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GODFREY - Since 2001, Great Rivers Choral Society (GRCS) has brought the joy of music to the Riverbend community. This group of people who enjoy singing came together with a goal of fostering music education and appreciation. It has continued through 25 years of singing, love, laughter, and a community of music loving people. The group is an adult choir (age 18+) of mixed voices who have fun bringing a diverse range of music to our community. The Great Rivers Choral Society choir was recently invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York in June 2025. Twelve members traveled to New York to join other select choirs to perform Mozart’s Requiem Lacrimosa. In a time when so many choirs have disbanded and no longer sing together, GRCS provides a place where singers can join together to make a beautiful sound. "We have so many friends who come to hear the music, and we enjoy the community that music fosters between us," Bev Schultz, a Great Rivers Choral Society board member, said.

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker announced that experienced government leader Christian Mitchell will join the ticket as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Mitchell, a former three-term state representative and current First Lieutenant in the Illinois Air National Guard, served as Deputy Governor for over four years during which time he was a principal force behind the transformative $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan and the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The campaign released a new video, Meet Christian Mitchell, highlighting the announcement. “Christian Mitchell is a proven leader with deep experience, steady judgment, and an unshakable commitment to the working families of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Whether it’s transforming our clean energy future, rebuilding our infrastructure, or keeping our communities safe, Christian has been a force behind so much of our progress. I couldn’t ask for a better partner

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging Illinoisans to celebrate July 4th and the start of Summer 2025 safely by following proven safety guidance so as not to spoil the fun. Follow food handling safety tips to protect friends and family from foodborne illnesses. Avoid sunburn and heat stroke by using sunscreen and proper summer attire. Protect yourself from disease carrying pests like mosquitos and ticks. And leave the fireworks to professionals. This summer, IDPH is joining the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in pointing to a 44% spike in fireworks-related injuries reported to Illinois hospitals in July of 2023 compared to 2024. In 2023, 108 fireworks injuries were logged at 34 hospitals; last year, 156 injuries, including one fatality, were recorded by 45 hospitals. As part of an effort to gather more comprehensive data, the OSFM is this year asking all medical providers to report fireworks injuries by completing this online form . “Independence

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A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to keep Job Corps—the nation’s largest residential job training program for low-income youth—operating until a lawsuit fighting efforts to shutter the program is resolved. “Once Congress has passed legislation stating that a program like the Job Corps must exist, and set aside funding for that program, the [U.S. […]

The post Federal Judge Provides Lifeline for National Vocational Training Program appeared first on Construction Forum.

SPRINGFIELD – The public swimming pool at Dixon Springs State Park in Pope County will reopen Tuesday, July 1 under the operation of Arrowleaf, a nonprofit human services organization based in southern Illinois. The pool and concession will reopen at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Trained lifeguards will be on duty. Regular updates can be found on the pool’s Facebook group, which can be found by searching for “Dixon Springs State Park Pool & Concession .” The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which operates Dixon Springs, and Arrowleaf entered into an emergency contract to operate the pool this summer after the department twice put the opportunity out for bid but neither drew any interest. “The Dixon Springs pool has long been a popular, local summer destination for Pope County residents and people from throughout the region. Getting it up and running

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Two hundred fifty-seven dollars in cash and several cartons of cigarettes; that paltry sum from a 2024 armed robbery landed a Maryland Heights, Missouri, man decades in state prison.

ALTON - Greater Glory Christian Academy will once again offer pre-k for 3–5-year-olds. Located at 713 Washington Avenue in Alton, Greater Glory Christian Academy operates as a private Christian school and daycare. The Academy is associated with Greater Glory Apostolic Center. Andrika Cooley shared that their pre-k program is a unique way to give kids a head start before kindergarten. “It’s an amazing curriculum,” she said. “I’m just excited to get started.” Pre-k runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year. Throughout the day, students complete crafts, play outside, and enjoy STEM activities. They also learn basic colors, shapes, letters, phonics and more, and the curriculum works to develop their gross motor skills. Cooley said the school teaches the 36 letter sounds in addition to the 26-letter alphabet. They have a new animal mascot every week to help teach these sounds, like Abby Antelope or Bucky Buffalo;

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sought to protect Veterans and many other Americans from going hungry because of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) that Senate Republicans are rushing to jam through tonight. Duckworth’s effort would have instructed the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to change the BBB to ensure it would not reduce or terminate SNAP benefits for Veterans, homeless individuals, former foster youth 24 years of age or younger or for parents with children under 18 years of age, but her proposal was blocked by Senate Republicans on a vote of 49-51. “Back when I was in high school, my family struggled. We had no money and some days no food, teetering on the brink of homelessness, never sure what tomorrow would bring. I was only elected Senator… I was only able to become an Army pilot… I probably

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He succeeds Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, 76, who resigned.

GRANITE CITY – Two men from Granite City face felonies in separate cases of domestic battery filed on the same day. Robert L. Moore, 55, of Granite City, was charged on June 25, 2025 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. On May 19, 2025, Moore allegedly strangled a household or family member and struck them about the head and face with closed fists. The state’s petition to deny Moore’s pretrial release from custody states that authorities observed the victim’s injuries, including “clearly swollen cheeks and eyes, with bruising on her neck.” The victim reported that Moore became intoxicated and angry before striking and strangling her; she added that Moore had “previously stabbed her with a screwdriver.” In a separate case, Robert J. Besse, 37, also of Granite City, was charged on June 25, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery and

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As federal funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs becomes less certain, the number of people newly diagnosed with the virus in the Kansas City region is trending up. Provisional data from the Kansas City Health Department show that an 11-county region in Missouri and Kansas saw 227 new cases in 2024, up from 206 […]

They went to Pappy's for barbecue, Fitz's for root beer and Mama's on the Hill for dinner.

RIVERBEND - Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows across the Riverbend and beyond! Here’s our ultimate guide for fireworks and fun this Fourth of July. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025 Alton The City of Alton will host their annual Fireworks on the Mississippi display at 9:30 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park, attendees can enjoy live music and food trucks. St. Louis Celebrate St. Louis will kick off on July 3 with live music, vendors, family attractions and more in the heart of the city. Fireworks launch after dark and can be viewed from anywhere in the city, with special promotions at the City Museum, Westport Plaza, 360 Downtown and the St. Louis Wheel. For more information, click here. FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025 Alhambra Alhambra Park will host food, games and more starting at 6 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks launch at dusk. For more information, click here . Godfrey Godfrey’s Family Fun Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. at Glazebrook Park, wit

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A flight to Chicago returned to St. Louis shortly after takeoff Tuesday morning after smoke was reported on board, the FAA said.

Missouri’s governor vetoed more than 200 budget items on Monday, one of which would have provided more money to enhance parking lots for fans.

WOOD RIVER - Isaiah Smith, a rising senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for his dedication and performance in football, basketball, and baseball. Smith credits his work ethic and the support of his coaches for his athletic achievements. Smith is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Smith has played football and baseball for four years and basketball for three years. “What I love most about these sports are the physicality of the sports; it pushes me to be my best,” he said. He attributes his success to the hard work he has put in during both the off-season and the regular season. “I’d like to thank all my coaches for all their help, always pushing me when I’m tired. If I mess up, they all are always there for me,” Smith added. Smith's coaches include Garry Herron for football, Billy Sullivan for basketball, and Tim Bond for baseball. Smith said his involvement in sports has helped

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced American poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia, which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the United States. The Trump Administration continues to take bold action to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access for farmers and ranchers. "President Trump is renegotiating the status quo of bad trade deals that have left behind American farmers and ranchers for far too long. Our agriculture is the best in the world, and under President Trump’s leadership, we are providing more markets for farmers to share their bountiful harvest. The announcement today is a win for farmers, a win for exporters, and a win for freedom-loving nations who want access to safe, high-quality U.S. food,” said Secretary Rollins. Effective July 1, U.S. exporters are now eligible to ship fresh, frozen, or chilled poultry and poultry products to Namibia,

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Two Missouri teachers are suing top state officials over a plan to inject $50 million in taxpayer funds into the state’s private school voucher program.