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Trump administration assailed by US House Democrats as ‘cruel’ and ‘unaccountable’

8 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON — A group of U.S. House Democrats on Tuesday blasted President Donald Trump’s administration for what they called “cruelty” and “lawlessness” in carrying out mass deportations of migrants without legal status. At a forum at the U.S. Capitol, Democrats who sit on the House Homeland Security Committee and others rebuked the administration’s sweeping immigration […]
Shauneen Miranda

US House spending panel votes to rename Kennedy Center Opera House for Melania Trump

8 months 1 week ago
Republicans on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted Tuesday to rename the Opera House at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for first lady Melania Trump. The panel adopted, 33-25, a package of amendments to the bill funding the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for fiscal 2026 that included a provision to designate the […]
Jacob Fischler

Amazon Ring Cashes In On Techno-Authoritarianism And Mass Surveillance

8 months 1 week ago
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff is back at the helm of the surveillance doorbell company, and with him is the surveillance-first-privacy-last approach that made Ring one of the most maligned tech devices. Not only is the company reintroducing new versions of old features which would allow police to request footage directly from Ring users, it is also introducing a new […]
Mike Masnick

Illinois Rural and Small Schools Association Honors Jersey's Allen Snyder For Innovative Teaching

8 months 1 week ago
JERSEY - Allen Snyder of Jersey Community Unit School District 100 has been named one of the 2025 Teachers of Distinction by the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. The announcement was made recently by the association, which recognized Snyder for his innovative approach to teaching. Kerry Lorton, a representative of the association, highlighted Snyder’s use of immersive, project-based learning in his Industrial Orientation classes. “Instructors like Allen Snyder play a transformative role in students’ lives by guiding them through immersive, project-based learning experiences that blend creativity, technical skill, and real-world application,” Lorton said. “In his Industrial Orientation classes, students don’t just sit at desks — they roll up their sleeves and engage directly with tools, machines, and materials, learning through doing in a dynamic workshop environment.” The Association of Illinois Rural and Small

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US House GOP leaving for August break early to avoid pressure to release Epstein files

8 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON — House Republicans are headed home early for their August break after an uproar over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files all but halted any possibility of floor action. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he’s sending his members back to their districts until September to avoid “political games” relating to a bipartisan […]
Ashley Murray

Attorney for Brad Jackson leaves St. Louis for professor position in Miami

8 months 1 week ago
Mark Blankenship, the attorney representing Maplewood resident Brad Jackson’s civil law suit against the City of Maplewood, Mayor Barry Greenberg, City Manager Amber Withycombe, former Maplewood business owner Kate Bethel and her employee Isaac Chosich has “upped and walked away,” leaving the Ott Law Firm in Maplewood for a tenure-track position as an assistant professor […]
Doug Miner

Family Seeks Community Support for E'lynn’s Epilepsy Surgery and Care

8 months 1 week ago
WATERLOO — Ten-year-old E’lynn Kuhnert was admitted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital on June 29, 2025, after experiencing prolonged seizures that would not stop. Despite several days of heavy sedation and intubation on July 3, 2025, her seizures have persisted. After consulting with her medical team, E’lynn’s family decided to proceed with surgery on July 21, 2025. The operation aims to gain better control over her epilepsy, a condition she has lived with since age 3, though it is not expected to completely cure her seizures. The family said it hopes the procedure will improve her quality of life. E’lynn’s epilepsy has no known cause, but her family describes her as a source of light and joy to those around her. Last school year, her personal goals were “to be a good helper and a great friend,” reflecting her sweet spirit and loving nature. To support E’lynn’s medical expenses, therapy costs, post-operative care,

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Amateur Radio Buffs Heading to Carlinville on Aug. 2, 2025, for Annual West Central Illinois Hamfest

8 months 1 week ago
CARLINVILLE – Amateur radio operators from across Illinois and neighboring states will be heading to Carlinville on Saturday, August 2 for the annual West Central Illinois Hamfest, an indoor and outdoor event that includes a flea market, forums and more at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds off Route 4. The event opens at 7 a.m., rain or shine and runs until noon. Jointly sponsored by the West Central Illinois Hamfest Consortium composed of the Macoupin County Amateur Radio Club, the Springfield-based Sangamon Valley Radio Club, the Okaw Valley Radio Club in Greenville and the Hillsboro-based Montgomery County Amateur Radio Emergency Corps, the annual event draws not only federally-licensed amateur radio operators (also known as “hams”), but also the general public. This year, Hamfest-goers can attend seminars focusing on technical aspects of the hobby, wander through the indoor and outdoor flea markets, chat with amateur radio operators, and hear Illinois Section Manage

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Davidsmeyer Hits Pritzker's Opinions On Map Redistricting

8 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker once again waded into national politics Tuesday when he discussed a possible mid-decade redistricting of congressional maps to counteract Texas and other Republican states. Gov. Pritzker stated: “We have to see what they decide to do about Texas… I think we ought to play by the rules,” but acknowledged “counterbalance” might be necessary. “I think cheating the way the president wants to is improper. We all ought to stand up against it. People ought to be outraged.” Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) slammed Gov. Pritzker’s double-talk on redistricting and his previous flip-flop on fair maps. “What people ought to be outraged about is JB Pritzker’s flip flop on fair maps,” Davidsmeyer said. “As a candidate for governor, Pritzker said he was for an independent map and vowed to veto any map drawn by politicians. Then as governor,

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Caritas Family Solutions Marks 78 Years of Impact With 24-Hour Fundraising Campaign

8 months 1 week ago
BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions will celebrate its 78th anniversary on July 31 with Caritas Day, an annual day of fundraising and awareness honoring the thousands of lives the nonprofit touches each year across Southern Illinois. To mark the milestone, Caritas will launch a 24-hour matching gift campaign from July 31 to August 1, with supporters matching $4 for every $1 donated. The goal is to raise $100,000 to directly benefit the children, families, and adults they serve. “At Caritas, we believe every life deserves love and that drives everything we do,” said Gary Huelsmann, CEO of Caritas Family Solutions. “From foster care and counseling to senior housing and disability support, our programs are designed to meet people where they are and walk alongside them toward a more stable, fulfilling life. Caritas Day is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together as a community with every donation directly supporting the over 5,200 children,

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Downtown Troy To Come Alive For First Friday On Aug. 1, 2025

8 months 1 week ago
TROY — Downtown will be the place to be on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, as the community gathers for another exciting First Friday celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. This month’s event will feature live music from local favorites Lanny & Julie, setting the perfect soundtrack for an evening of food, fun, and community spirit. Foodies won’t want to miss the Main Street Eats lineup, including: • Spud Shack Food Truck • C-Rations Grub Hub • That's a Wrapp • Franko's Hot Dogs & Bratz • Polar Paradis • Zanny Popz Frozen Treats • Washington Kettle Corn Thirsty? Downtown’s drink vendors will be serving up a variety of refreshments from: • The Buzzed Bee • Time Out Sports Bar & Grill • Wine for the Win • The Happy Elephant • Kokomo Joe’s • VFW Post 976 Attendees are also encouraged to explore Main Street’s unique local businesses, which will remain open during the event: • The Happy

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Smoke N For The Kids Barbecue Festival to Raise Money for Shriners and Nonprofits

8 months 1 week ago
TROY - The Troy/Edwardsville Shrine Club will host their annual family-friendly barbecue festival to raise money for Ainad Shrine and other local nonprofits. On Aug. 16 and 17, 2025, community members are invited to Tri-Township Park in Troy for the festival, called Smoke N For The Kids. In addition to the barbecue competition and food, attendees can enjoy a car show, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music, a bags tournament, raffles and more. “What’s better than hot rods and barbecue and beer and bands?” said Matt with the Southern Illinois Street Rod Association. “You cannot beat shade, a petting zoo, beer and bands.” Smoke N For The Kids draws barbecue competitors from across the region. John with the Shrine Club noted that they have “a world-class field,” with competitors in different divisions. The competition starts at 11 a.m. both days. On Saturday, Aug. 16, attendees can participate in a bags competition at 1 p.m.

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Hot and Humid with a Chance of Thunderstorms On Tuesday, July 22, 2025; Heat Advisory in Effect

8 months 1 week ago
Today’s high will reach 90 degrees with a low of 75. Expect partly sunny skies with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. It will be uncomfortably humid, and the heat will feel like it’s climbing to 106 degrees at times. Winds will be light from the southeast. A heat advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday for parts of southwest Illinois and southeast Missouri. The heat index could reach up to 108 degrees, so stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on family and neighbors. Tomorrow, the temperature climbs even higher with a high near 95 and a low around 75. It will be mostly sunny, hot, and humid. Caution is advised for anyone spending extended time outdoors. For more weather details, visit https://riverbender.com/weather

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Forum Launches New “Mission-Forward” Website

8 months 1 week ago

by Tom Finan, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Construction Forum You may have noticed that when you click on articles in the Forum’s newsletter there’s a different look to the web pages at our website ConstructForSTL.org. There was a lot of very intentional effort to that look and functionality. The result is something we’re very excited about. At […]

The post Forum Launches New “Mission-Forward” Website appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan