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According to provisional figures from the CDC, the pandemic surge in drug overdose deaths is finally starting to turn around: Since its peak last August, drug overdose deaths have fallen 13%.

Multiple school districts have gone into lockdown this week after reports of online threats.

(The Center Square) - The Kansas City, Missouri, Auditor’s Office released a new audit this week looking at whether or not the city submits cost reimbursements for public projects funded through Tax Increment Financing promptly.

JACKSONVILLE - State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) announced the winners of the third and final round of his photo contest for 2024. The top photographs were taken by Rebecca Kitson of Jerseyville and Lily Wilson of Winchester. "It is not surprising to me that both of the winners have an agricultural subject matter because our top industry in the district and state is farming,” said Rep. Davidsmeyer. “Rebecca’s picture captures a single cow grazing through the light fog of a beautiful morning sunrise while Lily’s photo focuses in on the beginning of the lifecycle of ‘America’s Crop’--a soybean sprout.” Constituents of all ages in the 100th District were invited to participate in the photo contest to capture the beauty and diversity of this west-central Illinois district. They were encouraged to show off their skills and take a picture of a local landmark, wildlife, or an event in the 100th District and submit it to the Representative.

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This morning, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a pretty long markup about KOSA, COPPA 2.0, and other bills. The quick summary is that both of those bills passed out of committee and could be taken to the House floor this session. The longer version, though, is that cracks in the coalition pushing these […]

Video of the event will be posted here : https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the work of community leaders from throughout the state. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of Hispanics and present awards to eight Latino leaders, including the associate head coach of the University of Illinois men’s basketball team, a Chicago Public Schools educator, a leader in organized labor, and an artist/entrepreneur. “Today, we are formally recognizing the contributions of some of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors,” Frerichs said at the event held at the state government building at 555 W. Monroe St in Chicago. “We thank them for their longtime dedication and celebrate their work in making our communities better places to live, work, and raise families.” Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observance

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A Texas woman was already dead in a vehicle with her ex-boyfriend before he crashed it and got in a shootout with police in St. Louis County earlier this month, authorities said Wednesday.

ALTON - Success is an annual occurrence for Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation’s Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners and Fish Hookers Ball. The 15th edition held Sept. 14 raised more than $206,000. Funds will go toward the purchase of another Alton Memorial Hospital ambulance equipped with $125,000 worth of life-saving equipment. “The support we receive at this event from our community each year has been spectacular,” says AMH president Dave Braasch. “This year was no exception. The unwavering support from our community allows us to keep our hospital-based ambulance fleet equipped with the latest technology and road-ready. I’d like to shout out a big ‘Thank You’ to the people who sponsored the event, worked at the event, and came and donated at the event.?Your contributions in maintaining and enhancing Emergency Medical Services in our region are commendable.” AMH is the largest hospital-based ambulance service in the area, covering nearl

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ALTON - One lucky community member will win $50,000 this weekend at Marquette Catholic High School’s Mega Raffle. A long-standing community tradition, the raffle aims to raise around $120,000. Marquette will then give away $62,000 in prizes at their Homecoming Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in front of Marquette Catholic High School (MCHS) in Alton. The rest of the proceeds will go directly to the school to help fund resources and scholarships. “The Marquette family is familiar with the Mega Raffle, and they look forward to it every year,” said Director of Development Mary Hough. “It really just started with a group of Marquette parents and board members who wanted to get a fun fundraiser going for the school. It’s been alive since then and going strong.” The raffle’s grand prize is $50,000, but there are several other cash prizes available. During the block party, MCHS will also draw two $250 prizes, one $500 prize, and

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced that the demolition of most buildings at the former Medium Security Institution known as the Workhouse will begin by December 16, 2024. “The unacceptable and inhumane conditions that many detainees at the Workhouse suffered cannot be forgotten,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “One of the first things I did as Mayor was close this jail. Our community deserves better than to see the facility continue to stand as it did, so I am pleased that we can now move forward with the demolition.” Mayor Tishaura O. Jones ordered the Workhouse closed shortly after taking office in 2021, and the facility is empty of detainees. The vast majority of structures, including guard towers and former women’s housing facilities, will be included in this demolition. The fence will remain in order to secure the ground. Re-envisioning the Workhouse is happening in phases. During phase one, the Administration is committed

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Police identified the man as 31-year-old Stanley Fischer of Fairview Heights, Illinois.

(The Center Square) – At a U.S. Senate Judiciary hearing on hate crimes, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, sparred with the executive director of Arab American Institute, Maya Berry, over antisemitism occurring on college campuses.

A woman from Wentzville was charged last week with stealing over $25,000 while working at a company headquartered in St. Louis County.

CARLYLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Carlyle, Illinois man with the possession and reproduction of child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Mickail S. Cranford, 24, in Clinton County Circuit Court with five counts of reproduction of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison; and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Cranford is detained at the Clinton County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 9. “Child exploitation can cause trauma to survivors and their families that can lead to a lifetime of physical and

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and Ann Wagner (MO-2) led efforts today calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move forward with critical improvements at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Bost and Wagner emphasized the urgent need to fund the replacement of the hospital's aging bed tower and modernize clinical services to ensure veterans from across Missouri and Southern Illinois receive the high-quality care they have earned. The letter, also signed by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (MO-6), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), and Jason Smith (MO-8), comes after repeated delays despite longstanding recognition that upgrades are needed for the medical center. "For far too long, St. Louis and Metro East Illinois veterans served by the John A. Cochran VA Hospital have been waiting for improved medical facilities," said Bost. "The VA has recognized for well over a decade that the hospital’s bed tower

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