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ST, LOUIS - City Museum's July 4th Fest celebrates the Independence Day holiday from July 1 through July 10 with amazing activities including Circus Harmony acts, music, great fair-style food, and patriotic craft-making fun. The City Museum rooftop will come alive daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.with 10 days of Circus Harmony’s fantastical acts, music by the incomparable DJ Rico Steez, and more. Grillmasters will be fixing sliders, hotdogs, and cheeseburgers. Ice cream, wine slushies, and other summer drink refreshers also will be available. Artists will help guests make flags, paper fans, and souvenir key chains throughout the days. On July 4, City Museum will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the rooftop closing at 5:30 p.m. for the City Nights: Electric Sky event. CITY NIGHTS: ELECTRIC SKY On the night of July 4, City Museum will host its annual rooftop fireworks watch party -- City Nights: Electric Sky, from 7 -11 p.m. The Rooftop offers a stunning 360-degree

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, which constrained the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. “Climate change is a real and present danger to our communities, and the EPA must have the ability to combat it by effectively regulating the emission of greenhouse gases. I am disappointed with today’s decision, but I will continue to fight to protect the environment and the health of Illinois residents.”

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ALTON - YWCA is again offering free community tutoring sessions on Thursdays from July 7 – August 8, 2022, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at YWCA, 304 E Third Street in Alton. The program structure includes Math and Reading instruction for grades K-6, lunch, a fun enrichment activity, and a snack. Content builds upon previous session instruction, so attendance at each session is highly recommended. Sessions are designed to focus on the development of Math and Reading skills as well as social and emotional skills. Research shows that students lose approximately 1 to 2 months’ worth of reading and math skills over the summer, with the loss being greater in math than reading. Dorothy Hummel, YWCA Executive Director, “is proud of the collaborations with Scholars on the Rise Tutoring, the Alton-based Summer Lunch program, and financial support from Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery. It is wonderful to see area teachers and volunteers come back year after to serve these

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SEE VIDEO: EDWARDSVILLE - Buff City Soap had an official ribbon cutting this past week at its new 2238 Troy Road in Edwardsville location. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce conducted the ribbon cut. If someone wants the unique experience of everything handmade, they can visit Buff City Soap in Edwardsville. “Buff City likes to be involved with other businesses because we do fundraising and donating to events, pop-ups,” Taylor Riechmann, Maker Manager, Buff City Soap in Edwardsville. “Everything is plant-based and there are no harsh chemicals used. You can come in and customize products because we hand make it all. We love meeting new people every day.” "Our Makers are whipping up delightfully fragrant creations to share with you no matter how you choose to shop: online or at our Soap Makery,” Riechmann said. “We take tremendous pride in handcrafting each and every bar of soap in our Soap Makery. Each soap is truly unique.”

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - Record holiday gas prices won’t stop many Americans from traveling by car this Independence Day weekend, AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria pointed out today. The gas prices this Independence Day weekend will be the most ever, Chabarria said. "Despite national gas prices being $1.74 more per average gallon compared to last year and the most expensive ever for the holiday, Americans will travel by car in record numbers this July 4th weekend," he said. "AAA expects 42 million Americans to travel by car, the most on record for that mode of travel during the holiday. "In total, 47.9 million Americans will travel this Independence Day weekend, just shy of 2019 levels. The increase in volume, due largely to pent-up demand for travel, will put more pressure on the demand for fuel. This is occurring as supplies remain tight around the globe for crude oil and refined products. While gas prices have been dropping over the last two weeks, it is possible they could reverse

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WICHITA, KANSAS - More than 1,870 students completed a total of 2,075 degrees at Wichita State University in spring 2022. The breakdown of degrees and certificates granted includes: * Undergraduate: 1,474 degrees and certificates for 1,347 undergraduate students * Graduate: 601 degrees and certificates for 526 graduate students For bachelor's degrees, honors were conferred to the following: * Summa cum laude: 100 students * Magna cum laude: 411 students * Cum laude: 357 students Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award, and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude. Jerseyville, IL Morgan M Cook, BS in Nursing, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville Public Works Department announced today that it will begin its annual Oil and Chip program on July 5, running through July 7, weather permitting. The program will affect more than 47,000 square yards in the City, covering nearly 30 streets and three alleys. (please see the attached list of affected streets and alleys). As part of the annual program, street maintenance crew members spay oil on the road and then add a layer of small rock known as slag to maintain the streets and alleys, which comes at a significantly lower cost compared to full resurfacing programs. The affected streets will experience temporary closures and motorists should expect delays. No parking signs will be placed in the areas where crews will be working prior to operations so that residents can make arrangements for parking and travel. For any additional questions, please contact Matt Taul, Superintendent of Streets and Fleet Maintenance at 618-692-7535. Complete

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CHICAGO — Beginning tomorrow, the Illinois Family Relief Plan will go into effect, making good on the promise by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to provide relief on the grocery tax, gas tax, and property taxes. The plan totals an estimated $1.83 billion in relief, including income and property tax rebates and a temporary cut in several sales taxes. “Starting tomorrow, every Illinoisan will get tax relief on essentials: groceries, gas, your home, and back-to-school supplies, with even more tax relief going into effect next year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are sending $1.8 billion in tax relief to Illinois families – and we are doing that because Democrats balanced the budget, eliminated the bill backlog, and state government is now running a surplus. In challenging times like these, it’s more important than ever to have a government whose first focus is on working families and those who are struggling, and leadership that provides

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WICHITA, KANSAS - Wichita State University has announced the names of 3,178 students who were on the WSU Dean's Honor Roll for spring 2022. To be included on the honor roll, a student must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5-grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Edwardsville, IL Matthew J Boyer

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ALTON - Patriotic music and celebration will be the theme of the week as the Alton Municipal Band kicks off Independence Day weekend with its annual Star-Spangled Spectacular. Audiences will enjoy classic patriotic marches and sing along to popular songs like “God Bless the USA.” The concert will feature the always-popular David Guebert as vocal soloist, who will lead the audience in singing all of the traditional patriotic songs. The band will also pay tribute to veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The concert will be performed on Thursday, June 30th at Riverview Park (7:30 PM), and on Sunday, July 3rd at Haskell Park (7:00 PM).

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ST. LOUIS - Today Mayor Tishaura O. Jones enacted Board Bill #1AA, the City’s $1.2 billion budget for the Fiscal Year 2023. The new budget is the first in two years to be passed out by the Board of Aldermen following its approval at the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. “Budgets are moral documents, and from public safety to city services, this plan affirms our values,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This is the first budget approved by the Board of Aldermen and sent to the mayor’s desk since 2019, and it demonstrates how city leaders can work together even after this month’s shocking resignations. I appreciate the work of Comptroller Darlene Green, President Joe Vollmer, and members of the Board for their work in getting this to my desk to sign.” Highlights of the budget include: - A three percent raise for City employees, on top of their annual 1.5 percent merit raise, to make St. Louis more competitive in hiring and retention, along

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EAST ALTON - River Bend Calvary Chapel hosts recording artists Temple Veil for an evening of contemporary worship music. This worship band hails from Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City and is making a night stop in the Riverbend. Temple Veil will be performing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5th. River Bend Calvary Chapel is located at 4 St. Kevin Dr., East Alton, 62024. Admission to the event is free, offerings will be accepted. For more information call 618-258-7700.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul was joined today by Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, law enforcement representatives, and gun safety advocates to announce a new state-of-the-art online platform to assist law enforcement agencies in investigating gun crimes and identifying the sources of illegal guns. Raoul announced the new platform – dubbed Crime Gun Connect – at a press conference this morning in Chicago. “Crime Gun Connect will allow law enforcement agencies around Illinois to access critical crime-gun trace records more efficiently than ever before, giving them a new tool in their fight against gun violence,” Raoul said. “This new platform will digitize gun tracing records that today must be requested on paper, slowing investigations and hampering efforts to bring justice to victims. I would like to thank Everytown for their work in the development of this critical state-of-the-art resource.” Crime Gun Connect

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ALTON - Hayley Porter is one of those softball girls who will not be forgotten at Marquette Catholic High School. Hayley, a catcher this season, posted an amazing .472 batting average this season and had an on-base percentage of .500. Hayley had 42 hits, scored 27 runs, and had 9 sacrifices with 13 stolen bases. Hayley was a third-team All-State selection. She is an exceptional student and one of three athletes at Marquette to receive First Team All-Conference, All-Academic. For her tremendous athletic efforts on the softball field, Hayley is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire, Inc., Female Athlete of the Month for Marquette Catholic. Hayley's .472 batting average placed her in the top 15 on St. Louis Post Dispatch Area Leaderboard. "I enjoy softball because I love the competition and all of the friendships it has brought me and all of the memories I make with my team while playing," Hayley said. "I am most thankful for my parents Debbie and Bill Porter, teammates, and all o

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ALTON – Diane Mize had quite the adventure while driving to her very first day of work at Alton Memorial Hospital. But she didn’t let it discourage her from coming back. After all, that was 50 years ago. Diane has been working in the Digestive Health Center for 35 years now, but her total service time dates back to June 12, 1972, when she started on the old Med-Surg Unit on the first floor of the hospital’s Hatch Wing. “I was driving here in an old Ford Fairlane,” Diane said of her first day. “The hood came loose and flew up on the windshield. I had quite a time getting here, but I managed to arrive on time.” Although that was her first day as a full-time employee, Diane already knew the way to AMH from her home in Gillespie, Ill. She was a 1972 graduate of the Alton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, which closed its doors just a year later. While the vast majority of the school’s alumni have either passed away or are retired,

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The deceased in a homicide in the 12200 block of Culpepper Drive has been identified as Michael Smith, 37 years of age, of the 1600 block of Veronica Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63147. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating the homicide. On June 28, 2022, at 10:12 PM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 12200 block of Culpepper Drive. Arriving officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation has revealed the shooting was a result of a domestic incident. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker signed the CROWN Act into law today, codifying protections for Illinoisans discriminated against due to hairstyles historically associated with specific racial groups. The act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair, categorizes traits such as hair texture or protective styling as race-based and therefore protected under bans against racial discrimination. “No Illinoisan should face discrimination based off the way they style their hair. Not in schools. Not in the workplace. Not anywhere,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Hair isn’t just deeply personal—it’s inherently cultural, passing down thousands of years of history from generation to generation. Hair discrimination isn’t just a microaggression—it’s racist. And it’s past time we prohibit it. I am proud to sign the CROWN Act into state law, protecting our Black residents’ right to style their hair however

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 11900 block of Iguana Terrace which resulted in the death of an adult male. The deceased has been identified as Ra’hmello Stewart, 24 years of age, 11900 block of Iguana Terrace, St. Louis, Missouri 63138. A preliminary investigation has revealed this homicide occurred as a result of a personal dispute between individuals known to one another. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. On June 29, 2022, at 1:36 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 11900 block of Iguana Terrace. Arriving officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim was transported to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional informatio

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OAK PARK - Mary Miller, the U.S. Republican Congressional District-15 Primary winner over Rodney Davis on Tuesday night, Wednesday expressed excitement and gratitude to the voters after she claimed 57 percent of the vote. Miller started by saying: "I want to thank President Donald J. Trump, the leader of the America First movement. This win shows the strength and power of President Trump’s endorsement. "People in this country are waking up. The left may be 'woke,' but conservatives are 'awake.' We see past the lies and smears from the radical left and the liberal elites. I want to thank my wonderful family and my supporters for your love, your prayers, and your support. "My family has had to endure a lot, but they did so with grace and poise. My family is strong because we trust in the Lord with all our heart. Man cannot destroy what is built by faith." Miller thanked her opponent, Rodney Davis, for his very gracious phone call Tuesday at the conclusion of the election. "My

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GRANITE CITY - United States Steel Corporation has announced a plan to repurpose the Granite City Works mill and the local steel union and a state legislator say it could mean significant jobs lost at the plant. United States Steel has signed a non-binding letter of intent with SunCoke Energy, Inc., and SunCoke would obtain two Granite City Works blast furnaces and build a 2-million ton granulated pig iron production facility. U.S. Steel said by upgrading iron ore capabilities in Minnesota and repurposing blast furnaces at Granite City Works in Illinois with SunCoke Energy, the company aims to expand its domestic, low-cost iron ore advantage. United Steelworkers, which represents the Granite City plant and 1.2 million workers/retired North American members, said in a statement it disapproves of the plan. The Steelworkers said this: “In its announcement regarding Granite City’s future, the company callously failed to mention a word about the massive job loss or impact

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