WASHINGTON – Ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the failures of Big Tech to protect kids from sexual exploitation online, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor outlining what he hopes to hear from the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). Durbin also called on his colleagues to support his Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act of 2023 (STOP CSAM Act), legislation that supports victims and increases accountability and transparency for online platforms. During his speech, Durbin also detailed the need for Congress to update its outdated laws in the face of an unprecedented wave of technological innovation. “For the first time, the CEOs of five Big Tech companies will testify about the crisis of online child sexual exploitation. This continues our Committee’s bipartisan
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging local grocers to apply for funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative for the purchase of updated energy-efficient equipment. “There are many factors that play a part in operating a successful grocery store,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Through the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program, our local grocery stores have the opportunity to receive funding to aid in purchasing necessary, updated equipment.” Rising energy costs lead to outdated equipment, which presents a major expense for small community grocers. Under the Equipment Upgrades Program, eligible grocers can apply for grants to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; refrigeration units and freezers; lighting systems; and other systems providing significant energy savings. Eligible grocers should apply online by March 25. In order to support the businesses most in-need, grocers must be independently-owned with fewer
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities, Gov. JB Pritzker announced today. For the second year in a row, the governor ensured funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting in 32 underserved locations receiving $18.7 million in grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development , or OSLAD, program. This is the 37th year for the program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Since day one as Governor, it’s been my mission to support the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With funding from the OLSAD program, municipalities across Illinois will have the opportunity to expand and improve local neighborhood parks through sport and recreational space, plants, playgrounds, and more. All across Illinois, we’re
According to Dr. Alex Garza, the best way to prepare for a future pandemic is to improve social resources, such as food access, education and transportation. Garza, who serves as Chief Community Health Officer at SSM Health, shares major takeaways from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, how pandemics and wars have a “tremendous amount in common,” and the extent to which institutions — and the general public — are ready for future disease outbreaks.
A new study shows St. Louis Lambert International Airport could drive $32.4 billion per year in economic activity, up nearly $5 billion from 2019, when its $3 billion plan to reconfigure the facility with a new, single terminal is completed.
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Court’s Law Librarian and Pro Bono Coordinator, Angela Wille, received some sensational news recently. She was selected as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice's Forms Committee. Wille will serve a three-year term from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. The Commission on Access to Justice was created in 2012 to expand access to the Courts to all people, particularly those low-income and vulnerable. Through the Commission’s work, the need for standardized statewide forms became apparent and the Forms Committee was established. Today, there are over 350 individual forms that make up 56 form sets. As law librarian, Wille provides these forms to the thousands of yearly patrons who seek the services of the Law Library and Self-Help Center. Wille is a Difference Maker in the region for the constant assistance she provides both patrons and county staff. Her calming presence assists some people in a time when
COLLUSION! CORRUPTION! DEEP STATE COVERUP! Nathan Wade, the guy who's prosecuting Donald Trump in Georgia, has settled his divorce. That means he won't have to testify tomorrow about his (rumored) affair with Fani Willis, the Atlanta DA who's in overall charge of the Trump prosecution. Now, it's never been clear to me why it matters ...continue reading "Fani Willis’s (alleged) affair guy won’t have to testify"
Southwest Airlines will now carry naloxone on flights — that’s in part due to the efforts of Ballwin resident John Gaal who has lobbied the airline to include the opioid overdose-reversal drug in its emergency kits. Gaal witnessed the medication’s ability to save lives first-hand when he stepped in to administer naloxone to a fellow passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight in October 2022. He reflects on that moment, the importance of greater access to the drug and what needs to happen next for flight crews to better respond to overdoses while in the air.
A faction of the Missouri Senate has ended a roughly 16-hour filibuster that was meant to pressure their fellow Republicans into fast-tracking legislation that would make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution.
This week the Forum Drone captures steel erection on the new USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service laboratory. Video of the construction was captured by Forum drone pilot/videographer Louis Kelly. The building is being constructed on the site of the former Good Shepherd Convent at 17626 Natural Bridge Road. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd […]
The number of women with BAs who are working full time has nearly caught up with the number of men: Women with advanced degrees overtook men in the workforce in 2017. However, among those with only a high school diploma, men outnumber women by more than 60%.
The Elton John AIDs Foundation has been recognized with an Anthem Award for its "Let Your Inner Elton Out" media campaign. The Anthem Awards, an offshoot of The Webby Awards, honor the people, organizations and…
Ernestine Stewart has lived in her home for 42 years and used to only see racoons in more rural areas of the county. Now her north city neighborhood boasts entire racoon families that make it difficult to walk to her front door thanks to the untamed lawns of developer Paul McKee’s vacant properties.
Integrated Facility Services (IFS) has completed complex mechanical contracting projects to convert two historic buildings in downtown St. Louis into mixed-use lofts and commercial space. The Hoffman Lofts and Greeley Lofts are two of the multiple new developments on Laclede’s Landing by St. Louis-based Advantes Development as part of a $55 million investment to add […]
stLouIST