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East Alton Ice Arena to Host On-Ice and Sensory-Friendly Easter Egg Hunts

5 months ago
EAST ALTON - The East Alton Ice Arena will host a free on-ice Easter egg hunt this weekend. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, kids of all ages are invited to the arena at 631 Lewis & Clark Boulevard in East Alton for an egg hunt on and around the ice. On Sunday, April 13, a sensory-friendly egg hunt will be held at 11:15 a.m. Participants must wear tennis shoes to walk on the ice. “We’d love to have as many people as we can,” said Katie McKeon with the East Alton Ice Arena. “We appreciate the community. We try to give back to the community. Again, these are free Easter egg hunts. They just need to bring a bag.” Starting at 3 p.m. on April 12, kids ages 1–3 can hunt for eggs. Kids ages 4–7 will join the hunt at 4 p.m., followed by 8–11-year-olds at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., middle school students can join in the fun. The evening will conclude with an Easter egg hunt for high school students at 9 p.m. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand from

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The Hidden Power of Gratitude: Unlocking Joy Through Daily Journaling

5 months ago
Did you know that simply jotting down what you’re grateful for can lead to a significant increase in your emotional well-being? Research indicates that practicing gratitude can enhance your mood, improve relationships, and may even contribute to better physical health. Yet, despite its profound benefits, many people overlook the transformative practice of gratitude journaling. What if you could harness a powerful tool that requires only a few minutes of your day to cultivate positivity and resilience? This article explores the compelling reasons to embrace daily gratitude journaling and offers practical tips to get started. Understanding Gratitude Journaling Gratitude journaling involves regularly writing down things for which you are thankful. This practice can take many forms—some might list three things each day, while others may opt for more elaborate reflections. The essence, however, remains the same: focusing on the positive aspects of life, no matter how small.

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This Day in History on April 9: Robert E. Lee Surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant

5 months ago
April 9th has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history, spanning a variety of categories including politics, science, and culture. On this day in 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, marking the effective end of the American Civil War. This pivotal moment in American history not only reshaped the nation but also inspired countless works of literature, music, and film that continue to explore themes of conflict, reconciliation, and the quest for social justice. Fast-forwarding to the modern era, April 9th is also remembered for its technological advancements. In 2021, the first successful test flight of the Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity, was conducted. This groundbreaking achievement by NASA was a testament to human ingenuity and opened new avenues for aerial exploration of other planets. The successful flight demonstrated the feasibility of powered flight on Mars, paving the way for future mission

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"One Day, One SIUE" Campaign Invites Community to Celebrate SIUE

5 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Students, alumni and community members are invited to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) for their “One Day, One SIUE” celebration. At 6 p.m. on April 24, 2025, the SIUE community will come together to mark the fourth annual giving campaign with a barbecue, live music and more. The event is completely free to attendees, though donations and sponsorships are encouraged, with all proceeds benefiting SIUE’s programs, scholarships and student organizations. “It’s basically a big celebration where we bring everybody together,” said Julie Babington, SIUE’s Senior Director of Annual Giving. “It just has a really special vibe.” The One Day, One SIUE celebration will take place on Stratton Quad on the SIUE campus. The fun starts at 6 p.m., with music by The Red Jackets Band beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s celebration will honor Curtis Francois, owner and president of World Wide Technology Raceway.

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Two Victims Transported To Hospitals After Alton Shooting

5 months ago
ALTON — Two individuals are recovering after being shot on Homer Adams Parkway in Alton on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Alton Police Department received a call at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday from a female driver who reported she was en route to an area hospital following the shooting, which occurred near the intersection with College Avenue. Shortly thereafter, the two gunshot wound victims arrived at a local hospital. One of the victims was subsequently flown to a hospital in St. Louis for additional treatment. Both victims are currently reported to be in stable condition. Authorities have indicated that the shooting was not random, stating that the vehicle carrying the victims was specifically targeted. As a result of the incident, all northbound traffic lanes on Homer Adams Parkway from East Broadway in Alton were closed while investigators searched for physical evidence. Those lanes have since been reopened. The Alton Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance fro

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The White House’s Cuts To Scientific Research Will Cut Short American Lives

5 months ago
Nearly every modern medical treatment can be traced to research funded by the National Institutes of Health: from over-the-counter and prescription medications that treat high cholesterol and pain to protection from infectious diseases such as polio and smallpox. The remarkable successes of the decades-old partnership between biomedical research institutions and the federal government are so intertwined with daily life that it’s easy […]
Mike Masnick

Illinois nursing homes seek Medicaid rate hike

5 months ago
Nursing home industry officials are urging Illinois lawmakers to increase the rates they receive from the state’s Medicaid system, arguing the current rates are outdated and are forcing many facilities around the state out of business. “We’ve expressed our concerns that closures will happen. We’ve been saying that for years, and it’s actually happening now, and it will continue to get worse,” Jonathan Aaron, co-president of the industry lobby group Health Care Council of Illinois, said…
Peter Hancock

Man deported after visiting family grave in Mexico is back in Kansas City

5 months ago
Evenezer Cortez Martinez is back on U.S. soil, landing in Kansas City Tuesday afternoon after being deported. The DACA recipient and Kansas father of three feared that he wouldn’t be able to return from Mexico, a country he left at the age of 4. His Roeland Park family embraced in a tearful and joyful reunion […]
Mary Sanchez

Passing video lottery bill would be ‘a heavy lift’ in Missouri Senate

5 months ago
A bill allowing the Missouri Lottery to install video gambling machines at retail locations across the state faces a difficult path to final passage — even if the sponsor can find enough votes to get it out of the Missouri House. Republican state Sen. Brad Hudson of Cape Fair, who also filed a bill allowing video lottery games, said in an interview Tuesday that he hasn’t pushed his proposal forward because it was assigned to a hostile committee. Three Senate bills authorizing video lottery…
Rudi Keller

Wednesday, April 9 - A new mayor for St. Louis

5 months ago
Mayor Tishaura Jones lost in a landslide to Cara Spencer. Long-time comptroller Darlene Green suffered her first election defeat ever. The president of the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education was also ousted. We have a breakdown of the big races in the St. Louis area in Tuesday night's election.