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Rams Settlement Proposals Enter Final Phase of Public Engagement

1 year 1 month ago
ST. LOUIS - After more than a year of soliciting ideas and feedback from the public, the Board of Aldermen will now determine how to direct the Rams settlement to address a range of resident-backed, city-wide priorities. Members of the public identified six priority areas for funding in January 2024. The most important issues to residents were water and street infrastructure, Downtown streets and sidewalks, subsidized child care for city residents, and the establishment of a revolving redevelopment loan fund to support distressed areas throughout the city. Public hearings on specific topics began in May 2024 where experts and advocates presented the estimated cost of those ideas and their feasibility. Previous public hearings held in Fall 2023 reported on data collected on priority challenges identified by residents and which resident-submitted policy ideas received the greatest support. The final online phase of the public engagement process invites the public to review legislative

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SIUE Releases Details of Edwardsville Economic Impact Study on Nov. 22

1 year 1 month ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is releasing an economic impact report, which shows SIUE’s role as an economic engine in the Southern Illinois region and St. Louis Metropolitan Area. SIUE leaders will also share details of future growth potential in the area. Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, will address the following: A 2023 fiscal year report that includes generated revenue, job growth and SIUE students, personnel and visitor expenditures in the surrounding area SIUE’s commitment to community and the region Return on investment for students, the State of Illinois and the 60% of SIUE alumni who continue to reside in the area SIUE Points of Pride and Public Impacts Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Jebaraj Asirvatham, PhD, in agricultural and applied economics and Scott Gilbert, PhD, in economics, who authored the report, will be in attendance. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality

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Madison County Board Passes 2025 Budget Summary with Zero Tax Levy Hike

1 year 1 month ago
EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Nov. 20, 2024, the Madison County Board approved the 2025 budget summary. The total budget for Financial Year 2025 is $187,531,116. Chris Guy, the chair of the Finance Committee, provided context about the budget. “This is the eighth year in a row since 2017, when the county chairmanship changed and the majority of the Board flipped, this is the eighth year in a row that a zero tax levy hike has taken place,” Guy said. “I think we should commend this Board, administration and all department heads and county employees who work with everybody on passing another balanced budget without a property tax levy hike.” Guy noted that the flat levy is $30.7 million, which is $3 million lower than ten years ago. He said this was “something to be commended” considering inflation and other rising prices. “When you look at your tax bill and you look at your levy, and your property taxes have gone up

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Boeing Files WARN Notice for 692 Job Cuts Across Missouri

1 year 1 month ago
ST. LOUIS – Boeing has announced it is set to lay off nearly 700 workers across Missouri, with the reductions scheduled to begin on January 7, 2025. The aerospace company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) with Missouri’s Office of Workforce Development on Wednesday, outlining the affected locations, which include Berkeley, Hazelwood, Kansas City, Kingsville, Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, St. Charles, St. Louis City, and St. Ann. The layoffs are part of Boeing's broader strategy to adjust its workforce in response to financial challenges and a shift in business priorities. “As previously announced, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities,” a Boeing spokesperson said. The spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to supporting employees during this transition. Most of the 692 employees affected by the layoffs are expected to depart the company in mid-January.

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Even blue states are embracing a tougher approach to crime

1 year 1 month ago
The outcomes of seven ballot measures in Arizona, California and Colorado reflect the stricter approach to crime that’s been seen across much of the country recently, with voters and policymakers driven by concerns over rising retail theft, homelessness, fentanyl misuse and challenges in police recruitment and retention. Voters have decided in recent years that they […]
Amanda Hernandez