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Woofleball Tournament Invites Community to Support Hope Animal Rescues

3 weeks 6 days ago
ALTON - Community members can support rescue dogs at an upcoming “woofleball” tournament. On Sept. 6, 2025, the Helping Handlers organization will host a wiffleball tournament to benefit Hope Animal Rescues, complete with a silent auction, raffle and more fun. As an organization, Helping Handlers works to support local nonprofits through events like the tournament, and organizers hope many people will come out to enjoy the day and compete against White Sox star Mark Buehrle. “We’re just trying to continue to be helpful to the community, particularly the animal world,” said Lexy Dona, one of the founders of Helping Handlers. “We basically wanted to be the party planners. We wanted to create these events and pick somebody that gets to get this money. It’s even more imperative now.” The 16-team wiffleball tournament will allow every team to play at least three games. The teams are made up of four members. The first pitch is at 10

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Program Explores Sustainability in Data Center Design, Development and Operations

3 weeks 6 days ago

The Missouri Gateway Green Building Council (MGGBC) and ASHRAE-St. Louis are hosting a presentation on Aug. 12th from 5-7PM exploring the implications of the explosion in need for data centers in terms of sustainability. The program will be held at the Missouri Historical Society, 5700 Lindell Blvd. The program is eligible for AIA continuing education […]

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Tom Finan

Illinois Housing Development Authority Now Accepting Applications for Permanent Supportive Housing Funding

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is now accepting applications for its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Development Program, offering loans, forgivable loans, and grants to developers building or preserving affordable housing paired with essential case management and supportive services. PSH combines affordable housing with tailored services that support individuals and families in achieving housing stability and improved health outcomes. Residents are typically households headed by people with disabilities, those who are at risk of homelessness, and those who require ongoing support to stay healthy and housed. The PSH model has consistently demonstrated success in improving residents’ well-being while reducing reliance on costly emergency systems. A major addition to this year’s round is the inclusion of funding from the Illinois Opioid Remediation Fund for PSH developments, specifically serving individuals with substance use and co-occurring

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Attorney General Raoul Sues Trump Administration For Blocking Planned Parenthood From Receiving Medicaid Funding

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 22 states, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a provision in the sweeping budget reconciliation law (Defund Provision) that eliminates the use of federal funding for any health care services provided by Planned Parenthood health centers. This provision is a direct attack on access to health care for millions of low-income Americans, disproportionately affecting women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities of color. Existing federal law already disallows federal funding for abortion, but this new provision is targeting other essential services that Planned Parenthood provides. “Planned Parenthood is a critical provider of essential health care,” Raoul said. “Without Planned Parenthood, many in our state and across the nation would be left with no access to life-saving screenings and reproductive care. I will continue advocating for vital federal funding that ensures every

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Duckworth, Durbin Join Call for Large-Scale Expansion of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza and Resumption of Diplomatic Efforts to Secure a Ceasefire & End War

3 weeks 6 days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and their fellow Senate Democratic colleagues to express a unified alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for the large-scale expansion of humanitarian aid and urging the Trump Administration to resume diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement and end the war. In a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, the Senators underscored the remaining viable pathway that would end the war, bring home Israeli hostages, ensure Hamas can no longer pose a serious military threat to Israel and achieve a diplomatic resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “The acute humanitarian crisis in Gaza is also unsustainable and worsens by the day. Hunger and malnutrition are widespread, and, alarmingly, deaths due to starvation, especially among children, are

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Sedgwick Mead, 82, Dies; Developer and Preservationist in City

3 weeks 6 days ago

A memorial service was held July 28th at Ninth Street Abbey for Sedgwick “Sedg” Mead, Jr. cofounder of Mead McClellan Partnership. The firm was a developer in the City of St. Louis, known for its work in historic preservation and revitalization, specifically within the Soulard neighborhood. Mr. Mead died peacefully on June 26, 2025, from […]

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Tom Finan

STAB Boat 'Comes Home' To Grafton

3 weeks 6 days ago
GRAFTON - On Saturday, July 26, 2025, one of 22 Seal Team Assault Boats (STAB) returned to Grafton, coming home to where she was built in 1968 at the Grafton Boat Works, now The Loading Dock Bar and Grill. Delivered by the owner, John Jadwinsky, of Danville, Indiana, the boat was welcomed with hearty cheers and applause by upwards of fifty bystanders, members of the Grafton Historical Society, and Veterans—one of whom who rendered military honors with a heartfelt salute. John addressed the Historical Society, providing details of the boat’s use by Navy SEALs as the fastest boat on the rivers of the Mekong Delta during the Viet Nam War. The surviving boats were returned to the west coast of the United States to be used for military target practice. The Navy eventually scraped the boats, and many found homes throughout the United States. John has made it his life work for over 40 years to find any remaining available STAB boats, restore them for display or for use in militar

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Super Signing Saturdays Scheduled Across Madison County in August

3 weeks 6 days ago
MADISON COUNTY - The Madison County Republican Party is calling on registered voters to help secure ballot access for our candidates in the upcoming election by signing nomination petitions. Illinois election law requires a minimum number of valid signatures for each candidate to appear on the ballot. Your support is vital—every signature brings us one step closer to giving voters a real choice on Election Day. Super Signing Saturday Drive-Through Events Saturday, August 16 Piasa Armory (625 Lewis & Clark Blvd, East Alton) • 10 AM–12 PM Comfort Inn (3080 S. State Rte 157, Edwardsville) • 1 PM–3 PM Saturday, August 23 McDill’s Irish Pub (267 St. Louis Rd, Collinsville) • 10 AM–12 PM Calvary Life Church (4050 Maryville Rd, Granite City) • 1 PM–3 PM Drop by—stay in your car, sign the petition, and drive on. It only takes a minute to make a big difference. Petition Party at Edison’s Thursday,

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Attorney General Raoul Challenges Trump Administration's Demand For Illinois SNAP Recipients Personal Data

3 weeks 6 days ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 states and attorneys general, filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. SNAP is a federally funded, state-administered program providing billions of dollars in food assistance to tens of millions of low-income families across the country. SNAP applicants provide their private information on the understanding, backed by long-standing state and federal laws, that their information will not be used for unrelated purposes. The USDA has suggested that it could withhold administrative funding for the program if states fail to comply, effectively forcing states to choose between protecting their residents’ privacy and providing critical nutrition assistance to those in need. Illinois receives roughly $177 million a year to

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Gov. Pritzker, Local Leaders Discuss Impact Of Food Assistance Cuts In East St. Louis

3 weeks 6 days ago
EAST ST. LOUIS — On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker joined Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Dulce Quintero, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services Ryan Croke, and local leaders to discuss how President Trump’s draconian budget bill will impact an estimated 360,000 Illinoisans who rely on food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In addition to stripping the most vulnerable Illinoisans of food assistance, Trump’s bill also jeopardizes jobs, hurts grocery stores, and harms local economies. Since the program’s inception, SNAP benefits have been 100 percent federally funded. “During a time when many American families are already struggling, food assistance programs such as SNAP are more essential than ever,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Under the veneer of ‘cost savings,’ the Trump Administration is slashing benefits and threatening the well-being

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Jerseyville Man Charged With Class X Felony Heroin Trafficking

3 weeks 6 days ago
JERSEYVILLE – A man from Jerseyville faces a Class X felony for transporting a large amount of heroin across state lines. Ronald J. Stanley, 38, of Jerseyville, was charged on July 23, 2025 with a Class X felony count of controlled substance trafficking. On March 14, 2024, Stanley allegedly knowingly brought approximately 125 grams of a substance containing heroin into the state of Illinois with an intent to deliver the substance to another individual or individuals. Jersey County Sheriff’s Office records indicate Stanley has since been granted pretrial release from custody. His arraignment hearing has been set for Nov. 5, 2025 at the Jersey County Courthouse. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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