a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Severe storms possible Thursday, Friday: What to expect

1 month 3 weeks ago
The main story the next two days is the very warm temperatures. It's an early taste of summer with highs in the mid-80s Wednesday and low 90s Thursday---just shy of the record high of 94. With that, stronger storms are anticipated to move through the area on Thursday and Friday.
Chris Higgins

Raging Rivers WaterPark Kicks Off Exciting 2025 Season On May 17, 2025

1 month 3 weeks ago
GRAFTON – Raging Rivers WaterPark is set to make a splash as it opens for its 36th season on Saturday, May 17. This summer promises more excitement than ever, with Season Pass holders enjoying a host of exclusive perks. In addition to unlimited park admission, pass holders will receive a complimentary ticket to the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Indy Car event in June, special event access at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL, and free admission to Santa’s Village in East Dundee, IL. Other benefits include exclusive offers, bring-a-friend-free days, and complimentary fountain drinks for both pass holders and daily guests. The 2025 Special Event lineup offers something for everyone: Rubber Duck Race on May 17, with a chance to win $1,000 and other prizes Educator Appreciation Days from May 24–26, offering free admission to school staff with valid ID Magical Mermaid Mondays on June 9, July 7, and August 4 QEM Big Red Day on June 27, featuring firetruck

Continue Reading

Durbin Investigates $400 Million Private Jet Gift From Qatar To President Trump

1 month 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the legal justification for President Trump’s attempted acquisition of a private jet as a gift from the royal family of Qatar, which the President has since confirmed . Bondi reportedly provided a memo to the White House Counsel’s Office (WHCO) deeming the gift “legally permissible,” despite its unconstitutionality and her clear conflict of interest with Qatar from past lobbying work. Durbin outlined the gift’s blatant unconstitutionality, writing: “As reported, this gift clearly violates the Constitution and the statutory regime enacted by Congress to govern such gifts. The Constitution unequivocally bestows on Congress the power to control whether any officer of the United States, including the President, may accept a gift ‘from any King, Prince, or foreign State.’&rdquo

Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Ban U.S. Recognition Of Any Ukrainian Territory Annexed By Russia, Including Crimea

1 month 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – As Russia continues their unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today introduced legislation to prohibit the United States from recognizing the Russian Federation’s claim of sovereignty over Crimea or any other forcibly seized Ukrainian territory, including any related airspace or territorial waters. The bill simply states that it is the policy of the United States not to recognize Russia’s claim of sovereignty over Crimea or any other forcibly seized Ukrainian territory and that no Federal department or agency may take any action, extend any nonhumanitarian assistance, or spend any funds that implies such recognition unless any such claim is formally recognized by the democratically elected Government of Ukraine. In 2022, Durbin, along with then-Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced similar bipartisan legislation, the Non-Recognition of Russian

Continue Reading

Lane closures on Beltline Road in Madison County begin May 19

1 month 3 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures on Beltline Road between Johnson Hill Road and Illinois 157 in Madison County will begin, weather permitting, Monday, May 19, 2025 for bridge repairs. Beltline Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the week. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

Continue Reading

David Gillingham to Present at Greene County Historical Society Meeting

1 month 3 weeks ago
CARROLLTON — The Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society has a very special meeting on May 18, 2025, when Carrollton High School grad David Gillingham will present a program about lessons from his late father, Neal Gillingham. The Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society changed the venue for the meeting and program to accommodate a larger audience. The event, originally scheduled to be held at the Lee-Baker-Hodges House on the Carrollton Public Square, will now take place at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Carrollton. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025, with a brief business meeting and election of officers. Following the business portion, Gillingham, now of Belleville, a retired Metro East history teacher, will present a program titled "Neal: Laughs and Lessons from a Great Raconteur." The talk will focus on his father, Neal, and will include entertaining and illustrated stories. The Methodist Hall is located behind the

Continue Reading

'Click It Or Ticket': Buckle Up Memorial Day And Every Day

1 month 3 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is reminding drivers to buckle up as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign. This high-visibility seat belt enforcement initiative runs from May 16 to May 27, 2025, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday. "Seat belts should be used by everyone, and it is the simplest way to reduce injury or save a life in a crash," said Lt. Matt Senci. Illinois enacted its seat belt law 40 years ago on July 1, 1985, becoming the third state to require seat belt use for drivers and front-seat passengers aged eight and older. Children under eight were required to be secured in appropriate child safety seats. In July 2003, Illinois strengthened the law to allow officers to pull over and ticket drivers solely for failing to buckle up – a change that led to a significant increase in compliance. Since the seat belt law’s initial introduction and subsequent upgrade more than two decades ago, seat belt usage has

Continue Reading

House Republicans Warn Of Summer Energy Cost Crisis, Offer Solutions To Expand Energy Production Capacity

1 month 3 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD – House Republican members of the Illinois House Energy & Environment and Public Utilities Committees held a Capitol news conference on Tuesday to warn of a coming summer energy cost crisis and offer solutions to expand energy production capacity. The Republicans held the press conference after last week sending the House’s Energy & Environment Committee Chair and Vice Chair a letter explaining the urgent need for hearings into the recent results of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) capacity auction which returned a shocking $666.50 per Megawatt-day price across all zones in the summer. That same price just one year ago was $30. State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) serves as the House Republican ranking member and spokesman on the House Energy & Environment Committee. Severin says Illinois' energy policies are to blame for the recent huge spikes in energy costs for Illinois utility customers. “House Republicans are concerned

Continue Reading