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Meta Pays Trump $25M Protection Money After Mar-a-Lago ‘Offer’

11 months 2 weeks ago
In what looks increasingly like a protection racket, Meta has agreed to pay Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit that multiple courts had already indicated was completely meritless. The settlement, which directs $22 million toward Trump’s presidential library, comes after a dinner at Mar-a-Lago where Trump reportedly told Zuckerberg this needed to be […]
Mike Masnick

Madison County Chairman Makes Statement About Federal Freeze

11 months 2 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, discussed the freeze on federal funding. Slusser said that he was never concerned about the pause because the federal money Madison County receives does not conflict with the president’s executive orders, or the memo issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB.) “The executive orders and the memo from OMB made it very clear to me that none of the federal funds received by Madison County would be included in the freeze,” Slusser said. Slusser said he understands why the federal government wanted to review agency programs. “We understand that people were worried about how this would have affected them,” he said. “What we did know is that that federal assistance to individuals would not have been affected, including Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships, rental assistance or energy assistance for low-income families.”

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Illinois Community Colleges Receive Funds to Support Student Mental Health

11 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has provided more than $3.6 million to 32 Illinois Community Colleges to support student mental health in 2025. These funds will introduce new services, augment existing practices, and target service gaps to help meet the mental health needs of thousands of students on community college campuses across the state. “We know many college students nationwide face mental health challenges. A recent U.S. News survey revealed nearly 70% of college students report struggling with their mental health. This investment will help community colleges better meet the needs of students outside the classroom, contributing to their success in the classroom, said ICCB executive director Brian Durham. A 2023 Healthy Minds Study, which surveyed 800 campuses across the country found that 41% of college students screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of depression and 1 in 3 college students screened positive for anxiety. T

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Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association to Host 2025 Beekeeping Workshop

11 months 2 weeks ago
SAINT LOUIS - The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association invites beginning and experienced beekeepers to their 2025 Beekeeping Workshop and Honey Show. From 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, community members are invited to Holiday Inn in Sunset Hills, Missouri for a full day of speakers and vendors. Intermediate and expert beekeepers will learn more about biology, queen rearing, pest control and colony behavior, while the beginner track is tailored toward those with no beekeeping experience so they can start beekeeping in the spring. “We really wanted to focus a lot on quality. Any time that the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association tries to do something, we try to do it pretty well,” said Tom, a representative with EMBA. “Whether you want to be a beekeeper or not, you really need to come. The fascination of learning about this God-given insect that we have here is just mind-boggling.” Tom, Dan and Melissa, who all work with EMBA,

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IDOL Recognizes Five Years of Online Collection of Certified Payrolls from Contractors on Public Works Projects

11 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – It will soon be five years since the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) began accepting certified payrolls from contractors who perform construction work on public works projects. Public works projects include any construction work funded in whole, or in part, by state or local public tax dollars. Certified payrolls are a record of wages paid to workers on these projects and are required by the Prevailing Wage Act to include such things as the workers name, classification, trade, hourly wage rate, and hours worked each week on the public works project and any other project. “Prevailing wage certified payroll filings help ensure that workers on government-funded projects are paid the correct wages and benefits for their work,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan . “Illinois’ public certified transcript of payroll portal provides transparency in the industry, helps maintain accountability among contractors that have

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IDOC to Provide Career Information Across the State in February and March

11 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will participate in at least 10 hiring events open to the public in various locations throughout February and March. These events provide an opportunity for anyone interested in a career with IDOC to learn more about the application process. IDOC recruiters will be available to answer questions and assist individuals with the application process on-site. Along with correctional officers, IDOC is currently seeking nurses, wardens, office associates, social workers, and more to join its team. The State of Illinois offers competitive wages; health, vision, and dental insurance; vacation, sick, and personal days; wellness program; upward mobility program; deferred compensation plan; and a retirement plan. There are job opportunities at more than 10 statewide IDOC locations. For questions, email idocjobs@illinois.gov. IDOC recruiters will be on-site to meet with prospective applicants at the following events open to the public:

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