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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced bipartisan legislation to boost workload at U.S. Army arsenals, including Rock Island Arsenal. The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act would incentivize private industry to partner with arsenals by giving preference to public-private partnerships in Army contracting. As no workload requirement currently exists for Army arsenals, the legislation would provide arsenals with a more predictable, sustained workload throughout the year and allow them to keep costs low while remaining competitive with private industry in the manufacturing or procurement of defense products. The bill would have a direct impact on Rock Island Arsenal, helping the arsenal to maintain existing union jobs, attract new projects and workers, and keep costs down. “Outfitted to manufacture

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Counting Crows have announced a U.S. tour alongside The Gaslight Anthem.The summer outing, dubbed The Complete Sweets! tour, launches June 10 in Nashville, and will wrap up Aug. 23 in…

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SPRINGFIELD – New results from two statewide surveys show Illinois’ educator shortage crisis is easing. The Illinois State Board of Education attributes the progress to comprehensive statewide efforts to address teacher shortages, which include the largest-ever state investment in addressing teacher vacancies. The state’s Teacher Vacancy Grants provided $45 million per year in FY 2024 and FY 2025 to the 170 districts with the greatest numbers of unfilled teaching positions. Grantee districts have utilized the funds to implement evidence-based strategies to address local challenges to teacher recruitment and retention. Early results have shown improved recruitment and retention in the state's most understaffed school districts, including the hiring of nearly 5,400 new teachers, the retention of approximately 11,000 additional educators, and support for approximately 1,500 non-certified staff to pursue licensure and 450 certified staff to pursue further endorsements.

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As ecological concerns become increasingly urgent, this new exhibition at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum brings into dialogue work by ten contemporary artists whose research-based practices are defined by […]

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Letter To The Editor: I strongly recommend that you vote for Carolyn MacAfee for 2nd Ward Alderwoman. She has done an excellent job as Alderwoman and as many know, she has excelled in focusing on the many details of the city, including working tenaciously to help the city maintain our parks, so that they are inviting to our citizens and the tens of thousands of visitors, Alton has each year. She is well respected in our community and has become the city of Alton, Mayor Pro-Tem. Ms. MacAfee also serves on the Park Board, has been a 35-year member of "Pride" and serves as co-chair of Alton's "Pride" awards. She was a devoted volunteer with the past Caravan resale sale shop which benefited the Oasis Women's center. Ms. MacAfee was the past chairman of the city beautification and clean city commission. This is a woman who you frequently see every day, walking in her ward and other areas of the city, picking up litter and communicating with residents. She is very dedicated and focused

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ST. LOUIS – The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Saint Louis University (SLU) to provide a new scholarship opportunity for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri who wish to pursue higher education as part of the ADVANCE HER© Leadership Movement Program. Starting in fall 2026, the scholarship program will provide opportunities for GSEM Girl Scout high school graduates who enroll at SLU to receive a minimum of a $30,000 renewable scholarship. This is GSEM’s fifth collegial partnership and largest scholarship opportunity to date available through the Girl Scouts’ newly implemented ADVANCE HER© Leadership Movement Program to promote academic and professional development to succeed in college and beyond. To be eligible for the GSEM-SLU renewable scholarship award, students must: Meet SLU’s admission standards Maintain full-time student status (completion of at least 24 credit hours annually) Maintai

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With a heavy heart, I have to tell you that after a long battle with cancer my husband Kevin Drum passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025. No public memorial services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity or political cause of your choice. A Facebook page, 'In Memory of Kevin ...continue reading "Health Update"

MARYVILLE - Dan Rojek, Director of Surgical Services, is excited to announce the addition of the Da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system to its cutting-edge surgical technology lineup. The Da Vinci 5 is the most powerful and fully integrated system to date, designed to deliver better patient outcomes while lowering the cost of care. Anderson Hospital launched the new system last week with general surgeon, Dr. David Chung, having the honors of being the first surgery case. With the third busiest single robot surgery program in Illinois, Anderson Hospital has been at the forefront of minimally invasive procedures, offering advanced care to the communities we serve since September 2010. The addition of the Da Vinci 5 expands the capabilities of our robotic surgery program, further enhancing our robotic volumes. “This investment in state-of-the-art technology reaffirms our commitment to providing the highest level of care,” said Rojek. “The Da Vinci 5 will allow us to continu

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ALTON - Community members have the chance to meet the candidates for the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education. The Alton School Board Candidates Forum will be held tonight, March 10, 2025, at the YWCA in Alton. Starting at 7 p.m., the forum will introduce each candidate and allow them to answer questions ahead of the consolidated election on April 1, 2025. The forum is hosted by the YWCA and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). “School board elections play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect students, teachers, and families,” YWCA and NCNW said in a statement. “This forum gives voters the opportunity to engage with candidates, ask questions, and make informed decisions at the ballot box.” There are four ACUSD11 Board of Education seats up for grabs. Current Board members Christina Milien, Tiana Gipson and Barry Macias are defending their seats. Jack Cox, Aline Russell and Jason Harrison are the challengers. Th

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ST. LOUIS – The American Red Cross is partnering with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis Cardinals on a blood drive in honor of local area first responders on Thursday, March 13, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Busch Stadium, Cunningham Corner, 700 Clark St., in St. Louis (Gate 4). In 2022, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) teamed up with the Red Cross to host a blood drive in honor of SLMPD officers Colin Ledbetter and Nathan Spiess, who were injured in the line of duty. Both were shot while on duty and needed blood transfusions due to their injuries, with Officer Ledbetter needing 39 units of whole blood to save his life. Ledbetter and Spies both recovered. Since the incident, Ledbetter has become a regular blood donor as his way to give back to the community. “I saw firsthand how blood donation can save lives,” said Ledbetter. “39 people I don’t know donated blood used to save me. Blood saves lives. It save

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) seeks individuals or families interested in starting their own garden to raise fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in a community setting. The IDOA’s Community Garden is located on the infield of the Illinois State Fair Grandstand racetrack and features 200 garden plots. Of those plots, 100 are designated for organic gardening, and the remaining 100 plots are assigned for non-organic gardening. “We are excited to offer space on the Illinois State Fairgrounds to people interested in growing their own food,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II . “This is a low-cost solution for those with limited yard space who still want to plant a garden.” Each plot costs $20 and can be tilled for you for an additional charge. The Department will supply water and compost free of charge. Those interested in participating in the 2025 growing season are encouraged to fill out a garden application on the

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Indiana rocker John Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.Mellencamp was inducted by Billy…

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is partnering with Wooden It Be Lovely for an exhibit of six refurbished chairs at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield during March for Women’s History Month. The chairs were hand-painted by the women at Wooden It Be Lovely , which offers transitional employment, housing and support to women healing from poverty, addiction, and abuse. The organization also offers jobs, mentoring, recovery tools, education, networking and a safe community. The women in the program are employed to refurbish and sell donated wooden furniture, sew unique products and craft hand-poured candles. This transitional employment empowers women to move toward economic stability and enhanced well-being for themselves and their children. “Wooden It Be Lovely is so honored to be invited to show some of our work at the Dana-Thomas House,” said the Rev. Margaret Ann Jessup, executive director of Wooden

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Did you know that tourism accounts for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions? As the world becomes more aware of climate change and its effects, the travel industry is taking significant steps towards sustainability. Travelers are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly destinations that not only minimize their carbon footprint but also contribute positively to local communities and ecosystems. If you're looking to travel responsibly this spring, consider these top eco-friendly destinations that promise both adventure and a commitment to conservation. Costa Rica: A Green Paradise Costa Rica has long been celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity and commitment to sustainability. With over 25% of its territory designated as protected areas, this Central American gem is a pioneer in eco-tourism. Visitors can explore lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and active volcanoes while participating in conservation activities like turtle nesting programs and reforestation projects.

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SPRINGFIELD – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is celebrating one hundred years of providing services to people of all faiths throughout the 28-county Springfield Diocese in Central Illinois. On March 1,1925, Bishop James A. Griffin hired a social worker, Miss Elizabeth Kuhlman, as the first and only Catholic Charities employee. Miss Kuhlman was charged with bringing help and relief to the suffering in the Springfield community. In addition, Ms. Kuhlman was elected president of another new organization started by Bishop Griffin, the Society of Ladies of Charity. The sole mission of the Ladies of Charity was to provide material support to the new Catholic Charities office. The Ladies of Charity provided blankets and clothing to be given to the needy and paid monthly dues of ten cents to provide financial aid to the poor served by Catholic Charities. It was Bishop Griffin’ desire to establish Catholic Charities in the City of Springfield and

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Did you know that students today have access to more information in a single day than an individual in the 18th century would encounter in a lifetime? This exponential growth in information accessibility is just one facet of how technology has transformed the educational landscape. In modern classrooms, technology is not merely an add-on; it is a central pillar that shapes the way educators teach and students learn. From interactive whiteboards to online learning platforms, the integration of technology in education has fundamentally altered the dynamics of learning, making it more engaging, personalized, and accessible. Redefining Learning Environments Gone are the days of the traditional classroom, where students passively received information from a teacher at the front of the room. Technology has redefined the learning environment, fostering a more interactive and collaborative space. With tools like smartboards, tablets, and virtual reality headsets, students can engage with

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