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METRO EAST — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, along with state and local officials at Maplewood School in Cahokia Heights to announce Illinois’ partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The recently signed FY24 budget allocates $1.6 million to the program, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children by inspiring a love of reading. The initiative includes a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter a family’s income. “Imagination Libraries are already working their magic at a few dozen locations around the state, and the teamwork of my administration and the Dollywood Foundation will make it possible to bring Dolly to every doorstep,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As a longtime early childhood advocate, I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come. These are some of the most crucial years for learning of a person’s

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ALTON - “Al-Anon saved my life.” These are the words of Shirley S., an outreach coordinator for a local Al-Anon group who hopes to bring a new Al-Anon chapter to Alton through OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center. Starting this summer, Shirley will host “How Al-Anon Works” meetings from 10–11:15 a.m. on Thursday mornings at OSF Saint Anthony’s. The program will run from June 22 to Sept. 28. Participants can learn about Al-Anon and how it could benefit them and the community. If there’s enough interest, the group will register with the Al-Anon World Service and become an official Al-Anon group with regular meetings at OSF St. Anthony’s. Al-Anon and Alateen are support groups for people who are worried about someone with a drinking problem, according to the organization’s website . Staci Knox, the manager of psychological services at OSF St. Anthony’s, approached Shirley about hosting “How Al-Anon Works”

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance artificial intelligence (AI) governance policies that prioritize robust transparency, independent standards, testing and assessment requirements, and external audits, and allow for government oversight and enforcement where appropriate. Raoul joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the NTIA. The attorneys general applaud the agency’s commitment to a rigorous and data-driven approach to developing AI governance policies. The coalition recommends that the NTIA create independent standards that require transparency about the use of AI and recognizes that some AI uses present greater risks and require more oversight than others. “Consumers should be informed if companies are using AI in their products and services, and the potential impacts on people should be considered in shaping regulations,” Raoul said.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today released the following statement in response to the National Park Service releasing its Special Resource Study for the proposed national monument site memorializing the 1908 Springfield Race Riot: “We are pleased to receive such positive feedback from the National Park Service in its study of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot national monument site. We are thankful to the City of Springfield, the Springfield Chapter of the NAACP, St. John’s Hospital and countless others for their incredible work and support. We have been dedicated to preserving this critical part of our state and nation’s history and are committed to continuing the process of designation for this site. Commemorating this location and story of extraordinary cultural and historical importance is long overdue, and we’re eager to continue working with the National

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METRO EAST – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state and local officials to announce the grand opening of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport’s expanded terminal – a $31 million multi-year project bolstered by $7 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in addition to $24 million in federal dollars. The terminal expansion program supports passenger growth while giving airlines the opportunity to provide additional service. “Here in Illinois, we are proud to boast one of the best and largest aviation systems in the nation. And in my mission to advance the economic development of this region, a crucial component is the modernization and maintenance of our airports and support for the people that keep them up and running,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I’m proud to announce that after four years of construction and $31 million in state and federal funding, the 41,000-plus square-foot expansion

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EDWARDSVILLE – City Park in downtown Edwardsville once again will feature fun for all ages as part of Arts in the Park, the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department’s summer-long series of free events. Fresh off last weekend’s blockbuster Edwardsville Route 66 Festival, this long-running summer tradition returns with concerts, movie nights, a children’s art program, theatrical events and a new feature – a family-friendly improv series. “There’s so much to see and hear in City Park over the summer,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We are excited to provide these fun activities for everyone to enjoy.” The fun gets underway this Friday, June 16, when the Zydeco Crawdaddys cook up Cajun-flavored tunes to kick off the Friday Night Concert series. Concerts are set for June 16 and 23, plus July 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 8 p.m. on the City Park bandstand. The lineup also includes Lustre Lights, Honkey Tonk, the Steve Ewing Band, Blue Suede

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Police Department welcomed two new police officers at the Village Board meeting last night. Officers Christopher Nicholas and Mitchell Reynolds took the oath and were officially sworn in by Mayor Bob Marcus after some introductions from Police Chief Todd Link. Reynolds was issued badge number GLEN64 while Nicholas was issued Badge number GLEN65. Both were hired after the department received a COPS grant of $250,000 to expand their personnel. Chief Link noted that the two new officers came to the department “brand new,” without any prior training, but that they’ve since proven to be fast learners. “Hiring an untrained and untested probationary officer can be a challenge for a police agency … it can be a challenge, it can be a dice roll,” Chief Link said. “I’m glad that we took the risk on these two officers, because they’ve turned out to be great police officers. From the moment I met them,

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EDWARDSVILLE — Zachary Capers will serve the rest of his life behind bars because of a decision announced Tuesday. Capers was issued a sentence of 60 years in prison on Tuesday for the murder of Edwardsville's Michael Ladd, 89, and Dr. Lois Ladd, 68. Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine made the announcement about Capers' sentence. Capers had entered a guilty plea to a count of first-degree murder. Lois was a chiropractor and Michael had worked professionally as a contractor. Capers, 28, of Collinsville, will receive credit for time served but will be required to spend his entire sentence in prison. The two were stabbed and killed at their residence at 826 North Kansas Street in Edwardsville. The couple was found deceased in their Edwardsville home on March 18, 2019. "The Ladds meant so much to their family, their friends, and their community," Haine said. "There is no sentence that could even begin to make up for the tremendous loss felt by the many loved ones of this

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GRANITE CITY - Along with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Castillo, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski hosted a roundtable discussion yesterday with local mayor’s, state officials and stakeholders from around the Southwestern Illinois region. Granite City Mayor, Mike Parkinson was at the table to discuss economic revitalization and development efforts in Central and Southern Illinois and how Granite City has been active in ongoing partnerships with nearby communities in developing Metro-East area commerce. The forum was conducted in Alton, Illinois at the Jacoby Arts Center and focused on economic development and collaboration with several municipalities in the Southwestern Illinois area, Andy Manar, Deputy Governor, Senator Erica Harris, and State Representative Amy Elik were present as well. Assistant Secretary Castillo spoke on how a shared vision and economic planning should involve a community partnership and that the regionalization

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Monday, June 12, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Tyree Fletcher, 18 years of age, of the 4200 block of Smithfield Place in St. Louis, Missouri 63134, for one count of Murder Second Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, one count of Robbery First Degree, one count of Resisting Arrest/Detention by Fleeing. A booking photo of Fletcher is attached. Fletcher is being held on a $250,000 cash only, no 10% bond. The probable cause statement reads: At approximately 3:00 P.M. on June 10, 2023, Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the BP at N. Hanley and I-70. Video surveillance shows Defendant and a passenger get out of a gray Chevrolet Malibu. Defendant is identified as the driver of the gray Chevrolet Malibu. The Victim was observed sitting outside the gas station. Video surveillance shows the Defendant and the passenger have a brief conversation with Victim. Defendant stated Victim asked i

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SPRINGFIELD – Wildlife biologists and conservation police from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) are monitoring reports of black bear sightings in Lake County. The most recent sighting occurred in a backyard in Antioch during the weekend. The bear’s current location is unknown at this time, and IDNR has received no further reports of sightings since early Sunday morning near Antioch. Wildlife biologists believe the Antioch bear is likely the same black bear that was seen in Gurnee last week. Bears are known to travel long distances. This particular bear has not caused any problems, and IDNR encourages people to let it continue its movement without interference. Should anyone see a bear, IDNR encourages them to report it online at https://bit.ly/ IDNRwildlifereport . IDNR further recommends that people who live in the vicinity of a confirmed bear sighting secure their garbage cans and barbecue grills indoors and stop feeding birds for a few days. I

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EDWARDSVILLE - One of the strong points of the Edwardsville Route 66 Festival is there is something for everyone. The day started with the Metro Milers 10K Run, then the festival officially opened at 10 a.m. There was a wide variety of marketplace vendors at the event, a family zone, a local musical showplace, a car show in the Cassens Parking Lot, then the Matt Taul Band, Butch Wax and the Hollywoods and the Well Hungarians closed the night's entertainment. Edwardsville is one of the oldest communities on the historic road. Grace Pellock, special events and marketing coordinator for the City of Edwardsville Park and Recreation team, said she loves the Route 66 Festival. "We expanded the weekend this year and made it a Route 66 theme. The Route 66 Festival is very beloved in the community. It started off the morning with the 10-K run, then the festival started at 10 a.m. We had tons of food vendors music throughout the day, market and artisan vendors and the whole kid zone area.

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ALTON - A newly founded Alton-based nonprofit organization, Sacred Spaces of CARE, is joining efforts alongside the Alton Police Department to address mental health and combat crises. Sacred Spaces of CARE will partner with the department to engage in collaborative, trauma-informed practices to educate, further equip, appropriately support, and safely respond to crises through the creation of the RISE (Restorative Intervention Support Efforts) Program. The initiative aims to provide training and further techniques for law enforcement and all community stakeholders to intentionally support individuals in crisis in an effort to divert from the criminal justice system, reduce barriers to care, and navigate toward appropriate services. “The mental health and wellness of our community is most effectively addressed through collaboration,” according to Megan Tyler, Executive Director of Sacred Spaces of CARE. “There are multiple pathways to recovery and various methods fo

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ALTON - Alton’s popular band Porch Café loves Led Zeppelin, and for good reason: The band is climbing the stairway to heaven. Or at least, to major success. The group just released their first music video, and with a growing fanbase in the Riverbend area, Porch Café is set to have a busy summer schedule ahead. "When I first saw these guys, I was really blown away. Their musicianship is excellent. Their talent level is through the roof,” Don Lanier, who manages the band’s sound equipment, said. “It’s a great band to work for and work with.” Anyone who sees Porch Café is quick to tell you that the band is a family, and not just metaphorically. The group was born when lead singer Alivia Levi posted a video of her two brothers playing guitar with Alivia’s vocals. Keyboardist Lenny Levi and guitarist Will Levi have been playing instruments for most of their lives, and Alivia is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in oper

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ALTON - A “Stop the Violence” event is planned for Thursday, June 15, in Alton following several deadly shootings over the past few months. From 5–8 p.m., local leaders and citizens will fill C & K Banquet and Party Center to talk about possible solutions to gun violence in the community. Alton Mayor David Goins and others are expected to speak. “I knew, when I didn’t feel comfortable in my own city, that something was wrong,” Kendra Stiff, event organizer and co-owner of the Center, said. “I want our community to get back to a safe place.” C & K Community, a new organization sponsored by C & K Banquet and Party Center, will host the “Stop the Violence” event. This is their first project, though they have ideas for other community-oriented events in the future. Stiff explained that C & K Community mobilized after a shooting that took place near the C & K Center, as well as a May 2nd shooting that claimed the life

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CARROLLTON - Battery, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and several other charges have been filed against individuals in Greene County over the past few weeks, according to the latest Greene County Jail Booking Report. Michael D. Moran, 54, of Carrollton, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault of a child. He was arrested by the Greenfield Police Department on May 19 and remains in custody. Jamie L. Farris, 37, of White Hall, was charged on June 9 with domestic battery and aggravated battery. Farris had previously been arrested a month earlier on May 9 for aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a peace officer, as well as disorderly conduct. She was taken into custody and released on her own recognizance before being arrested again on June 9 by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department for the domestic/aggravated battery charges. She currently remains in custody. Farris had also been charged with violating an order of protection on April 29, April

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GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School is proud to announce the 4th Quarter Honor Roll for grades 4 to 8. These students have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and dedication throughout the quarter. St. Ambrose congratulates all the students who have earned a place on the honor roll and commends them for their hard work, discipline, and commitment to excellence. Their achievements serve as a shining example to their peers and reflect the school's unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of academic success. 4th GRADE High Honor Roll: Rylan Estes Finn Kane Joseph King Emma Kory Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey Ryan Terry 4th GRADE Honor Roll: Collin Cruse Danica Dornes Charlie Droste Charlotte Hendrickson Benjamin Osborn Jackson Osborn Neal Pichee Asa Reinersman Liam Rose Finn Stephan Isla Stevenson 5th GRADE High Honor Roll: Piper Adams Bennett Anderson Karina Chew Erin Crawford Kayli Jacobs Elizabeth King Averie Kochan Charlotte Kohl Christian

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CHICAGO – It was a very lucky night for Pick 3 players across the state of Illinois – scooping up more than $2.1 million in total prizes in last night’s evening draw. The winning numbers in the Monday, June 12 evening draw were 7-7-7 with a FIREBALL of 3. More than 8,600 winning tickets hit the triple 7s last night, and the lucky Pick 3 players that played the 7-7-7 straight took home $250 for a 50 cent play and $500 for a $1 play. In the past six months, Pick 3 players have cashed in on over $65 million in prizes and Pick 4 players have cashed in on nearly $67 million in prizes. Lottery players holding winning tickets have one year from the date of the draw to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all its winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to claim their prize. Pick 3 and Pick 4 plus Fireball are Illinois-only games with two draws daily. To play both Pick 3 and Pick 4 games,

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CARLINVILLE - A huge crowd of youngsters laughed and learned during a special presentation at the Carlinville Public Library on Friday afternoon, June 9. Dan Gogh, a beloved and popular children’s performer, was on hand to entertain and teach the children with a show that combined comedy, magic, and principles of art. An artist and magician based in Plainfield, Ill., Gogh, whose real name is Dan Laib, has become a favorite with audiences across the region, and has appeared at countless libraries, schools, and youth groups over the last decade. Gogh’s programs are designed for creative, inquisitive youngsters who love to laugh, and his performances have earned numerous positive reviews. In Carlinville, Gogh excited the crowd with magic tricks and use of art forms as well as a puppet, Peeky, delighting the crowd with humor and playful banter. “It was an amazing performance,” said Hannah Miller, the director of the Carlinville Public Library. “The kids

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to help work as “greeters” or “hosts/tour guides” at the Urban Farm Tour on Sunday, June 25. After a three-year hiatus, the Three Rivers Project is bringing back the Urban Farm Tour to showcase various gardens and farms across the Riverbend region. Community members interested in volunteering at the event as a greeter or host/tour guide can sign up via bit.ly/urbanfarmtour . “We’re excited to bring back the Urban Farm Tour to offer neighbors an opportunity to see firsthand how community members are transforming their yards into edible and sustainable oases,” said Three Rivers Project co-Coordinator Christine Favilla. “We need help from local volunteers to make this event possible. The Urban Farm Tour is self-guided, so we need community members to greet tourists at each yard, home garden, or community garden along the tour. We’re looking for hosts/tour

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