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CHICAGO — The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) approved a number of gaming licenses and other measures today as Chairman Charles Schmadeke presided over his final IGB meeting before his term ends on July 1, 2025. “On behalf of myself, the Board and IGB staff, I acknowledge and thank Chairman Schmadeke for his nearly six years of dedicated and ethical service as Gaming Board Chair and his continued commitment, contributions and dedication to our State,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “His tenure overlapped with considerable changes to the Illinois gaming industry and the IGB itself – including gaming expansion, agency modernization and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Through it all, Chairman Schmadeke remained steadfast in his support for IGB staff and unwavering in his commitment to gaming integrity, ethics and the rule of law. The IGB and the people of Illinois are better off because of his public service.”

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GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Seaman Ava Meneses graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) June 5, 2025. Meneses, from Alton, Illinois, said she enlisted for a variety of reasons, including the chance for a fresh start. “After high school, I wasn’t in a good place,” Meneses said. “I had a lot of stuff going on in my personal life, and I felt like I’d become less ambitious. I knew I could do better than I was at that time, and I needed to move on and try something different. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to reach out to a recruiter to pursue a career in the military. The Navy seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to build the discipline, motivation, and integrity that I felt I was lacking.” Meneses, 20, graduated from Roxana Senior High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. Before joining the Navy, she attended Lewis and Clark

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Join a 5th-generation St. Louisan, foodie + storyteller on this leisurely two-mile walk through St. Louis' rollercoaster history while enjoying some of the most delicious nibbles the city has to offer […]

The post Food + History Walking Tours of the Central West End appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. – Help is on the way for families still recovering from devastating storms back in March. A disaster recovery center is opening at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at First Baptist Church of Gray Summit on Highway 100 in Franklin County. It’s meant for people impacted by the tornadoes, high winds, and wildfires [...]

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Police Department welcomed Brady Helmkamp as its newest officer on June 2, 2025. Helmkamp joins the department from Virginia, where he previously served as a police officer. The department issued a brief statement saying, "Welcome aboard," signaling their support for the new addition to the force.

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GRANITE CITY – Four residents of Granite City face felony mob action charges in a series of connected cases. The following individuals were charged with the following offenses on May 27, 2025: Belinda G. Hagopian, 52: Two counts of mob action (both Class 4 felonies), one count each of battery, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, and obstructing a peace officer (all Class A misdemeanors). Amber D. Hagopian, 45: One Class 4 felony count of mob action, one Class A misdemeanor count of battery. Summer Conway, 27: Two Class 4 felony counts of mob action, two Class A misdemeanor counts of battery, one Class A misdemeanor count of obstructing a peace officer. Zachary Mielke, 34 : One Class 4 felony count of mob action, one count each of battery and obstructing a peace officer (both Class A misdemeanors). A c c ording to court documents, Amber and Belinda Hagopian worked together with Conway to strike one victim about the head and

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ALTON - Chestnut Health Systems offers free NARCAN® and free training on how and when to use it. The free training is virtual, on Zoom, so you can attend without leaving your home. You can attend anonymously. The training is user-friendly, easy and interesting. There are no tests or quizzes. The training is offered every 3rd Thursday of the month at 10:00am and 2:00pm. The next training is scheduled for June 12, 2025. To sign up for the next training, or for more information, email mdrainer@chestnut.org . Chestnut also provides free in-person trainings for individuals and groups, such as families, churches, offices, book clubs, libraries, food pantries, homeless shelters, businesses, etc.

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The City of Kirkwood’s annual Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival spotlights the rich transportation and music history in the region. Vintage vehicles and live music will anchor the event, […]

The post Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS - For much of Saturday, there will be a widespread area of rain and some thunder to the west of the St. Louis metro. This area of rain looks to mainly impact our southern counties through the morning hours. Scattered storms are expected to develop this afternoon and early evening. A few of [...]

The research highlights the groundwater issues complicating the Colorado River's already strained water supply.

The Harmonie presents the 3rd Annual Augusta Wine & Jazz Festival, coming to Augusta, Missouri! June 6, 7, 8th. Our featured headliner is the Hot Club of Baltimore – Sam […]

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Bill McClellan writes: What if Rosemary Woodruff had insisted her husband move here?

"I love doing this. We will keep helping these folks as long as the need is there," said Joe Westbrook.

The three-term Republican's comments were quickly condemned by several of her House colleagues and outside organizations as bigoted and xenophobic. She represents parts of the Metro East.