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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Emergency crews responded Monday morning, Aug. 25, 2025, to a reported explosion and fire that destroyed multiple homes in unincorporated north St. Louis County. According to Black Jack Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived around 9:15 a.m. to the 13800 block of Evan Aires Drive, where they found five homes engulfed in flames with “not much left of them there.” At least three people were reported rescued and transported to local hospitals, with additional injuries reported. Fire officials believe everyone is accounted for. Crews from Spire, along with the bomb and arson unit, are currently on the scene investigating. Numerous fire departments and agencies from the surrounding area were called in to assist with the response. The cause of the explosion remains unclear. One resident who lived close by said the sound of the explosion that started the fire sounded like "an earthquake."

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CHICAGO — Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement in response to reports that President Trump is considering sending military deployments to Illinois: "The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention. "The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active activity duty military within our own borders. "Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families. "We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois."

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CHICAGO— Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined museum leadership, elected officials, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360, a new satellite museum located in the heart of downtown Chicago. The new museum will continue Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center’s mission of education and storytelling as the Skokie museum is temporarily closed for renovations. “The Illinois Holocaust Museum does a critical service in educating our people on the most horrific tragedy in human history and empowering us to fight against the rising tide of hate and antisemitism,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This Satellite Campus will be an ever-present reminder of our shared responsibility to speak up for one another, educating thousands every year about the horrors of our past, while inspiring them to transform our future.” Opening to the public on August 26, Experience360, situated within the Shapiro

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) hosted a roundtable conversation with local nursing homes, long-term care providers and health care unions to discuss Medicaid changes in the reconciliation bill and the impact on long-term care. Budzinski was joined by representatives from the Illinois Department on Aging, Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, Advocates for Aging Care, SEIU, and more. "Seniors and people with disabilities deserve access to quality long-term care. Unfortunately, the Medicaid reimbursement changes in the President’s 'Big Ugly' bill put at least 10 nursing homes across our district at risk of closing. We cannot abandon these facilities – or the patients who depend on them,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Today’s roundtable was an important opportunity to hear directly from long-term care providers and advocates about their concerns and to discuss how we can work together to ensure they and the communities

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CHICAGO – As students across Illinois return to the classroom, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) are reminding both parents and educators to take advantage of valuable tax benefits available on their 2025 Illinois individual income tax returns. “As Governor, I am focused on lowering costs and making life a little more affordable for working families—especially as children head back to school,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want parents and educators to know that they can take advantage of tax credits to help cover qualified educational expenses. These tax credits will put money back in the pockets of working families, improve learning environments for students statewide, and make this busy time easier for parents and teachers.” Tax Benefits for Parents and Guardians The Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of full-time K-12 students (under age 21) to claim a 25% tax credit on

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DU QUOIN – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement in response to comments President Trump made today threatening to deploy federal law enforcement to perform civilian law enforcement duties in the city of Chicago. “Throughout my tenure, I have successfully collaborated with federal law enforcement partners, such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service and Homeland Security – Investigations, to investigate and prosecute crime in Illinois, as have other local and state law enforcement partners around the state of Illinois. I appreciate the federal government’s contribution of their expertise, technology and manpower toward those efforts. In fact, violent crimes have decreased in the city of Chicago over the last year. But instead of dedicating more resources to that work, the president is focused on turning our military on American citizens in his ongoing attempts to move our nation toward authoritarianism. His actions are not just un-American

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ALTON - The community is invited to the Alton Amphitheater for their annual Jazz and Wine Festival. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at the Alton Amphitheater, attendees can enjoy wine, charcuterie and jazz music by Arvell & Co., Jim Manley, and the Red & Black Brass Band. Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair Dan Herkert encourages people to get tickets now so you can enjoy the evening. “The Jazz and Wine Festival, personally, is really my favorite event of the year,” Herkert said. “Alton being the birthplace of Miles Davis, we want to play a role in the region as a jazz destination.” VIP parking costs $10. General admission tickets cost $10, or you can purchase a two-top table on the stage for $60 or a four-top table on the stage for $120. Herkert noted that this special onstage seating has drawn a lot of interest, as it gives attendees the intimate feel of a jazz club. “We really hit on something a few years ago when we came up with the

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The American Red Cross asks donors to give blood or platelets now to help maintain a healthy blood supply. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are urged to make an appointment to keep lifesaving blood products ready the moment patients need them. People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by our Red Cross community and fans of PEANUTS. And this month, the Red Cross and PEANUTS?are once again joining forces to remind people that a little good goes a long way. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS, those who come to give blood Aug. 29-Sept. 21, 2025, will get an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs, while they last. Each design is iconic, and donors won’t know which one they’ll get until they open the bag. Additionally, there will be a number of golden tickets randomly in the mystery bags hidden throughout

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today led all Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to President Trump urging the White House to grant Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Illinois, to help Calhoun, Cook, and Jersey Counties recover from severe storm damage. In late July, severe storms that produced flash floods passed through the Chicago area and Calhoun and Jersey Counties. “We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s request for federal assistance for the State of Illinois to help three Illinois counties recover from severe storm damage that occurred from July 25-28, 2025. Specifically, he requests a Major Disaster Declaration for Calhoun, Cook (including the city of Chicago), and Jersey Counties,” wrote the lawmakers. “Governor

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CARLINVILLE – Carlinville will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 3 at 201 West Main Street, inside Elks Lodge. What: Carlinville Community Blood Drive Sponsored by Carlinville Area Hospital Auxiliary When: Wednesday, September 3, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Where: Elks Lodge, 201 West Main Street, Carlinville, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Springfield at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60045 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. 2801 South 10th Street | Springfield, Illinois | (217) 753-1530 Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401.

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DU QUOIN – Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement responding to President Trump’s remarks about targeting Chicago: “As Donald Trump attempts to create chaos that distracts from his problems, we will call it out for what it is. Trump and Republicans are trying to distract from the pain they are causing working families–from tariffs raising the prices of everyday goods to stripping away healthcare and food from millions of Americans. “After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trump’s goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts — all to create a justification to further abuse his power. He is playing a game and creating a spectacle for the press to play along with. “We don’t play those games in Illinois. Our commitment t

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced she is appointing Nate Hayward as the City’s new commissioner of corrections. Hayward comes from a role as deputy director of security in the St. Louis County Justice Services. He brings 32 years of correctional experience, starting as a correctional officer and working his way up to eventually overseeing the daily operations of the St. Louis County Justice Center and being responsible for the safety and health of detainees. Hayward fills the position left vacant on Aug. 15 by Doug Burris, who served the City of St. Louis as interim commissioner of corrections since January, beginning serious efforts to improve conditions at the CJC. Hayward and Burris previously worked together at the St. Louis County Justice Center when Burris was the director of justice services there. “Making the CJC a place where detainees are safe and can begin working toward a better future as contributing members of society is a top priority

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BRENHAM, Texas – Blue Bell Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream half gallon packaged in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough carton produced in its Brenham, Texas, plant because of undeclared almond, walnut, and pecan. The recalled product was mistakenly packaged in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream cartons with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds, walnuts, and pecans run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. A Blue Bell employee discovered the incorrect packaging on two half gallons while restocking a retailer. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date. No other incorrect packaging has been discovered or reported to date. The half gallons can be identified as Moo-llennium Crunch Ice Cream packaged in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough half gallon carton with a Moo-llennium Crunch lid and with the following code

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COLLINSVILLE - MC Conventions: St. Louis Comic Con promises a fun day of toys, vendors, comic books and cosplay. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, community members can come out and enjoy a day of Comic Con fun. Randy Beasley, who organizes nine Comic Cons throughout the Midwest every year, expressed his eagerness to share the day and the excitement with the Greater St. Louis community. “It’s just different levels of joy,” Beasley said. “That’s one of the main reasons to do it.” Parking is free, and general admission to the Comic Con is $12. Children under age 12 are free. Beasley prides himself on keeping his conventions affordable for people to attend and meet the celebrity guests. “It’s not an arm and a leg to get in,” he said. “I love the bigger conventions. My wife and I will go. But sometimes it’s $50, $60 just to get a ticket to get

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SWANSEA - The Swansea Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Bill Crispin, who was last seen on Aug. 23, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m. near the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway West and Illinois Route 159 in Swansea, Illinois. Officials say Crispin was on foot when he went missing and has a medical condition that requires ongoing care. The department is urging residents and businesses in the area to check their properties, including outbuildings, and review any surveillance footage for possible sightings of Crispin. “We are urging residents and businesses in the area to check their property, outbuildings, and review any surveillance camera footage for any possible sighting of Mr. Crispin,” the Swansea Police Department stated on its official Facebook page. Anyone with information about Crispin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Swansea Police Department immediately at 618-233-8114. The department emphasized the importance of community

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SPRINGFIELD - Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, IL., invites the public to the premiere of Big Medicine: York Outdoors, a new 35-minute documentary that elevates the story of York on Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event will also feature panel discussions, history lectures, and outdoor programming. In collaboration with Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and NEW Multimedia, Big Medicine: York Outdoors follows a group of Black adventurers on a transformative four-day river journey along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana. This expedition retraces the path of the original Corps of Discovery while connecting York's legacy to the joy, healing, and empowerment that the great outdoors can provide. York was the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Despite his significant contributions and perseverance during the grueling two-and-a-half-year journey, York’s story has been overshadowed in history. As Captain William

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BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department announced the passing of three of its members this week, paying tribute to their dedication and service to the community. Bailiff John E. Klaus, an active member of the department, died on August 14, 2025. On the same day, retired Lt. Col. Thomas W. Knapp also passed away. The following day, retired Deputy Willie C. Smith died. In a statement, the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office described the men as individuals of integrity who devoted their lives to serving the community. "Please keep their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time," the sheriff's office said.

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COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Juan C. Gonzalez-Anton, who faces a felony warrant for aggravated driving under the influence. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in May 2025, during which Gonzalez-Anton was found driving while intoxicated despite having suspended or revoked driving privileges related to a prior DUI. The Collinsville Police shared the information about Gonzalez-Anton in its "Fugitive Friday" social media segment. Authorities remind Gonzalez-Anton that he can turn himself in to address the charges. The police department encourages anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 618-344-2131, extension 5209. Tips can be submitted anonymously. "These charges and statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty," the department said in a public notice.

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COLLINSVILLE - Income-qualified customers who have fallen behind on their energy bills can apply for payment assistance from Ameren through their local Illinois LIHEAP agency, thanks to a new program offering an additional $150 in support. This support comes from an Ameren program announced earlier this month that is providing $4 million to assistance agencies to help customers who have been impacted by rising electricity supply prices and extreme summer temperatures. This new program is on top of nearly $58 million in assistance Ameren Illinois customers have benefited from this year. "Our Illinois LIHEAP partners are stepping up to help us distribute much needed bill payment grants to customers who are experiencing financial difficulties due to higher electricity prices," said Joe Solari , vice president of customer experience at Ameren. "We encourage customers who have fallen behind on their bills to reach out to a local LIHEAP agency to determine their eligibility and

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EDWARDSVILLE – Bill Thomas is a man with big ideas and a passion for both Route 66 and Atlanta, the Illinois town he’s called home for more than four decades. His work to bring those big ideas to life makes him something of a giant among men, but he’s also a man among giants: American giants, to be exact. Thomas is the curator of the American Giants Museum, a free museum located about 120 miles north of Edwardsville in Atlanta, Illinois. It features four of the giant statues that sprung up in the U.S. in the 1960s and beyond to greet and entice travelers to stop at restaurants, stores and more. There are plans to add more of these giants – sometimes called “Muffler Men” -- to the museum in the future. Thomas will be at Edwardsville’s West End Service Station, the City’s free Route 66 visitor center, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28, to share the story of how the American Giants Museum came to be, what it offers the public and how it’s

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