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EDWARDSVILLE — Yummy Donut Palace, a popular local bakery at 443 S. Buchanan Street, Edwardsville, IL, has remained closed since a fire in December 2024, with owner Akara Thap unable to resume operations due to an unresolved insurance claim involving a commercial fryer essential to the business. The fire forced the closure of the small business, and Thap has not received any income since. Thap said a new fryer, purchased shortly before the fire, is currently tied up in the insurance claim process, with no clear timeline for resolution. The cost to replace the fryer could be as high as $6,000, depending on the model. Josh Chavez, a community member, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist Thap in purchasing a new fryer. Chavez is collaborating with another local business owner, Emily Elliot, to raise funds. “The fact that such a necessary item is being withheld from them is deeply disturbing,” Chavez said in a message accompanying the fundraising effort. He encouraged

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A man was detained Wednesday morning after sneaking into the Carnahan Courthouse overnight, being escorted by deputies, and then attempting to reenter the building unauthorized, police say.

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is launching a statewide advocacy campaign aimed at preventing insurance companies from using socio-economic data – such as credit scores, zip codes and age – to charge Illinoisans higher auto insurance rates. As part of his “Driving Change” campaign, Giannoulias is seeking input from Illinoisans, asking them to share their stories about unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices employed by auto insurance companies. Giannoulias launched the campaign today in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, joined by supporters including AARP Illinois and legislative sponsors State Senator Ram Villivalam (8th District – Chicago) and State Representative Rita Mayfield (60th District – Waukegan). “As Secretary of State, I strongly believe that an individual’s driving record should serve as the primary factor that’s analyzed when setting auto insurance rates,” Giannoulias

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SPRINGFIELD – The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s (ATA) Grand American championships , one of the premier events in shooting sports, returns to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta July 30 through Aug. 9. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) 1,600-acre World Shooting and Recreational Complex has hosted the Grand American since 2006. The largest and oldest shooting event of its kind, the event features more than 20 events and attracts more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from across the globe annually. The Grand has an estimated economic impact of $25 million to $30 million annually in southern Illinois. “We’re thrilled to welcome competitors, spectators, vendors and sponsors for the Grand American once again at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Hosting the Grand brings an economic boost to the region, increases exposure to trapshooting, and offers

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To the Editor: I am writing as a concerned resident of the 1st Ward regarding the persistent lack of support for our community’s youth by both our alderman and the Alton Park and Recreation Department. Year after year, we see budget allocations fall short — especially for parks and programs aimed at helping inner-city kids. These children deserve safe spaces to play, learn, and grow, yet time and again, promises are made and resources are not delivered. There is a glaring lack of after-school and summer activities in our area. Our parks have outdated equipment and neglected grounds, and too often I see kids with nowhere to go and nothing productive to do. For a city that claims to care about its future, the inaction is unacceptable. It is the responsibility of our ward’s representative to advocate for our neighborhood and fight for the resources our children need. We need someone who both listens to residents and takes tangible, visible steps to improve ou

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois members of the American Federation of Teachers to discuss how we can better support our state’s schools as the Trump Administration works to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, including by slashing its funding and reducing its workforce by nearly half. The U.S. Department of Education provides funding to help meet the needs of 4,000 K-12 schools and over 2 million K-12 students in Illinois, including resources needed to support students with disabilities and low-income students throughout the state. Photos from the meeting are available on Senator Duckworth’s website . “By working to shutter the Education Department, Donald Trump is turning his back on tens of millions of students and middle-class families across the country,” said Duckworth. “Our children deserve a quality education—regardless of their zip code, disability status or family’s income. We

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and all other Senate Democrats, today reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act . This legislation is especially relevant in Texas where, following historic disapproval of Congressional Republicans’ tax bill, Texas state lawmakers are looking to add five additional Republicans. The move comes in direct response to President Trump’s fears that voters may flip the House in the 2026 midterms. “There is no freedom more fundamental than the right to vote. But between the Trump Administration’s executive order on voter registration and state legislatures gerrymandering districts, there

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TROY - Riverbend residents are invited to downtown Troy for their First Friday event. From 5–8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, the Troy community will welcome acoustic duo Lanny and Julie, several food trucks, and countless residents to come out and enjoy the evening. Dawn Mushill, president of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, promises a great night. “We have some fun coming up,” Mushill said. “Get some food and bring a lawn chair.” The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce has hosted two First Friday events so far this year and will conclude the series in September. Mushill looks forward to sharing another event with the community. All of the local businesses will be open, including The Happy Elephant, Salt Wellness, Rose MedSpa, Red Door Cottage, No Restrictions Tattoos and Mokka Bon. You can grab food and drinks from The Happy Elephant, the Troy VFW, The Buzzed Bee, Time Out, Kokomo Joe’s, and Wine

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When Dead & Company perform their three headline shows in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Grateful Dead, fans on-site will get the first chance to…

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St. Louis County Executive Sam Page was formally indicted by a grand jury Wednesday.

COLLINSVILLE - Last Friday, July 25, 2025, the Collinsville Police Department concluded the 2025 session of its Youth Academy, providing cadets with an introduction to various law enforcement career paths and aspects of the profession. The program, held in Collinsville, Illinois, included physical training and team-building exercises designed to give participants a comprehensive experience. The Collinsville Police Department expressed gratitude to the numerous agencies and officers who contributed to the academy. The group included the Madison County Jail, retired Troy Police Department Officer Coyne, the Illinois State Police Airwing Unit, the Belleville Police Department Crime Scene Unit, and the Collinsville Fire Department, among others. "These collaborations aimed to offer cadets a broad perspective on public safety careers," the Collinsville Police Department said in a statement.

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Who’s funding a state’s tax credit program for private school tuition is no longer available through Missouri’s transparency portal, after decision by the State Treasurer’s Office to remove the information.

SWANSEA - Swansea Police Officer Daniel Voelker received a Certificate of Recognition from Village Trustee Natalie Jablonski recently for his leadership in organizing the inaugural Swansea Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Charity Golf Tournament earlier this summer. The golf tournament event raised significant funds that were donated to several local organizations. The donations benefited the Tyler Timmons Foundation, which supports Fairview Heights Police officers injured earlier this year; the Illinois State Police Team Illinois Youth Camp; Brett’s First Responders; and the Swansea Fire Department Safety Training Program. Fairview Heights Trustee Natalie Jablonski expressed gratitude for Voelker’s efforts and the impact of the FOP’s contributions. “We are extremely grateful for your efforts and proud of the assistance the FOP has provided to these amazing organizations in our community,” she said. The FOP Charity Golf Tournament marked the first

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GRAFTON – One man’s mission to sail the 6,000 mile Great Loop in record time has taken him from Florida to New York City and beyond – including a recent stop in the Riverbend region. Austin, Texas native Robert Youens is attempting to set the new solo speed record in a jon boat normally designed for duck hunting in bayous. Since his July 12, 2025 departure from Pensacola, Fla., he’s been cheered on by a growing number of supporters from around the country – both in-person and on his Facebook page , where followers express their support under each new post updating them on his progress. Youens stopped in Grafton on Monday, July 28, 2025, for a trip to the Grafton Oyster Bar and to take shelter at a local residence. He told his followers there was a “rocking party at the Grafton Oyster Bar upon arrival,” remarking the night before: “I'm going to bed in a beautiful home in Grafton.” Following an overnight stay,

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Markael Brazier, 23, was charged with possession of burglary tools after allegedly possessing a hammer, gloves, and scissors at a Drive Time Auto dealership in north St. Louis County.