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Opinion: Tom Haine Endorses Ray Strebel for Mayor

4 months ago
Letter To The Editor: ALTON – Today, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced his endorsement of Ray Strebel in the 2025 Alton mayoral race. Haine, a respected regional leader on public safety and fifth-generation resident of Alton, cited Strebel’s proven commitment to community safety and governmental reform as key reasons for his support. “I’m proud to back Ray Strebel for Alton Mayor in this crucial election. As Alderman, he took on problem businesses, pushed for real reforms, and fought to keep our parks safe. He is a strong supporter of Alton Police Department’s excellent efforts at proactive policing and will add new energy and new resources from City Hall to their fight against crime. He also knows the importance of strong and ongoing community engagement, and will renew outreach efforts to every part of our city. In short, Ray Strebel is a leader who gets things done, and as Mayor, he’ll bring the commonsense, results-driven

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Attorney General Raoul Leads Coalition Defending The Integrity Of The National Labor Relations Board

4 months ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing a legal challenge that, if successful, would severely limit the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ability to carry out its responsibility of protecting American workers’ right to unionize. Raoul and the coalition filed the brief today with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in the case of YAPP USA Automotive Systems Inc. v. National Labor Relations Board. A lawsuit filed by YAPP USA Automotive Systems Inc. (YAPP) seeks to stop the NLRB from addressing allegations YAPP engaged in unfair labor practices prohibited by federal law, arguing the NLRB’s structure and administrative proceedings are unconstitutional. Raoul and the coalition are urging the court to deny YAPP’s request for an injunction, which would hamstring the NLRB’s ability to protect workers’ right to collectively bargain for better wages and improved

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Rolla Tech Students Rock “Masonry Madness”

4 months ago
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum “Masonry Madness” might sound like a strange new online game. But it’s actually a showcase for the talents of the next generation of bricklayers and laborers. Rolla Technical Institute’s masonry program hosted its 8th annual Masonry Madness competition on Friday, February 28th. Students had just a few hours […]
Tom Finan

Duckworth Reacts to Trump's Plan to Fire More Than 80,000 VA Employees Which Would Further Jeopardize Veterans’ Access to Care

4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—issued the following statement in response to reporting on an internal memo from senior Trump Administration officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) detailing their plans to fire more than 80,000 VA employees this year, after the VA already fired over 2,400 VA employees last month: “Since the bipartisan PACT Act overhauled our VA to better care for our nation’s heroes, the VA has approved over one million claims from Veterans suffering from toxic-exposure—helping more Veterans than ever receive the care they’ve earned. And yet, by planning to fire more than 80,000 VA employees, Donald Trump is dooming not only our VA’s ability to handle the influx of claims, but also brave Veterans who will wait even longer to get the quality care they need. Let’s call this what it is: Republicans&rsquo

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Godfrey Fire Protection District Honors Captain Jacob L. Ringering

4 months ago
GODFREY - The Godfrey Fire Protection District took a moment to honor Captain Jacob L. Ringering on the sixth anniversary of his passing. Ringering died in the line of duty on March 5, 2019, while battling a residential structure fire. On March 5, 2025, the firefighters saluted the flag and held a moment of silence outside of the Godfrey firehouse to commemorate Ringering’s legacy. “His impact, courage, and sacrifice continue to inspire us every single day,” the Godfrey Fire Protection District said in a statement. “Jake was more than a firefighter — he was a leader, a mentor, and a brother to so many in the fire service.” Ringering had a wife, Allison, and three children named Nora, Elaina and Logan. The GFPD said his family was “his greatest joy.” The GFPD added that Ringering’s legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him, including the firefighters at GFPD who aspire to his level of bravery. They encouraged the

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Attorney General Raoul Issues Multistate Guidance For Schools On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Accessibility Initiatives

4 months ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 15 attorneys general in issuing guidance to help K-12 schools, colleges and universities understand the legality, viability and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and practices in education. The guidance comes in response to concerns following a Trump administration executive order and the U.S. Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter and FAQ document targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and programming in schools. The coalition’s guidance reminds educational entities that efforts to seek and support diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible educational experiences for students are legal, and that longstanding legal precedents supporting these programs cannot be changed by an executive order or a letter from the Department of Education.

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St. Anthony's Introduces Support Group for People Struggling with a Loved One's Addiction

4 months ago
ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s is offering a new therapeutic group for people who love someone with a substance use disorder. The Friends and Family Group meets from 5–6 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Psychological Services Department at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Marla Nelson, LCPC, explained that the group aims to provide support and coping strategies. “It is for friends and family who have a loved one who’s struggling with a substance use disorder,” Nelson said. “It’s a therapeutic group. There are other groups like Al-Anon and such. You’re going to have that support and be able to have other people who are going through that same situation.” As a therapeutic group, the meetings are led by Nelson, a therapist, and people are encouraged to share their experiences and challenges with one another. She noted that the group includes “some psychoeducation” to inform loved ones about the science and psychology behind substance

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Eads at 150

4 months ago

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the iconic Eads Bridge, Eads Bridge at 150 examines the complexities of its design, its construction, and the role it has played since it opened […]

The post Eads at 150 appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Myranda Levins