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SPRINGFIELD – State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced the winning photographers for the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest , which provides Illinois students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. The top nine photographers, ages 8 to 18, will be awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships. “Congratulations to the young photographers who have showcased their talents and creativity in the Cream of the Crop competition this year,” Frerichs said. “Their photos illustrate the beauty and diversity of agriculture in Illinois.” The winning photographs will be displayed August 7-17 at the Illinois State Fair in the Treasurer’s Tent. You can see the photos of the top three finishers in each of the three age categories on the State Treasurer’s website . Winning entries and other photo submissions will be featured in the 2025-2026 Ag Invest calendar, which you can order here , and the

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Jacob Saylors, the St. Louis Battlehawks' lead running back for the last two seasons, has earned another shot in the NFL.

A local developer is branching out to open a new hotel in Fenton. Sheri Steffens, who opened the Hampton Inn & Suites in St. Charles in 2022 and plans two more hotels on that same property, is also planning to build a new hotel in Fenton. The new facility, at 942 S. Highway Drive, will […]

The post Fenton to Get First New Hotel in Years appeared first on Construction Forum.

I know it often seems like it’s bad news all the time on the Techdirt channel. And I’m sorry it’s that way. I wish we weren’t dealing with a daily deluge of new awfulness from the current president and his enablers. But that’s what’s happening so that’s how it ends up looking here, as well […]

EAST ALTON — Some East Alton fast-food restaurants closed early on Monday, July 28, 2025, after receiving what East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike described as prank phone calls containing vague threats. Taco Bell, Sonic and McDonald’s in East Alton decided to shut down their businesses early as a precautionary measure. Chief Golike said the calls appeared to come from the same individual and contained “the same vague threat,” which raised concern among management. “It was a little alarming to managers,” Golike said. “It sounded like the same caller with the same vague threat.” Golike noted that the calls seemed to be isolated to the affected businesses and that Alton Police were not receiving similar calls at their locations. Authorities are continuing to research the matter but have not found any indication of an actual threat. Golike emphasized that the early closures were a collective decision made out of caution. The East Alton

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Zakk Wylde, who long played guitar in Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, has shared the final text message he received from the late metal legend.Wylde tells Guitar World that he received the…

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From St. Louis Public Radio: Some retirees spend their days on the golf course. Others spend their time in the recliner doing crossword puzzles. But a group of retirees in St. Louis is spending their time remaking an old boat. Sheet metal workers played a central role in the building of the SS Admiral, which […]

The post Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Retirees Restore Replica of Iconic S.S. Admiral Steamboat appeared first on Construction Forum.

IMPACT Strategies, Inc. recently completed construction on Phase One of Vivian’s Village in Cahokia Heights, IL – a new, permanent supportive housing community being developed by Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF Healthcare.). The new development is located at 5708 Bond Avenue next to Touchette Regional Hospital and is named in memory of Vivian Cash, a […]

The post IMPACT Strategies Completes Phase One of Vivian’s Village in Cahokia Heights appeared first on Construction Forum.

BRUSSELS — A 43-year-old woman was arrested on June 24, 2025, after a deputy sheriff conducted a citizen contact at a General Store on Main Street in Brussels, Calhoun County The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office reported that Tammy E. Bailey of Hardin, Illinois, was taken into custody at 4:25 p.m. Bailey faces charges of violating the sex offender registry and has an outstanding Calhoun County felony warrant. Authorities said Bailey was arrested without incident and transported to the Greene County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing. Officials reminded the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved funding totaling $40 million for the development of four non-congregate shelters that will create 194 units with 422 beds for persons experiencing homelessness. These non-congregate facilities will provide private rooms for individuals and families to reside and will not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement, while also offering necessary support services to help them during their housing transition. “Here in Illinois, we understand that ending the homelessness crisis requires a multifaceted and equitable approach, and that begins with meaningful investments to improve our housing infrastructure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These four new shelters, which are repurposed from unoccupied properties, will offer a unique private housing support option for over 400 people. I’m thankful to the team at IHDA for their ongoing efforts to destigmatize homelessness and improv

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following an announcement from the Department of Education that it would begin releasing nearly $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved funds illegally withheld from states. The restored funding comes after pressure from Budzinski and her House Democratic colleagues. “After we turned up the pressure, I’m glad to see the Trump administration do the right thing and release the education funds they have been illegally withholding from our communities,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “While this announcement is a relief for our school districts – especially as the new school year rapidly approaches – the funding never should have been delayed. Central and Southern Illinoisans deserve a government that keeps its word, and I’ll continue to hold this administration accountable to ensure these critical dollars are delivered to our district.” Earlier

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that bridge deck patching will take place on eastbound Interstate 64 between 15th Street and 25th Street in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, at 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. During that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane. All lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. 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. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on www.GettingAroundIllinois.com .

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Joe Biden brought factories and jobs back with his climate program. Then Trump repealed it.

HARDIN — Today, Jennifer Wooldridge, State Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator and Deputy Director of Operations for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, issued the following statement on the life-saving impact of CIT training in law enforcement, as demonstrated recently by Sheriff William Heffington and Chief Deputy Zach Hardin of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office: "On May 5, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a severe disturbance near the intersection of Park Street and Main Street in Hardin. Authorities were told an individual intimidated another individual with an axe before fleeing the scene. "Within minutes, at about 3:37 p.m., Chief Deputy Zach Hardin located the individual, parked along Illinois River Road, still armed with a large axe. Sheriff William Heffington arrived to assist in what quickly escalated into a critical and complex situation. As school had just let out, a bus full of childre

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on July 28, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education discussed the 2023 Bond and three potential projects that could be completed using the money. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton explained that there are three Phase 2 projects, and he wanted the Board to discuss these projects and let him know what information they needed to make a decision on which project to move forward with. He said the top priorities are updating certain playgrounds, followed by the gyms in Hamel and Columbus Elementary Schools, and then the Edwardsville High School Media Center. “There seems to be a super need for Hamel. We have asbestos,” said Board member Matt Breihan. “I go back to the Bond promises that were promised, and I realize you can’t tell the future and I realize you can’t tell where rates go and what happens. But the promises were made that we have enough money for all projects that

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Merri Berry, the barrier-breaking secretary-treasurer of the Missouri AFL-CIO, was celebrated on her pending retirement last week at an event at IBEW Local 1 that included heartfelt, sometimes tearful, tributes from local and state Labor leaders and a video message from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Merri, you are an absolute icon,” Shuler said. “I’ve seen […]

The post Merri Berry’s Remarkable Career Celebrated on Her Retirement appeared first on Construction Forum.

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed another unconstitutional gun restriction into law this week. On Monday, Gov. Pritzker signed the so-called “Safe Gun Storage Act” into law. Senate Bill 8 imposes new mandates requiring gun owners to store firearms in locked containers when in the presence of minors, prohibited persons, or “at-risk” individuals. The bill is riddled with conflicting provisions and creates legal uncertainty for hunters, target shooters, and youth shooting clubs. State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) voted NO on Senate Bill 8, citing serious constitutional concerns for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “Senate Bill 8 is an overreaching and unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Illinois citizens,” Davidsmeyer said. “This law creates excessive and confusing firearm storage mandates, subjects law-abiding gun owners to stiff civil

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) hosted a roundtable discussion focused on improving mail delivery and protecting postal services across Central and Southern Illinois. She convened local union leaders, postal workers, and other community stakeholders to talk about efforts to improve on-time delivery, protect local postal jobs, oppose privatization, and stop harmful facility consolidations that reduce access in rural and underserved areas. “The Postal Service is a lifeline in rural communities, and lagging delivery rates have meant delayed prescriptions, late bills, missed paychecks, and much more,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “It’s unacceptable and the administration should do better. I was glad to bring together leaders on the frontlines of this issue today to talk about how we can push back against postal privatization, improve speed and service, and protect good-paying union jobs at USPS. The Postal Service should be a public good

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