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ALTON - Whether you’re in the “Spooky Season” spirit or just looking to take in some beautiful fall colors, there’s a lot going on in the Riverbend region this fall. Cory Jobe, president and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, said there are plenty of frights and fall fun to go around with several events happening in and around Alton as the leaves change and Halloween season approaches. In Grafton, Fall Foliage and History Shuttle Tours will be held starting in the parking lot of the Grafton SkyTour at Aerie’s Resort. The three-hour trip includes a “fall color drive” on the Great River Road, stops at the Elsah General Store, a guided tour of the Principia College grounds, and a tour of Pere Marquette State Park featuring panoramic views of the fall foliage. “We’ve been recognized by the Farmer’s Almanac, MSNBC, MSN Travel, as one of the top fall foliage drives in the country,” Jobe said. Fall

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WASHINGTON DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Army Blackhawk pilot who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years—met with the commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC), General Mike Minihan, to discuss how we can best implement our air mobility strategy at home and abroad. In addition to reiterating her commitment to supporting AMC, which is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Duckworth also discussed how she can help improve partner training in aeromedical evacuation and AMC’s organic contingency response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region. Improving on these air mobility capabilities bolsters our U.S. joint force and supports our allies and partners worldwide. Photos from today’s meeting are available here . “When it comes to remaining competitive with our rivals and making sure the airpower in our military is ready for the next fight, there’s no suc

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, today opposed a new law in Indiana that targets transgender youth by blocking access to lifesaving gender-affirming care. The amicus brief supports the plaintiffs in K.C. v. Indiana who are suing to block Indiana’s Senate Enacted Act (S.E.A.) 480, which prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. “Across the country, we are seeing increased attempts to block access to vital health services for transgender youth,” Raoul said. “These laws have not only medical implications for transgender youth but also exacerbate mental and emotional trauma. I will continue to ensure transgender youth have access to the gender-affirming care that they deserve.” Enacted in April 2023, Indiana’s S.E.A. 480 is aimed at blocking transgender minors’ access to medical treatment such as hormone therapy and puberty blockers tha

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe to discuss fortifying electric vehicle infrastructure and maintaining Illinois’ position as a leader in electric vehicle production. During their meeting, Durbin also urged Mr. Scaringe to support any unionization efforts taken up by the more than 7,800 Rivian employees as UAW members nationwide strike for better pay and benefits. Durbin has been a steadfast champion of unionization efforts, showing his support for UAW workers by visiting a picket line in Bolingbrook, Illinois , earlier this week. “Rivian took a chance on Normal, Illinois, and it has paid off. Illinois is a leader in electric vehicle production, but only because of the unrelenting efforts of Rivian and its employees,” said Durbin. “In meeting with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe today, I reiterated my support for the company’s mission while reminding Mr. Scaringe that Rivian employees deserve

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the Senate to take action on bipartisan bills that would protect child safety online, including his bipartisan STOP CSAM Act . Durbin’s bipartisan STOP CSAM Act – which advanced unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year – would crack down on the proliferation of child sex abuse material online, support victims, and increase accountability and transparency for online platforms. Regulations reigning in Big Tech companies have since gone into effect in the European Union. “A few weeks ago, regulations enacted in the European Union went into effect that cover more than a dozen of the world’s biggest tech platforms. This includes online marketplaces, app stores, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram … This shows that Big Tech can be regulated. It

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GRANITE CITY - Jack Brooks, a sophomore quarterback who was pressed into service for Granite City’s football team in the Warriors' 54-0 loss at Collinsville on Sept. 22, showed much resilience and leadership qualities for the Warriors, who kept working and playing hard throughout the game despite the score. Despite the lopsided loss, Brooks was seen encouraging and helping his teammates throughout, keeping their spirits up and setting an example by playing hard and not giving up the ship for Granite, who is now 0-5 on the year but keeps on playing hard and never giving up, two solid trademarks of Granite City sports. For his efforts on the field, Brooks has been selected as a Stillwater Senior Living athlete of the month for the Warriors. Brooks, who plays for head coach Kindle Lyons, felt the team kept playing hard despite very difficult circumstances and was proud of his teammates' efforts. "After this loss, I mean, obviously, it's a tough loss," Brooks said in a postgame

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TROY - The Troy Police Department has issued a scam alert concerning fake “Buy One Get One Free” Domino’s gift cards. Residents in Troy and other nearby towns have been approached by a child who says he is selling gift cards to raise funds for his baseball team. People purchase the gift cards from him for $10 but soon realize the cards are fake. Authorities believe the child, who appears to be between 6 and 8 years old, is accompanied by an adult who is using him for the scam. “The cards are being sold by a young juvenile white male, about 6 years old, who was last described wearing a dirty pink baseball uniform with a southern accent,” the Troy Police Department said in a Facebook post . The child has been spotted going door to door and into office buildings to sell gift cards. Some people report seeing him with a woman driving a silver Audi. While the scam is an issue for residents in Troy and surrounding communities, most people have voiced

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Field Hockey team is having an outstanding season under head coach Kristina Johnson. The varsity roster includes Morgan Angle, Jaylinn Bell, Chase Chrenka, Hannah Feather, Jayden Henschen, Samantha Huffman, Marie Kaman, Megan Kalb, Samantha Kourinos, Addyson Moore, Brianna Miller, Kyra Miller, Maggie Moseley, Emily Pollack, Andrew Salter and Mia Schomber. The Edwardsville field hockey girls are Johnston Law Firm Female Athletes of the Month. Moseley recently fired in two goals in a Tigers win. Marie Kaman has also been a playmaker for the Tigers this season. Johnson singled out Chrenka and Angle for their strong play and said all her girls had contributed to the team’s success this fall. Coach Johnson said she is very pleased with her team and the Tigers have had some key wins. As of this week, the Tigers had amassed five wins. “We have had some key wins that were confidence boosters,” she said.

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes invited students and staff to a prayer by the flagpole at 8:10 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2023. “See You At The Pole” is a student-led, nationwide time of prayer on the fourth Wednesday of September. It is a time to lift up students, teachers, friends, families, and our country in prayer.

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ALTON - Several Alton residents raised their concerns about a drug and alcohol addiction recovery center that has opened in their neighborhood, reportedly without their knowledge or input. Some of the concerns raised focused on child safety, zoning violations, a lack of transparency, and more. “No letters went out, none of the neighborhood was informed, and they just moved in,” said resident Cindy Slaughter. “I would like to know how we’re going to rectify that situation … they’re already living there, they’ve already moved in, so I don’t know what we can do about that. “I’m all for anybody that needs to be in a house like this to get the help and healing that they need, I just don’t believe it should be on 11th Street.” The property, a single-family home located in the 500 block of East 11th Street in Alton, has opened as an “Oxford House,” which are “self-run, self-supported recovery

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If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Speaking as a grandparent, I'm so tired of feeling afraid about my children's futures, watching out for children everywhere in our violent-saturated communities, an unleveled playing field, and a cradle-to-prison pipeline that must be dismantled! The school district has a heavy-handed approach to black children discipline. Are they recruiting and hiring community-conscious personnel, creating efficient oversight mechanisms, or ensuring a fair and thorough investigation? These are questions that the Alton school board members and Kristie Baumgartner, the superintendent, need to answer! The key word in my last paragraph is to be fair about it. Progress takes persistence and despite the challenges, Alton schools can make a difference. The Alton black community is very aware of the harsh realities of "just-us" and justice. Parents, teachers, churches, and civil leaders must form an innovative program to make a difference or continue to let

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ILLINOIS - The Powerball jackpot has been increased from $835 million to $850 million for tonight’s drawing - making it the fourth largest Powerball jackpot and the ninth largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. While many are daydreaming of winning the life-changing amount of money, some Illinois Lottery players are already celebrating after winning big in Monday night’s draw. One lucky player matched four numbers and the Powerball plus added the game’s Powerplay feature to win $100,000, and three players matched four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000 each in Monday’s drawing. This is also a win for the retailers that sold those winning tickets, as they will receive a bonus of 1% of the prize amount. In total, nearly 40,000 winning tickets were sold, and nearly $500,000 in prizes were won in Monday evening’s Powerball drawing. Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages

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ILLINOIS - Ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is urging all post-9/11 Veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service to apply for free healthcare and benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s one-year special open enrollment period. These new, expanded benefits for post-9/11 Veterans discharged more than 10 years ago were established under the PACT Act . A video of Senator Duckworth urging Veterans to apply can be found here. “After bravely serving our nation, too many Veterans come home to discover years later that their service has left them with respiratory and neurological issues due to burn pits or other toxic exposure, making them more vulnerable to serious illnesses,” said Duckworth. “The impact of toxic exposure can show up years after service, so I encourage all eligible Veterans — even those who think they do not have symptoms — to take advantage

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ST. LOUIS - Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and actress Stephanie Mills will receive the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis’ Salute to Women in Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award on Sept. 30, 2023 at the annual Salute to Women in Leadership Gala. The gala will be held at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Mills will be celebrated alongside actresses Kym Whitley and Victoria Rowell and veteran network journalist Michelle Miller. The Urban League will also celebrate 14 local women leaders whose leadership and community service have left indelible marks on our region. The 2023 Salute to Women in Leadership honorees are: Marie-Hélène Bernard, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) President and CEO; Yemi Akande-Bartsch, Focus St. Louis President and CEO; U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush-Merrits; Patricia Coleman, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Alberici; Julie Erickson, President

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ALTON - Anne Montgomery was one of the first women to be a sportscaster on television. Through her long and varied career as a sportscaster, youth-level sports official, teacher and author, she learned how to literally and metaphorically pick herself up from a fall - whether she was trying to stand in a pair of hockey skates or accomplish her goals when others doubted her. Montgomery said her career overall has been “a bit of a rollercoaster ride” on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . Early on in the twists and turns of her career, it became clear she was one of few women in the field at the time. “When I wanted to be a sportscaster in the 1970s, there weren't any women sportscasters anywhere - there might have been one or two regionally, but I had never seen any,” Montgomery said. After telling her mother she wanted to be a sportscaster when she grew up, she said her mom told her, “Don't be ridiculous.” However, Montgomery

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ALTON - The late Reverend George Humbert was a beloved figure in Alton. His legacy will be honored at the second annual Alton Mayor’s Charity and Fundraiser Ball next month. “He just loved Alton,” Lynna Humbert, George’s wife, said of her husband. “He did a lot for Alton. He participated in a lot of things ... He had no judgments against people for whatever. I think he was just a good man.” George moved to Alton as an adult to raise his family and serve as the pastor of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church, a role he held for 31 years. He always looked for ways to help people in the community, and he volunteered with the AIDS Interfaith Network and the Oasis Women’s Center for years. Throughout his life, George continued to work with Oasis in various roles. He spent several years as the board president and volunteered from when the center opened in 1978 until his passing in May. “He was supportive of Oasis Women’s

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GODFREY/ALTON - The North-Alton Godfrey Business Council (NAGBC) is as busy as ever, and they invite you to join them as they advocate for the community. NAGBC is made up of individuals and businesses in the Riverbend region. They meet once a month to network and update each other on local happenings and how people can get involved in volunteer efforts or boost their businesses. “It’s a little different dynamic than most of the other organizations in the area, and I think that has been the magic formula,” Martha Morse said. “When you go to that meeting, it opens your eyes to other things that are going on in the area that maybe you can participate in. You need to know those things. You need to understand the dynamics of our area and stay on top of it.” Morse is the NAGBC Chair of the Membership Committee and represents 1st MidAmerica Credit Union . NAGBC currently has around 150 members who meet once a month at luncheons led by President Zek

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SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has acquired an original photograph that Lincoln gave to a man who had been gravely injured while preparing for a rally during the historic 1858 U.S. Senate race. Charles Lame was nearly killed when a cannon went off prematurely the day before a Lincoln political rally in in Pittsfield, Ill. The next day, Lincoln arrived, held his rally and then tried to visit Lame. The doctor would not allow visitors, but Lincoln arranged for Lame to receive a photo that had been taken that day. Lame recovered, and his family held onto the photo for generations. Now his descendants have donated it to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum so that it will be protected and shared with the public. It will be displayed in the museum’s Treasures Gallery starting Monday, Oct. 2. “Original images of Abraham Lincoln are extraordinarily rare, and images with a fascinating back story like this are even more rare

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative David Trone (D-MD-06) to urge the Biden Administration to more closely scrutinize and oversee over $50 billion in opioid settlement money. State and local governments will receive this money over the next 15 years as a result of settlement agreements with the opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that fueled this epidemic. This settlement funding includes $26 billion from the 2021 settlement agreement involving Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen. The lawmakers urged the Biden Administration to enhance transparency efforts to ensure that these funds are appropriately distributed to the communities directly harmed by the opioid epidemic. These purposes include initiatives such as expanding access to naloxone, increasing funding for substance use disorder treatment programs, and youth prevention

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GLEN CARBON - Orchard Town Center in Glen Carbon is making steady progress, according to Tim Lowe with The Staenberg Group, who gave a presentation at Tuesday’s Glen Carbon Village Board meeting to update trustees on where the project stands now. With the new Troy Road entrance to Chick-fil-A now open, he said Phase 1 is almost complete as the project transitions into Phase 2. Lowe said bringing “new-to-market” tenants to Glen Carbon was a key priority for the Orchard Town Center project. “We stayed true to what we originally promised, which was new-to-market tenants,” Lowe said. “We didn’t want to recycle tenants, we didn’t want to move people around in Glen Carbon, we didn’t want to steal people from Edwardsville. These are all new-to-market tenants.” He said the Orchard Town Center project was split up into two phases to accommodate the traffic in the area. “Phase 1 had most of the traffic improvements to

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