a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Amare Offers Peer-Led Substance Use Disorder Recovery Support

4 weeks ago
BETHALTO/WOOD RIVER - Amare offers peer support for people struggling with substance use disorders, and you can help the organization extend its reach at an upcoming event. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , peer-led recovery coach Andrea shared that Amare works hard to support community members. Their upcoming Rockin’ 4 Recovery event invites the community to share that support with one another. “Recovery looks different for everybody,” Andrea said. “We just try to get back on track. They don’t have to be clean for us to work with them. We try to meet people where they’re at. The goal is abstinence, but we just want to help them be a productive member of society and try to get their life back on track.” From 1–6 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2025, community members can come out to Bethalto Park in Bethalto for Rockin’ 4 Recovery. This family-friendly

Continue Reading

Maryville Walgreens Remains Closed Monday, July 28, 2025, Following Sunday Storm Stopped Power

4 weeks ago
MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Walgreens pharmacy at 6607 State Route 162 in Maryville remains closed Monday morning, July 28, 2025, due to power issues caused by a storm on Sunday, the store confirmed. Maryville Fire Chief Doug Dankenbring said the storm knocked out one phase of the store’s electricity, and repairs are currently underway. The pharmacy has not yet been able to have its HVAC unit inspected, delaying the reopening. In a statement, Walgreens said, “Your pharmacy at 6607 State Route 162 in Maryville is temporarily closed. We are sorry. We'll let you know when it reopens.” Customers needing prescriptions urgently were advised to visit neighboring Walgreens locations. The store hopes to provide an update on its status later Monday afternoon.

Continue Reading

Thailand and Cambodia agree to "unconditional" ceasefire to end deadly border row, Malaysian PM says

4 weeks ago
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of people. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister [...]
EILEEN NG, JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI and SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated Press

IMPACT Strategies Completes Phase One of Vivian's Village in Cahokia Heights  

4 weeks ago
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - 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 Saint Clair County resident who spent decades as a volunteer and advocate for local housing. The first phase of this multi-phase development includes 16 one-bedroom townhome units with income eligibility requirements offered through the St. Clair County Housing Authority along with a Community Building that will provide health care and supportive services for the development’s residents. This development will help improve living standards for the overall community and be a critical component of residents’ health and well-being. Officials of SIHF Healthcare along with other regional dignitaries and IMPACT Strategies celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony in June. “IMPACT Strategies is honored to

Continue Reading

FPF sues DOJ for Trump memo on Qatari jet

4 weeks ago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Today, Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), represented by nonpartisan watchdog American Oversight, filed a Freedom of Information Act suit against the Department of Justice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for failing to release a legal memorandum that reportedly justified the Trump administration’s acceptance of a $400 million jet gifted by the Qatari government in May.

The luxury aircraft — set to be retrofitted for use as Air Force One to the tune of hundreds of millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars and later transferred to President Donald Trump’s private foundation — has raised serious legal and ethical concerns. Multiple experts and lawmakers from both parties have raised questions about whether accepting such a gift from a foreign government violates the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause and federal ethics rules. Additionally, while Trump claims Qatar reached out and offered the jet as a “gift” to him, media reports the opposite is true — his administration approached Qatar.

“It shouldn’t take 620 days to release a single, time-sensitive document,” said Lauren Harper, Freedom of the Press Foundation’s Daniel Ellsberg chair on government secrecy. “How many flights could Trump have taken on his new plane in the same amount of time it would have taken the DOJ to release this one document? The government’s inability to administer FOIA makes it too easy for agencies to keep secrets, and nonexistent disclosure rules around donations to presidential libraries provide easy cover for bad actors and potential corruption.”

“President Trump’s deal to take a $400 million luxury jet from a foreign government deserves full public scrutiny — not a stiff-arm from the Department of Justice,” said Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, which is representing FPF in its litigation. “This is precisely the kind of corrupt arrangement that public records laws are designed to expose. The DOJ cannot sit on its hands and expect the American people to wait years for the truth while serious questions about corruption, self-dealing, and foreign influence go unanswered.”

The May 2025 memorandum, reportedly signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously lobbied on behalf of the Qatari government, purportedly concluded that the Trump administration’s acceptance of the jet was legally permissible. The administration accepted the jet just days later. The circumstances surrounding the jet deal, including reports that the transaction may have been initiated by the Trump administration and that it followed a lucrative Trump private business arrangement in Qatar, have only heightened calls for transparency.

News that the luxury jet will be donated to Trump’s private presidential library foundation after he is no longer in office follows reports that ABC News and Paramount, which was seeking government approval for a merger with Skydance, resolved litigation with President Trump by agreeing to multimillion-dollar payouts to the foundation.

FPF submitted its FOIA request for the Bondi memo on May 15. Although the DOJ granted expedited processing, the department informed FPF that the estimated time for fulfilling the request was more than 600 days. As of today, the DOJ has failed to release any responsive records or provide a further timeline for production.

Please contact us if you would like further comment.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

SIUE Earns 2025-26 Military Friendly® School Gold Status

4 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has once again earned Gold Tier recognition as a 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School, placing the University among the top 10% of institutions nationwide for its commitment to serving military-affiliated students, including active-duty service members, veterans, and military-connected families. The prestigious designation is awarded by VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs® Magazine, and is based on a rigorous, data-driven evaluation process. More than 1,800 institutions participated in the 2025-2026 survey, with 537 receiving special awards for exceeding Military Friendly® standards. SIUE was evaluated in the small public institution category and also earned the designation of Military Spouse Friendly® School, reflecting its broad support for military families. “This designation reflects our deep commitment to serving those who have served,” said Kevin Wathen, EdD, director of Military and Veteran Services.

Continue Reading

TODAY IN SPRINGFIELD: Congresswoman Budzinski to Host Roundtable on Strengthening Postal Service in Central and Southern Illinois

4 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, July 28, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) will convene a roundtable discussion in Springfield focused on improving mail delivery and protecting postal services across Central and Southern Illinois. Local leaders, postal workers, and community stakeholders from across downstate Illinois will join the conversation. The discussion will cover key issues impacting mail service in the region including 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. WHAT: Congresswoman Budzinski to Host Roundtable on Strengthening Postal Service in Central and Southern Illinois WHO: U.S. Congresswoman Budzinski, Illinois’ 13th District State Senator Doris Turner State Representative Mike Coffey Springfield Chamber President Mike Murphy Barbara Bridges, Champaign Postal Worker and Activist President Pam Shumard, Illinois Rural

Continue Reading

Suspect Arrested: Mount Vernon Police Identify Two Victims in July 27, 2025, Shooting

4 weeks ago
MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Police Department, in coordination with Mayor John Lewis, has identified the victims of a shooting that occurred on July 27, 2025, and announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident. The victims have been named as Zomarrius Williams, a 20-year-old male from Mount Vernon, and Demonta Woodward, a 26-year-old male from Mounds, Illinois. Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Jerria J. Smith of Mount Vernon, charging her with reckless discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice. Officials stated the investigation is in its early stages and that additional arrests and charges are expected as they continue to gather evidence and develop leads related to the shooting, which resulted in multiple casualties and injuries. The Mount Vernon Police Department is urging anyone with information who has not yet spoken with investigators to come forward. Witnesses or those with video evidence can contact the department at 618-242-2132,

Continue Reading

Attorney General Raoul Releases Statement On Agreement To Pause Federal Restrictions On Public Benefit Programs

4 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released a statement after the federal government agreed to temporarily halt implementation of harmful new restrictions on access to public benefit programs. “I am glad that the administration agreed to pause its notices prohibiting state safety net programs from serving all residents, regardless of immigration status, to allow time for the court to hear from both parties in this case. These burdensome rules would endanger some of Illinois’ most crucial social service programs, including preventative health care and maternity care from community health centers, violent crime victim counseling and legal services, Head Start early education and adult literacy education. I will continue to work to defend these programs from unlawful requirements.” Earlier this week, Attorney General Raoul and 20 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit opposing the federal government's attempt to change how eligibility for federally

Continue Reading