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From the Wall Street Journal: Despite the decline in inflation since last year, families with young children still face sharp increases in one of their biggest expenses—child care. The national average price of daycare and preschool services rose 6% in July from a year before, the Labor Department reported recently. That was nearly double the ...continue reading "The cost of preschool has dropped 3% since 2019"

COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on the northbound Interstate 255 ramp to eastbound Interstate 55/70 near Collinsville will require a weekend ramp closure starting, weather permitting, Friday, Aug. 18, at 9 p.m. Motorists will be directed to Horseshoe Lake Road to access southbound I-255 to eastbound I55/70. In addition to the ramp closure, the right lane of eastbound I-55/70 will be closed during the same time. Two eastbound I-55/70 lanes will remain open at all times. 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 closures are expected to be in place until 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 21.

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ALTON - Alton High School’s cheerleading team is asking the community for help as they fundraise for new uniforms and tumbling mats. “They deserve the best,” head coach Megan Hodge said of her cheerleaders. “These kids are putting in the effort. They could be out running around with their friends, but instead they are working really hard because all of them have a goal to go to college and cheer. They’re very dedicated.” There are 34 athletes in Alton’s cheer program. The team works year-round, with practice three or four times a week on top of football and basketball games. They also compete on weekends starting in November. Some of them have been cheering since sixth grade. “We literally lift each other up,” Hodge joked. “We spend so much time together that we’re just a huge family. All of my kids are very close. They’re all best friends, and they are so committed.” Hodge explained that the cheerleaders

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Is our employment picture getting better or worse? See recent changes in local jobs, unemployment, earnings and more in these regularly updated charts and maps.

The state of North Carolina and the North Carolina Farm Bureau are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down news-gathering activities that generally have been afforded First Amendment protection. In its writ of certiorari, North Carolina is asking SCOTUS to specifically uphold two paragraphs of its 2015 Property Protection Act: North Carolina maintains that the Fourth […]

The post SCOTUS should take up an ag-gag vs. the First Amendment case appeared first on Missouri Independent.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Melanie Stinnett discusses her entry into the Missouri General Assembly. The Springfield Republican represents Missouri’s 133rd District, which takes in portions of Greene County. She was elected in 2022 to succeed Curtis Trent, who vacated the seat to run for the state Senate.

PIASA - Maddie Gordon is a multi-sport student-athlete with unbelievable stamina and fortitude for the Piasa Birds. Maddie was a top cross country runner last year on the Piasa Birds’ girls squad and big things are expected from her again in fall 2023. Maddie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for Southwestern. “Maddie is very competitive in every sport,” Piasa Birds’ cross country coach Gary Bowker said. “She doubles in the spring with soccer and track and also plays volleyball in the fall.” Coach Bowker has to train Maddie slightly differently than the other girls in both cross country and track. “I have to be careful how much of a load of training I put on her legs,” he said. “We have talked several times and a major concern is we don’t want her to have dead legs in volleyball and soccer, too.” The coach said she has the desire and love of running needed to be one of his standout

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Artists such as Sting, Andy Summers and Peter Frampton are paying tribute to legendary music executive Jerry Moss, who died Wednesday, August 16, at the age of 88. Moss' wife, Tina, told the Associated Press he passed away of natural causes at…

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For many parts of the country, it's looking like a hot summer will transition into a warm fall.

Advantes Development Group had a $300 million plan to turn the vacant downtown property into a hotel and apartments.

Missouri is considered one of the "most dangerous states" for motorcyclists, according to new findings from online insurance company Quote Wizard.

WOOD RIVER - When Oilers fans watch the sidelines of football or basketball games, they will notice senior Stormie Shoemaker, one of the leaders this year for the East Alton-Wood River High School cheerleading squad. Stormie is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Stormie thanked her coach Alison Beachum for always encouraging her and the other girls. She also said her best friend - Emma Hall - has never let her go through anything alone. “I have gone through a lot within the past year, but I remain very outgoing, and positive, and strive to be a good role model for others around me,” she said. “I have been cheering since I was five. I enjoy the relationships between other teammates, coaches and other cheer teams. There is really nothing like it.” Stormie said cheering has led her to be a more outgoing, social and confident person. “There is a message behind every mistake in cheering, and cheering taught me it’s

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The ramp from northbound I-255 to eastbound I-55/I-70 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday to accommodate pavement repairing.

Note: This is one of a series of features about artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 22-24. Avalon Eales of the Edwardsville Arts Center staff provided the information. Artist #1 Name: Melissa Rawson Location: Edwardsville, IL Medium: Ceramics Artist's Statement: “I have been creating pottery for over 20 years. I have developed forms that work with the piece's function and continue to find new forms. I take inspiration from nature and like flowing forms that capture some of what I see around me.” Artist #2 Name: Rhonda Gurgone Location: Palos Park, IL Medium: Jewelry Artist's Statement: “I believe that jewelry that we wear should not only look beautiful but also tell a story. Antique buttons inspire me to make jewelry that is a perfect balance between the old and the new. By combining techniques and materials with contemporary designs, I create a piece that evokes memories and meaning to the

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"I can also promise you will see things you probably didn’t think you would see — make connections you didn’t realize,” said Andréa Purnell, SLAM’s co-curator of the exhibit.

A Tale of Three Restaurants with the Dining Divas   By Lisa Kampeter It was a busy summer for the Dining Divas, but regardless of our active schedules, we had impressive turnouts. The food, the settings, and even the interactions were all different, but what has not changed is that our Dining Divas outings continue […]

The post Divas Dine at Casa de Tres Reyes, The Main House & Hendel’s appeared first on flovalleynews.com.

ALTON - Whether you love boating or just want a great breakfast with a river view, Alton Marina has got you covered. The Marina, located at #1 Henry Street, offers leases for boat slips, guest docking, a store, a restaurant, beautiful views and “the nicest, cleanest bathrooms on the river,” promises Rob Honke. “We’ve got a lot of history and a lot of good people out there,” Honke said. He owns Seahorse Ranch Marine, Inc., the company that operates the Marina. “There’s a lot of people that have spent their whole lives and their childhoods on the river, and it shows. You can see it in their faces. You can hear them talk about it. A lot of the people that you meet on the river have been on it their entire lives, since they were kids.” The Marina offers annual and six-month leases for locals. But they also regularly welcome guests, including boaters who are traveling the American Great Loop . This route follows waterways that mak

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A church in St. Louis' Delmar Loop was damaged on Tuesday for the second time in a year.