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SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Give their Students Red-Carpet Treatment

10 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS - Some walked down the long red carpet with much excitement and flair. Others cruised along quickly, hoping to pass by without much attention. But that didn’t happen, because the order of the day was for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) to give their students a rousing welcome on the first day of classes, Monday, Aug. 12. Faculty and staff from the CHS and Edwardsville campus lined the red carpet and boisterously greeted each high school student as they entered Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. “I am joyful and grateful this morning to see our scholars, their parents and their families,” said CHS Interim Director Natasha Flowers, PhD, associate professor, and assistant dean for anti-racism, equity and inclusion in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). “It is important that these young scholars know there are faculty and staff systemwide

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Governor Pritzker Announces Record Tourism Growth in 2023

10 months 2 weeks ago
CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism announced Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitors who spent $47 billion in 2023 – an increase of 1 million visitors and $3 billion in spending from 2022, according to data provided by Tourism Economics. This surge in tourism also led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures in FY24, totaling $322 million —a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23. "I’m proud to announce that Illinois had a record-breaking year for visitor and hotel tax revenue, which is a testament to our state’s thriving tourism industry," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This impressive growth is a reflection of the millions of visitors who are eager to experience the incredible attractions that make our state a world-class destination—all while providing a significant boost to small businesses and local communities.”

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Growth In Illinois Payroll Jobs, Unemployment Rate Up In July

10 months 2 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.2 percentage point to 5.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +12,900 in July, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +10,400 to -4,300 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Government (+11,400), Private Education and Health Services (+3,400), and Other Services (+2,300). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included Manufacturing (-2,500), Leisure and Hospitality (-1,500), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-800). “Steady jo

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Win 4 Tickets to Taylor Swift Tribute Concert!

10 months 2 weeks ago
GODFREY - Calling all Swifties! You’re invited to enter for a chance to win four tickets to “Taylor Made: A Tribute to Taylor Swift.” Scheduled for Sept. 13, 2024, at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Hatheway Hall, the tribute concert will feature songs from across Swift’s 11 albums. Taylor Made, a six-piece tribute band from Edwardsville, Highland and Alton, will provide a high-energy performance of Swift’s greatest hits. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras. “This tribute concert is not just about celebrating music — it’s also about supporting the arts in our community,” the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras said in a press release. “Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Alton Youth Symphony and Alton Symphony Orchestras, ensuring these vital organizations can continue to provide exceptional musical experiences and educational

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This Day in History on August 16: Elvis Presley Found Dead

10 months 2 weeks ago
August 16th is a date marked by a rich tapestry of historical events, spanning centuries and continents. The Death of Elvis Presley (1977) It’s hard to imagine the world of music without the influence of Elvis Presley, often referred to as the 'King of Rock and Roll.' On August 16, 1977, the world was left in shock when Elvis was found dead at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. His passing marked the end of an era but also cemented his legacy as an enduring icon. Fans around the world continue to celebrate his life and music, making his death one of the most significant and impactful events on this date. Madonna's Birth (1958) Switching to a more upbeat note, August 16, 1958, saw the birth of Madonna, one of the most influential and best-selling musical artists of all time. Known as the 'Queen of Pop,' Madonna has continually reinvented herself and her music, significantly shaping the landscape of modern pop culture. Her contributions to music, fashion, and

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Alton Amphitheater Commission Announces Truck Lineup and Entertainment For 2024 Food Truck Festival

10 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - The tenth edition of the Alton Food Truck Festival presented by Sauce Magazine will return to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. This year’s festival will feature new and returning favorites offering a wide variety of enticing food options as well as musical entertainment by the upbeat Rock Mafia. Food trucks scheduled thus far to participate in the 2024 Alton Food Truck Festival are: Beast Craft BBQ Cajun Seduction Doughboy’s Wood Fired Pizza Duchess Royal Fire & Ice G Burrito Go Gyro Go Grace Chicken & Fish Jive Turkey The Moobile Mr. Noodle Pig On A Wing Scoops of Joy The Sweet Side Takozz Treaux’s Cajun BBQ Tuk Tuk Thai “This year’s Alton Food Truck Festival is shaping up to be the best one yet,” said Dan Herkert, Amphitheater Commission Chair. “This is one of the most popular events each season at the Alton Amphitheater, and we expect another great crowd this year.”

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Gordon Moore Park Reopens After Sinkhole

10 months 2 weeks ago
ALTON - As of Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, Gordon Moore Park is officially reopened. Following the sinkhole that occurred in the park on June 26, 2024, the park was closed so that mining company New Frontier Materials and the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) could conduct an investigation. The park has since been deemed safe, and it has completely reopened except for Ballfield #1 and the soccer field where the sinkhole occurred. Alton Mayor David Goins unlocked the gates at 7 a.m. on Friday morning. “This has been such a long time coming,” Goins said. “It’s just a sense of relief knowing that the park is open and that people can come back and start enjoying the park." New Frontier Materials has been drilling near the sinkhole and bolting the mine ceiling to verify the thickness of the rock. New Frontier Materials, MSHA and the City’s civil and geotechnical engineers agree that there are sufficient rock ceilings in place to reopen the park

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‘Unprecedented’: 2nd massive Missouri cannabis recall leaves some companies scrambling

10 months 2 weeks ago
State regulators issued two cannabis recall notices last week involving 135,000 marijuana products – more than double Missouri’s first massive cannabis product recall exactly one year ago. “I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state,” said Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis. “This is kind of unprecedented.” Since the announcement, Rinella and facility owners around the state have scrambled to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints in their…
Rebecca Rivas