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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that he is cosponsoring U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood’s (D-IL-14) Convenient Contraception Act , legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter birth control. The bill provides individuals covered by private health insurance with the option to receive up to a full year of birth control at the time their prescription is issued instead of the current three-month supply or less that is standard in many states—an evidence-based policy that improves health outcomes. “Living in a post- Roe America, it is more important than ever that we work to protect and expand access to contraception. Everyone should have the right to decide when and if they want to start a family,” said Durbin. “With the Convenient Contraception Act, we can ensure

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EAST ALTON – The upcoming September Neighbor Night at the National Great River Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) will celebrate 21 years of Water Festival. All are welcome. Community members will have the chance to share their memories and learn about all of the incredible programs Water Festival has facilitated over the years. “Water Festival takes place every year on Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus and we are so excited to welcome the community to the station to celebrate over 20 years of fun and water science,” NGRREC Environmental Educator Erica Doerr said. At Neighbor Night, guests will be able to participate in trivia, hear from past Water Festival organizers, who helped create the successful day of learning, and get a sneak peek from the NGRREC education team on what is in store for Water Festival 2023. “Water Festival has impacted over 12,500 area fifth graders through the years,” Doerr said. “It’s

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ALTON - There is growing evidence linking heavy social media use with increased risks for anxiety and depression. These mental health issues can, in turn, impact a student’s school performance, such as difficulties focusing, studying, or even simply attending school. It’s important for caregivers and school personnel to understand what is happening on social media and how to reduce its negative impact. Virtual spaces are everywhere in today’s world and have become a constant presence in the lives of young people, offering social connectedness and the ease of instant communication. But the online world of selfies and social media also brings with it challenging situations that can have a negative impact on youth mental health. “The pressure to maintain a perfect online image, fueled by constant comparison to peers, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety,” says Staci M. Knox, LCSW, manager of psychological services at OSF Saint Anthony’s

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, along with 41 attorneys general, announced a $35 million bipartisan settlement with leasing company Tempoe LLC (Tempoe). The settlement resolves a multistate investigation Raoul and the coalition conducted into Tempoe’s advertising and leasing to consumers through retailers across the nation. The investigation revealed that Tempoe’s marketing and sales practices often misled consumers to believe they signed up for an installment plan or credit sale. However, in reality, consumers entered into a lease agreement. The complicated structure of the lease agreements, as well as the lack of required disclosures, caused confusion and often resulted in consumers paying two to three times the purchase price of the product or service. “Tempoe’s lease agreements confused Illinois consumers and made it difficult to understand important terms, including how much a consumer would have to potentially pay for the duration of the

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WASHINGTON – Following the two-year anniversary of a federal court-ordered deadline for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product applications (PMTAs) from e-cigarette manufacturers, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to FDA’s Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging them to immediately address the youth vaping epidemic. Since FDA missed the September 9, 2021 deadline, an estimate of approximately two million children may have picked up vaping. Durbin has slammed FDA for its continued lack of urgency as millions of children have begun using addictive e-cigarettes. For years, FDA has failed to regulate e-cigarettes—currently falling more than two years past a court-ordered deadline to review applications from vaping companies, and refusing to enforce the law and take action against companies

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC) is celebrating its 20 th year in service to the people of Illinois. Created in 2003 as a result of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, STIC was originally formed out of a national need to improve information sharing and intelligence services specific to Illinois. Forged out of conversations between ISP, the United States Attorney’s Office, Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs’ Associations, federal law enforcement, and others, STIC has continually evolved, remaining on the cutting edge. STIC, located in Springfield, is part of a network of more than 80 fusion centers nationwide, providing public safety intelligence services to local and national partners across the country. “As Governor, there’s nothing more important to me than keeping the people of Illinois safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we celebrate

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CHAMPAIGN, I.ll - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the re-introduction of her legislation to help keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. Duckworth, along with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are introducing the School Bus Safety Act today to implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and buses are equipped with safety measures like stability control and automatic braking systems. The bill would also create a grant program to help school districts modify school buses to meet these important safety modifications. U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) is introducing companion legislation in the House. Duckworth was joined today by Champaign Unit 4 School District Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer, and photos from today’s event are available here . “No parent should have to worry about the safety of their children when

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - Do Good Chicken is expanding to local Target shelves, and the co-founder says his new brand can help save the planet while providing consumers with a great meal. Do Good Chicken collaborates with grocery stores to repurpose surplus food and divert it from landfills. After donations are made to food banks or other human-focused causes, Do Good Chicken upcycles the food into animal feed. The chickens are fed this more nutritious diet, and then they are processed and sold under the Do Good Chicken brand at supermarkets. The company says not only does this improve the taste of the poultry, but it also benefits the environment in a major way. “We started this company to try to help finally bring sustainability to scale and make it affordable and accessible to every consumer to actually now be a part of the solution,” Justin Kamine, Do Good Chicken co-founder, said. “The solution is solving one of the biggest problems in the food system, which is

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EDWARDSVILLE - September 11 – 15, 2023 is Disability Voters Rights Week. This week is meant to bring awareness and to celebrate the voter rights of citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as people without disabilities who have the same demographic characteristics, there would be about 2 million more voters.”, according to ‘Disability and Voter Turnout in the 2022 Elections, Supplemental Analysis of Census Voter Turnout Data’, Lisa Schur, Douglas Kruse, and Mason Ameri. Madison County has recently received a small grant to purchase small ramps and signage for easier accessibility to a polling place. Curbside voting is always available for any disabled or elderly voter who cannot enter a polling place due to the structural features of the building. Curbside voting, however, should be requested by the Monday before Election Day by calling the Madison County Clerk’s Office at 618-692-6290

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Gun Club unveiled some details today about its annual event called Schutzenfest. Stephen Gilbertson, a spokesperson for the event, said, "Every year at Edwardsville Gun Club, there is this large event called Schutzenfest. It is a local kids' fishing derby. Kids from the gun club and the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area come to the lake on the gun club property. "The winners take home prizes like trophies and gift cards." I just want to see if you or one of your reporters is available on this date: October 14, 2023 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The address is: 4104 Staunton Road Edwardsville The Timeline: 11:00-12:00: Check-In 12:00-12:05 National Anthem 12:05-3:00: Derby 3:00-4:00 Counting Up Scores **DIRECTORS ONLY** 4:00: Awards Website for the fishing derby is: sites.google.com/egcfishingderby/home

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GODFREY – The Nature Institute is now offering birthday parties to families in the Riverbend area. TNI is a favorite location for many families! Now, with the addition of staff-led birthday parties, you can even come out here to celebrate in nature. With a variety of themes to choose from, our nature-based birthday parties are sure to be a hit for your outdoorsy child. Your party will take place completely outdoors with an experienced educator to assist you. Each party consists of 1 hour of staff led activities, 1 hour of self-led time (cake, gifts, playground, etc.), lodge seating for up to 30 people, and a birthday gift from TNI for the birthday child.Themes will adjust with the seasons, with winter parties taking place in our indoor classroom. Customize your birthday party by adding on a cozy campfire or s’mores experience.Birthday parties are offered mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. You will need to check our booking calendar to find dates that are available. www.thenatureinstitute.org/book-a-birthday-party/

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ELDRED - Gregory Thomas "Fuzzy" Brannan was a devoted man to his family and a life of public service. Gregory died suddenly at home on Sunday in Eldred. Gregory and what he always described as his "best friend," wife, Penny, were married for nearly 50 years. They have two children Adam and Ashley and four grandchildren. Greg also had an abundance of other family he left behind. Greg served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was extremely proud of his service time. He was also honored in the 100th Veteran Honor Flight and was a charter member of the Eldred American Legion. The Vietnam veteran returned home and eventually joined the United States Post Office where he was a fixture around the Eldred and Calhoun County area as a mail carrier. He received the Postal Service's prestigious million-mile accident-free award. One of Greg's biggest accomplishments in his post office career was delivering mail to Calhoun County in the Flood of 1993, which was so appreciated by people, his

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WOOD RIVER - Paul Nichols is off to a dynamic start this season for the Oilers boys soccer team and recently scored a hat trick against Wesclin. For his efforts so far this season, Nichols is an East Alton Wood River High School Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. Nichols thanked all his coaches and current coaches for their help in shaping his soccer career. "I thank my previous coaches Mike Lawson and Jesse Daniels for providing me with three years of knowledge and advice on the field," he said. "I'd like to thank my current coaches Chris Johnson and Sydney Bloch for getting me in shape and providing me a chance to play high school support. I would like to thank Tim Melton for being a supportive friend." Recently, Nichols was tied as a leading scorer for Oilers' boys soccer. He said he has played soccer for six years and it is the only sport he plays that doesn't feel like a job. "I feel like I have to become an extrovert and I enjoy being around people,

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash in the area of Jennings Station Road and Fairhaven Drive that resulted in the death of a male. On September 11, 2023, at 1:23 AM, a St. Louis County police officer from the City of Jennings Precinct observed a Kia Optima traveling northbound on Jennings Station Road at West Florissant Road. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, however, the vehicle failed to yield. The officer turned off the vehicle’s emergency equipment. Approximately one minute later, the officer observed the Kia Optima, which had crashed into a building in the area of Jennings Station Road and Fairhaven Drive. The single occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the Optima struck a utility pole before striking the building. The Kia Optima had been reported stolen o

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JERSEYVILLE - A wide range of charges including harassment of minors, assault of a sheriff’s deputy and two police officers, and other charges have been filed in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Meagan E. Powers, 38, of Fieldon, was charged with four counts of harassment through electronic communications of two persons/victims under 18 years of age and one count of harassment by telephone of one of the same victims. Court documents state Powers “sent numerous messages, vulgar and harassing in nature, with the intent to offend” two separate victims under the age of 18. She also “made a telephone call” to one of the victims “making comments, requests, suggestions, and/or proposals which were obscene with an intent to offend.” Powers was charged with four Class 4 felonies for each of the harassing messaging charges and one Class A misdemeanor for the telephone call. Her bail was set at $25,000. Brookly

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High's Sammy Kulish is a senior standout for the Oilers girls team. The Oilers' athlete is an exceptional student with a 4.0 GPA through high school while taking many honors and dual credit classes. Sammy thanked her mom (Amy Kulish), dad (Brian Kulish), and my grandparents (Pat and Richard Kulish) for always supporting her throughout the years in her volleyball pursuits. Kulish is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bethany Billingsley is the Oilers' girls volleyball coach. "I have been playing since fourth grade, starting at Lewis and Clark Elementary," Sammy said. "What I like most about volleyball is the memories I have made throughout the years." Sammy said what she feels she has learned most from girls volleyball over the years is to develop responsibility and have accountability. At this time, she does not plan to play girls volleyball in college. She said she is undecided on a college major but

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BETHALTO - Senior runner Shelby Quick has gotten off to a very good start for the Civic Memorial girls cross country season, running a personal record 21:31.1 at the 50th Pete Robinson/Harry Lang Granite City Invitational meet on Sept. 2 in Granite's Wilson Park, starting off the year with a 22:57.3 in the CM Twilight Invite meet to open the season Aug. 26. Quick is one of the hardest workers on the Eagles, always setting the example for her younger teammates on how to do things. She's also an excellent student as well, carrying a very high GPA who works very hard in the classroom. For all of her hard work, both in school and on the courses and track, Quick has been named a Tom Lane State Farm Female Athlete of the Month f or CM. Quick had a very successful season last year in track and during an interview conducted last spring, Quick was very excited about the upcoming cross country season. "Oh, yeah, I'm excited for next cross country and next track season," Quick said. "Next year

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ALTON - As we commemorate Patriot Day and the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, local VFW Post #1308 invites veterans and community members to utilize their services. “So many people need a helping hand once in a while, and that’s why we’re here. That’s what we’re here for, to help those who helped us,” Post #1308 member Bob Myers said. The VFW offers support and resources for veterans who have served overseas. Myers explained that Post #1308 is working to bring in younger veterans, including those who served post-9/11 as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Most of Post #1308’s members served in Korea and Vietnam, and they hope to build their connection with younger veterans who are coming home from Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. “We’re trying to get more younger people in here, involved, and do what we’re supposed to be doing — helping service people, helping the veterans out when they nee

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JERSEYVILLE - Several stolen vehicle charges have been filed in Jersey County over the past week. Three individuals were charged in connection with two stolen four-wheelers, two others were charged for possessing a stolen Chevy Suburban, and a third was charged for theft of a Buick Encore, in addition to multiple other charges. Heath E. Blaine, 51, of Jerseyville, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle for an offense allegedly committed on Sept. 6, during which he knowingly exerted unauthorized control over a “camo color 2002 Suzuki Eiger Quadrunner 400” with the intent to deprive it from its owner permanently. On the same day, Blaine was charged with a second count of stolen vehicle possession for knowingly exerting unauthorized control over an additional vehicle, a 1990 Kymco four-wheeler belonging to a different individual. Blaine faces two Class 2 felony counts and his bail is set at $30,000. Ashley J. Fulmer, 26, of Jerseyville, and Schon

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ALTON - Since her freshman year in high school, one thing can always be said about Marquette Catholic's Paige Rister in cross country and track - she epitomizes the word "consistency." In every meet, Paige is always one of the Explorers' best runners and she has been for multiple seasons. She is primarily a distance runner. Recently, she finished with a time of 22:04.5 in the Granite City Invitational varsity race for women. Page is typically a 3,200-meter runner for the Explorers in the spring in cross country. Paige Rister is a Tucker's Automotive and Repair Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Paige was pleased with her race in the Granite City Invitational. "I think our girls did really well in Granite City," she said. "I am excited to see if I can get a P.R. this season in cross country. I ran a 20:40 for three miles last year at sectional and I hope this season to break 20 minutes. That is my goal." The Explorers' senior has taken over a leadership role in the

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