by Dr. John Gaal Editor’s Note: Each week, Dr. John Gaal, director of worker wellness for the Missouri Works Initiative, a non-profit workforce formed by the Missouri AFL-CIO, collects and comments on news and trends in workforce wellness and life balance. Construction Forum carries the Worker Wellness & Well-Being Blog as a regular feature. The […]
ALTON – Multiple Riverbend residents with prior felony convictions have been charged with illegally possessing firearms in separate criminal cases. Jermaine D. Stiff, 44, of Alton, was charged on June 2, 2025 with a Class X felony count of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, as well as a Class 2 felony count of felon in possession of a weapon. Stiff allegedly possessed a firearm on May 28, 2025 after previously being convicted of several felony offenses, including aggravated discharge of a firearm in 1999, home invasion in 2004, felon in possession of a firearm in 2006, and residential burglary in 2006. A petition to deny Stiff’s pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. The petition states he was seen on surveillance video shooting the firearm he illegally possessed. “Officers were dispatched to a report of multiple shots fired,” the petition states. “Detectives began reviewing
WASHINGTON — National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya testified Tuesday that he will work with Congress to potentially reverse a steep cut to the agency’s funding the White House proposed earlier this year in its budget request. Bhattacharya told highly critical Republicans and Democrats on the Senate panel that writes the NIH’s annual spending […]
TROY – Troy Police have arrested a Worden man for his second domestic battery offense, interfering with the reporting of domestic battery, and more. Roy A. LaFountain, 27, of Worden, was charged on June 5, 2025 with his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery (a Class 4 felony), unlawful restraint (a Class 4 felony), interfering with the reporting of domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor) and criminal damage to property (a Class A misdemeanor). On June 2, 2025, LaFountain allegedly struck a household or family member about the body with his hands. He is additionally accused of unlawfully restraining the victim at a residence in Troy, seizing the victim’s cell phone to prevent them from reporting the act of domestic violence, and causing under $500 in damage to their cell phone and television. LaFountain had previously been convicted of aggravated domestic battery in a 2019 Macoupin County case. He was also under an active Order of Protection at the time of
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's special events for Juneteenth will include the display of a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.
PIASA - Thor Springman, a sophomore at Southwestern High School, emerged as a key contributor during the 2025 track and field season with notable performances in distance events. Thor is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of Month for the Piasa Birds. Springman posted a personal best of 4:46.13 in the 1,600 meters at the Jokisch-Grandone Invitational, marking a significant improvement from his freshman year. He also competed in the 3,200 meters at the IHSA Class 1A Sectional at North Mac, finishing third with a time of 10:17. He posted a time of 2:10.40 in the 800 meters at the Staunton Quad Meet. His efforts were vital to the success of the Southwestern Piasa Birds, as he led the team in total points and earned the distinction of Most Valuable Performer for the season. Looking ahead, Springman will continue his athletic pursuits this fall with Southwestern’s cross country team before transitioning to basketball for the winter season.
ALTON - As summer kicks off, a local psychotherapist has advice for busy families who are dealing with the stress of the transition. Lisa Lawrence, LCSW, works with OSF St. Anthony’s Psychological Services Department to serve young kids and their families. She noted that summer can be a big transition for families as they welcome their children home from school, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “Allow grace and space for the family to transition to summertime itself,” Lawrence advised. “All of it happens so quickly and then we’re in summertime. All of our schedules have changed, and it’s kind of like, what are we doing, where are we supposed to be, how are we getting there? So I think just mindfulness towards that. How are we doing with the schedules? Are we maintaining proper sleep and are we eating, are we having water, do we know where we’re going? Those kinds of things.” Summer can be a great opportunity for
Support us on Patreon » Way, way back during the SOPA/PIPA fight, a very important part of the resistance against the bills was coming from infrastructure operators who explained how they were technically incoherent and dangerous. One prominent group was the Internet Infrastructure Coalition, co-founded by Christian Dawson. Today, with legislative amnesia setting in and new […]
From Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: In 1913, the Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve System, which includes the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., and 12 Federal Reserve banks around the country. The St. Louis Fed is one of those Reserve banks. The St. Louis Fed opened on Nov. 16, 1914, in […]
From Construction Dive: New tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum will raise construction costs further, adding to price spikes triggered by an initial 25% tariff on the materials earlier this year, according to a June 3 industry webinar hosted by Skanska USA. President Donald Trump increased steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50% on Wednesday, doubling down on […]
EDWARDSVILLE - EXO Lounge has a special offering for powerful women who wish to connect. “Boss Bish Thursdays” kick off every Thursday at 5 p.m. at EXO Lounge in Edwardsville. EXO owner Gina Gamblin explained that this is an “elevated ladies’ night” that aims to empower women and give them the opportunity to network with other leaders. “I think a group of women together can do marvelous things,” Gamblin said. “I believe you become the person who you surround yourself with. And I think everybody wants to be their best self. If you surround yourself with powerful women, you become powerful.” On Thursdays, women are invited to EXO for an evening of self-care. In addition to EXO’s normal nail bar and med spa offerings, attendees can also enjoy specialty cocktails and a live DJ playing music by female powerhouses. Gamblin noted that EXO’s kitchen will drop a new menu on Thursday, June 12, 2025, with foo
Bob Dylan appears to be throwing his support behind the upcoming album by Machine Gun Kelly.Mgk just announced his new album, lost americana, will release on Aug. 8. He shared an album trailer,…
ST. LOUIS — A local family displaced by an EF3 tornado that struck their neighborhood in St. Louis is seeking community support to recover from the disaster. Debbie Boukas, a Belleville grandmother, is organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her daughter, her daughter’s partner, and their young son, Banner, who were forced to leave their home due to unsafe living conditions following the storm. The tornado, which tore through the area recently, left their apartment structurally intact but contaminated with hazardous materials, including debris, asbestos, lead paint, and fiberglass. These conditions pose a particular health risk to Banner, her grandson, who has asthma. The family was fortunate to be at a movie theater when the tornado hit, avoiding physical harm, but they returned to significant damage and disruption. “We’re starting over,” Boukas said in her fundraiser description. Her daughter, a graduate student in social work with multiple health issues,
From Call Newspapers: Dirt has been overturned in Whitecliff Park — one of the first tangible signs of the new Crestwood Community Center. On May 23, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, where community members and local leaders gathered to celebrate the official start of a new and improved multipurpose facility. […]
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