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NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is rallying following signals the U.S. economy is holding up better than expected. The S&P 500 climbed 1.6% in afternoon trading Thursday and was on track for a sixth straight gain following a scary few weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 532 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose…

The post Stock market today: Wall Street roars closer to its records as US shoppers help drive the economy appeared first on The Big 550 KTRS.

ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School football team showed their civic pride on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, by volunteering at the Scotty McCreery concert. Head coach Eric Dickerson said that the kids and parents were eager to volunteer at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater. He explained that it’s part of Marquette’s mission to give back, and they were happy to help the community after the people of Alton have done so much for them. “It’s just great to give back to the community that supports us all year long,” Dickerson said. “They come out, watch us and support the school. We can give back what we can, so it’s a great opportunity for us to get out and be amongst our community.” Assistant coach Billy Sprague organized the volunteer opportunity. Dickerson, the team and their parents were immediately on board. Dickerson said the MCHS football team is “looking great” ahead of this season. They had 45 kids who came

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office has transformed its Melrose Park facility into a DMV+ and “One-Stop-Shop” design, offering new services and reduced wait times. The Melrose Park location marks the first DMV+ facility, which includes Secretary of State services that have never been accessible at an Illinois DMV location. These include specialized services from its Business, Index and Personnel Departments that would otherwise require an in-person visit to a Secretary of State’s office located in downtown Chicago or Springfield. In addition, the DMV+ also includes a One-Stop-Shop design that combines both driver and vehicle services, allowing customers to access service at a single customer service counter and reducing the number of steps to create a more intuitive flow. It also frees up space for additional service stations and appointments to accommodate more customers. “Our continued effort to modernize the office allow

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From St. Louis Business Journal:  The developer of a $150 million project to overhaul the city of St. Louis’ oldest public housing complex said Wednesday it’s seeking to begin construction on the project in 2025. The $31.1 million first phase of the redevelopment project, led by nonprofit Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc. (POAH) of Boston, […]

From The Edwardsville Intelligencer:  A revitalization project will bring everything from sidewalk improvements to new apartments to part of downtown Edwardsville. The project, led by Pfund Construction, will also restore an important piece of the city’s history that’s been unused for almost a century. The work is taking place in the 200 block of North […]

Today on TAP: The Speaker emerita demonstrated yet again why we always need smart and able pols.

Chuck Schumer fully embraced crypto at an industry fundraiser for Harris, while his Senate candidates get showered with millions of dollars in crypto PAC donations.

The vegan bakery began as an online Etsy operation in 2014 and adapted into a custom-order cakery, then a bakery with a brick-and-mortar storefront.

SEDALIA – A confrontation between U.S. Senate rivals Thursday on the Missouri State Fairgrounds may be the closest thing to a live debate in the 2024 campaign. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican seeking his second term, arrived at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast looking for Lucas Kunce, the Democrat hoping to unseat him.  He found […]

SEDALIA — Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Kehoe and Democrat Crystal Quade agreed Thursday to a debate next month hosted by the Missouri Press Association. Kehoe did not participate in several Republican debates in the run up to the Aug. 6 primary. News stations have offered to moderate a Kehoe-Quade debate, but a date has not […]

FIELDON - A Fieldon man faces multiple felonies after throwing a brick through the window of a moving vehicle and striking the driver. Joseph D. East, 25, of Fieldon, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony), and reckless driving (a Class A misdemeanor). On July 13, 2024, East allegedly “threw a brick” at the victim’s vehicle as they drove by the Pour House Bar in Fieldon, according to Jersey County court documents. The brick went “through the driver’s side window,” striking the victim in the arm and resulting in both the battery and criminal damage charges against East. The vehicle damage totaled over $500. He also reportedly “endangered the bodily safety of the general public while driving in a reckless manner,” resulting in the misdemeanor charge in this case. East has since been granted pretrial release and was issued a summons to appear in court on Sept. 3,

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Projected renovations to the building include loft apartments, a full-service restaurant and bar, and seven event venues.

ALTON - In a ceremony held recently, Police Chief Jarrett Ford swore in the four newest members of the Alton Police Department. The new officers, Isaiah Hampton, Jordan Picklesimer, Steven Vaughn, and Joshua Saucedo-Hernandez, stood side by side as they took their oaths of office. "We are very excited to have them join the department," Chief Ford said during the ceremony. "They will soon depart for the police academy. We look forward to their successful academy training and having them join us in serving Alton." The new officers are set to begin their training at the police academy in the coming weeks. Their addition to the force is seen as a positive step toward bolstering the department’s capabilities and enhancing public safety in Alton.

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ALTON - In the summer of 1924, Altonians were excited about driving automobiles. Auto clubs sprang up all over the place, there was a car column in the Alton Telegraph, and there were picnic fundraisers to cinder dirt roads all over town. On August 11, 1924, an Alton Automobile Club presentation on automobile safety at Riverview Park drew a large crowd. It was a cold night for August, and many of the attendees wore their winter coats. At this time, there were 3,600 automobiles in the district and approximately 36,000 residents, one auto or truck for every ten people. Speakers at the automobile safety meeting included G. C. Varnum, secretary and manager of the St. Louis Safety Council, and Roy Rauschkolb, chairman of the development services of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. They recommended measures such as a safe drivers’ club and a vigilance committee and encouraged pedestrians to use street crossings and drivers to follow traffic guidelines. Varnum recited a little

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BELLEVILLE — In a recent ceremony, the Belleville Police Department officially welcomed two new recruits, Officer Headen and Officer Ortiz. Both officers took their oath to protect and serve the citizens of Belleville and will soon begin their training at the police academy. The swearing-in event marks a significant step in the careers of Headen and Ortiz, who are set to join the ranks of the Belleville Police Department. "We would like you to join us in welcoming them to our department," stated a representative from the department. The new recruits will undergo rigorous training at the academy, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with their roles in law enforcement.

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After getting knocked out twice during his senior year playing football and soccer at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, John Gaal Jr. died by suicide in 2017.

EDWARDSVILLE – Alex Fox, the new interim principal of Edwardsville High School, joined other school officials outside the school to greet students on their first official day on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. The greeting by administrators and teaching staff was aimed to set a positive tone for the upcoming academic year. Fox expressed enthusiasm about the student body, stating, "These kids are probably the best overall student body in the state of Illinois. If you don’t think that way, just look at our overall high-level academic performances, our performing arts kids, athletes, and regular general students." The interim principal highlighted the importance of all students, including those who may feel undervalued, and said some of those people set the tone for the rest of the students and are as critical to the success of the school as anyone else. The first day was marked by excitement and optimism from both students and staff. "Seeing the smiles and waves is wonderful,

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BELLEVILLE – A bobcat sighting in Brookhill Estates, near Green Mount Road in Belleville, has garnered significant attention this past weekend. The wildcat was first spotted on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, when a person let a dog out in the backyard. Brookhill Estates, located just east of Green Mount Road and north of Illinois 177 in Belleville, is bordered by agricultural land to the south and east, and a thick wood line to the north and west. The area’s proximity to both natural and residential spaces makes it a conducive environment for wildlife sightings. Don Schachner, an Illinois conservation officer, verified that the animal in question from a photo submitted to him was indeed a bobcat. “Bobcats are far more common than people realize,” Schachner explained. “They are more secretive than most animals and could live in an area without being noticed.” Schachner noted that bobcats typically appear larger than they are due to their long legs and

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JERSEYVILLE - Following a benefit for 14-year-old Hayden Eberlin Brown , his family could not be more thankful for the community’s support. They’re asking for help to raise $3,000 more. The money donated by the community will go toward the purchase of a van with a lift so Hayden’s mother can transport him to appointments. Hayden was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a terminal disease with progressive neurological decline. As he nears the end of his life, his family hopes the money will help them pay for Hayden’s care, comfort and funeral expenses. “It’s so that he’s comfortable. The poor thing. I can’t imagine living like he’s living, you know?” said Tammy Schaaf, Hayden’s aunt, who organized the benefit and GoFundMe . “He did laugh the other day, and we did get it on video. That’s the first time in, oh my gosh, I couldn’t tell you how long. He had a big old smile and he

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students and teachers are gearing up for another great year as they returned to school on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2024. Principal Tim Harmon expressed his excitement for the upcoming school year. He noted that he is especially looking forward to welcoming the seniors and freshmen, and he can’t wait to start the year on a positive note. “I am just extremely excited for the incoming freshman class to get to be part of the Marquette family and, I’ll say, even more excited for the seniors,” Harmon said. “It’s hard to be more excited than I am for the freshmen, but I’m more excited even for the seniors that they’re getting to enjoy their last year of four years at Marquette and getting to enjoy being part of our family, but then also getting ready to go out into the big grand world of college or the military or the workforce. I’m just really excited. I feel like there’s a lot of joy and anxiou

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