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Rolla Tech Students Rock “Masonry Madness”

8 months 2 weeks ago
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum “Masonry Madness” might sound like a strange new online game. But it’s actually a showcase for the talents of the next generation of bricklayers and laborers. Rolla Technical Institute’s masonry program hosted its 8th annual Masonry Madness competition on Friday, February 28th. Students had just a few hours […]
Tom Finan

Duckworth Reacts to Trump's Plan to Fire More Than 80,000 VA Employees Which Would Further Jeopardize Veterans’ Access to Care

8 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—issued the following statement in response to reporting on an internal memo from senior Trump Administration officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) detailing their plans to fire more than 80,000 VA employees this year, after the VA already fired over 2,400 VA employees last month: “Since the bipartisan PACT Act overhauled our VA to better care for our nation’s heroes, the VA has approved over one million claims from Veterans suffering from toxic-exposure—helping more Veterans than ever receive the care they’ve earned. And yet, by planning to fire more than 80,000 VA employees, Donald Trump is dooming not only our VA’s ability to handle the influx of claims, but also brave Veterans who will wait even longer to get the quality care they need. Let’s call this what it is: Republicans&rsquo

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Godfrey Fire Protection District Honors Captain Jacob L. Ringering

8 months 2 weeks ago
GODFREY - The Godfrey Fire Protection District took a moment to honor Captain Jacob L. Ringering on the sixth anniversary of his passing. Ringering died in the line of duty on March 5, 2019, while battling a residential structure fire. On March 5, 2025, the firefighters saluted the flag and held a moment of silence outside of the Godfrey firehouse to commemorate Ringering’s legacy. “His impact, courage, and sacrifice continue to inspire us every single day,” the Godfrey Fire Protection District said in a statement. “Jake was more than a firefighter — he was a leader, a mentor, and a brother to so many in the fire service.” Ringering had a wife, Allison, and three children named Nora, Elaina and Logan. The GFPD said his family was “his greatest joy.” The GFPD added that Ringering’s legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him, including the firefighters at GFPD who aspire to his level of bravery. They encouraged the

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Attorney General Raoul Issues Multistate Guidance For Schools On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Accessibility Initiatives

8 months 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 15 attorneys general in issuing guidance to help K-12 schools, colleges and universities understand the legality, viability and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and practices in education. The guidance comes in response to concerns following a Trump administration executive order and the U.S. Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter and FAQ document targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and programming in schools. The coalition’s guidance reminds educational entities that efforts to seek and support diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible educational experiences for students are legal, and that longstanding legal precedents supporting these programs cannot be changed by an executive order or a letter from the Department of Education.

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St. Anthony's Introduces Support Group for People Struggling with a Loved One's Addiction

8 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s is offering a new therapeutic group for people who love someone with a substance use disorder. The Friends and Family Group meets from 5–6 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Psychological Services Department at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Marla Nelson, LCPC, explained that the group aims to provide support and coping strategies. “It is for friends and family who have a loved one who’s struggling with a substance use disorder,” Nelson said. “It’s a therapeutic group. There are other groups like Al-Anon and such. You’re going to have that support and be able to have other people who are going through that same situation.” As a therapeutic group, the meetings are led by Nelson, a therapist, and people are encouraged to share their experiences and challenges with one another. She noted that the group includes “some psychoeducation” to inform loved ones about the science and psychology behind substance

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Eads at 150

8 months 2 weeks ago

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the iconic Eads Bridge, Eads Bridge at 150 examines the complexities of its design, its construction, and the role it has played since it opened […]

The post Eads at 150 appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Myranda Levins

St. Louis Sees Historically Low Crime in First Two Months of 2025

8 months 2 weeks ago
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis saw a historic decrease in crime in the first two months of 2025, with 15 homicides through March 2, 2025, a decrease of 16 compared to the same period of 2024, a year in which the city saw the fewest homicides in 11 years. Violent crime was down across the board, including a 36% decrease in burglaries, 42% decrease in auto thefts, and 53% decrease in shooting incidents. “One life affected by violent crime is one too many, which is why it is extremely encouraging to see the amount of violent crime continue to drop drastically in St. Louis,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “We have more work to do, but violent crime is on the retreat in St. Louis, and I am incredibly thankful to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Circuit Attorney’s Office, the Office of Violence Prevention, and all the community organizations and residents who do so much to make St. Louis safer.” In the past two years, Mayor Jones has raised salaries

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