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ILLINOIS - Three major Supreme Court rulings have garnered mixed reactions across the country. Many state and local politicians in Illinois and Missouri have responded with statements. All three rulings were divided along partisan lines, with the Court’s six conservative justices voting opposite the three liberal justices. Much of the response seems to reflect this division. Most conservatives support the Supreme Court rulings while liberals are speaking out against them. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION On June 29, the Court ruled on Students for “Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College” and “Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina.” They voted 6–3 to end affirmative action programs, which means race will no longer be considered for college admissions. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called this decision “a travesty” and said that Illinois “will continue to uplift our students of

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser is reminding taxpayers that the first installment of their tax bill is coming due. “With the holiday weekend approaching I want to remind everyone that the first of four tax installments will be due July 6,” Slusser said. “The Treasurer’s office is open for business Mon-Fri from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., but will be closed for Independence Day on Tues July 4. Slusser reminds taxpayers of all payment options: at one of the participating collector banks or credit unions throughout the county, by mail, through your financial institution’s online bill pay service, the Treasurer’s website at www.madcotreasurer.org , by phone at 1-844-919-4300, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office in Edwardsville. If paid by mail, letters must be postmarked on or before July 6. “No penalty will be applied for payments mailed and postmarked by the due date,” Slusser said. “I would encourage taxpayers

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During his 14-year career in the NFL, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders was known for his silky moves on the football field. But now the 55-year-old college football coach has been slowed, due in large part to blood clots he’s suffered over the years.Sanders was back in the news recently due to surgery he had on blood clots in both legs. It’s not his first go-around with this serious health issue. In 2021 he had two toes amputated due to clots. Blood clots can happen to anyone. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot located in a deep vein, usually in a leg or arm. A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot that has traveled from a deep vein to a lung. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 900,000 people suffer from a blood clot each year and 100,000 people die. About 30% of people who have had a DVT or PE are prone to a recurrence.“It is a serious problem. It's something that you're going to want to seek medical care for," says

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The letter follows Durbin’s op-ed in The Hill this week, highlighting the continued bipartisan efforts to stop the exploitation of kids online WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a bipartisan group of ten Judiciary Committee members in a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Meta, regarding recent reporting that Instagram’s algorithm promotes and facilitates sexual interest in and activity with children, including the production and sharing of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The letter was also signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). “We are gravely concerned that Instagram’s failure to prevent this perverse

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HAYTI HEIGHTS, MO. - A Missouri State Highway Patrol Amber Alert was canceled this morning after a child last seen in Illinois had been found in Troop E Area - Hayti Heights, Mo. The child was found safe and sound, Missouri State Police reported. The Amber Alert was canceled at 7:25 a.m. The child - Violet - a 9-year-old, was last seen after allegedly being taken by her non-custodial father. The vehicle sought was a black Dodge Charger. The Amber Alert notified individuals throughout the region but thankfully ended with the child safe and the suspect in custody.

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ST. LOUIS - For the people who are involved with the Metro Trans Umbrella Group, it’s more than just a resource. It’s a life-saver. The Metro Trans Umbrella Group, or MTUG, is a nonprofit that serves transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals throughout the Greater St. Louis area. The organization has a variety of services and support groups, as well as opportunities for people to connect with one another. “It saves lives, just having the space to exist with others who are like you,” Ramona Riley, MTUG’s volunteer coordinator, said. “It’s a common story that I hear, that people get up to the point where they’re going to start transitioning, and it is literally a choice between transitioning and dying…That is how crucial these things and these spaces are to trans people.” MTUG offers a range of free services, including a food pantry and STI testing. They provide assistance with legal name changes, and they also distribut

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GODFREY - Family Fun Fest is returning to Glazebrook Park in Godfrey for 2023 on July 4 starting at 5 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, live music, a watermelon-eating contest, and much more family-friendly fun, capping off with a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Chris Logan, director of the village’s Parks and Recreation Department, gave more details on the event on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “All of our vendors will be set up, BB the Clown’s going to be there, there’s going to be some face-painting, we’re going to have some more inflatables again - quite a few inflatables, actually - a big slide, obstacle course, these kids really like them,” Logan said. “We’re going to have a dunk tank, we’re going to try and get some of our baseball and softball coaches in there.” Logan added that at 5:30 p.m., the design for the Great Godfrey Maze will be revealed at the event. He said the maze will

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CARROLLTON - Greene County was hit by strong thunderstorm winds and the Fitzgibbons' house in the 1300 block of Sixth Street in Carrollton encountered serious damage. High winds ripped the home owned by William and Debbie Fitzgibbons just after noon on Thursday. The Fitzgibbons' home had a pole power knocked down, and the high winds tore guttering, shingles and part of the roof where the electricity box was located. “My husband, Daniel, was on the phone with William and was telling them they better take cover because of a storm and about that time he said, ‘Oh it is here,’” William’s sister, Lisa Wieneke of Jerseyville, said. “The storm hit them hard." Ameren Illinois was at the Fitzbiggons location around 5:45 p.m. Thursday, along with an electric company from Jerseyville," Lisa said. “They hope to have it restored sometime tonight,” she added. Ryan Knutsvig, a Lincoln National Weather Service meteorologist, said winds hit areas

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WEST ALTON - Fireworks City’s sales are booming ahead of the July 4th weekend. With their famous “buy one get four free” deal, the family-owned West Alton, MO., location invites other families to celebrate Independence Day with their products. “Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday,” Owen Thomeczek, son of the owners and longtime employee, said. “Seeing everyone come in every year, all my friends working with me, it’s always a good time here. I hope to keep doing this forever.” Owen’s grandfather opened Fireworks City in 1964. Today, the store is owned by Owen’s father and aunts. Since his mother, Jody, started dating his father at age 15, she has had a front-row seat behind the counter as the store’s popularity soared and her family grew. Jody remembers that they used to sell mainly firecrackers, Roman candles and bottle rockets, with a limited supply of bigger fireworks. But the store blew

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ALTON - The latest ghost spotting at McPike Mansion is raising hairs (and eyebrows) on social media. The McPike Mansion is known for being one of the most haunted places in Alton. When owner Sharyn Luedke posted the most recent picture of the mansion on Facebook, even skeptics were second-guessing what they saw. Many people report that they can make out an old man in the second-story far-left window. “I think it’s either Henry or his dad,” Luedke said. “We do think we have about 12 spirits.” Henry Guest McPike built the mansion in 1869. Luedke said that the spirits of McPike, his parents, his two wives, his son, his grandchild and a servant likely haunt the house, as well as a few other people and children who once lived on the property but weren’t related to McPike. Luedke explained that they use old photographs and newspaper articles to piece together information about McPike’s life and the other spirits in the mansion. She and he

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine announced on Thursday that the 5th District Appellate Court has rejected an appeal by two former Madison County employees who sued over their termination. The Appellate Court upheld a circuit judge’s dismissal of litigation filed by Robert Dorman, former director of information technology, and Douglas Hulme, former county administrator. “The appellate justices resoundingly agreed that Hulme’s and Dorman’s long-running litigation needs be dismissed,” Haine said. “That is good news for county government and county taxpayers. Madison County and the State’s Attorney’s Office have been forced to expend considerable time and resources defending against the self-serving arguments of these two disgruntled ex-employees who were fired by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the County Board. Our resources would be better spent serving the needs of the citizens.” Haine continued,

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CARROLLTON - The past week has seen a range of criminal charges filed in Greene County, including drug-related charges, criminal damage to property, criminal trespassing, and more, according to the latest Jail Booking Report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Joshua E. Simpson, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and he had a warrant for his arrest out of Greene County. He was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on June 28 and remains in custody. Renael C. Molohon, 38, also of Jerseyville, was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine and having a warrant for her arrest out of Greene County. She was taken into custody on June 26 by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and has since been released on recognizance. Chad R. Cordes, 36, also of Jerseyville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, two counts of criminal trespass

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EAST ALTON - When Woodrow Peterson received a phone call from his 12-year-old stepson Bentley Mayer last Friday night, he had no idea that Mayer and his friend were about to save a life. Mayer and Kamden Balicki, also 12, were walking home from the East Alton Ice Arena when they found a man on the sidewalk, dying from an overdose. The two boys sprang into action. Mayer called Peterson, who called 911. Their actions are likely the only reason the man is still alive. “My son sat there with him until the paramedics arrived. Once I got to the scene, I talked to the police… said that the guy barely made it,” Peterson said. “I’m just really proud of both of them. They’ve both seen stuff that they, as youth, should not see. But it’s a growing problem here in Madison County.” Mayer immediately recognized the signs of an overdose because he often helps Peterson pass out harm reduction kits. Peterson runs a Facebook group called

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Faculty Association ratified its first successor agreement to a new contract on Monday, June 25. Details of the contract have not yet been released, but SIUE Communications said once the contract is finalized, information will be dispatched to the media. The SIUE Faculty Association said on Wednesday that more than 93 percent of its members voted in support of the new contract. “It has been a long patch,” the SIUE Faculty Association said. “Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this moment.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville and American Legion Post #199 are teaming up for a “fireworks spectacular” on Saturday, July 1. The fireworks display will kick off at dusk, between 8:30–9 p.m., but the festivities last all evening. American Legion Post #199 will start welcoming people at 4 p.m. at the On the Hill Golf Course & Lounge. They invite the community to enjoy music, vendors and food trucks. “I like to think of it as a bridge between the city government and the veterans,” Commander Wes Sterling of American Legion Post #199 said. Sterling said they will be launching $13,500 of fireworks. The City of Edwardsville contributed $10,000, with an additional $1,000 donation from the Edwardsville Township. Post #199 thanks the other people who have donated to make the fireworks display possible. But before the big show, acoustic duo Lanny & Julie will take the stage from 4–6:30 p.m., followed by the Edwardsville Municipal Ban

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Fire Protection District with the Village of Glen Carbon has issued a temporary prohibition of opening burning for all residents and businesses within the boundaries of Glen Carbon Fire Protection District. The burn ban is in effect through 4 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. “With the extremely dry conditions and moderate wind conditions, even a small fire can become a cause for concern,” Glen Carbon Fire Protection District Chief Jason Whitaker said. “The ban includes but is not limited to all opening burning of brush, leaves, etc., and all recreational fires, to include but not limited to bonfires, campfires, cooking fires, etc.” Should you have any questions, contact the chief at (618) 288-1220.

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GRANITE - A 29-year-old woman - Emily R. Kendall - faces multiple charges including unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and retail theft under $300 from a local retail establishment - CATO Fashions on Nameoki Road in Granite City. The charges state that she knowingly possessed less than 15 grams of a substance containing cocaine, a controlled substance, and also less than 15 grams of a substance containing acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride. She also faces a count of unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution - acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride - and another count of containing an item of contraband - alprazolam, a controlled substance. Bond for Kendall was set at $100,000 on June 28, 2023.

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup has announced a busy summer event schedule for the city, including an Ice Cream Social event and a series of Farmers Markets, both coming up in July. The Ice Cream Social is set for July 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will be held at Central Park, located at 633 N. Wood River Ave. in Wood River. Mayor Stalcup encouraged visitors to “come and enjoy ice cream and an afternoon of fun with your neighbors, friends, and family.” The Ice Cream Social is co-sponsored by the City of Wood River & the Wood River Women’s Club. Call (618) 251-3130 for more information, or visit the city’s Parks and Recreation Department website . July will also bring a weekly Farmers Market to Wood River, which will take place each Thursday starting on July 6 and running until September (weather and crops permitting) from 4 p.m. to dusk. The Farmers Market will take place in the parking lot on 1st Street between Route 143 and Ferguson Avenue

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced today it conducted an anti-human trafficking operation in the Metropolitan East St. Louis Area and it resulted in seven arrests. Between June 22-23, 2023, the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois led a human trafficking suppression operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. “ISP has a responsibility to protect those vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual servitude,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The arrests of these individuals serve as notice to anyone who thinks about feeding the demand for human trafficking that ISP could be waiting behind a door for them with handcuffs.” As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged. Donald A. Dececco (43) – St. Louis, Missouri –

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ALTON - Hit it out of the park in Alton and Collinsville during All Star Restaurant Week July 7 – 16 featuring 34 locally owned and operated restaurants serving up delicious dining specials. A total of 24 restaurants in Alton, Grafton, Bethalto, East Alton, Godfrey are participating in this popular dining event. Ten restaurants will serve up great specials in Collinsville. All will feature a lunch and/or dinner special for the 10 day dining event. And once again diners can receive a free commemorative pint glass with a receipt from a participating restaurant to the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton or Uptown Scoops, 403 W. Main St., Collinsville. Glasses are available while supplies last. “Restaurant Week is a great way to celebrate all the amazing locally owned and operated restaurants in the Great Rivers & Routes region,” Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said. “From Alton to Collinsville, we are able to highlight

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