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State Senator Harriss Meets With SALT Executive Director To Discuss Youth Sports

2 years 3 months ago
ALTON - Illinois State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) met with Damian Jones, the Executive Director of Student Athletes Leading Tomorrow, better known as SALT, to discuss the future and importance of youth sports in and around the Metro-East area. SALT is is a sports-based youth development organization directed toward youth in underserved communities. Founded in 2019, SALT seeks to establish programs that engage children in an organic way, helping them to develop active, healthy lifestyles while ensuring their personal growth in areas of life beyond sports. The 501(c)(3) organization is based in Alton. Harriss and Jones met at Alton's new soccer mini-pitch wedged in between the Alton Middle School and Rock Springs Park. The facility was completed last October . Alton Mayor David Goins, Alton Alderwoman Rosetta Brown, and Director of Alton Parks & Recreation Michael Haynes also attended Monday afternoon's meet-up.

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Durbin Cosponsors Legislation To Expand Access To Contraception

2 years 3 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that he is cosponsoring U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood’s (D-IL-14) Convenient Contraception Act , legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter birth control. The bill provides individuals covered by private health insurance with the option to receive up to a full year of birth control at the time their prescription is issued instead of the current three-month supply or less that is standard in many states—an evidence-based policy that improves health outcomes. “Living in a post- Roe America, it is more important than ever that we work to protect and expand access to contraception. Everyone should have the right to decide when and if they want to start a family,” said Durbin. “With the Convenient Contraception Act, we can ensure

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September Neighbor Night: Celebrating 21 Years Of Water Festival

2 years 3 months ago
EAST ALTON – The upcoming September Neighbor Night at the National Great River Research and Education Center (NGRREC sm ) will celebrate 21 years of Water Festival. All are welcome. Community members will have the chance to share their memories and learn about all of the incredible programs Water Festival has facilitated over the years. “Water Festival takes place every year on Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey campus and we are so excited to welcome the community to the station to celebrate over 20 years of fun and water science,” NGRREC Environmental Educator Erica Doerr said. At Neighbor Night, guests will be able to participate in trivia, hear from past Water Festival organizers, who helped create the successful day of learning, and get a sneak peek from the NGRREC education team on what is in store for Water Festival 2023. “Water Festival has impacted over 12,500 area fifth graders through the years,” Doerr said. “It’s

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The Rep's The Lehman Trilogy Is a Truly Remarkable Production

2 years 3 months ago
Every so often, the stars align, each element of craft is executed at the highest level and a company mounts a truly remarkable production. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves; 314-968-4925; repstl.org) achieves this rare pinnacle with captivating performances and a story centered on faith, reinvention and achieving the American Dream.
Tina Farmer

OSF Mental Health Resources Highlighted During National Suicide Prevention Week

2 years 3 months ago
ALTON - There is growing evidence linking heavy social media use with increased risks for anxiety and depression. These mental health issues can, in turn, impact a student’s school performance, such as difficulties focusing, studying, or even simply attending school. It’s important for caregivers and school personnel to understand what is happening on social media and how to reduce its negative impact. Virtual spaces are everywhere in today’s world and have become a constant presence in the lives of young people, offering social connectedness and the ease of instant communication. But the online world of selfies and social media also brings with it challenging situations that can have a negative impact on youth mental health. “The pressure to maintain a perfect online image, fueled by constant comparison to peers, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety,” says Staci M. Knox, LCSW, manager of psychological services at OSF Saint Anthony’s

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Attorney General Raoul Announces $35 Million Bipartisan Multistate Settlement With Leasing Company Tempoe LLC

2 years 3 months ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, along with 41 attorneys general, announced a $35 million bipartisan settlement with leasing company Tempoe LLC (Tempoe). The settlement resolves a multistate investigation Raoul and the coalition conducted into Tempoe’s advertising and leasing to consumers through retailers across the nation. The investigation revealed that Tempoe’s marketing and sales practices often misled consumers to believe they signed up for an installment plan or credit sale. However, in reality, consumers entered into a lease agreement. The complicated structure of the lease agreements, as well as the lack of required disclosures, caused confusion and often resulted in consumers paying two to three times the purchase price of the product or service. “Tempoe’s lease agreements confused Illinois consumers and made it difficult to understand important terms, including how much a consumer would have to potentially pay for the duration of the

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Following The Two-Year Anniversary Of FDA Failing To Regulate Unlawfully Marketed Vaping Products, Durbin Again Urges FDA, DOJ To Act

2 years 3 months ago
WASHINGTON – Following the two-year anniversary of a federal court-ordered deadline for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product applications (PMTAs) from e-cigarette manufacturers, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to FDA’s Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf and a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging them to immediately address the youth vaping epidemic. Since FDA missed the September 9, 2021 deadline, an estimate of approximately two million children may have picked up vaping. Durbin has slammed FDA for its continued lack of urgency as millions of children have begun using addictive e-cigarettes. For years, FDA has failed to regulate e-cigarettes—currently falling more than two years past a court-ordered deadline to review applications from vaping companies, and refusing to enforce the law and take action against companies

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Wash U Cuts Transgender Care for Minors Grandfathered Under Ban

2 years 3 months ago
Washington University in St. Louis joined University of Missouri Health as the latest provider of care to transgender minors to announce it is canceling pre-existing prescriptions for puberty blockers or hormone-replacement therapy. A new state law restricting access to gender-affirming care bars those under 18 from beginning new treatments. But in a compromise with opponents of the ban, lawmakers grandfathered in patients who had begun a medical transition before the law went into effect on August 28.
Annelise Hanshaw

Illinois State Police Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of Statewide Terrorism And Intelligence Center

2 years 3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC) is celebrating its 20 th year in service to the people of Illinois. Created in 2003 as a result of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, STIC was originally formed out of a national need to improve information sharing and intelligence services specific to Illinois. Forged out of conversations between ISP, the United States Attorney’s Office, Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs’ Associations, federal law enforcement, and others, STIC has continually evolved, remaining on the cutting edge. STIC, located in Springfield, is part of a network of more than 80 fusion centers nationwide, providing public safety intelligence services to local and national partners across the country. “As Governor, there’s nothing more important to me than keeping the people of Illinois safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we celebrate

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As School Year Begins, Duckworth Re-Introduces Legislation To Improve School Bus Safety

2 years 3 months ago
CHAMPAIGN, I.ll - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the re-introduction of her legislation to help keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. Duckworth, along with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are introducing the School Bus Safety Act today to implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and buses are equipped with safety measures like stability control and automatic braking systems. The bill would also create a grant program to help school districts modify school buses to meet these important safety modifications. U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) is introducing companion legislation in the House. Duckworth was joined today by Champaign Unit 4 School District Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer, and photos from today’s event are available here . “No parent should have to worry about the safety of their children when

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