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QuikTrip has launched a new specialty beer brand called Quittin' Time, available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans and 19.2-ounce singles, crafted in partnership with Marshall Brewing.

Long before he was the Freedom of Information Act director at The Washington Post, Nate Jones was a curious college student with a penchant for Able Archer 83.

Looking to learn more about the 1983 NATO war game, he ventured to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and sifted through a box inscribed “military exercises.” The folders inside were empty and classified.

“You can do FOIA, but good luck,” an archivist told him. “So instead of giving up, I kind of got a little angry,” he recalled.

Jones funneled that FOIA frustration into fanaticism. Years later, he acquired the documents his college self had yearned for and eventually wrote a book about the war scenario based on them.

But the lesson he learned transcended Able Archer 83. Access to even one unclassified document from the jump is all it would have taken to start a chain reaction of declassification for Jones much sooner.

“If the dang Reagan Library had just given me the records right away, it would have helped me file tens of thousands of more public records requests,” he explained.

To understand how FOIA requests and public records like those ultimately obtained by Jones can be used to fight government secrecy and improve our communities, Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) hosted an online webinar June 24 with Jones, MuckRock CEO Michael Morisy, and investigative journalist and author Miranda Spivack.

Morisy, whose organization has helped file over 156,000 records requests and led to the release of over 11 million pages, said the key to a successful FOIA lies in its preparation. As a starting point, he advises requesters to “step inside the mindset of a bureaucrat” and envision the request from their perspective.

“Where are the records that you care about? How would you describe them? How would they work? Who would have access to them? And then use that to guide that public records officer to exactly what you want,” he said.

Spivack — who recently authored “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back” — said it’s also important to consider the system of records requests as a whole, beyond the individuals working within them.

Unlike at the federal level, she said, there isn’t a constituency for transparency at the state and local levels “until somebody bumps into a problem.” That can stifle requesters.

“There are a lot of groups at the state and local level that are pro transparency, but I think they really have to get into communities and have to translate for people why it matters,” added Spivack. “Not even when you need it, but before you need it, why it should matter that your government should be more transparent.”

Still, there are cases where a local or state government records office can provide more information than a federal one, which is why Spivack recommends filing requests with both parties when it’s appropriate to do so.

Jones concurred. “It’s a great strategy to always file with as many agencies as you can.”

Another helpful strategy is to replicate prior successful records requests, he said.

“Don’t reinvent the wheel. Have an agency release more of what they already have released,” Jones said. Many reporters, including those at the Post, use MuckRock to find examples of past successful requests and duplicate them to save time and increase their odds of a successful request, he added.

As the Trump administration slashes FOIA offices and prunes the National Archives and Records Administration’s budget, one audience question, from open government advocate Alex Howard, addressed the possibility of insulating FOIA offices from political influence and firings.

Jones suggests modeling FOIA offices more closely on the Inspector General’s Office, which could add pressure on people in the agency “to release the things to the public in a timely manner.”

“So if you want to call it insulation, that would be fine, but I would rather call it empowerment,” he added.

Looking ahead, Morisy said that the encroachment of corporate interests in records requests is contributing to the “hollowing out” of government competence and could be clogging up the system. Instead of fighting together, transparency constituencies are picking individual battles, he said, which waters down their ability to enact change within the system.

“I think they’re losing, which I think is a big, big problem,” Morisy said.

Still, Jones is optimistic about the system, even if it’s far from perfect. He encourages requesters to file weekly, if not daily, to open the tap on a consistent flow of releases. Following that ethos could yield “one or two or three good documents a week,” he said.

“Be a proactive requester, not a reactive requester,” Jones said. “If you plant your acorns, the trees will grow.”

Martial law? Police state? These are just things the alleged Leader of Free World wants, rather than things a nation founded on rejecting these options should be in the process of instituting. And yet, here we are, barely six months into Trump’s return to office, staring down the barrel of both of these related horrors. […]

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Scott R. Ellis, 39, was a teacher at Rogers Middle School in the Affton district between August 2019 and May 2022.

A trail leading from near St. Louis, Missouri to Natchitoches, Louisiana, teaches us about a race that ruled “the new world” long before people from “the old world” arrived.

GODFREY - Eight months ago, Chad Ingram decided to break a record. The legally blind Godfrey man figured he’d teach his daughters how to crochet after his wife bought crochet supplies for herself seven years ago. None of his family members ever took to it, but Ingram taught himself through YouTube videos and discovered a new passion for the craft. Now, after countless blankets, hats and pillows that he has donated or gifted, he decided to do something solely for himself and crochet the world’s largest granny square. “I told my wife, I said, I really just want to do something for myself,” he remembered. “It's kind of a joke. I thought it was doable, though, and I’m retired. I looked in the record book. It sounds big. The record was 36 feet by 36 feet. It took the original guy two and a half years. But I thought I could probably do that. And I just set out and crocheted.” Since October 2024, Ingram has averaged about four hours a day

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A panel of KSDK veterans will share their favorite stories, unforgettable moments and a few well-aimed jabs at the man of the hour.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after Senate Republicans jammed through their One Big Beautiful Bill Act , selling out America’s middle class for billionaires’ tax cuts: “By passing this monstrosity of a bill, Donald Trump and Republicans are proving they are intent on becoming the party of ‘well, we’re all going to die.’ “This Big, Beautiful Betrayal does not make America stronger, better or safer. It lights trillions of taxpayer dollars on fire to explode our debt and line the pockets of Donald Trump, his family and his billionaire friends. More than half a million Illinoisans will lose health coverage and hospitals, health clinics and nursing homes across the country will shut down. Adding insult to injury, the legion of middle-class and working-class Americans who lose their livelihoods will be unable to receive safety net support precisely because of the Republicans who voted

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CHICAGO – As Illinoisans prepare to celebrate Independence Day through local parades and festivities, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released guidance to state and local law enforcement about their responsibilities under the Drones as First Responders Act. The guidance is available on the Attorney General’s website to help Illinois law enforcement understand their obligations under state law while ensuring public safety. “Drones are a powerful tool for law enforcement, allowing police to effectively monitor and manage large events, such as parades and festivals, that will be happening around the state this week and throughout the summer,” Raoul said. “Illinois law empowers police to use this tool, while also protecting Illinois residents’ privacy and First Amendment rights.” Attorney General Raoul published this guidance to ensure that law enforcement agencies are aware of the permissible and impermissible uses of drones. Generally,

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SPRINGFIELD - With the close of fiscal year 2025 on June 30, Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza reports another successful year in paying the state’s bills in a timely manner while the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance has again increased to new records. For the fourth consecutive year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) released all pending bills to vendors from the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF), while reporting an end-of-year GRF cash balance of $1.9 billion. This means the IOC is current on all bills received related to Medicaid, the state’s Group Health Insurance program, elementary and high schools, higher education, and other government operations and programs. “Working with Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly, we have positioned the state in the most fiscally stable position we can, given the uncertainties of federal funding in the months to come,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “While we keep a close watch on the latest

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GODFREY - Since 2001, Great Rivers Choral Society (GRCS) has brought the joy of music to the Riverbend community. This group of people who enjoy singing came together with a goal of fostering music education and appreciation. It has continued through 25 years of singing, love, laughter, and a community of music loving people. The group is an adult choir (age 18+) of mixed voices who have fun bringing a diverse range of music to our community. The Great Rivers Choral Society choir was recently invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York in June 2025. Twelve members traveled to New York to join other select choirs to perform Mozart’s Requiem Lacrimosa. In a time when so many choirs have disbanded and no longer sing together, GRCS provides a place where singers can join together to make a beautiful sound. "We have so many friends who come to hear the music, and we enjoy the community that music fosters between us," Bev Schultz, a Great Rivers Choral Society board member, said.

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker announced that experienced government leader Christian Mitchell will join the ticket as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Mitchell, a former three-term state representative and current First Lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard, served as Deputy Governor for over four years during which time he was a principal force behind the transformative $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan and the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The campaign released a new video, Meet Christian Mitchell, highlighting the announcement. “Christian Mitchell is a proven leader with deep experience, steady judgment, and an unshakable commitment to the working families of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Whether it’s transforming our clean energy future, rebuilding our infrastructure, or keeping our communities safe, Christian has been a force behind so much of our progress. I couldn’t ask for a better partner

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging Illinoisans to celebrate July 4th and the start of Summer 2025 safely by following proven safety guidance so as not to spoil the fun. Follow food handling safety tips to protect friends and family from foodborne illnesses. Avoid sunburn and heat stroke by using sunscreen and proper summer attire. Protect yourself from disease carrying pests like mosquitos and ticks. And leave the fireworks to professionals. This summer, IDPH is joining the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in pointing to a 44% spike in fireworks-related injuries reported to Illinois hospitals in July of 2023 compared to 2024. In 2023, 108 fireworks injuries were logged at 34 hospitals; last year, 156 injuries, including one fatality, were recorded by 45 hospitals. As part of an effort to gather more comprehensive data, the OSFM is this year asking all medical providers to report fireworks injuries by completing this online form . “Independence

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A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to keep Job Corps—the nation’s largest residential job training program for low-income youth—operating until a lawsuit fighting efforts to shutter the program is resolved. “Once Congress has passed legislation stating that a program like the Job Corps must exist, and set aside funding for that program, the [U.S. […]

The post Federal Judge Provides Lifeline for National Vocational Training Program appeared first on Construction Forum.

SPRINGFIELD – The public swimming pool at Dixon Springs State Park in Pope County will reopen Tuesday, July 1 under the operation of Arrowleaf, a nonprofit human services organization based in southern Illinois. The pool and concession will reopen at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Trained lifeguards will be on duty. Regular updates can be found on the pool’s Facebook group, which can be found by searching for “Dixon Springs State Park Pool & Concession .” The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which operates Dixon Springs, and Arrowleaf entered into an emergency contract to operate the pool this summer after the department twice put the opportunity out for bid but neither drew any interest. “The Dixon Springs pool has long been a popular, local summer destination for Pope County residents and people from throughout the region. Getting it up and running

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Two hundred fifty-seven dollars in cash and several cartons of cigarettes; that paltry sum from a 2024 armed robbery landed a Maryland Heights, Missouri, man decades in state prison.

ALTON - Greater Glory Christian Academy will once again offer pre-k for 3–5-year-olds. Located at 713 Washington Avenue in Alton, Greater Glory Christian Academy operates as a private Christian school and daycare. The Academy is associated with Greater Glory Apostolic Center. Andrika Cooley shared that their pre-k program is a unique way to give kids a head start before kindergarten. “It’s an amazing curriculum,” she said. “I’m just excited to get started.” Pre-k runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year. Throughout the day, students complete crafts, play outside, and enjoy STEM activities. They also learn basic colors, shapes, letters, phonics and more, and the curriculum works to develop their gross motor skills. Cooley said the school teaches the 36 letter sounds in addition to the 26-letter alphabet. They have a new animal mascot every week to help teach these sounds, like Abby Antelope or Bucky Buffalo;

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