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ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis is inviting residents and community stakeholders to two upcoming open house events and a bike network workshop to celebrate the completion of the Transportation & Mobility Plan draft. These family-friendly open houses offer residents the opportunity to view the main elements of the draft plan while enjoying free shaved ice and lawn games. Community members are encouraged to drop by at any time with their families to participate. “Improving how we design and maintain our transportation infrastructure is crucial for building a better future for St. Louis,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “I’m excited to see this plan nearing completion, and I look forward to putting it to work. Thank you to everyone involved in this project, and especially to the community members who shared their ideas.” Open House Details: Wednesday, July 16 | 5 to 7 p.m. Piper Palm House, Tower Grove Park 4271 Northeast Drive Saturday, July 19

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and next-generation battery technology company Pure Lithium Corporation, today announced the company will relocate its entire operation from Boston to Chicago to support the company’s drive toward commercial production. Pure Lithium’s $46 million investment, bolstered by the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program, will enable the company to manufacture the first commercially viable lithium metal battery in Illinois, with plans to target the drone and defense, consumer electronics, grid-scale energy storage systems and electric vehicle markets, while supporting the state’s clean energy economy. “I am excited to welcome the team at Pure Lithium to our state, where they'll be an excellent addition to the business landscape and burgeoning clean energy ecosystem,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "Their investment will not only create

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across the nation. “By sending masked officers without any sort of identification to detain nonviolent migrants, Donald Trump is proving once again that he’s more focused on sowing fear and distrust in our communities than actually making our country safer,” said Duckworth. “This deceptive practice shields federal agents from accountability and hurts public trust

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led Senators in speeches on the Senate floor against President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions request to cut funding already appropriated by Congress—specifically the $1.1 billion cut to federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), including $700 million that provides critical funding for local public media. Should Republicans pass the President’s rescissions package, it would devastate more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. “Bottom line: do you think we’re better off with less information as Americans or more? Bottom line: do you want a choice to pick your own source of information, do you want that choice to include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting? The President says, ‘no, we’re not going to provide the assistance for that to continue.’ What mean for small towns in downstate Illinois all the way up to Chicago?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—voted against Bryan Bedford’s nomination to serve as FAA Administrator. Senate Republicans confirmed Bedford by a vote of 53-43. “At this critical moment for aviation safety, it is deeply disturbing that Senate Republicans just confirmed someone who refused to commit to upholding the 1,500-hour pilot training requirement. With a surge in near-misses, an air traffic controller shortage, aging air traffic control equipment and facilities—and in the wake of the first major deadly commercial crash in more than a decade, now is clearly not the time to weaken flight hour requirements for our nation’s aspiring airline pilots. “Incident after incident, it has been pilots who have made last second decisions to avert disaster. Well-trained pilots are our last line of defense, and I could not vote for a nominee who

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Learning when to say "no" and when to say "yes" is a powerful act of self-awareness. Setting boundaries isn’t about being selfish, it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, energy, and goals. Saying "no" can protect your time and well-being, while saying "yes" at the right moments can open doors to growth and connection. Mastering this equilibrium is key to living a more balanced life. First, let’s talk burnout. Burnout is the state of emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. While there are several different factors that can lead to burnout, the lack of setting boundaries can be a primary factor for many people. Saying “no” is a key boundary-setting skill that can take time to develop. People-pleasing tendencies also tend to contribute to burnout. This may look like saying yes to or committing to things when you’re already at capacity in an effort not to disappoint others. Though saying

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EDWARDSVILLE - On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) students, faculty, staff and administrators hosted a Dentistry Day for student participants in the BESt Healthcare Institute 2025 Summer Program . The Institute, a four-week summer intensive for area high school students interested in healthcare careers, is a collaboration between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, Inc. and Washington University in St. Louis. This is SIU SDM’s second year offering an immersive experience in dentistry, by presenting a full day of interactive presentations, panels, hands-on learning, lunch and a campus tour. Thirty high school students began their visit with a welcome from SIU SDM Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, accompanied by members of faculty, staff and SDM students who volunteered their time. "We were delighted to have the opportunity to expose high school seniors in the BESt Summer Health Care Institute program

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Lane closures on I-64 begin July 14 ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures will be in place on both directions of Interstate 64 between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50 in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, July 14. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. The closures mark the start of a multi-phase improvement project along the I-64 corridor from Illinois 157 to one mile east of West Highway 50. The $76.87 million project consists of milling and pavement resurfacing and various overhead bridge repairs. Work will be broken down into the following phases: Phase 1: Resurfacing I-64 in both directions between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50. This work is expected to be completed in late fall 2025. Phase 2: Repairs to various overhead bridges within the project limits. Work is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed by summer 2026. Phase 3: Resurfacing

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ALTON - It’s a “one-stop shop” at the upcoming “Healthy Communities: Community Health and Resource Fair.” From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the community can stop by the YWCA in Alton to learn about a variety of resources across Madison County, from legal aid to mental health support to vision screenings. The event is sponsored by Centerstone and Birth to Five Illinois: Region 41. “This community is so amazing and kind of works together as a team,” said Jennifer Schulz with Centerstone. “Even though we’re a mental health and substance use treatment center, we’re also trying to help by bringing all of these resources together and just working together as one big resource for the community.” Schulz noted that it can be “ridiculously difficult” to find the time, transportation and childcare needed to visit the doctor or meet with local resources. She hopes the fair can serve as a “one-stop

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COLLINSVILLE - At this week’s City Council meeting in Collinsville, Abstracts & Titles Inc. presented the City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation with a $12,500 check to sponsor the In-Ground Merry-Go-Round for Glidden Park’s planned All Abilities Playground. The donation supports the development of an inclusive playground designed to accommodate children of all abilities. Lisa Engelke, vice president of Abstracts & Titles Inc., which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project at the council meeting. “We talked about it a lot, and I think everybody can kind of remember those days running down to the park, and jumping on the merry-go-round, spinning as fast as you can...that is not an experience that should have boundaries or limitations,” Engelke said during the presentation. She added that the company hopes to encourage others to support inclusive community initiatives. “We just hope to inspir

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COLLINSVILLE — The Illinois State Police announced the results of Roadside Safety Checks conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties during June, aimed at reducing impaired and unsafe driving. According to Captain Casey Faro, commander of ISP Troop 8, the enforcement efforts resulted in 101 total citations and arrests, along with 36 written warnings. Among the citations were 1 for driving under the influence, 9 for other alcohol or drug-related offenses, 14 for occupant restraint violations, 27 for registration offenses, 45 for driver’s license violations, and 8 for insurance violations. Alcohol and drug impairment remain significant factors in traffic safety concerns. State data estimates that such impairment contributes to more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Nationally, an alcohol-related traffic fatality occurs every 39 minutes. The Roadside Safety Checks are part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety by removing dangerous impaired drivers

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ST. LOUIS – Riding high on the critical acclaim of My Fair Lady and undeterred by May’s devastating tornado that heavily damaged their home, the historic Union Avenue Christian Church, Union Avenue Opera proudly presents an emotionally resonant double bill: Tom Cipullo’s Josephine and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Performances are July 25, 26, August 1, and 2 at 8:00PM and will take place in their home venue. Directed by Kathryn Frady and conducted by Stephen Hargreaves, this unique pairing explores the fragility of identity, the intimacy of performance, and the masks we wear both onstage and off. From the glamour and personal resilience of Josephine Baker to the searing emotional unraveling of Canio in Pagliacci , this double bill confronts the very essence of performance and the human condition. Manna K. Jones stars in Josephine , portraying the legendary St. Louis-born entertainer in a powerful performance that channels Baker’s charisma,

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ALTON - Families are invited to a Back-to-School Celebration where the first 500 kids will receive free school supplies. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, community members can stop by Alton Square Mall to visit with vendors, enjoy a pizza lunch, and take home school supplies. The first 500 kids ages 4–12 will receive paper, pens, pencils, crayons and more, and organizers with OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center expect over 800 attendees. “We’re looking forward to it,” said Randy Schorfheide. “It’s always a great day.” Schorfheide encourages families to arrive early for the chance to receive school supplies. He explained that the registration table is outside the main OSF Rehab entrance at the mall. There will be 21 vendors inside the mall, as well, including the Hayner Public Library District, Centerstone, and the Alton Community Unit School District #11. OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center’s radiology

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BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Early Friday morning, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department responded to an armed vehicular jacking at 126 Adeline Drive in Belleville, Illinois. At approximately 1:06 a.m. on July 11, 2025, a woman reported that several armed black male suspects approached her while she was seated in her Dodge Challenger, pointed assault rifles at her, and ordered her to exit the vehicle. After the victim complied, the suspects entered the Dodge Challenger and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, striking a nearby parked vehicle. Belleville Police officers observed the stolen vehicle traveling rapidly with a Chevrolet Impala following closely behind. A radio broadcast was issued to multiple law enforcement agencies via ISPERN to alert them of the incident and the fleeing vehicles. The stolen Dodge Challenger was later stopped on Anderson Lane in Belleville. An armed suspect fled on foot from the vehicle, prompting the establishment of a perimeter and a search

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding residents of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties that a black bear has been observed by multiple landowners over the past several weeks in the vicinity of Mississippi Palisades State Park and, in recent days, frequenting private residences south and east of Galena. Seeing a bear may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and their presence should not necessarily be perceived as a threat to human safety. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember bears are wild animals and should be treated as such. IDNR encourages residents throughout Jo Daviess and Carroll counties to avoid direct encounters with this bear and to check their property for food sources that may attract it to their residences. Through learned behavior, bears often investigate anything that may yield a food reward, such as bird feeders, barbeque grills, garbage cans, and dog food. Once a bear finds a food source, it will likely return,

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CHAMPAIGN - On Friday, July 11, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led an important discussion on the future of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program in Illinois, held at Wagner Machine Company, a local business participating in the program. The event brought together key stakeholders to address concerns over the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate the program, which has been a cornerstone of economic growth and job creation in the district. “The impact the MEP program has had on our district cannot be overstated,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “MEP has aided local business, generating millions in new investments and creating and maintaining good-paying jobs right here at home. Threats to this program are yet another attempt by the administration to cut funding that is doing real good in our communities. Today's tour made clear that if we are going to truly support small and mid-sized manufacturers like Wagner, we must

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ALTON – A 72-year-old Alton man remains in custody on criminal charges of sexual abuse and more against a 14-year-old victim. David A. Gray, 72, of the 100 block of East 14th Street in Alton, was charged on July 3, 2025 with the following offenses: Attempted criminal sexual assault (Class 2 felony) Aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony) Indecent solicitation of a child (two counts, both Class 3 felonies) Battery (two counts, both Class A misdemeanors) Gray is accused of committing and attempting to commit acts of sexual abuse by use of force against a female victim who was 14 years old at the time of the offenses. He is also accused of soliciting the same victim and asking them to perform sexual acts on at least two occasions, as well as inappropriately touching and forcibly kissing the same victim. The investigation began after the victim reported the sexual abuse to the Alton Police Department on June 5, 2025, according to the state’s petition

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JERSEYVILLE — The Jersey County Fair rodeo on Thursday night, July 10, 2025, drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory, according to Phil Ringhausen of the fair. The event nearly reached a sellout. This year’s rodeo featured Whippoorwill, a new rodeo company brought in to elevate the quality of the show. Whippoorwill Rodeo of Macedonia, Illinois, is owned and operated by past, present, and future rodeo champions. With over 25 years of rodeo experience on both sides of the arena as rodeo contestants & stock contractor’s the company's overall mission is to keep the legacy of America’s original extreme sport alive for generations to come. The company's other part of the mission is to preserve the values of Western heritage and the cowboy way of life. “We had changed rodeo companies not because of any issues, but because we wanted a different grade of show,” Ringhausen said. “They did a phenomenal job with entertainment. Rated No. 1 in

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ALTON - Residents of the 1st Ward are invited to attend a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall. Chris Bohn, the 1st Ward alderman, announced the gathering and said John Mitchell, the newly appointed Public Works Director, will be present to address questions about upcoming projects, road conditions, and other related concerns. The meeting offers an opportunity for residents to engage directly with local officials regarding public works and community issues. Bohn expressed anticipation for the event, encouraging attendance.

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O’FALLON – An ordinance to keep a 1% sales tax on groceries in place to offset over $1 million in potential revenue loss is set for a final vote from the O’Fallon City Council. The ordinance received a first reading at this week’s City Council meeting and is set for a second reading and vote for final approval at their next meeting on Monday, July 21, 2025. The need for such an ordinance stems from the Illinois General Assembly’s vote in 2024 to repeal the state grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026. Since 100% of the proceeds from the state grocery tax went directly to local municipalities, O’Fallon joins a growing list of communities faced with either replacing the state grocery tax with a local version or finding another way to make up for the significant revenue loss. “If the grocery tax is not retained, the General Fund would experience a loss of approximately $1.2 million per year,” according to the City Council meeting documents

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