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100 Years Ago: Sweet William the Smoking Goat Takes Alton By Storm

2 months 3 weeks ago
“Billie,” or “Sweet William,” as he was affectionately called by the local schoolchildren, was an Angora goat ram who belonged to Emil Koch of the Koch Brothers Meat Market at 634 E. Broadway in downtown Alton. And Sweet William was a smoker: “the prize cigarette smoker in Alton,” according to an April 17, 1925, Alton Evening Telegraph newspaper article. He could smoke six cigarettes at a time if they were lit for him and placed in his mouth. He would carefully smoke a cigarette halfway and then turn it sideways with his tongue and swallow the whole thing, “fire and all.” He then smacked his lips to ask for another. He did not prefer any brand over another “but may signify a preference later on after he has tried all brands.” The whole area loved Billie and helped take care of him. He got his wool clipped at Walnut Grove Dairy, where they also styled his beard with a curling iron and permanent wave. He could stand on his

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Giannoulias Issues $1.3 Million to Support 2,500 Illinois School Libraries Grant Funds Will Support Student Learning at Public Libraries     

2 months 3 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias has awarded more than $1.3 million to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries throughout Illinois. The grants, awarded in the spring of every fiscal year, support school library services for Illinois students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Resources and services provided through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs. “Illinois students deserve to have access to quality library resources, including learning materials, books and online services at our public schools,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as places of knowledge, learning and discovery and this funding will help equip them to educate and inspire our future generations.” Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student for their enrollment at each school having a qualified library. Funding for the program originates

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Giannoulias Issues $1.3 Million to Support 2,500 Illinois School Libraries

2 months 3 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias has awarded more than $1.3 million to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries throughout Illinois. The grants, awarded in the spring of every fiscal year, support school library services for Illinois students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Resources and services provided through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs. “Illinois students deserve to have access to quality library resources, including learning materials, books and online services at our public schools,” Giannoulias said. “Libraries serve as places of knowledge, learning and discovery and this funding will help equip them to educate and inspire our future generations.” Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student for their enrollment at each school having a qualified library. Funding for the program originates

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Duckworth: Our Troops' Lives Are Endangered Every Day Pete Hegseth Remains in His Job

2 months 3 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—issued the following statement after new reporting revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaked highly-sensitive attack details in yet another unclassified Signal chat, this time to his wife and brother, putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at greater risk: “How many times does Pete Hegseth need to leak classified intelligence before Donald Trump and Republicans understand that he isn’t only a f*cking liar, he is a threat to our national security? “Every day he stays in his job is another day our troops’ lives are endangered by his singular stupidity. “He must resign in disgrace.”

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Budzinski Concludes District-Wide Tour to Protect Medicaid

2 months 3 weeks ago
SPRINGFIELD — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) concluded her district-wide tour of hospitals and community health centers, highlighting the devastating consequences of proposed Medicaid cuts being pushed by Congressional Republicans. Over the past week, Budzinski visited health care facilities across Illinois’ 13th district to speak with frontline providers and patients about the real-world impact of slashing Medicaid funding. The tour began at Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville, continued with a visit to the Chestnut Clinic in Granite City, and concluded with stops at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign and Crossing Healthcare in Decatur. “Every stop on this tour reinforced what I’ve long known—Medicaid is a lifeline for our communities,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Community health centers across Central and Southern Illinois rely on Medicaid to keep their doors open, pay staff, and provide critical services like prenatal

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SIU System Recognizes "Distinguished" Students in Awards Ceremony

2 months 3 weeks ago
EDWARDSVILLE – Four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students were among those honored for their campus contributions during the Southern Illinois University (SIU) System’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting on Thursday, April 17 at SIU Carbondale. The System’s Student Advisory Committee selected eight students and presented each of them with a 2025 SIU Distinguished Student Service Award. The accolade recognizes, honors, and celebrates the efforts and contributions of students whose acts of service are demonstrative of excellence and exemplary commitment to the support, advancement, and achievement of fellow students, their campus, and their community. The winners included: Nicholas Young, SIUE undergraduate student Iyanuoluwa Emmanuel Fatunmbi, SIUE graduate student Gabrielle Ramirez, SIU School of Dental Medicine student Lauren Wells, SIUE School of Pharmacy student Penny Bordewick, SIUC undergraduate student Caden Cockburn, SIUC graduate

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How to Plan the Ultimate Backyard BBQ: Crafting an Unforgettable Experience

2 months 3 weeks ago
Did you know that nearly 70% of Americans say that food is the heart of any social gathering? A backyard BBQ isn’t just about grilling—it’s about creating an atmosphere where flavors, friendships, and fun come together seamlessly. Planning the ultimate backyard BBQ requires more than just turning on the grill; it’s about attention to detail, thoughtful preparation, and a flair for hospitality. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a first-time host, this guide will help you elevate your BBQ from ordinary to extraordinary. Setting the Stage: Designing the Perfect Backyard Ambiance The environment in which your BBQ takes place plays a significant role in guests’ overall experience. Think beyond the food and focus on creating a welcoming space. Layout and Seating: Arrange seating areas that encourage conversation and comfort. Use a mix of tables, benches, and lounge chairs to accommodate different group sizes. If space allows, create separate

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United to Revive Returns to Alton with Citywide Tent Revival & Community Outreach

2 months 3 weeks ago
ALTON — Volunteers from across the region are coming together once again to lift up the name of Jesus, bring hope to hurting communities, and meet real needs on the ground. United to Revive, a grassroots ministry made up of believers from diverse churches, backgrounds, and walks of life, is returning to Alton’s Riverfront Park May 20–23, 2025 for a four-night tent revival packed with worship, testimonies, prayer, and outreach. In the weeks leading up to the event, volunteers will also be walking the streets of Alton, praying for the city and sharing God’s love. These Wednesday night Prayer Walks begin April 23 at 5:30 PM, meeting in the Panera Bread parking lot (1837 Homer Adams Pkwy). “Our heart is simple,” says Director Jeremiah Goltz. “To see lives transformed by Jesus and to see churches and people from all walks of life come together—not in competition, but in love and unity.” A Growing Regional Movement In just the past

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Spring Cleaning Your Digital Life: Decluttering Emails and Files

2 months 3 weeks ago
Did you know that the average office worker receives around 121 emails per day? Over time, this constant influx can turn your inbox and file storage into a chaotic digital swamp, making it harder to find important information and slowing down your productivity. Just as physical clutter can weigh on your mind and space, digital clutter can impair your efficiency and increase stress levels. Tackling this hidden mess requires intentional effort and strategy. The Digital Clutter Dilemma Digital clutter often goes unnoticed until it becomes overwhelming. Unlike physical clutter, which is tangible and visible, digital clutter is intangible—hidden in folders, inboxes, and drives. Over the years, files duplicate, emails pile up, and storage spaces fill with outdated or irrelevant content. The consequences include slower device performance, increased vulnerability to security risks, and difficulty locating critical documents. For instance, a 2021 study by Radicati Group revealed that

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Beloved Father McGivney Coach Brandon Ahring Remembered in School Vigil

2 months 3 weeks ago
GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School will hold a blessing ceremony for its new Track and Field facilities and a prayer vigil to honor the memory of Brandon Ahring, a beloved alumnus and assistant coach who died last week in a car accident. On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Griffin community is invited to gather at the school’s new Track and Field complex for the blessing at 3:45 p.m., preceding the school’s first home track meet of the season. Later that evening, at approximately 7 p.m., a prayer vigil will be held to remember Ahring, who was deeply committed to coaching and the McGivney community. Ahring, a member of the Father McGivney Class of 2021, tragically lost his life on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while returning home from Track and Field practice in a vehicle accident near Hamel. He had served as an assistant cross country and track coach at the school for three years, working under Head Coach Jim Helton. In a statement to the McGivney

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Attorney General Raoul Announces Victory In Case Against Google For Monopolies In Digital Advertising

2 months 3 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a court victory after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found that Google has violated the law by maintaining illegal monopolies in the digital advertising technology industry, stifling competition and harming website publishers, advertisers and consumers. Attorney General Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 17 attorneys general, joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) in filing a lawsuit against Google in 2023, seeking to stop Google’s anticompetitive conduct that threatens markets in the online advertising industry. “Google has created an environment in the digital world that has caused harm to online publishers and advertisers by weakening a free and open internet,” Raoul said. “Google has maintained its monopolies in digital advertising technologies for too long, and I am pleased that the court found the company liable for its unlawful actions.” The

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A fifth of Americans are on Medicaid. Some of them have no idea

2 months 3 weeks ago
Some Americans who rely on Medicaid to pay for their health care don’t realize their insurance is funded by that very program, which congressional Republicans are looking to shrink. One reason is that state programs aren’t always called “Medicaid.” Many states have rebranded their programs with consumer-friendly names such as SoonerCare in Oklahoma, Apple Health […]
Anna Claire Vollers