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Corn growers urge DOJ investigation into ‘collusive’ fertilizer industry practices

1 month 1 week ago
Farmers from across the country are urging the federal government to expedite an investigation of the fertilizer industry as they struggle with “impossibly high input costs.”  A letter from grower associations follows a slew of recent federal actions taken to address the expense of fertilizers.  In the letter sent to leaders of the Senate Committee […]
Cami Koons

St. Louis Blues sign Connor McMichael to a 6-year, $40.5 million contract

1 month 1 week ago
Connor McMichael has signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues. McMichael will count $6.75 million against the salary cap through the 2031-32 NHL season. McMichael joined the team as part of the return from the Washington Capitals in the Jordan Kyrou trade last month. The 25-year-old forward is coming off setting a career high with 32 assists and also scoring 14 goals in 78 games with the Capitals. He has 162 points in 333 regular season and playoff games since making his debut in the league in 2021.
Associated Press

Duckworth Secures Illinois Water Priorities in Senate Committee-Passed WRDA Bill

1 month 1 week ago
— U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), founding Co-Chair of the Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, successfully secured several key priorities that would expand access to clean, safe and reliable water for Illinois families in the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which passed unanimously out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). This bill builds upon multiple legacy programs from Senator Duckworth’s

I-270 Westbound Reduced to One Lane This weekend in Madison County

1 month 1 week ago
GRANITE CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane closures on westbound Interstate 270 from Illinois 3 to the Mississippi River in Madison County for road construction. Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, July 18, westbound I-270 traffic will be reduced to one lane, weather permitting. All westbound lanes are expected to reopen by 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are

Budzinski Leads Congressional Push Against Proposed Federal Grants Rewrite

1 month 1 week ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led two letters urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reconsider proposed changes to the federal grantmaking process that could undermine research, innovation, and critical investments in communities across the country. The first letter, led by Representatives Budzinski and Troy Carter (D-La.), was signed by an additional 125 Members of Congress. The letter focused more generally on the impact the rule

ICASH Event Coming to Cahokia Heights on July 20, 2026.

1 month 1 week ago
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is hosting an ICASH Event on Monday, July 20 at the Cahokia Fitness & Sports Complex. State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is encouraging his constituents to attend and check if they are owed unclaimed money or property. Representatives from the Treasurer's Office are on-site to help individuals search their database and correctly fill out claim forms to collect money or property owed to them. “The ICASH Event

After winning Home Run Derby, Jordan Walker wants to lead the next wave of Black athletes into baseball

1 month 1 week ago
ordan Walker hopes his star-making turn at the Home Run Derby will inspire more young Black athletes to follow in his footsteps and choose baseball. Walker grew up outside Atlanta and said he was inspired by Jason Heyward, a Gold Glove winner and Black player with the Braves who debuted when Walker was 7 years old. The significance of representation in the Black community was never lost on Walker.
DAN GELSTON and Associated Press

Missouri ballot measure campaigns dominate fundraising, ad spending for primary

1 month 1 week ago
Ballot measure fights are consuming the big money in Missouri elections this summer, with more than $27 million raised for proposals on the Aug. 4 ballot, according to reports filed this week with state and federal authorities. There’s no hotly contested statewide candidate race on the primary election ballot, but there are four constitutional amendments, […]
Rudi Keller

Local Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Shares Back-to-School Tips

1 month 1 week ago
GODFREY - As summer winds down, nurse practitioners like Lori Balchik, APRN, encourage caregivers to schedule back-to-school and sports physicals for their children. Balchik is a pediatric nurse practitioner with OSF Medical Group in Godfrey. She noted that while it may seem early to schedule a physical, now is a good time to get your appointment on the books. “The earlier that we get it done, the better,” she said. “We want them to get involved in their sports, but