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All States Had June Construction Unemployment Levels Below 10%

7 months 4 weeks ago

The national June 2025 not-seasonally-adjusted construction unemployment rate was 3.4%, a 0.1% increase from June 2024, according to a state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released July 30th by Associated Builders and Contractors. The analysis found that 18 states had lower estimated construction unemployment rates over the same period, 28 had higher […]

The post All States Had June Construction Unemployment Levels Below 10% appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete Of Mo.: Lauren Hardy Key Eagles Girls Softball Contributor

7 months 4 weeks ago
BETHALTO — Lauren Hardy, left fielder for the Civic Memorial girls softball team, recently completed a notable four-year career with the Eagles, finishing with a .333 batting average, 34 RBIs and 68 hits. Hardy is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for her contributions to the girls softball team. Hardy was a key player both in the outfield and at the plate during the past season, according to Raigen Linton, head girls softball coach at Civic Memorial. "She doesn’t miss many balls hit into the outfield and has done well at hitting in her Eagles career. She will be missed," Linton said. This season, Hardy recorded a .306 batting average with 19 hits, seven RBIs and seven doubles. She was one of five seniors on the Eagles roster this year.

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Ameren Illinois Shares Summer Electric Safety Tips

7 months 4 weeks ago
RIVERBEND - As summer continues, an Ameren Illinois representative is providing some basic electric safety tips to help community members stay safe. Whether you’re flying drones over power lines or using your phone in the pool, there are a few ways to avoid a potentially dangerous or even fatal situation. Brian Bretsch with Ameren Illinois encourages community members to have a conversation with their kids about these topics at any point in the year, but especially in the summer when kids are more likely to be outside and around electricity. “It’s always a good time to talk to your kids about some electric safety tips,” Bretsch said. “We’re just asking parents to err on the side of caution and just have that conversation.” As drones become more popular, Bretsch urges caregivers to talk to their children about what to do if a drone becomes entangled in power lines or falls into a substation. He acknowledges that many kids would rathe

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Everyone Hates Trust & Safety. Everyone Needs Trust & Safety. This Is A Problem.

7 months 4 weeks ago
Here’s the contradiction at the heart of the internet: everyone complains about content moderation, but no one wants to use an unmoderated platform. Everyone thinks trust & safety professionals are either censorial scolds or corporate lackeys, but everyone expects them to magically solve the inherent problems of human behavior at scale. I spent last week […]
Mike Masnick

Granite City Police Warn Residents Of City Hall Phone Scam

7 months 4 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department issued a public service announcement Thursday, July 31, 2025, warning residents about a phone scam involving calls that appear to come from City Hall. According to the Granite City Police Department, numerous residents have received calls from a number associated with City Hall in which the caller demands immediate payment of fines, claiming that the recipient or a family member will face trouble if the payment is not made over the phone. The police department clarified that these calls are spoofed and do not originate from City Hall. Officials emphasized that the City of Granite City will never request payment over the phone. Residents are advised to be cautious and not to provide any personal or financial information in response to these calls. Anyone with questions or information about these types of calls, or who wants to file a report, should contact the Granite City Police at 618-877-6111.

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Almost Legends Band Promises Fun Shows with Costumes and Karaoke Champs

7 months 4 weeks ago
JERSEYVILLE - There’s a new band in the Riverbend area, and they promise not just a concert, but a show. Almost Legends is currently seeking a guitarist and bassist to round out their lineup and begin playing at venues across the region. Bud Ramsay, who organized the band, explained that they plan to offer a different setlist at every show, complete with costumes, audience interactions and the vocal stylings of karaoke champs. “We’re going to have a blast,” Ramsay said. “I’m telling you, this is a disclaimer, you are going to have fun when you come and see Almost Legends.” Ramsay hails from Las Vegas, where he was involved in the World Cup Karaoke Contest. Approximately 30 finalists from the Greater St. Louis region competed in last year’s contest, and several of them are now a part of the Almost Legends band. While many bands play the same sets at every show, Ramsay said Almost Legends stands out because their setlist varies.

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Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete Of Mo.: Granite City's Natalie Kondrich Shines as Reliable Midfielder Off Bench

7 months 4 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY - Natalie Kondrich was a strong senior midfielder who usually came off the bench for Granite City High's girls soccer team this past spring in 2025. featured play that was steady and consistent all season, providing a spark for the Warriors. Kondrich felt she played well overall in the season. "I think I did OK," Kondrich said. "We had our ups and downs, but every team as those." When she looks back at the just completed season, Kondrich will have many good memories of playing for the Warriors. "Probably just showing up to practice every day will be one of my favorite memories," Kondrich said of her Granite City high school soccer career, "and having fun, all the girls." She also spared a thought for head coach Ken Prazma, who stepped down and announced his retirement after the Warriors' final game. "I think he definitely enjoyed coaching us, and we definitely love him," she said. "We hope he has great things coming." As for Kondrich, her plans include attending

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Forever 20 Memorial Event to Raise Money for Marquette Catholic Scholarships in Anthony Geisen's Memory

7 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON - Community members can come out and enjoy a fun night for a great cause in memory of Anthony Geisen. From 6–11 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2025, at the Alton VFW, Anthony’s family and loved ones will honor him with the second annual Forever 20 memorial fundraiser to raise money for Marquette Catholic High School scholarships in his name. Attendees can enjoy a chicken and beer dinner, live music by Lady Luck, raffles, an auction and more fun. “We think about him every day. But this is one day of the year where everybody, people in the community who have supported us so much, can all come together and just celebrate his life,” said Sara, Anthony’s mother. Sara and organizers Katie and Tricia have worked hard to make this year’s event a fun one. There will be a bourbon pull with top-shelf bourbons and 52 chances to win. Organizers thanked the 16 sponsors and several local businesses who have donated raffle and auction items. They added that whoever

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SIUE Alumna/East St. Louis Native Tiffany B. Lee Highlights Race Riots As Nationwide Terrorism

7 months 4 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – Race riots were a form of nationwide terrorism against Black people, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna and filmmaker Tiffany B. Lee, CEO of Think Black Cultural Media Group and Executive Director of Heritage Programs, Inc. Lee, who earned a bachelor’s in psychology from SIUE in 1998 and holds a master’s in communications, has produced a 17-minute documentary short, “I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots;” and a limited interview series, “I Bear Witness: Freedom Fighters on the Frontlines.” She is producing a full-length, 60-minute documentary, “I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of Southwest Missouri Race Riots . “I wanted my work to move the conversation past the idea of a race riot as being an anomaly and begin the conversation of the race riot as a form of nationwide terrorism against Black people,” said Lee, the East St. Louis native who served as

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ULI Hosts St. Louis Development Panel Aug. 28

7 months 4 weeks ago

ULI St. Louis will convene a panel of developers at the center of the action in Downtown St. Louis on Aug. 28 from 8-9:30AM at the Ballpark Village Hilton. The program is the launch of “Developing Downtown” ULI St. Louis’ new coffee speaker series. Questions addressed will include why these developers are investing in Downtown; […]

The post ULI Hosts St. Louis Development Panel Aug. 28 appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Safe Routes To School Now Taking Applications

7 months 4 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – As students close out summer break and begin shopping for school supplies, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that applications are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School program. The program provides funding for projects that make walking, biking and rolling to school a safer option for students, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age. “Safe Routes to School improvements not only give kids safe, healthy choices to get to school, but they strengthen entire communities,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We encourage our local partners to apply and look forward to seeing another round of impressive community-led projects.” Administered by IDOT using federal funds, Safe Routes to School advances projects that improve safety and reduce traffic – as well as related fuel consumption and air pollution – in areas around schools from kindergarten through high school. Th

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Raging Rivers WaterPark Hosts Final Family Fun Night of 2025 Season on August 1st!

7 months 4 weeks ago
GRAFTON – Celebrate the last Family Fun Night of the 2025 Season at Raging Rivers WaterPark on Friday, Aug. 1! The park will be open for extra hours, welcoming guests for an evening packed with excitement, food, music, and fireworks. From 6–9 p.m., families and friends can experience the thrill of Raging Rivers’ water attractions after hours. Alongside the splashing fun, the night will feature live music to set the festive mood. Indulge in great eats with the fan-favorite Byrdies food truck on-site, serving up delicious fare available for purchase. As dusk falls, end the evening with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the sky above the Mississippi River, creating unforgettable summer memories for all ages. Admission for this special event is just $19.99 per person online or at the gate for entry from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests are also welcome to enjoy a full day and night at the park with a season pass or a full one-day admission ticket. Don’t miss your chanc

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Centerstone Wraps Around Families Through Pathways to Success Program

7 months 4 weeks ago
ALTON - Centerstone and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services partner to offer support to kids with complex behavioral health needs. The Pathways to Success program works with Medicaid-enrolled kids under age 21 and their families. The program connects families with a care coordinator who will spend time in the family’s home and learn more about what each member needs to be successful and healthy. “The Pathways to Success program is a wraparound program with the goal of building families’ strengths and resiliency,” explained Charity Thompson with Centerstone. “We are working to try to reduce higher needs, crisis intervention, get kids away from inpatient placements and residential placements by providing them with connections to different providers and services in the community.” The care coordinator and the family work together to build child and family teams. These teams might include a pediatrician or therapist a

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