars and Accelerators programs is always an exciting and meaningful opportunity for our team to engage with hundreds of aspiring educators who have the passion for shaping our next generation,”

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MARYVILLE - The Maryville Kiwanis Club is thriving as 2025 begins. Six new members were inducted at the club’s January 15th meeting. According to Wayne White, Membership Chair, the club members have been intentional in their invitations to prospective members and it has paid off. White said, “Our club is very active in the community and when prospective members learn about the service projects that our club provides in our community, it is easy for them to want to join.” The club has one of its service projects coming up in February. Kiwanians will staff the local laundry mat (Sudz Wash) the weekend following Valentine’s Day. “During those two days (February 15th & 16th), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. we will conduct our annual Loads of Love project,” said Julie Clark, club president. “Kiwanians will greet those utilizing the laundry mat at the door and let them know that the club is paying for their laundry as a Valentine’s

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced $14.7 million in federal grant funding will be used to extend the state’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) beyond June 30, 2025. The funding will be awarded to the existing 15 providers announced in 2024. LFPA was launched as the Illinois – Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems (IL-EATS) program in 2022 by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in a joint effort to transform the food system. Under the program, lead agencies such as food banks and non-profit organizations receive grant funds to purchase food from underserved farmers at a fair market value which is then provided at no cost to food-insecure communities. The program prioritizes ensuring culturally responsive fresh foods are available to Illinois’ most vulnerable families. “The continuation of this vital program ensures that those at bot

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 18 states, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit defending a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule establishing the first nationwide drinking water standards for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances “PFAS” under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The federal rule expands nationwide drinking water protections to add four PFAS analytes, known as “forever” chemicals, and sets enforceable standards for six PFAS chemicals found in drinking water across the country: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFNA, and PFBS. The rule sets regulations for each chemical individually, and as mixtures, recognizing appropriately that these threats cannot be addressed in isolation. Under the rule, public water systems across the United States are required to test and, if necessary, treat drinking water for these contaminants. “As the name implies, forever chemicals

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College’s student news publication, The Bridge, took the top awards in general excellence at this fall’s Illinois Community College Journalism Association conference. “I am incredibly proud of our team,” Editor in Chief Jeannette Carrington said. “This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of each staff member. It is not only encouraging for our current efforts but also a significant boost for everyone's resumes and future careers, whether they choose to pursue journalism or any other field. These awards highlight the exceptional skills and commitment of our team, and I am confident that this recognition will open many doors for all of us.” Carrington herself won five awards, the most of any staff member. Altogether, the 2023-2024 staff netted 22 awards: News Story (Division II) - First Place: Isabelle Flener, “Beloved College HR Coordinator Leaves a Lasting

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CHICAGO - As the U.S. Supreme Court reviews an important case that could impact access to internet and phone service for millions of people living in rural areas in Illinois and across the country, Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a bipartisan effort urging the court to keep in place a fund that supports those services. Congress established the Universal Service Fund (USF) in 1996 to promote the infrastructure necessary to provide nationwide communications services (including internet and phone service) to rural communities, schools, and low-income users, among other populations. The resources allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through the USF help make it financially feasible for telecommunications companies to provide affordable service in those areas, including for schools, libraries and health care providers. In their amicus brief, Raoul and officials from other states argue that the USF has been critical to realizing the benefits envisioned by Congress

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SPRINGFIELD - Winter brings cold arctic air to Illinois and as residents turn up their thermostats to stay warm the risk of a home heating fire or Carbon Monoxide incident increases. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms are functioning properly. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 40,997 fires involving heating equipment per year from 2018-2022, accounting for 12% of all reported home fires during this time, and these fires resulted in annual losses of 470 civilian deaths. Space heaters were the type of heating equipment responsible for the largest shares of losses in home heating

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In recent years, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has transitioned from a rare perk to a widespread norm. Many organizations have adopted flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to perform their duties from home or other locations outside the traditional office environment. While this shift has brought numerous benefits, it has also raised questions about its impact on employee productivity. This article explores the implications of remote work on productivity, backed by research, examples, and practical advice for both employers and employees. The Rise of Remote Work According to a report by Gartner, as of 2021, about 47% of organizations planned to allow employees to work remotely full-time. This change was not just a temporary response to the pandemic; it reflects an evolving understanding of work-life balance and employee preferences. The flexibility of remote work can lead to increased job satisfaction, reduced commuting stress, and improved

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