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SPRINGFIELD — As drought conditions continue across the Midwest, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall urge farmers and agricultural workers to prioritize safety during this year’s harvest. Because dry fields create increased fire risks, the 2025 harvest season brings challenges that demand heightened awareness and preparation. “During drought conditions, a single spark can quickly ignite a field,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture . “We want to remind farmers to treat every dry field as a potential fire hazard and to take the necessary precautions to prioritize their own safety – as well as their neighbors and first responders – during this busy season.” “Dry vegetation in fields and wildland areas creates high fuel loads that can ignite quickly and spread rapidly, putting farmers, nearby homes, and surrounding property at risk,”

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul won an important victory in the case to protect the privacy of millions of people throughout the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. In a lawsuit brought by Raoul and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general and the state of Kentucky, the District Court for the Northern District of California ordered a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing its demands that states turn over the personal information of all SNAP applicants and recipients. “I join others in our coalition in applauding the court in this decision, which ensures SNAP recipients can receive the benefits they rely on without the concern of their private personal information being involuntarily shared outside the program,” Raoul said. “SNAP provides access to food for millions of Illinois families while also supporting thousands of local grocers, farmers’

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GODFREY - Hannah Elise Wittman and Samuel Kenneth Loy announced their engagement on November 30, 2024, following a proposal in Cabo San Lucas. Wittman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Damone Wittman of Godfrey, Illinois, while Loy is the son of Mr. Kenneth Loy and Mrs. Julie Loy of Medora, Illinois. Miss Wittman holds a Master’s Degree from Maryville University and works as a speech-language pathologist with the Southwestern School District in Piasa, Illinois. Mr. Loy earned his Master’s Degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University and is a partner at Loy, Miller, Talley in Alton, Illinois. The couple plans to marry on June 13, 2026, in Brighton, Illinois. For more information, contact Michelle Wittman.

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– Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Foreign Relations (SFRC) Committees—had a productive meeting with Insub Jung, President of Hanwha Ocean, and other top representatives of the South Korean company to discuss some of ways we can strengthen our nations’ auxiliary shipbuilding partnership. The Senator’s meeting comes after her recent trip to South Korea and Japan—two global leaders in the shipbuilding industry—where she met with government, military and business leaders to talk about how we can work together to surge production of auxiliary vessels, strengthen our fleet readiness and support our sealift capacity and workforce. Photos of this meeting can be found on the Senator’s website . “Our sealift and auxiliary fleet is essential to our national security and the safety of our troops—and yet our fleet is both aging and insufficient in number

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 recognized its security team at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence and celebrated a milestone at Dunbar Elementary School with the induction of its first fourth-grade National Beta Club members this past week. The district, located in East St. Louis, acknowledged the Wyvetter Younge security staff for their dedication and professionalism in maintaining a safe environment for students, staff, and families. The administrators and staff praised the team’s consistent presence, noting their roles in greeting students, monitoring the building, handling emergencies, and fostering positive relationships within the school community. In a separate event, Dunbar Elementary School inducted 17 fourth-grade students into the National Beta Club, marking the first time the elementary school and surrounding community have had a Beta Club for that grade level. The ceremony was attended by more than 75 guests, including family members,

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ALTON – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, an estimated 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Information, education, and mammography screenings will all be available for attendees at this year’s annual “Girls Night Out” event at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center on Thursday, October 16, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. A limited number of mammography screenings are available during the event and appointments are necessary. Individuals wanting to schedule a mammography screening during the “Girls Night Out” event need to call (618) 474-6791. All event mammography patients will receive a small gift. Insurance information and proper ID will also be needed for those conducting mammography screenings during the event. Light

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GRANITE CITY — On Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced U.S. Steel will continue sending slabs to Granite City Works and will keep the plant operational following pressure from Budzinski, the United Steelworkers (USW), and the Granite City community. In May, President Trump announced that Nippon Steel would acquire U.S. Steel; however, the deal failed to include any assurances or investment for the Granite City facility. Budzinski joined local USW leaders to demand greater transparency, commitments to the future of Granite City, and a seat at the table for steelworkers as Trump negotiated the acquisition. Following the acquisition, it was announced that Granite City Works would no longer be receiving slabs, significantly impacting operations at the site. However, USW and Rep. Budzinski pushed back, and U.S. Steel declared the decision would be reversed . “After the Nippon deal lacked the commitment of future investments to

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COLLINSVILLE – The owner of Studio 420 in Collinsville has been charged with possession of nitrous oxide after a series of purchases were made by undercover Illinois State Police agents, resulting in a search of the property and the seizure of several items. Zachariah F. Yinger, 37, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 19, 2025 with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to deliver. According to a Complaint For Search Warrant filed on Aug. 19, 2025, Illinois State Police Special Agent Corey Martin requested the issuance of a search warrant for the Studio 420 location at 106 W. Main St. in Collinsville. There, he aimed to search for, seize, and return items including: nitrous oxide; U.S. currency; firearms and firearm ammunition; as wellas safes, lock-boxes, storage containers, secured storage containers, secured safes, and the contents therein. Authorities also sought to seize “paraphernalia and equipment used for ingesting nitrous

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Midwest Open beach volleyball tournament brought 25 professional men’s and women’s teams to Plummer Family Park on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, offering the community a chance to experience high-level competition at the city’s new beach volleyball courts. The event was part of the AVP Next series and featured players competing for championship titles and prize money. On the women’s side, Aree Keller and Tiffany Svenssohn took first place, followed by Erica Brok and Lexi McKeown in second. The men’s championship was won by Luke De Greeff and Tynan Gannett, with Cody Caldwell and Wyatt Harrison finishing second. “This was a fantastic event, and such a great opportunity for the community to check out this fun, high-action professional sport at our new beach volleyball courts at Plummer Family Park,” Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy said. “The event wouldn’t have happened without so many businesses and organizations

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ROXANA – A 30-year-old Roxana man faces four felony charges after allegedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old victim. Cody E. Gleason, 30, of the 100 block of East 4th Street in Roxana, was charged on Sept. 18, 2025 with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, including two Class 1 felony counts and two Class 2 felony counts. On June 9, 2025, Gleason allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual conduct upon a victim who was 9 years old at the time of the offense. According to the state’s petition to deny Gleason’s pretrial release from custody, the victim reported that Gleason inappropriately touched her while the two were “lying in bed in the middle of the night watching a Netflix show” while other children were present, including the victim’s sister. The victim immediately reported the incident to her grandmother, and the petition states she gave consistent statements about the event to multiple family members and an interviewer with the

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Did you know that farmers’ markets in the United States generate over $9 billion annually for local economies? Beyond the impressive economic impact, these markets serve as vibrant hubs where communities come together, local agriculture thrives, and seasonal flavors burst forth in abundance. For those who appreciate fresh, sustainably grown food and the stories behind it, fall is an especially compelling time to explore farmers’ markets. The bounty of the harvest season offers a unique opportunity to connect with the land and the people who cultivate it. Why Fall Farmers’ Markets Are Uniquely Worth Visiting Fall farmers’ markets stand apart from their spring and summer counterparts by showcasing a rich palette of produce and artisanal goods that reflect the culmination of the growing season. Crisp apples, hearty squashes, root vegetables, and fresh nuts dominate the stalls. But it’s not just about the variety of food; many markets host special events

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Did you know that families who regularly engage in shared traditions report higher levels of happiness and cohesion? Celebrating the first day of fall can be more than just marking a date on the calendar—it can become an opportunity to strengthen familial bonds and create lasting memories. But how can families turn this moment into a meaningful ritual that everyone looks forward to year after year? The Power of Family Traditions Family traditions are more than routines; they are the threads that weave individual family members into a collective story. Psychologists suggest that traditions provide a sense of identity and stability, which can be especially comforting during times of change. Starting a fall tradition on the very first day of the season offers a natural anchor point—a shared experience that signals the beginning of new rhythms and activities. Crafting Meaningful Fall Traditions Creating traditions around the first day of fall need not involve elaborate plan

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September 22 has been a date marked by pivotal events that have shaped the course of history across the globe. Going back in history, September 22, 1862, saw U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War. This executive order declared that enslaved people in the Confederate states would be set free as of January 1, 1863. While it did not immediately free all enslaved individuals, it was a powerful step toward the abolition of slavery in the United States and reshaped the war’s moral and political goals. Lincoln’s proclamation laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery entirely. In the realm of science and innovation, September 22, 1975, marks the launch of the Soviet spacecraft Venera 9, which would later become the first spacecraft to send back images from the surface of Venus. This mission was a significant milestone in planetary exploration, providing invaluable

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September 20th and 21st have witnessed a fascinating array of events throughout history. Traveling back, on September 20, 1519, the legendary explorer Ferdinand Magellan embarked on his historic circumnavigation of the globe. Setting sail from Spain with a fleet of five ships, Magellan aimed to find a westward route to the Spice Islands. Although Magellan himself would not complete the journey, having been killed in the Philippines, his expedition proved conclusively that the Earth is round and could be circumnavigated by sea. This voyage dramatically expanded European knowledge of the world's geography and opened new avenues for trade and exploration. In the realm of culture and arts, September 20 also holds notable significance. In 1870, the iconic novelist and playwright Leo Tolstoy published the first part of his epic work "War and Peace." This masterpiece has since become a cornerstone of world literature, offering profound insights into Russian society and the human condition

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has officially designated the STAR Tool as the required soil health assessment for all state-funded conservation practices, in accordance with the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act (70 ILCS 405). This decision marks a significant milestone in the commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in Illinois. The STAR Tool now plays a central role in supporting key conservation programs across the state, including the Partners-for-Conservation Cost-Share program (PFC), the Illinois Healthy Soils Initiative (PA 103-00494), and the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS). “The Illinois Department of Agriculture is proud to elevate the STAR Tool as the standard for assessing soil health across all state-funded conservation programs,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “This decision reflects our deep commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today announced achievements in affordable housing, delivering billions of dollars in investments that revitalized communities and expanded access to safe, stable housing across the state. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, IHDA initiatives supported first-time homebuyers, seniors, veterans, and individuals with special needs, meeting the evolving housing demands of Illinois families and strengthening neighborhoods statewide. “As Governor of Illinois, I’m committed to making life more affordable for people across the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From helping thousands of working families achieve their dreams of homeownership to creating more affordable housing opportunities for our veterans and seniors, I applaud IHDA’s critical investments in our communities that support safe, affordable housing for all.” “Whether it was helping a family buy their first home, providin

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JERSEYVILLE — The Jersey Community Hospital (JCH) Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of its Medical Education Fund awards for local students pursuing careers in healthcare. Recipients are eligible to receive $1,000 per semester for up to eight semesters – a maximum of $8,000 in total funding while completing their respective programs. The 2025 JCH Foundation Medical Education Fund recipients are: Annie Hansen , Jersey Community High School graduate, attending the University of Missouri, studying Pre-Med/Physician Assistant. Katreona Benedict , Jersey Community High School graduate, attending Iowa State University, studying Genetics to become a Fertility Specialist. Haley Roach , Jersey Community High School student, attending Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, studying Diagnostic Sonography. Megan Stewart , Jersey Community High School graduate, attending the University of Missouri, studying to become a Physician Assistant

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Did you know that people who regularly practice gratitude report up to 25% higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction? This statistic is more than just a number; it hints at the transformative power of a simple yet profound human experience—gratitude. World Gratitude Day, observed annually on September 21, invites individuals and communities around the globe to pause and reflect on the importance of thankfulness. But beyond its surface celebration, what deeper significance does this day hold in our personal lives and society at large? The Origins and Purpose of World Gratitude Day World Gratitude Day was established in 1965 by the United Nations to promote the recognition and practice of gratitude worldwide. The day was inspired by the idea that expressing thanks is a universal value that transcends cultures, languages, and religions. It aims to foster a spirit of appreciation not only toward other people but also toward life’s circumstances, nature, and the world

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SPRINGFIELD — Just this year, Illinois has already seen 115 tornadoes touch down in the state, which is the highest number of twisters in the nation for 2025. On top of that, communities have faced repeated rounds of severe storms, unleashing destructive straight-line winds and flooding across the state. With September recognized as National Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is urging all residents to take this moment to review and strengthen their disaster preparedness plans. “Severe weather can strike with little warning, and the best defense is being ready before it happens," said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “The national ‘preparedness starts at home’ campaign reminds us that we each have a role to play by mapping out a plan and reviewing insurance coverage” IEMA-OHS offers several blueprints to help residents prepare for an emergency. Emergency kits

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) announce awards totaling $16.2 million in grants to 1,123 artists, arts organizations, and communities throughout Illinois. This year's funding empowers the creative sector, bolsters youth employment in the arts, and enhances regional arts initiatives across the state. “The arts enrich our lives, our communities, and our culture,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With key arts funding under attack at the federal level, I’m proud that Illinois is continuously investing in our state’s talented artists, encouraging young people to pursue their passions in the arts sector, and enhancing communitywide access to arts initiatives.” Grant programs funded in the first quarter of FY26 include the Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF), General Operating Support (GOS) with Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) and Regional Arts Partner (RAP) grants. These programs fortify the state's vibrant cultural

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