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SPRINGFIELD - Unemployment rates around the Riverbend region remained close to a year ago in a November 2023 to November 2022 comparison. Madison County is at 3.8 percent in November 2023 compared to 3.4 percent in 2022, while Jersey is 3.4 percent compared to 3.1 percent a year ago, Macoupin is 3.7 percent compared to 3.4 percent a year ago. Calhoun is at 3.4 percent compared to 3.7 percent a year ago. The unemployment rate in the City of Alton in November was 5.2 percent vs. 4.9 percent a year ago. Edwardsville's rate was 2.8 percent compared to 2.8 percent a year ago and Granite City is at 4.2 percent compared to 3.4 percent a year ago. Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in ten metropolitan areas and decreased in four for the year ending November 2023, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in eleven metropolitan areas and decrease

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When snow arrives, almost everyone makes the decision of whether to stay home or venture out. If you hit the streets, it's common courtesy to clear the snow off your car, but that doesn't always completely happen.

ALTON - Sixteen incomparable actors will launch a new Studio Series of three plays done in Repertory format on three alternating weekends January 11th through 28) AND the Shows are underwritten by Playwright, Michael Madden, and novelist, Katherine Elizabeth Baltimore - and it was a unanimous decision of the chosen Directors: Kristy Doering, Brant McCance and Shea Maples that 25% of ticket sales would go back to community programs, in keeping with the Play's themes of charity and the importance of human connection. AHS Drama Department, Alton Memorial's Cancer-Treatment program named " Ribbons of Strength", and the Wildlife Center will each be adopted by a play showcased: TWO ROOMS by Lee Blessing, RED JASPER by Michael Madden, and ELEPHANT'S GRAVEYARD by George Brant. The Theater's Artistic Directors, hope that the idea of a Studio Series of new and short works will catch on and become part of ALT's mission to train Actors and support Regional performers AND local Talent.

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She told police, the man approached her and took out a handgun and pepper spray while announcing the robbery.

When we last saw Charlie he was wearing a stylish black cone to keep him from picking at a sore spot on his back leg. That proved unworkable: it didn't keep him from getting to his leg and he was able to get it off anyway. So it was back to the ordinary plastic cone ...continue reading "Friday Cat Blogging – 29 December 2023"

It was a big year for Pink Floyd. Even though the band is no longer together, and not necessarily on the best of terms, they didn’t let the anniversary of one…

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ALTON - There’s a chili cookoff at Catdaddy’s Tavern, and with all the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Alton, everybody is a winner. Dan Herkert and Cassie Tartar were sitting at Catdaddy’s and teasing each other about who had the better chili recipe, when Judy behind the bar came up with a great idea: Why not have a competition? From 3–6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, you can stop by Catdaddy’s to taste the chili and vote on the winner. “It was a little friendly trash talk,” Tartar joked. “It started small and it got big real fast.” They decided they’d put their recipes to the test. Now, it’s up to the Alton community to decide who has the better chili. Attendees will complete a blind tasting. They can vote as many times as they want and must contribute $1 per vote. The loser will add an extra $100 to the pot, with all money going to the Boys and Girls Club. “It’s always good to

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A group of SLU Hospital nurses went on strike for two days just after Christmas, and the strike ended early Friday morning.

Judge Heather Cunningham of St. Louis County Circuit Court entered the judgment against Shada Seed & Ag Services LLC on Dec. 14. The ruling came nearly three months after Shada Seed -- a retailer of seed, chemical and fertilizer in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota -- did not respond to the lawsuit filed by Bayer.

Boeing issued a multi-operator message for airlines to examine their 737 Max aircraft.

The firm also owns a property on Innerbelt Business Center in St. Louis County, according to its website.

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African American and African culture, families, and communities that begins on Dec. 26 and ends on Jan. 1.

Business owners, executives, senior-level managers and the general public turn to the Book of Lists again and again as they seek information about the area’s economy and the companies and individuals that help our region prosper.

Interesting data: Wish we had seen more takes about this trend. pic.twitter.com/zvQVVi75q9 — Conor Sen (@conorsen) December 28, 2023 What surprises me about this is not that passport holding has risen so much but that it was so low as recently as 30 years ago: There were only 7 million passport holders in 1989. That ...continue reading "Why does everyone have a passport these days?"

Three key players on this year's Cotton Bowl-bound Missouri Tigers squad hail from the St. Louis region.

Now we're talking: Maine and Colorado say Trump can't run for president while Michigan and California say he can. No matter how you come down on this question, it really does seem like it needs a definitive national answer. Supreme Court, here we come.