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Did you know that the first hour after waking up can influence your productivity, mood, and focus for the entire day? Research from the University of London found that individuals who follow a consistent morning routine tend to experience less stress and improved cognitive function throughout their day. For students and parents alike, creating a productive back-to-school morning routine can be the difference between a frantic rush and a calm, focused start. Establishing an effective morning routine is not just about waking up early—it’s about intentional habits that prepare both mind and body for the day ahead. Here are some essential strategies and practical tips to help craft a morning routine that fosters productivity, reduces stress, and supports academic success. Understanding the Importance of a Morning Routine A morning routine acts as a psychological anchor, providing structure and predictability. For students, especially those transitioning from a more relaxed

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September 15 marks a day rich with historical significance, spanning diverse fields such as international diplomacy, science, culture, and sports. 1752: Britain Adopts the Gregorian Calendar Another significant event on September 15 occurred in 1752 when Great Britain and its colonies implemented the Gregorian calendar, replacing the Julian calendar. This adoption corrected a drift in the calendar system by skipping 11 days, so the day after September 2, 1752, became September 14, 1752. The calendar reform helped synchronize the British Empire’s timekeeping with much of Europe, facilitating international trade and communication. The change was met with some public confusion and resistance, but it ultimately standardized time measurement and remains in use today. 1916: The First Tank Battle in World War I September 15, 1916, saw the first significant use of tanks in combat during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. The British Army deployed these new armored vehicles

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ST. LOUIS — Just before 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 3 officers responding to a report of a suspicious person in the 3600 block of South Grand Boulevard encountered an armed suspect, according to authorities. When officers parked their patrol SUV to investigate, the suspect pulled a firearm. Force detectives later determined the weapon was a CO2-powered air pistol designed to resemble a traditional firearm. Two officers discharged their service weapons during the encounter. The suspect’s weapon was recovered at the scene, and the suspect died at the scene. No officers were injured. The Force Investigation Unit is conducting the investigation.

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CASEYVILLE — A man was charged with aggravated domestic battery after officers responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence on September 7, 2025, where a pregnant woman was found in distress. Officers from the Caseyville Police Department arrived at the scene following a 911 call in which dispatch heard a Spanish-speaking female rapidly speaking before the line was disconnected. Upon arrival, officers observed a Hispanic female, approximately four months pregnant, visibly distressed at the end of the driveway. Shortly thereafter, a male subject fled on foot from behind the residence. Police pursued and apprehended the male suspect, identified as Jesus Lopez-Solano, a Caseyville resident born July 20, 1998. After further investigation, Lopez-Solano was taken into custody and charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 3 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented to the Saint Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office on September

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O'FALLON — The VFW Post 805 in O'Fallon hosted Bacon Fest on Saturday, September 13, 2025, raising funds to support local veterans and promote community businesses. The event featured live music, a bounce house for children, and a variety of vendors, all of whom offered at least one menu item incorporating bacon. Bacon Fest serves as a fundraiser for relief funds that assist veterans with essential needs, such as paying utility bills and vehicle repairs necessary for maintaining employment. Veterans often come to the VFW Post seeking this support. In addition to food and entertainment, Missouri Valley Search and Rescue provided free Kidz Kardz Child ID cards during the event. These cards contain basic information to help first responders identify missing children and are kept by parents or guardians in case of separation. The festival combined community engagement with a focus on supporting veterans, highlighting the ongoing needs of those who have served.

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ROXANA — Mason Crump, a senior running back for the Roxana Shells, has been named the Midwest Members Male Athlete of the Month for his outstanding performance during the 2025 football season. Crump has established himself as a key offensive player for the Shells, contributing significantly to the team’s 3-0 start. In a recent victory against Civic Memorial, he scored two touchdowns on short runs of 1 and 2 yards, demonstrating his versatility and athletic ability. Through the first three games, Crump has amassed five touchdowns and 256 rushing yards, averaging six yards per carry. On defense, he has recorded three solo tackles and one assist. “It feels great to come out here and put a plan together and dominate up front, and that’s how I feel we did all game. I put a lot of faith in my O-line, and they helped me get in the endzone,” Crump said. Last season, Crump rushed for 704 yards and scored nine touchdowns, setting a strong foundation for his curren

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SORENTO — A Sorento man faces a felony charge after authorities say he was found with fentanyl and gave a false name to a deputy. Corey J. Eulberg, 48, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class 4 felony, and Obstructing Identification. The charges stem from an incident on May 3, 2025, when Eulberg allegedly possessed fentanyl and provided a false name to a Macoupin County deputy after being detained, according to the charging document. The charges were officially filed on September 3, 2025. Eulberg is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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September 13th and 14th have long been dates marked by pivotal events that have shaped the course of history across continents and disciplines. Traveling back to the late 18th century, September 13th was also the day when a significant military engagement unfolded during the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Brandywine, fought near Philadelphia, was a crucial encounter in which the British forces aimed to seize the American capital. Despite the American troops’ valiant defense, the British emerged victorious, leading to the subsequent occupation of Philadelphia. This battle underscored the challenges faced by the revolutionaries and the strategic complexities of the war that ultimately led to American independence. September 13th has also been notable in the cultural sphere. This date marks the birth of several influential artists and thinkers whose contributions have left lasting impressions on literature, music, and philosophy. Their works continue to inspire new generations

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced legislation that would cap fees and interest on consumer loans at an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 36 percent—the same limit currently in place for loans marketed to military service members and their families. Studies show that while lenders today offer easy credit, these transactions often come with high interest rates, steep late fees, and other hidden charges. This predatory business model exploits hard-working Americans, trapping them in long-term debt cycles that drain bank accounts and cause serious, long-term financial harm. “Too many Americans suffer long-term financial harm from predatory loans and deceptive tactics. We need federal legislation that cracks down on predatory lending and closes loopholes used to exploit hard-working Americans,” Durbin said. “The Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable

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SPRINGFIELD - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointment in his administration: Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Christopher W. Toppin will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board.* Toppin is a senior human resources executive with over 15 years of experience leading workforce strategy, organizational development, and talent engagement across global industries. As Vice President of Human Resources at S&C Electric Company, he oversees HR business partnering operations for more than 3,500 employees, guiding initiatives in leadership development, diversity and inclusion, succession planning, and employee engagement. Toppin earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from East Carolina University. * Appointment pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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CHICAGO — Yesterday, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) welcomed Caleb J. Melamed as the newest member of the Board and considered a number of regulatory matters during its regularly scheduled September meeting. “Caleb brings a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in gaming law and policy to the Board,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from Caleb while he was on IGB staff and look forward to continuing our work together in his new role on the Board.” Prior to his retirement, Member Melamed worked in state government for more than 45 years as a dedicated public servant. He served as the IGB’s Legislative Liaison and Legal Counsel for nearly 20 years. Before that, Member Melamed served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General in the Opinions Unit, a Hearing Officer and Investigator for the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, and as a Legislative Analyst

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) will host the second annual Illinois Outdoor Excellence Awards, honoring outstanding contributions to Illinois’ natural resources and outdoor heritage. The awards will be presented at the annual ICF Gala in March 2026, where winners will be recognized alongside the newest class of Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees. Nominations for the Illinois Outdoor Excellence Awards are now open and may be submitted through the ICF w ebsite . The deadline for submissions is Oct. 30. Building on last year’s successful launch, the Illinois Outdoor Excellence Awards continue to highlight the individuals, organizations, and businesses who are making a meaningful impact on conservation and outdoor recreation across the state. The 2024 awardees included Fresh Air Friendship, Park Bait owner Stacey Greene, Central Illinois Kayaking and Floating, Annie Oakley Shooters of Northern Illinois, and outdoor writer Kerry Luft.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Cook Country Board of Commissioners, Toni Preckwinkle, as well as leadership of Cook County Health to discuss Medicaid cuts in President Trump and congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). They also discussed President Trump’s continued attacks on Chicago, in addition to his deployment of ICE agents to the city on Monday as part of his newly announced “Operation Midway Blitz.” “The Trump Administration, and President Trump himself, has caused fear and chaos in Cook County. Just last weekend, he posted a grotesque image on social media stating that Chicago is ‘about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,’” said Durbin. “As the President continues to try to tear down our city, I’m glad I was able to meet with President Preckwinkle and Cook County Health Leadership to discuss ways we can push back on his cruel policies.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will accept sealed bids this fall for about 20 agricultural lease contracts for crop years 2026-2030. IDNR utilizes agricultural leases as a tool to support wildlife populations and recreational opportunities at sites owned or managed by the agency. The leases developed under this program will promote ecologically sound agricultural practices to improve soil health, minimize soil erosion, improve water quality, and reduce chemical impacts to benefit wildlife populations and their habitats. IDNR sites with leases open for bid will be publicly announced on the State of Illinois’ procurement site, BidBuy at bit.ly/bididnr . A non-mandatory vendor conference will be conducted for each open lease with details included in the public notice. Currently, all bidders must register with BidBuy to be eligible to enter a contract with the state. When asked for an NIGP code, enter 944-00 (Farming and Ranching) and 944-48

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Illinois Pork Producers Association who shared their top policy priorities in the pork industry. Durbin and the group discussed the effects of California’s Proposition 12 on Illinois pork production, as well as the critical role of foreign workers in keeping the Illinois pork industry strong. “Illinois pork production relies heavily on foreign workers, working on the farm, in meat packing plants, in restaurants, and in grocery stores. These are the toughest jobs in the country, it is difficult work, and we need them. These workers are an essential part of pork production,” said Durbin. “I encouraged the pork producers to speak out to their friends, neighbors, and communities, so that more downstate communities can learn about the critical importance of immigrant labor to Illinois agriculture, and for

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CHICAGO – As part of the Pritzker Administration’s commitment to expanding the health care workforce and providing needed care to the people of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) today announced a new licensure process that will better enable internationally trained physicians to provide their services to the people of Illinois. International Medical Graduate physicians (IMGs) may now apply for an International Medical Graduate Limited License that allows them to practice under a supervising physician and begin the pathway to full licensure in Illinois. IMGs may now apply for this new license by going here . "Today marks a transformative step forward in the landscape of health care in Illinois,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr . “This new process opens doors for skilled professionals to provide their expertise to the people of Illinois while ensuring they receive the support and supervision necessary fo

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EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville is excited to host the Midwest Open, a beach volleyball tournament for professional volleyball teams with a $20,000 payout. On Sept. 20 and 21, 2025, community members are invited to Plummer Family Park in Edwardsville to watch the tournament for free, enjoy yard games, eat at food trucks, and celebrate the volleyball community. Nate Tingley and Sara Thomas with the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department expressed their excitement to bring people out and engage with the city. “I think it’s just another example of how Edwardsville is trying to really attract people, both locally and from the area, to come to Edwardsville, have a great time, and enjoy themselves,” Tingley explained. “It’s great for the community.” The volleyball tournament will kick off at 8:30 a.m. both days. There are six beach volleyball courts at Plummer Family Park. They currently have 18 teams from around the country slated

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are teaming up to make sure haunted houses in Illinois are safe before doors open for the Halloween season. Haunted houses operated by not-for-profit religious, educational, or charitable organizations may apply for an exemption from IDOL inspections. Haunted house operators/owners should contact local authorities to see what requirements apply locally for haunted houses. Local authorities should be providing those inspections. For those municipalities that do not have local codes or inspectors, OSFM will perform a Fire Department Assistance inspection upon receiving a request from the local Fire Chief. “Spooky season is something many people look forward to in Illinois,” said IDOL Carnival Manager Brian Fox . “IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attractions Safety Inspectors work to ensure that an experience at a haunted house is safe and fun by verifying

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a new online portal and updated database created to help charitable organizations more easily comply with state law and to improve potential donors’ access to information about charitable organization before making donations. The new system will allow charitable organizations to fill out and submit required forms to the Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau, request filing extensions if needed and pay required fees electronically. Potential donors will be able to better search for charitable organizations’ registration and financial information using the office’s newly updated Charitable Trust Database . “The new online filing system will greatly improve the ability of charitable organizations to interact with my office’s Charitable Trust Bureau, making it easy for organizations to comply with Illinois law,” Raoul said. “Potential donors in Illinois have a right to kno

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today reintroduced legislation to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover 2.7 million education support professionals (ESPs) who are currently blocked from accessing FMLA benefits. The FMLA guarantees a segment of the workforce the ability to take unpaid leave to care for their newborns and sick loved ones without fear of losing their jobs. However, as a result of their schedules and the limited school year, many ESPs—including clerical support professionals, maintenance workers, janitorial staff, food service employees, bus drivers and others—fail to meet the 1,250-hour threshold needed to qualify for unpaid leave under the FMLA. Duckworth and Casten’s ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act would correct this by finally updating the FMLA to close this gap in federal law. “No one should ever have to choose between

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