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VENICE - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local leaders to announce eight awards totaling just over $10 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores in Food Deserts Program ($9.6 million) and Equipment Upgrades Grant Program ($600,000) to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois. Grantees were selected through competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) processes “When I signed the Illinois Grocery Initiative into law the vision we had in mind was reducing costs, fighting food insecurity, and boosting the local economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This $10 million investment will go directly toward construction and renovation of quality, affordable grocery options in neighborhoods across the state. From Champaign to Marion to Venice, we’re fighting food insecurity while investing directly into the lifeblood of our economy, supporting farmers,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies successfully passed through the U.S. Senate. Senator Duckworth’s Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act — co-led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)—would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related nutrition products, including ice packs, in consultation with leading maternal health groups. “After pushing for this for years, I’m proud the Senate passed this long overdue legislation that would make it easier for new moms to travel with their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to pump and feed their babies,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’ll continue

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HAZELWOOD, Mo. - IMPACT Strategies, Inc., is pleased to announce the completion of the new Averhealth Laboratory. The project, which began last fall, involved the renovation and expansion of their facility in Hazelwood, MO at 601 Lambert Point Drive located off Lindbergh between Hwy 270 & Hwy 70. With outgrowing their current space causing the need to expand, this 26,000 SF renovation/tenant finish included specialized labs, private offices, training office, conference room, and break areas along with necessary coolers and freezers. The renovation and expansion project successfully enhanced the facility's technical capabilities, added important capacity, and improved the overall experience for clients. IMPACT Strategies managed the demolition and preparation of the existing building to receive the new specialized construction improvements for this Lab. Averhealth collaborated with IMPACT early in the preconstruction phase to maximize efficiencies for a progressive construction process.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) slammed Congressional Republicans for continuing to enable Donald Trump’s harmful cuts to VA services and its workforce, undermining the VA’s ability to keep up with new demand for care and benefits for our nation’s Veterans under the bipartisan PACT Act . During her remarks at a forum today, Duckworth called out Republicans for defending Trump slashing our VA while failing to exercise their own oversight and accountability for the proven deterioration of PACT Act implementation since Donald Trump returned to office. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube. “The PACT Act was a historic, overwhelmingly bipartisan victory that changed millions of Veterans’ lives,” said Senator Duckworth. “But just like other critical services for our Veterans, Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to PACT Act care and benefits as well as

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Brian Quintenz, who has been nominated to serve as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). During their meeting, Durbin emphasized the need for regulation and steady oversight on cryptocurrency, as well as explicit consumer protections within the industry. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Durbin also discussed funding that is needed to enforce cryptocurrency regulation at CFTC. “As cryptocurrency rises in popularity, it’s critical that we institute oversight and regulations that adequately protect consumers,” said Durbin. “Today, I met with Brian Quintenz, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Chairman of CFTC, to reiterate that, if confirmed, he must put American consumers first and ensure that the digital asset market plays fair.”

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reached a settlement on behalf of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and taxpayers of Illinois to recover $45 million from CVS Caremark in pharmacy benefit rebates. The settlement negotiation, led by OAG in conjunction with the Illinois Governor’s Office and CMS attorneys, resolves allegations that the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) failed to properly disclose and remit pharmaceutical rebates owed to the State under a longstanding contract. “PBMs have gone from being useful administrative service providers to behemoths that control the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of patients and independent pharmacies,” said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “This settlement is part of my office’s ongoing work to hold PBMs accountable to the people of Illinois, which also includes calling on Congress to take federal action to reign in PBMs. I will continue to advocate for

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GREENVILLE—The graduating class of 2025 at Greenville University enjoyed a well-deserved celebration last weekend, featuring a Baccalaureate service and an outdoor Commencement ceremony attended by hundreds of family members and friends. Two speakers inspired the graduates during the weekend: Professor Ben Wayman, who delivered the Baccalaureate message Friday evening, and LaShanna (Sha) Farley, who gave the Commencement address. The Baccalaureate ceremony allows the Greenville University community to express gratitude to God for his faithfulness throughout students' collegiate journeys. It highlights the gifts of friendships, faculty, and sacred spaces that have transformed lives at Greenville, reflecting Christ's call to service. Additionally, it offers a moment for the community to pray for graduates and their families as they embark on this significant transition. Ben Wayman, speaker for the evening, holds the James F. and Leona N. Andrews Chair for Christianity at Greenville

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois Invent2Prevent statewide partnership between Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, EdVenture Partners, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security will convene to establish the Invent2Prevent program in Illinois. This inaugural Illinois Invent2Prevent statewide symposium and competition that highlights interventions by high school students to reduce targeted violence and hate crimes in their communities will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at SIUE’s Morris University Center (MUC) in the Conference Center. “These student competitions are what we live for, and it is especially exciting as this will be the very first one showcasing Illinois Invent2Prevent teams,” said Tony Sgro, founder and CEO of EdVenture Partners. “These students are addressing difficult issues that they are personally facing in their schools, on their campuses, and in their communities and they are providing credible,

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Join Big Muddy Adventures on a paddle of the Missouri River. As you follow the path of Lewis and Clark, you’ll experience one of the most pristine and scenic stretches […]

The post Missouri River Trip appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

The next St. Louis Scottish Games will be on May 17, 2025 at Schroeder Park in Manchester, MO. The purposes of The St. Louis Scottish Games are educational, cultural, charitable, […]

The post St Louis Scottish Games appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Buildings collapsed, tree limbs littered streets, trees crushed cars and thousands lost power.

GRANITE CITY – A man from Granite City accused of being part of a “street gang” faces felony charges for possessing an illegally modified firearm. Blake A. Giles Jr., 23, of Granite City, was charged on May 15, 2025, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member and unlawful use of weapons – machine gun, both Class 2 felonies. Giles is accused of being “a member of a street gang” who unlawfully possessed a Glock 21 .45 caliber handgun, which had been illegally modified with a switch to make the weapon fire automatically. He also reportedly had no valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. According to a petition to deny Giles’s pretrial release from custody, the investigation began after Giles was seen armed with the weapon in a music video on YouTube. “The Venice Police Department received an email directing them to a video posted on YouTube on March 16, 2025,” the petition states.

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, May 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverbender building, located at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. You’ll be in the know on topics from the evening’s featured speakers: Andi Campbell, Deputy Director of Planning & Development, will speak about the City of Alton’s forthcoming comprehensive planning process Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge Innovation Center, will present about amenities of this innovation hub and coworking space Hugh Halter will share details of the partnership to bring Good News Brewing microbrews and wood fired pizza to Post Commons Sean and Tish Emerick will announce

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BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department announced the addition of three new officers to its ranks on this week. Officers Poole, Jackson, and Hernandez are set to begin their training at the police academy next week. The Police Department expressed optimism about the new officers' future contributions to both the force and the Belleville community. Belleville Police's move reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen local law enforcement and enhance public safety in the area.

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ST. LOUIS – No two ways about it, it’s been a wild and wet spring – literally. From March 14—the day we had 12 tornadoes—until the beginning of May, we’ve had more rain and severe weather than a normal spring, more than any spring of recent memory. Now, as temperatures start to warm, we’ll see [...]

The start of hurricane season is nearing. Starting June 1, our eyes will be locked on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf as tropical systems develop. Each tropical cyclone, once it reaches or exceeds a wind speed of 39 miles per hour, is referred to by name.

A former EPA official warns exemption for some coal-fired power plants could be the first step toward gutting pollution rules for all plants.