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Confusion Tanks Local Flower Shop's Reviews: Shop Owner Clarifies and Asks for Support

3 months 2 weeks ago
BRIGHTON - Local florist Leanne’s Pretty Petals wants the world to know that they’re not who you think they are. Located in Brighton, Leanne’s Pretty Petals was recently mistaken for LeAnn’s Local Petals, a shop in Kentucky that has faced criticism for allegedly mishandling the firing of an employee according to a TikTok video. Due to the confusion, Leanne’s Pretty Petals in Brighton has seen an influx of negative comments and reviews. Owner Leanne Muenstermann asks community members to speak up to clear up the confusion and improve their ratings. “With all this that’s been going on, the people that have reached out to me has just been very humbling,” Muenstermann said. “It makes me cry to think about it, how they’ve all come out and said, ‘You don’t deserve this, and we support you, and we’re glad that you’re here.’ It’s just been really humbling, and I’m grateful for them.”

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Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let it block $4B in foreign aid funding

3 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s ruling and allow it to withhold $4 billion in foreign aid that was previously approved by Congress. The case is one of many lawsuits challenging the White House’s efforts to supersede Congress’ spending authority by canceling funding without lawmakers’ […]
Jennifer Shutt

US Open Tells Broadcasters Not To Broadcast Trump Being Booed At The US Open

3 months 2 weeks ago
Good lord, here comes another act of preemptive cowardice in service of ensuring the most powerful man in the world enjoys his appearance before a crowd he can’t control or doesn’t own. Here’s Ben Rothenburg of tennis-focused blog Bounces with the scoop: An internal email sent by the U.S. Tennis Association leadership to U.S. Open […]
Tim Cushing

Walt Harrington to Speak at Carlinville Public Library

3 months 2 weeks ago
CARLINVILLE - An acclaimed writer and journalist will present a free, one-hour program at the Carlinville Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Walt Harrington of Carlinville, a former journalist at The Washington Post Magazine, will discuss his 2022 book, The Detective: And Other True Stories . “It’s a collection of eight of my in-depth, narrative non-fiction articles from The Washington Post Magazine,” remarked Harrington. “I’ll talk about where the ideas came from, how the stories were done, and what subjects thought of their stories.” Harrington will also read excerpts from some of his stories, to demonstrate his style and approach. He will also sign books. The recipient of numerous journalism awards, Harrington authored profiles of Rosa Parks, Carl Bernstein, Jesse Jackson, Rita Dove, and President George H.W. Bush. He also penned numerous in-depth accounts for the Post of ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. Harringto

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Granite City Celebrates Athlete Turned Officer Freddy Edwards

3 months 2 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY — The Granite City Police Department has welcomed Freddy Edwards back after he graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy and is preparing to begin field training with the department. Edwards, a Granite City High School alumnus and former college football player at Culver-Stockton, officially joined the department and will start his formal law enforcement training in the coming months. In addition to his new role in law enforcement, Edwards has been added to the Granite City High School football coaching staff as an assistant under head coach Steve Roustio. Edwards is one of the most multi-dimensional athletes to ever hail from Granite City High School and is now preparing to give back to his community in law enforcement and as an assistant football coach at Granite City High School, mentoring young athletes. Granite City High School Athletic Director John Moad has praised Edwards’ contributions both on and off the field. “Freddie

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The Coming Trump Stagflation

3 months 2 weeks ago
Today on TAP: The self-inflicted damage to Trump’s economy is deepening. Will he get away with it politically?
Robert Kuttner

Budzinski Slams Nippon Steel For Actions With Granite City Works 

3 months 2 weeks ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued the following statement after U.S. Steel management alerted Granite City Works that, by October, they will no longer be receiving slabs. This comes after the Nippon Steel deal to acquire U.S. Steel failed to include any assurances or investment for Granite City Works. “Once again, President Trump has turned his back on America’s working men and women – and today, no community feels that betrayal more deeply than Granite City. Workers there have just been notified that, come October, no more slabs will be delivered to the mill, drastically impacting their operations. “Back in 2018, President Trump came to Granite City to boast about the supposed revival of American steel manufacturing. Now, he’s sold U.S. Steel to a foreign company and has put the very jobs he claimed to be saving on the chopping block. “Granite City Works deserved more than empty

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East St. Louis School Honors Grandparents With Special Event

3 months 2 weeks ago
EAST ST. LOUIS — Grandparents Day at James Avant Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, brought students and their grandparents together for a day filled with celebration and connection. The event honored the important role grandparents play in the lives of students, providing inspiration and support. Throughout the day, students, known as Thundercats, shared hugs, smiles, stories and special moments with their grandparents, creating memories intended to last a lifetime, East St. Louis School District 189 said in a statement. The district expressed its gratitude to all the grandparents and family members who attended, recognizing their presence as a vital part of the school community. The celebration underscored the district’s commitment to fostering strong family ties and support networks for its students.

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