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EDWARDSVILLE - Cassie Flynn does more than teach; she inspires students to care. Flynn is an art teacher at Edwardsville High School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. She works with students in grades nine through twelve to teach art techniques. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s reflecting on the hundreds of students she has worked with throughout her 18 years in the classroom. “My favorite part of teaching art is guiding students through the creative process,” Flynn explained. “Even though their artwork may not turn out as they hoped or planned, they always learn something — if nothing else, a deeper appreciation for the arts as they enter adulthood.” Flynn always loved art. As a high schooler, art classes became “really the reason” she attended school every day. When it was time for her to decide what she wanted to do in her career, she realized she received the most joy from creating and sharing art.

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Wide-ranging bill approved by the Missouri House looks to expand use of witness protection fund. It also seeks to address human sex trafficking.

GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School crowned seniors Kylie Becker and Brock Holzinger as prom queen and king during the school’s prom on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Becker, the daughter of Brian and Amy Becker of Highland, has been recognized as a respected leader both academically and socially. She is involved in tennis, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Art Club, and has served as a House leader. The school highlighted her participation in the McGivney Mission Trip to New Orleans as one of her most meaningful experiences, where she helped serve others while building lasting memories. Outside of school, Becker enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and reading. She looks forward to traveling and exploring future opportunities. Holzinger, son of Duane and Ruth Holzinger of Highland, is known for his enthusiasm, leadership, and school spirit. His activities include the Announcement Team, Drama Club, Liturgical Ministry, Math Team, Scholar

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COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander Captain Casey Faro announces the results of Roadside Safety Checks (RSC) held in Madison and St. Clair counties in April. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Citations: 1 Other Alcohol/Drug Citations: 11 Occupant Restraint Offenses: 21 Registration Offenses: 21 Driver’s License Offenses: 21 Insurance Violations: 12 Total Citations/Arrests: 78 Total Written Warnings: 25 Alcohol and drug impairment are estimated to be a factor in more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 39 minutes in the United States. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. This project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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Harvard University took the extraordinary step of suing the Trump administration on April 21, 2025, claiming that the pressure campaign mounted on the school by the president and his Cabinet to force viewpoint diversity on campus violated the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech. “Defendants’ actions are unlawful,” Harvard’s lawsuit states. “The First Amendment does not permit the […]

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SPRINGFIELD – While a hurricane won’t hit Illinois, some tropical storm remnants move far inland to cause flooding and wind damage. “I know it’s unusual to ask Illinoisans to be prepared for hurricane season June 1 – November 1, but the Midwest could feel the effects of any strong hurricane,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Interim Director Khayyat. “It was just last year that the remnants of Hurricane Helene brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and flooding to our state,” Khayyat continued. “This is why IEMA-OHS continuously monitors the National Weather Service forecasts so we are prepared if severe weather tracks from the coast into Illinois.” Residents are encouraged to subscribe to weather alerts through a local National Weather Service office and/or their local media. That is good advice whether you are susceptible to hurricane remnants or if you plan to travel to

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 13, 2025. Eligible applicants are conservation land trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and whose originating documents include in its purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes. The goal of the grant program is to increase the delivery of much-needed stewardship activities to natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) system. Stewardship needs at natural areas throughout the state have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that immediately address this deficiency and begin to expand on the stewardship capacity of conservation land trusts through grants that will expand

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A Jefferson County woman appeared in court Tuesday morning to face charges for allegedly attacking a nurse and patient at Mercy South Hospital last week.

ST. LOUIS — After two years of intensive collaboration, the City of St. Louis and the STL Vacancy Collaborative (STLVC) invite everyone to attend the final Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI) Quarterly Convening on Wednesday, May 7 , from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Deaconess Foundation (1000 N. Vandeventer Ave.). The “VSI Quarterly Convening: The State of Vacancy in St. Louis City” free event will offer a first look at the upcoming Vacancy Strategy Initiative Report, featuring new data and trends on vacancy rates in the City, and new strategies for preventing, stabilizing, and reusing vacant properties citywide. The VSI brought together over a dozen City of St. Louis departments, and hundreds of community members—who participated in eight public outreach events—to create a coordinated, data-driven plan to reduce vacancy and strengthen neighborhoods. Vacancy remains one of the most urgent and visible challenges in the City of St. Louis. Today, there are over

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and motorcycle safety advocates are reminding all users of the road to “Start Seeing Motorcycles” as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. “We want every driver and every motorcyclist to share and safely enjoy Illinois roads,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame , IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Don't take risks, always obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings, and never drive or ride impaired.” The Start Seeing Motorcycles campaign coincides with the arrival of warmer weather and more motorcyclists on the roads. During the riding season, Start Seeing Motorcycles banners and yard signs will be on display throughout the state, reminding the public to always stay alert for motorcycles. With more than 150 deaths in Illinois each year, motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities.

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is hosting a girls’ volleyball clinic this summer in the George C. Terry River Bend Arena on the Godfrey Campus. The first session for 5th-8th grade students takes place June 16-18, 2025, and the second session for 9th-12th grade students takes place June 23-25. Sessions are 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day and will cover skills including passing, digging, setting, hitting, blocking and serving. The cost is $150 and includes a t-shirt. "Our all-skills clinics are a great opportunity for young athletes to grow their game, build confidence, and develop a real love for volleyball,” Head Volleyball Coach Jenna Brown said. “Whether you're just starting out or looking to fine-tune your technique, we’re excited to help each player take the next step." Register online at https://lcedu.jotform.com/250784912422154 . For more information about the clinics, contact Brown at jekbrown@lc.edu . Learn more about L&C’s

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Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, threatened to launch a filibuster to block the free tuition plan for first responders.

CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released a new video inviting Canadian travelers to visit Illinois, reaffirming the state’s strong relationship with Canada as a key tourism partner. In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4–10), Governor Pritzker emphasized Canadian tourists’ significant role in supporting local businesses and cultural attractions statewide. “I don’t blame anyone from Canada whose appetite for visiting the U.S. might have soured—with our current president and the shameful way he’s represented us on the national stage as of late. But as Governor, and self-designated chief marketing officer of Illinois, I want to reassure you that we’re as eager as ever to have you come here,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Here in Illinois, we’re ready and eager to prove that Midwest nice is the closest thing to Canadian

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WATERLOO – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that pavement preservation operations on Illinois 3 from Market Street to Vanderbrook Drive will begin, weather permitting, Monday, May 12, 2025. One lane will remain open in each direction during construction activities. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this time. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is anticipated to be completed by mid-summer.

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration from implementing an executive order President Trump signed in March, which is an unconstitutional attempt to impose sweeping voting restrictions across the country. The executive order attempts to conscript state election officials into the president’s campaign to impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements when Americans register to vote. It also seeks to upend commonsense, well-established state procedures for counting ballots – procedures that make it easier for Americans’ voices to be heard. “I am urging the court to block this executive order because the authority to modify the rules established for U.S. elections lies with Congress. Instead of imposing voting restrictions, we should focus our efforts on encouraging more Americans across the country to participate in the

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor slamming the Trump Administration for freezing medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency. Durbin has been a fierce advocate for NIH funding and worked with his colleagues—both Republicans and Democrats—over the years to increase NIH funding by 60 percent. NIH funding appropriated by Congress and secured by Durbin, is used for research to find new ways to fight childhood cancers, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and much more. Durbin said, “That progress, and the hope it brings to patients and families—is why I am dismayed to see how President Trump has dismantled medical research in America during his first 100 days in office… President Trump has frozen NIH funding to university labs and hospitals across the board. For example, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois—a cancer

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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said a person who lives outside of St. Louis visited the St. Louis Aquarium from 1-6 p.m. on April 30.

MINNEAPOLIS/EAST ST. LOUIS - A 33-year-old East St. Louis native died at a Minneapolis hospital shortly after being shot late Sunday night, April 27, 2025, according to authorities. The Minneapolis Police Department responded to a report of a shooting near 29th Street and Clinton Avenue around 11:45 p.m. on April 27. The victim, identified by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner as Lamont Agnew Jr., suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. Janice Rose, who organized a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the family, described the family as “shocked by the loss” and unprepared for the expenses related to funeral arrangements. “We are in need of help getting his body transported back home to East St. Louis to give him a proper funeral,” Rose said. “Lamont left behind two children who will also need support. No matter how small the donation is, it will be appreciated.” Rose said Lamont was the son of her twin

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