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This Weekend in History on August 16 and 17: 2008 Beijing Olympics in Full Swing

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August 16 and 17 have long been dates marked by significant events that have shaped the course of history across the world. On August 16, 1965, the Maldives officially gained independence from the United Kingdom. This small island nation in the Indian Ocean transitioned from a British protectorate to a sovereign state, marking a significant milestone in its history. Since independence, the Maldives has developed its unique identity, balancing tourism, environmental challenges, and political evolution. In a leap for space exploration, NASA’s Mars Pathfinder probe was launched on August 16, 1996. This mission was designed to demonstrate new technologies for planetary exploration and to provide detailed data about the Martian surface. It successfully landed on Mars in 1997, deploying the Sojourner rover, which transmitted valuable information back to Earth and inspired a new era of robotic exploration of the Red Planet. August 16’s historical significance spans millennia

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Belt Looks Out For Blue Collar Workers On The Job

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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to strengthen prevailing wage rules that will help workers receive higher pay was signed into law on Thursday. “We don’t want to see the federal government shortchange our workers here in Illinois,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Illinois workers who literally build our state shouldn’t be cheated by corporate sleight of hand.” Currently, Illinois’ prevailing wage law does not apply to federal construction projects that require a prevailing wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor. Belt’s new law clarifies that workers must receive the highest prevailing wage – whether federal or state – in local public works projects that include federal funding. The goal is to eliminate potential confusion when rates differ and specifically impacts projects under state or local control. “We’re codifying the federal practice of adopting the state’s

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Global Aerospace Summit Showcases Industry Strengths and Potential for Future Growth in the St. Louis Region and Industrywide

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EDWARDSVILLE - The strength of the St. Louis region’s aerospace and aviation sector was front and center at the inaugural Global Aerospace Summit August 13–14, which drew 400+ industry leaders, educators, government officials, workforce development experts and career seekers to the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon, Ill. The event, presented by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois in partnership with Madison County, St. Clair County, and Bi-State Development’s St. Louis Regional Freightway, spotlighted the region’s aerospace assets, its potential for continued growth and innovation and various initiatives to grow the workforce, sharing great information and ideas attendees could leverage as participants in this thriving industry. The Summit opened with exclusive tours of West Star Aviation’s facility in East Alton, Illinois and Southwestern Illinois College’s new Advanced Center for Manufacturing in Belleville, Illinois, offering attendees

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Attorney General Raoul Charges Mt. Vernon Man Over Alleged Dissemination Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today charged a Mt. Vernon, Illinois man for allegedly disseminating 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 Dustin Phillips, 33, in Jefferson County Circuit Court with five Class X felony counts of dissemination of child pornography, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Phillips is currently detained at the Jefferson County Jail. “Children who have been exploited by predators who trade child sexual abuse material can face a lifetime of trauma. Helping survivors and their families receive justice can be essential to the healing process,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against

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Greater Madison County Federation of Labor Announces Upcoming Celebrations

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GRANITE CITY - Dean Webb, President, Greater Madison County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO (GMCFL) is pleased to announce the upcoming Labor Day Celebrations. This year’s theme is “WORKERS DESERVE: Freedom, Fairness & Security”. Union members and their families are invited to enjoy a morning of fun at the Annual Wood River Labor Day Parade to be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025. This year’s parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Emerick Sports Complex in Wood River, Illinois, and proceed south along 6th Street and will turn West on Feguson Avenue, and end at North Haller in Wood River. Wood River Township Chairman, Robert Pollard is this year’s Wood River Parade Marshall. The celebration continues at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois, where the James Stanley Charity Softball Tournament will wrap up and union members and their families are welcome to enjoy food and refreshments (wrist bands are required to attend the Picnic – see your local union).

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Attorney General Raoul Joins Bipartisan Letter In Support Of National Youth Tobacco Survey

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 22 state attorneys general, submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services supporting continuation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The NYTS is an annual study to assess the use of smoking and vaping among middle and high school students. The survey provides valuable insight into youth tobacco use and emerging products and has shaped efforts led by attorneys general to curb youth tobacco use for over two decades. “Attorneys general need reliable and rigorous data on e-cigarette use among youth and teens to combat this public health epidemic,” Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with advocates, lawmakers, and state and federal regulators to enact policies that protect minors from e-cigarettes and other addictive tobacco products.” The CDC recently eliminated its Office on Smoking

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Senate Judiciary Democrats Urge Robust Funding For Federal Defenders In FY26 Appropriations Bill

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SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today led nine Senators in a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership urging robust funding for federal defenders in the FY26 appropriations bill. As outlined in the letter, the Senators urge the Committee to mitigate the continued funding shortfall for federal public defenders, including filling the significant funding gap as proposed and approved by the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee on July 21, 2025. The Senators began with their request, writing: “As you develop the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bill for Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), we ask that you provide robust funding to Defender Services. We also ask that in the event of any FY25 supplemental appropriations bills or a continuing resolution permitting anomalies,

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Youth In IDJJ Custody Earn Vocational Certifications

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) today announced that youth in custody earned certifications in various career fields, including solar installation, personal training, shipping and receiving, construction, and culinary arts. Classes offered by community partners on topics such as public speaking, podcast production, music production, audio engineering, and constitutional law also contributed to skill building and knowledge for high school graduates working to make the most of their time while incarcerated. “IDJJ continues to expand opportunities for youth in our custody to attain skills and certifications that create career pathways and increase employability,” said IDJJ Acting Director Rob Vickery . “When a young person reenters the community and gains meaningful employment, they are much more likely to be successful long-term.” Solar Installation Training Program- Two young adults at the Illinois Youth Center (IYC)

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Governor's Sale Of Champions Invests In Future Agricultural Leaders

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SPRINGFIELD – The annual Governor's Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair spotlighted the state's top youth livestock exhibitors Tuesday evening, auctioning off animals that earned the title of Grand Champion, the highest accolade for livestock exhibited in Illinois. For the sixth year in a row, Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker purchased the Grand Champion Steer. Their $105,000 contribution secured the top prize-winning animal, which will be donated to Feeding Illinois and distributed to food banks throughout the state to support families in need. “Earning the title of Grand Champion is the pinnacle of excellence in livestock exhibition,” said Jerry Costello II, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Reaching this level means countless hours of hard work and sacrifice. To see our youth in agriculture recognized for the effort that they put into these animals is beyond gratifying.” Grand Champion exhibitors, along with the

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