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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville community gathered for a ceremony to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks today. On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, community members and leaders met at the September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois in Belleville. This memorial stands year-round outside of the Belleville Fire Department, but the space took on special significance on the 24th anniversary of 9/11 as community members, first responders and elected officials commemorated the bravery and sacrifice of those who were affected. “Today, we come together in Southern Illinois to remember those who were killed and those who survived the attack,” said Sharon Strausbaugh, chairperson of the September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois Committee. “We’re here to honor the sacrifices of the first responders and the recovery workers who ran toward danger to aid and to rescue, and to recapture the spirit of unity and service that developed in the aftermath of

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JERSEYVILLE – Jersey Community High School (JCHS) is proud to announce our National Merit Recognition Award winners from the Class of 2026! 36 JCHS seniors have been recognized for their outstanding academic achievements by the College Board National Recognition Program. This program celebrates students' hard work in academic performance and showcases their strong performance on standardized tests. Criteria: GPA of 3.5 or higher and score in the top 10% on the PSAT/NMSQT assessment in the state of Illinois. Award Winners in alphabetical order: Zoey Barnett, Abigail Behl, Matthew Bishop, Madalyn Bodenbach, Cali Breden, Abigail Chin, Kale Downey, Ethan Edwards, Jescie Fitzgerald, Kimberlee Ford, Shayla Friedel, Cooper Gillis, Chloe Hartman, Bryce Hutchens, Jeremiah Kanallakan, Shane Lamer, Ava Little, Hayden Longley, Samantha Lott, Emma Lyons, Brady Maxeiner, Willow McCoy, Alyson Muscarella, Izabelle Peuterbaugh, Abigail Piazza, Mallory Plunk, Mylie Ramirez, Hannah Samples,

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MARYVILLE — Students and staff at Maryville Elementary School gathered at the flagpole Monday to observe the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and Patriot Day. The event included the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, which took on special significance as the school community honored the day. Many participants expressed their patriotism by wearing flag-themed shirts and homemade patriotic hats. The gathering aimed to remember the events of 9/11 and to reflect on the importance of national unity. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/i4wNKy-jnio

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul secured a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to gut essential health, education and social service programs for low-income families. In July, Raoul joined 20 other attorneys general in challenging the federal government’s reinterpretation of a decades-old law governing access to social services. On Wednesday, a federal court granted the coalition’s request for a preliminary injunction, blocking sweeping new rules that threatened to strip funding from programs like Head Start, Title X family planning clinics, food banks, domestic violence shelters, adult education and community health centers. “I am pleased with the court’s decision, which ensures Illinoisans will continue to have access to these vital programs and services,” Raoul said. “I will continue to oppose arbitrary and illegal actions by the Trump administration and will use all the tools at my disposal to

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SWANSEA - Swansea Police Department welcomed a new officer this week as George Atanasov graduated from the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy in Belleville. Officer Atanasov is scheduled to begin the department’s field training program in the village shortly. The department expressed pride in Atanasov’s achievement and encouraged community members to offer a warm welcome when they see him on patrol. “We are proud of his hard work and excited to have him join our police family,” the Swansea Police Department said in a statement. Atanasov’s addition comes as the Swansea Police Department continues efforts to strengthen its presence and service within the community.

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OREM, Utah — Authorities released photos Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, where the conservative activist was killed Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking on campus. Law enforcement officials believe the sniper fired one shot with a high-powered, bolt-action Mauser .30-caliber rifle before jumping off a roof and fleeing into a nearby neighborhood. The rifle was later found concealed in a towel in wooded terrain near the university. Investigators are analyzing the weapon and ammunition at a federal lab to gather forensic evidence. The Utah Department of Public Safety described the suspect as appearing to be college-aged and blending in with the campus environment. The FBI released two images of the person of interest, showing someone wearing a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeve black shirt, and asked the public to assist in identifying the individual. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI

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WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged his Senate colleagues to pass his bipartisan STOP CSAM Act . The Committee advanced the bill unanimously in June. Durbin began by highlighting the grave concerns parents have about their kids online, saying: “Protecting our children is one of the most important duties of public service. When families send their kids to school, or let them play outside, or allow them to go online, they should be confident that their kids are safe. But today, too many parents have a sinking feeling every time their child logs onto a phone, tablet, or video game console. They know that the internet has become a dangerous opportunity for predators looking to exploit the young and vulnerable. This is not a problem of the future. It is the crisis now.” Durbin then expounded on the magnitude of the online child safety crisis, citing

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ALTON — This week, the Alton Police Department participated in “Chalk the Walk,” an initiative aimed at raising awareness for suicide prevention month by spreading messages of hope, encouragement, and support on local sidewalks. The chalk drawings outside the Alton Police Department serve as visual reminders that no one faces struggles alone and that help is always available. The effort reflects the department’s commitment to standing with individuals who are struggling, those who have lost loved ones, and everyone working to break the stigma surrounding mental health. The Alton Police Department encourages anyone in crisis, or those who know someone in need, to contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. The department emphasized that assistance is accessible through this resource at any time.

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SPRINGFIELD – President Mark Guethle and the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) strongly condemned the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah earlier today. “Let me be perfectly clear: nothing justifies the horrific violence we saw today. While we may never have agreed with Charlie Kirk, there is never an excuse for violence. Full stop,” said President Guethle. “We are shocked and horrified by what seems to have been a politically motivated murder and we extend our deepest sympathy to Charlie’s wife and family as well as the students and community members who had to endure this tragic event.” He continued, “We are the party of democracy. That means we believe in the democratic process as the way to settle political differences and make change. We will never condone, excuse or tolerate violent tactics in the political arena.” McCombie Responds To Charlie Kirk Assassination CHICAGO – After Illinoisan and

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BETHALTO – Bethalto is the latest local municipality to approve the replacement of an expiring state-level sales tax on groceries with the village’s own 1% grocery tax, starting next year. Village Board members unanimously approved an ordinance at this week’s meeting which “implements a 1% grocery sales tax effective Jan. 1, 2026, to replace the same tax(es) that are to be discontinued by the State of Illinois on that date.” Since it was first imposed in 1990, the State of Illinois sent 100% of the proceeds collected from the 1% grocery tax directly back to local municipalities. In 2024, the Illinois General Assembly voted to eliminate the grocery tax and set it to expire in 2026, which also eliminated a major source of revenue for communities across Illinois. State legislators later passed a law allowing municipalities to implement their own locally collected grocery taxes to offset the loss in state revenue. This would not amount to a sales tax increase

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) will host a Community Day focused on water infrastructure in the Metro East on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) East St. Louis Center. The event, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT, aims to provide residents with updates on flood mitigation, stormwater management, and wastewater backup prevention. Budzinski will be joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Major General Jason Kelly, deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). State agencies and community organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Insurance, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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SOUTH ROXANA - A stolen Gateway Med Star ambulance crashed Thursday morning, Sept. 11, 2025, on Route 111 near South Roxana after police deployed stop sticks to halt the vehicle, authorities said. The incident began around 9 a.m. Sept. 11, when a patient being unloaded at the emergency room at Gateway Regional Medical Center at 2010 Madison Avenue in Granite City reportedly stole the ambulance and fled the scene, according to Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor. “During the unloading process, the patient stole a Med Star ambulance and fled the emergency room,” Sheriff Connor said. “A call was made to Granite City police, and they put out the alert.” A deputy from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office intercepted the ambulance on Route 111 north of Poag Road, prompting a pursuit involving multiple agencies. A South Roxana officer deployed stop sticks in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver made an evasive maneuver, lost control, and rolled the ambulance

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning Russia for violating NATO airspace with multiple Russian drone incursions into Poland. It was the first time in the history of NATO that alliance fighters had engaged enemy targets in allied airspace. During his remarks, Durbin also chastised the Pentagon’s reported decision to suspend the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), a program to strengthen military cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania that Durbin has been integral in establishing. Durbin introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026 that would shore up support for BSI as the Trump Administration aims to suspend it. “The Baltic States are some of the most vibrant dedicated members of NATO, spending well above proposed funding

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ALTON - Experts from OSF HealthCare discussed important information about cholesterol and atrial fibrillation (AFib) during a recent interview on "Our Daily Show," coinciding with National Cholesterol Education Month and National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Meredith Walter, MSN, ANP-BC, and Margy Goetten, NP, RN, MSN, BSN, both healthcare providers specializing in cardiology at OSF HealthCare, joined the studio on September 8, 2025, to explain the relationship between cholesterol levels and AFib, a common irregular heart rhythm. Cholesterol, described as a waxy fat substance in the blood, plays a role in producing proteins and amino acids, Goetten said. However, Walter and Goetten emphasized the distinction between “good” and “bad” cholesterol, noting that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered harmful because it can accumulate in arteries throughout the body, not just the heart. Guidelines recommend that individuals begin cholesterol

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, today filed an amicus brief in support of Ellenor Zinski, a former employee of Liberty University. The brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Zinski v. Liberty University, urges the court to affirm Zinski’s right to sue her former employer for sex-based discrimination after Liberty fired her upon learning of her identity as a transgender woman. “The First Amendment does not give employers, including Liberty University, a green light to discriminate,” Raoul said. “No one should lose their employment because of who they are or who they love, and I will continue to partner with attorneys general from across the country to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.” Zinski was hired by Liberty University in February 2023 to work at its information technology help desk. In July 2023, after the end of her 90-day probationary period,

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What does it truly mean to remember a day that changed a nation forever? Patriot Day, observed every September 11th, is more than a date on the calendar—it is a solemn reminder of resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of the American people. Over two decades after the attacks of 2001, this day continues to hold deep significance, shaping national identity and collective memory in profound ways. The Origins of Patriot Day The events of September 11, 2001, marked one of the darkest chapters in American history. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in coordinated terrorist attacks targeting the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a thwarted attack that ended in Pennsylvania. In response, the U.S. Congress designated September 11 as Patriot Day in 2002, a day to honor the victims and heroes of that tragic day. Unlike other national holidays, Patriot Day is not a day of celebration but of reflection and remembrance. It serves as a platform for the country to come together, transcending

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September 11 is a day that resonates deeply around the world. We begin with the most impactful event that continues to influence international relations and societies worldwide: the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. On that clear Tuesday morning, nineteen hijackers affiliated with the extremist group Al-Qaeda commandeered four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing catastrophic collapses that led to thousands of deaths and widespread devastation. A third plane struck the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., while the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers. This series of coordinated attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left a profound scar on the American psyche and the international community. The aftermath of 9/11 saw sweeping changes in global security protocols, the launch

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ALTON – 10 supporters of the State Street BMX Trails in Alton spoke in favor of keeping the trails open at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, while two neighborhood residents echoed previous complaints about the property. Keeley Bogart, who has consistently voiced opposition to the trails and praised city officials for reportedly closing them down, encouraged the city to enforce any and all relevant zoning regulations that govern the property and a city-owned lot which is used to access the trails. She added “no trespassing” signs and a guardrail should be installed at the lot to prevent unauthorized access. “This isn’t about personal disputes, it’s about enforcing zoning, permits, code requirements, proper processes, liability issues, and ensuring safety for all residents,” Bogart said. “I understand that the trails are now closed, however, this does not eliminate the effects on neighbors. Whether use is limited or private,

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ALTON - The Alton School District invites all families, staff, and community members to be a part of a new initiative—Reimagine Alton: Our Story, Our Community, Our Future. Together, the community will shape the future of Alton schools by sharing ideas, identifying challenges and building on the district’s strengths to ensure every student, family and staff member feels a true sense of belonging. At the core of this effort is the District Improvement Plan, which outlines a multi-year strategy to strengthen student learning, support educators and improve school culture. During the 2025-2026 school year, the community will come together to review and expand upon this plan through a series of workshops, ensuring it reflects our community’s priorities. “This process is about more than a plan; it’s about listening to our community and working together to create schools where everyone belongs,” said Reimagine Alton co-chair Damian Jones. “Your

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey will host their first pickleball tournament next month. On Oct. 4 and 5, 2025, community members can compete in a doubles tournament at Glazebrook Park, organized by the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. It costs $10 per person to compete and there are several brackets available. “This is something that the mayor and I have been talking about for a long time,” said Chris Logan, director of the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department. “Other groups have held tournaments out there. The boss says, ‘We should have our own.’ I said, ‘You know what, let’s do it.’ We’re going to call it the Glazebrook Open.” The tournament kicks off at 8 a.m. on Oct. 4 and 5. There will be an open men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles tournament as well as a men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles tournament for players over age 50, if they’d prefer

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