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St. Louis grocery chains close early again Monday as winter storm leaves roads hazardous

7 months 3 weeks ago
Two of the St. Louis area's largest grocery chains announced they would close stores early again Monday after a snow and ice storm moved out of the area but left road conditions treacherous. All Dierbergs Markets locations will close at 3 p.m. on Monday, a day after they closed early on Sunday. A spokesperson for Dierbergs said they plan to reopen stores Tuesday at 6 a.m. Schnucks' locations in the following areas will close at 3 p.m. again on Monday: St. Louis metropolitan area (Including St.โ€ฆ
Hunter Bassler

Red Cross: Help Prevent Blood Shortages In 2025 By Giving Blood Or Platelets Now

7 months 3 weeks ago
ILLINOIS/MISSOURI - The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need. The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations.?Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness.?During National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross celebrates those who generously roll up a sleeve to help save lives and urges those who are feeling well to make and keep donation appointments to help the blood supply stay on track throughout the winter.? ? Don’t sit on the sidelines − kick off 2025 with

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Sam Altman says superintelligence is near

7 months 3 weeks ago
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, writes that he's almost bored at the prospect of developing mere human-level intelligence. He's already looking past that: We are beginning to turn our aim beyond that, to superintelligence in the true sense of the word.... Superintelligent tools could massively accelerate scientific discovery and innovation well beyond what we are ...continue reading "Sam Altman says superintelligence is near"
Kevin Drum

Budzinski Sworn Into the 119th Congress

7 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) was sworn into the 119th Congress. This marks her second term serving the constituents of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. “Today, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution and faithfully represent the people of Illinois' 13th Congressional District. It has been the honor of my lifetime serving as your Congresswoman, and I am humbled by this incredible responsibility,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “In my second term, I will continue to prioritize the issues that matter most to Central and Southern Illinoisans — working across the aisle to lower costs, fight for underserved communities, improve postal standards, and support our family farmers. I promise to do this while never compromising on the values we hold dear. Fighting for working people is my life’s work and I look forward to continuing to deliver results for our communities in the 119th Congress.”

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Brighton Mayor Urges Patience as Public Works Department Clears Roads

7 months 3 weeks ago
BRIGHTON - Brighton Mayor Matt Kasten encourages residents to stay inside and be patient as the Public Works Department works to clear the roads. Following heavy snowfall and ice on Sunday, Jan. 5 and Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, Kasten expressed his appreciation for the four members of Brighton’s Public Works Department. He urged residents to be understanding and help each other as much as possible. “For a small village with 2,200 , we do the best we can with what we have,” Kasten said. “I am very pleased with our Public Works as well as our police department. With the roads being the way they were, we still have had 24/7 coverage for police and Public Works. The citizens just have to be understanding that there’s limited resources.” Kasten explained that the Public Works Department has four shift workers, who have worked through the past two nights to clear the roads. He added that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) had two trucks stuc

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Bost Sworn In For New Two-Year Term

7 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement today upon being sworn in to serve in the 119th Congress: “This kid from Murphysboro, Illinois, has been blessed beyond measure to serve the people and land I love. House Republicans, in partnership with President Trump, are ready to address our biggest challenges head on, from securing the border and keeping America safe to extending tax relief and reducing the bloated size of government. Through it all, Southern Illinoisans have my word I’ll always fight for the values that make our district and our country great. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get back to work.”

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Illinois DCFS Offers Post-Secondary Scholarships to Current and Former Youth in Care

7 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers if they attend an Illinois public university or community college including a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. In 2024, DCFS awarded scholarships to 334 college-bound youth, the most in the agency’s history. “It is my priority as governor to ensure that all Illinois students, including youth in DCFS care, have the

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ISP Honors Trooper Clay M. Carns

7 months 3 weeks ago
ORLAND PARK – On Jan. 3, 2025, the Illinois State Police (ISP) joined Trooper Clay M. Carns’ family and friends, along with officers from law enforcement agencies across the country, to honor and pay respects to Trooper Carns, who was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2024. Trooper Carns was laid to rest on Jan. 3. “Today, and every day going forward, we honor Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns for his sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by his family,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “While ISP is hurting as we lay to rest the second trooper killed on Illinois highways in just three months, we will not falter. To honor Trooper Carns means to preserve and uphold that which he stood for – Integrity, Service, and Pride. Trooper Carns will remain in our hearts and in our sacred work of protecting public safety and pursuing justice.” Trooper Carns entered the ISP Academy on November 10, 2013, as part of Cadet Class 123, an

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Three Illinois State Police Squad Cars Struck In Two Days

7 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated two separate traffic crashes that occurred in DuPage and Cook counties involving ISP troopers who were handling separate vehicle crashes when their squad cars were struck by drivers who failed to move over. On December 31, 2024, at approximately 1:57 p.m., an ISP trooper was outside of their squad car handling a crash with their emergency lights activated on Interstate 55 northbound near Woodward Avenue. A Hyundai sedan failed to move over and rear-ended the parked squad car. The parked squad car blocked three troopers on scene from being hit. No injuries were reported. The ISP squad car was towed from the scene due to damage sustained during the crash. The driver of the Hyundai, 23-year-old Alyssa M. Ceballos of Lockport, Illinois, was charged with driving Too Fast for Conditions and a Scott’s Law violation. On January 1, 2025, at approximately 3:09 a.m., two ISP troopers were enroute to assist with a previous

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Daily Deal: The Ultimate Python & Artificial Intelligence Bundle

7 months 3 weeks ago
The Ultimate Python and Artificial Intelligence Bundle has 9 courses to help you take your Python and AI knowledge to the next level. You’ll learn about data pre-processing and visualization, artificial neural networks, how to use the Keras framework, and more. It’s on sale for $40. Note: The Techdirt Deals Store is powered and curated […]
Daily Deal

GCHS Announces Elks Students of the Month

7 months 3 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized four seniors from Granite City High School as Students of the Month for November and December. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. LYDIA HARRIS - November Two-time Girls Cross Country Captain and Most Valuable Athlete ... Two-time Girls Track Most Valuable Athlete ... The Rock Youth Group volunteer ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Member of National Honor Society and Varsity Club ... Secondary Honors ... St. Louis Rowing Club member ... Daughter

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