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Local Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Shares Back-to-School Health Tips

5 days 16 hours ago
GODFREY - As the school year starts, a local pediatric nurse practitioner shares her tips on how to make the back-to-school season seamless for you and your kiddo. Lori Balchik, APRN, works in Godfrey at OSF Medical Group. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , she spoke about how to handle bullying, allergies and other concerns as kids return to school, and she reminded parents that providers like her are in your corner. “You’re not parenting alone. Everybody is doing this as a community, and we’re all together,” Balchik said. “Take it in stride. All of us providers are there for you.” Balchik encouraged caregivers to schedule their kids’ well exams and sports physicals several weeks in advance. She suggested talking to your kids about appropriate touch and inappropriate touch and describing what will happen at a physical in order to minimize anxiety. She also noted that several immunizations

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Edwardsville Arts Fair Spotlights Artists with Unique Journeys

5 days 16 hours ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Here are the next round of featured artists for the upcoming Edwardsville Arts Fair at Edwardsville City Park on Sept. 26-28, 2025. Today, the featured artists are Greg Kluempers, Yuliya and Ari Wolf and Brian Viamontes. Artist #1: Greg Kluempers Medium: Photography Artist Statement: "My work explores the relationship of light, textures, and forms captured during my journeys of discovery. I have no qualms with adding or deleting features to complete the story of the photograph." - Kluempers said. Website Artist #2: Yuliya & Ari Wolf – Wolf Leathers Medium: Textiles Artist Statement: "My work stems from a passion for leather and color. Oil-tanned leather gets tanned in batches called 'mills.' In a mill, a handful of hides will get rejected for not meeting required specifications from the buyer. My process starts with these rejected hides. Thousands of hides gather, from which colorful hides from different mills are pulled specifically

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Policy Building Blocks: Preliminary Injunctive Relief

5 days 17 hours ago
Few areas of law have lately been as relevant, and the focus of so much dispute, as preliminary injunctive relief. Because the subject has come up so many times already, and is inevitably bound to come up again in the near future, this post takes a moment to discuss what is meant by preliminary injunctive […]
Cathy Gellis

Jerseyville FFA's Hope Lybarger Reflects On State Photo Contest Win

5 days 17 hours ago
JERSEYVILLE – When the Illinois Treasurer’s Office announced the winners of the 2025 statewide “Cream of the Crop” photo contest , JCHS Sophomore Hope Lybarger didn’t expect to see her name on the list. After securing third place in the 11-14 age bracket and a $250 scholarship, she’s encouraging others to take a chance like she did. “I was incredibly surprised,” Lybarger said. “I didn't think my picture would win at all, so when I learned that I placed third, I was very shocked.” Lybarger’s winning entry, titled “Evening Snack,” depicts her grandparents’ 14-year-old Belgian Draft horse named Charlotte snacking on some hay. Lybarger said she was simply looking for something on the farm that would capture people’s attention – and Charlotte clearly got the attention of the contest judges. Photography is a growing area of interest for Lybarger, who has been practicing her craft since last

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When will it start to feel like fall in St. Louis?

5 days 18 hours ago
As summer winds down, many in the St. Louis region are wondering when the crisp air and cooler temperatures of fall will finally come.ย According to FOX 2 Meteorologist Chris Higgins, the first true taste of autumn typically arrives between Sept. 10 and 20.
Alex Barton

Senator Harriss and Representative Elik Champion Newly Signed Law to Modernize America's Central Port District

5 days 18 hours ago
GRANITE CITY – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) to modernize and improve the operations of the America’s Central Port District has been signed into law. House Bill 2139 , introduced at the request of the Port District, delivers greater flexibility, accountability, and efficiency to one of Illinois’ most critical economic hubs. The bill updates decades-old provisions in the America’s Central Port District Act, aligning the law with modern financial and operational practices. “This legislation is a win for both taxpayers and the region’s economic future,” said Sen. Harriss. “It strengthens fiscal safeguards, improves efficiency, and allows the Port to better meet today’s infrastructure and commerce needs.” “This is about keeping our Port District competitive while ensuring transparency and responsibility,” said Rep. Elik. “These

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With Gov. Pritzker's Signature, Illinois Moves to Phase Out Toxic Forever Chemicals

5 days 18 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker, on Friday, August 15, signed legislation that the state’s clean water advocates are hailing as a significant step forward in tackling the growing threat of toxic water pollution. Sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison and Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, HB2516 phases out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka "forever chemicals," in the manufacturing of children's products, cosmetics, intimate apparel such as sleepwear or underwear, menstrual products, and dental floss by 2032. PFAS have emerged as a serious environmental and public health threat due to their persistence and widespread contamination. These manufactured chemicals, widely utilized in consumer and industrial products since World War II, are now linked to alarming levels of contamination in drinking water supplies and health risks ranging from cancers to liver toxicity to reduced fertility. Used in a range of everyday products like water-repellant apparel,

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