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DEA Recognizes National Fentanyl Awareness Day on April 29

3 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proudly joins community organizations, law enforcement agencies and public health partners in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Tuesday, April 29. Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat facing the United States as drug-related overdoses remain the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18-44. The fentanyl crisis has touched every corner of the country and the Midwest is not immune. In 2023, more than 105,000 Americans died from drug poisonings with nearly 70 percent of those deaths attributed to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts a 29 percent decline in drug overdose deaths year-over-year in Illinois, while nationally, a 26.5% decline in drug overdose deaths year-over-year is predicted. Still, the DEA encourages communities to remain vigilant about the risks involved with synthetic drugs and the extreme threat

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Lincoln County man facing child pornography charges

3 weeks ago
A Lincoln County man kept handwritten notes detailing sexual thoughts and analysis on prepubescent children, as well as DVDs and an external hard drive containing child sexual abuse material, according to local law enforcement and prosecutors.
Kevin S. Held

GCHS Announces 103rd Annual May Carousel - "A Memorable Masquerade"

3 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School has announced its 103rd Annual May Carousel – "A Memorable Masquerade." The event is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025 at 7 p.m. in GCHS Memorial Gymnasium, and dates back to 1923. While many May Carousel events have changed over the years, the purpose has remained the same – to present the graduating seniors to the community. This event is a joint presentation by Student Council and the Theatre Department, with help from many others. The steering committee works hard to make this ceremony a memorable one for our senior class. We would love to see you all there to help celebrate the Class of 2025! Tickets sales begin on Monday, April 28 and can be purchased in Ms. Richey's classroom, Room 264, or by email at ashley.richey@gcsd9.net . General Admission is $5 and tickets can also be bought at the door. The public is welcome! For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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1818 Chophouse to Host Annual Kentucky Derby Day Event

3 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - 1818 Chophouse will host their annual Derby Day event to celebrate the 151st Kentucky Derby. On Saturday, May 3, 2025, community members are invited to 1818 Chophouse for an evening of great food, live music, prizes and a showing of the race and pre-races. Megan Pashea, owner of 1818 Chophouse, emphasized her excitement to share the experience with the community. “We’ve been doing this for many years, and it’s one that our guests look most forward to every year,” Pashea said. “We’re pretty fortunate to have a great space outside, and it looks like the weather is going to be awesome.” Tickets cost $55 and include table seating and dinner, with a cash bar for beverages. The day begins at 3:30 p.m. with pre-races streamed on the jumbotron outside on the patio. The buffet will be served from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Diners can enjoy a grazing board with a chef’s selection of cheeses, cured meats, caprese salad, marinated

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Durbin Files Second Amicus Brief In Support Of Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act

3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Durbin Amendment, filed an amicus brief in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in support of the state’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), a state law that bars charging interchange fees on the tax and tips portion of credit and debit card transactions. In August 2024, the Illinois Bankers Association filed a lawsuit, Illinois Bankers Association v. Raoul , claiming that the IFPA is preempted by federal law. Last month, the Illinois Bankers Association filed a motion for summary judgement, in which they argue that the 2010 Durbin Amendment preempts the IFPA from reducing interchange fees below what is outlined in the current regulations. The motion also argues that the IFPA will threaten an alleged “national payments system,” despite there being no such system for credit and debit card transactions. This

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Illinois State Police Announces Results Of Violent Crime Suppression Detail In The Metro East Area

3 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a violent crime suppression detail on April 16-18, 2025, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East. Detail Results Arrests: 34 Felony Charges: 37 Criminal Charges: 60 Firearm Related Charges: 31 Firearms Seized: 18 Controlled Substance Seized: 9.7 grams Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 2 There were several notable events and arrests during the detail. On April 16, 2025, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm and a large amount of illegal cannabis. One subject was taken into custody. Charges are pending. On April 16, 2025, troopers conducted a traffi

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College Student Home? Here's How to Check Their Mental Health

3 weeks ago
College students will soon be home for summer break. They’re embarking on their independent phase, so opening up about mental health to their parents might not top the summer to-do list. It can leave parents wondering: How did the school year go? Did they make friends? Are they doing OK mentally? Rachel Brown, LCPC, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, says there are dos and don’ts to get the most out of a conversation with a young adult. School stress Brown says going off to college is a huge transition. The student may miss home. They may have trouble being accountable with no 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. structure they had in high school. Making friends can also be difficult. Brown says college students may be stressed and scared to branch out and meet people. “They might be anxious or get into a rut of depression. They might isolate. They might sleep too much or not sleep at all,” Brown says. Warning signs Brown says parents should watch for drastic

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Attorney General Raoul Co-leads Coalition Of Attorneys General In Support Of Law Firm Targeted By Trump Executive Order

3 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of the law firm Susman Godfrey, which is challenging an unconstitutional executive order issued as retribution against the firm for representing clients in the aftermath of the 2020 election and defending the integrity of that election. The order, similar to others targeting specific law firms for their representation of causes and clients that the president dislikes, violates the firm’s rights to free speech, due process and other constitutional protections. “Since our country’s founding, the First Amendment has protected lawyers who represent disfavored clients and causes. President Trump’s retaliatory orders defy these protections,” Raoul said. “I will not sit by silently as the president bullies and retaliates against law firms for representing clients who are politically disfavored or vulnerable, nor should any other

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Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Condemn Trump and DOGE for Gutting AmeriCorps

3 weeks ago
– U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chris Coons (D-DE), along with 146 fellow Congressional colleagues, called out President Donald Trump for targeting AmeriCorps and NCC AmeriCorps members, demanding he reverse cuts to the program made last week by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Trump Administration placed a majority of AmeriCorps employees on leave last week as part of DOGE’s broader spending cuts. Programs such as AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors deploy more than 200,000 Americans annually to carry out results-driven projects at over 35,000 locations across the country. Working in partnership with thousands of nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations, these dedicated volunteers and workers help promote employment opportunities, strengthen the workforce and support those in need. “We are deeply concerned these actions will prevent the agency from continuing to deliver critical services, which include

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Principia School Invites Community to Annual BioBlitz

3 weeks ago
SAINT LOUIS - Principia School will host their annual BioBlitz so students and community members can document the species on Principia’s campus. On Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, 2025, community members can stop by Principia School at 13201 Clayton Road in Town and Country, Missouri, to participate in the BioBlitz and explore the local nature. Lynne Scott, Upper School science teacher and Principia School’s Director of Sustainability, noted her excitement to engage with nature and the community. “It’s always just joyful and joyous,” she said. “It’s laidback, enjoyable, getting out in nature, connecting with people and professionals. You’re enjoying being in nature.” BioBlitzes are common events that encourage communities to explore nature and track what species they encounter in a certain space. Principia School has completed several BioBlitzes over the years, and Scott said it’s interesting to see how the biodiversity

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Attorney General Raoul Leads Coalition Defending Funding For K-12 Schools

3 weeks ago
CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul today co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit seeking to stop the U.S. Department of Education from withholding federal funding from state and local agencies that refuse to abandon lawful programs and policies promoting equal access to education in K-12 classrooms across the nation. On April 3, 2025, the Department of Education informed state and local agencies that they must accept the Trump administration’s new and legally incoherent interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts – or else risk immediate and catastrophic loss of federal education funds. In Illinois, this would mean the immediate loss of almost $1.4 billion in congressionally mandated financial support for schools. “The Trump administration is now attempting to illegally stop the allocation of these Congressionally-mandated funds in order to push a vague,

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Pritzker Statement On Trump Administration Arrest Of Sitting Judge

3 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement regarding the arrest of a sitting Judge Hannah Dugan in Wisconsin: "Arresting a sitting state judge is an alarming escalation of Donald Trump’s war on the courts. Shortly after, Attorney General Pam Bondi went on Fox News to brag about it and confirm this authoritarian administration is going to keep persecuting and prosecuting sitting judges. “We do not have kings in America. We do not accept propaganda as fact. And we do not let an authoritarian federal overarch hold us back from speaking up for justice. “America was built on a system of Checks and Balances where different parts of our government have the duty to hold the power of the others to account. Today is a reminder for the Judiciary, Congress, and States to do our part in holding Trump and his lackeys accountable. ? “While we must closely follow the emerging facts and details of this case, there is no question today is

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