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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across the nation. “By sending masked officers without any sort of identification to detain nonviolent migrants, Donald Trump is proving once again that he’s more focused on sowing fear and distrust in our communities than actually making our country safer,” said Duckworth. “This deceptive practice shields federal agents from accountability and hurts public trust

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led Senators in speeches on the Senate floor against President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions request to cut funding already appropriated by Congress—specifically the $1.1 billion cut to federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), including $700 million that provides critical funding for local public media. Should Republicans pass the President’s rescissions package, it would devastate more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. “Bottom line: do you think we’re better off with less information as Americans or more? Bottom line: do you want a choice to pick your own source of information, do you want that choice to include the Corporation for Public Broadcasting? The President says, ‘no, we’re not going to provide the assistance for that to continue.’ What mean for small towns in downstate Illinois all the way up to Chicago?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—voted against Bryan Bedford’s nomination to serve as FAA Administrator. Senate Republicans confirmed Bedford by a vote of 53-43. “At this critical moment for aviation safety, it is deeply disturbing that Senate Republicans just confirmed someone who refused to commit to upholding the 1,500-hour pilot training requirement. With a surge in near-misses, an air traffic controller shortage, aging air traffic control equipment and facilities—and in the wake of the first major deadly commercial crash in more than a decade, now is clearly not the time to weaken flight hour requirements for our nation’s aspiring airline pilots. “Incident after incident, it has been pilots who have made last second decisions to avert disaster. Well-trained pilots are our last line of defense, and I could not vote for a nominee who

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Join a 5th-generation St. Louisan, foodie + storyteller on this leisurely two-mile walk through St. Louis' rollercoaster history while enjoying some of the most delicious nibbles the city has to offer […]

The post Food + History Walking Tours of the Central West End appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Learning when to say "no" and when to say "yes" is a powerful act of self-awareness. Setting boundaries isn’t about being selfish, it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, energy, and goals. Saying "no" can protect your time and well-being, while saying "yes" at the right moments can open doors to growth and connection. Mastering this equilibrium is key to living a more balanced life. First, let’s talk burnout. Burnout is the state of emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. While there are several different factors that can lead to burnout, the lack of setting boundaries can be a primary factor for many people. Saying “no” is a key boundary-setting skill that can take time to develop. People-pleasing tendencies also tend to contribute to burnout. This may look like saying yes to or committing to things when you’re already at capacity in an effort not to disappoint others. Though saying

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EDWARDSVILLE - On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) students, faculty, staff and administrators hosted a Dentistry Day for student participants in the BESt Healthcare Institute 2025 Summer Program . The Institute, a four-week summer intensive for area high school students interested in healthcare careers, is a collaboration between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, Inc. and Washington University in St. Louis. This is SIU SDM’s second year offering an immersive experience in dentistry, by presenting a full day of interactive presentations, panels, hands-on learning, lunch and a campus tour. Thirty high school students began their visit with a welcome from SIU SDM Dean Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, accompanied by members of faculty, staff and SDM students who volunteered their time. "We were delighted to have the opportunity to expose high school seniors in the BESt Summer Health Care Institute program

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Lane closures on I-64 begin July 14 ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures will be in place on both directions of Interstate 64 between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50 in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, July 14. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. The closures mark the start of a multi-phase improvement project along the I-64 corridor from Illinois 157 to one mile east of West Highway 50. The $76.87 million project consists of milling and pavement resurfacing and various overhead bridge repairs. Work will be broken down into the following phases: Phase 1: Resurfacing I-64 in both directions between Illinois 159 and one mile east of West Highway 50. This work is expected to be completed in late fall 2025. Phase 2: Repairs to various overhead bridges within the project limits. Work is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed by summer 2026. Phase 3: Resurfacing

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ALTON - It’s a “one-stop shop” at the upcoming “Healthy Communities: Community Health and Resource Fair.” From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the community can stop by the YWCA in Alton to learn about a variety of resources across Madison County, from legal aid to mental health support to vision screenings. The event is sponsored by Centerstone and Birth to Five Illinois: Region 41. “This community is so amazing and kind of works together as a team,” said Jennifer Schulz with Centerstone. “Even though we’re a mental health and substance use treatment center, we’re also trying to help by bringing all of these resources together and just working together as one big resource for the community.” Schulz noted that it can be “ridiculously difficult” to find the time, transportation and childcare needed to visit the doctor or meet with local resources. She hopes the fair can serve as a “one-stop

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COLLINSVILLE - At this week’s City Council meeting in Collinsville, Abstracts & Titles Inc. presented the City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation with a $12,500 check to sponsor the In-Ground Merry-Go-Round for Glidden Park’s planned All Abilities Playground. The donation supports the development of an inclusive playground designed to accommodate children of all abilities. Lisa Engelke, vice president of Abstracts & Titles Inc., which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project at the council meeting. “We talked about it a lot, and I think everybody can kind of remember those days running down to the park, and jumping on the merry-go-round, spinning as fast as you can...that is not an experience that should have boundaries or limitations,” Engelke said during the presentation. She added that the company hopes to encourage others to support inclusive community initiatives. “We just hope to inspir

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COLLINSVILLE — The Illinois State Police announced the results of Roadside Safety Checks conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties during June, aimed at reducing impaired and unsafe driving. According to Captain Casey Faro, commander of ISP Troop 8, the enforcement efforts resulted in 101 total citations and arrests, along with 36 written warnings. Among the citations were 1 for driving under the influence, 9 for other alcohol or drug-related offenses, 14 for occupant restraint violations, 27 for registration offenses, 45 for driver’s license violations, and 8 for insurance violations. Alcohol and drug impairment remain significant factors in traffic safety concerns. State data estimates that such impairment contributes to more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Nationally, an alcohol-related traffic fatality occurs every 39 minutes. The Roadside Safety Checks are part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety by removing dangerous impaired drivers

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ST. LOUIS – Riding high on the critical acclaim of My Fair Lady and undeterred by May’s devastating tornado that heavily damaged their home, the historic Union Avenue Christian Church, Union Avenue Opera proudly presents an emotionally resonant double bill: Tom Cipullo’s Josephine and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Performances are July 25, 26, August 1, and 2 at 8:00PM and will take place in their home venue. Directed by Kathryn Frady and conducted by Stephen Hargreaves, this unique pairing explores the fragility of identity, the intimacy of performance, and the masks we wear both onstage and off. From the glamour and personal resilience of Josephine Baker to the searing emotional unraveling of Canio in Pagliacci , this double bill confronts the very essence of performance and the human condition. Manna K. Jones stars in Josephine , portraying the legendary St. Louis-born entertainer in a powerful performance that channels Baker’s charisma,

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ALTON - Families are invited to a Back-to-School Celebration where the first 500 kids will receive free school supplies. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, community members can stop by Alton Square Mall to visit with vendors, enjoy a pizza lunch, and take home school supplies. The first 500 kids ages 4–12 will receive paper, pens, pencils, crayons and more, and organizers with OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center expect over 800 attendees. “We’re looking forward to it,” said Randy Schorfheide. “It’s always a great day.” Schorfheide encourages families to arrive early for the chance to receive school supplies. He explained that the registration table is outside the main OSF Rehab entrance at the mall. There will be 21 vendors inside the mall, as well, including the Hayner Public Library District, Centerstone, and the Alton Community Unit School District #11. OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center’s radiology

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Experts suggested that more data and education are needed as Texas and the rest of the country build in known flood plains.

The main line of rain and storms from late last night dropped into our region and quickly weakened and completely fizzled out. We have some new development Saturday morning with mainly spotty showers and a few weak storms scattered from the metro to western portions of the viewing area. This activity will continue this morning [...]

The Tower Grove East Tree Blitz kicks off Saturday morning at 3500 Hartford Street, offering hands-on training in tree care. Volunteers will receive instruction from a certified arborist on essential tree care techniques, including planting, mulching, and maintenance. The event is located behind the South Grand Commerce Bank, providing easy access for participants. All necessary [...]

Michigan Panthers wide receiver Samson Nacua reached into the stands and slapped Jordon Hardwick, of Fenton, after an April 26 game vs. the Battlehawks at the dome in St. Louis.

The new law carves out $50 million from the state budget for the MOScholars program.