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Lauren Jackson Embraces Teaching Dream As Autism Specialist In O'Fallon School District 90

1 month 2 weeks ago
O'FALLON - Lauren Jackson, a woman who says she can't wait to make a difference in her students' lives, has accepted a position with the O’Fallon School District as a new Autism teacher at Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary. Jackson also said she has "always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl, and it’s surreal to have that dream come true.” Jackson attributes her university studies, practicum experience, and student teaching to preparing her to work with students of all abilities. She is very excited to join the O’Fallon School District 90 team. “I have appreciated the warm welcome I have received since I accepted my position,” she said. “Everyone has been so kind and has made me more than excited to begin this new chapter in my life.” Lauren loves to craft in her free time, spend time outdoors, and also spend time with her friends and family.

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Judge turns down attempt by Trump administration to dismiss Abrego Garcia suit

1 month 2 weeks ago
A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday denied the Trump administration’s attempts to dismiss a lawsuit by wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the United States last month. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis submitted a brief paperless order that did not elaborate on her reasoning for denying two government requests to dismiss […]
Jacob Fischler

US Education Department to revive student loan interest for borrowers in SAVE program

1 month 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — Interest accrual on the debt of nearly 7.7 million student loan borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education plan will resume Aug. 1, the U.S. Education Department said Wednesday. The Biden-era income-driven repayment plan better known as SAVE saw legal challenges from several GOP-led states beginning in 2024, creating uncertainty for […]
Shauneen Miranda

Doctors, advocates hold out hope for appeals in abortion privacy rule case

1 month 2 weeks ago
Two pending lawsuits over a 2024 federal rule protecting certain reproductive health information from disclosure are on hold while the Trump administration decides whether to appeal a Texas judge’s June decision that declared the rule unlawful and void. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk issued an opinion nullifying the federal rule that shielded reproductive health information from […]
Kelcie Moseley-Morris

Trinity Festival Provides All-Day Music to Help Local Animal Shelters

1 month 2 weeks ago
ALTON - The eighth annual Trinity Festival is returning to Alton. Starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, community members can come out to Milton Schoolhouse for the festival, featuring 16 bands and musicians, even more vendors, and lots of fun for a good cause. Proceeds from the festival go to Trinity’s Way, a local nonprofit that supports environmental and animal rights organizations in memory of Trinity Buel. “It’s all in Trinity’s name,” said Greg, one of the organizers. “That’s how this all started. She couldn’t live her own dreams anymore, so we’re trying to fulfill them for her.” Trinity Festival is an annual event that brings the community together to enjoy music and vendors. Previously hosted in Calhoun County, organizers decided to return to Alton this year and host the event at Milton Schoolhouse. There will be two stages at Milton, with performances from 12 p.m. to midnight on Aug. 2. You can

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Jersey County Fair Starts Strong For 2025

1 month 2 weeks ago
JERSEYVILLE – A little bit of rain hasn’t stopped the Jersey County Fair from kicking off with a strong start this year. Fair President Phil Ringhausen said despite the rain delaying the Jersey County Fair Parade on Tuesday, the fairground festivities are now in full swing. He said last night’s free concert in the grandstands, and both of yesterday’s livestock shows, went well with even more exciting events on the schedule. Tonight’s Fair Queen Pageant is set for 7 to 11 p.m., and Ringhausen said there’s no shortage of contestants this year. “We never have a problem getting our Little Miss ,” he said, adding there are 16 Little Miss contestants in the 2025 Pageant. “They come out of the woodwork for that – but we also have six Senior contestants going tonight, so we ought to have a really nice pageant.” Rodeo fans can expect an even bigger and better show than last year, as Ringhausen said they went with a new promoter

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Missouri Governor signs bipartisan education legislation into law

1 month 2 weeks ago
There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of […]
Annelise Hanshaw

Ideas Without Love

1 month 2 weeks ago
I recently sat through this hour-long interview between New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat and Peter Thiel. It was honestly a somewhat hypnotic experience for me. And on reflection, deeply disturbing. Not because Thiel said anything overtly monstrous—quite the opposite. He was thoughtful, articulate, intellectually sophisticated. He demonstrated genuine insight into technological stagnation, political decay, and civilizational risk. […]
Mike Masnick