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An appropriation to help Hannibal Regional Healthcare System provide cancer treatments in Kirksville complies with all laws governing new health facilities, a Cole County judge ruled Monday. In a 32-page decision, Circuit Judge Cotton Walker found no reason to block the $15 million in this year’s state budget for Hannibal Regional to build a radiation […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a bicameral spotlight hearing entitled “Restoring Accountability: Exposing Trump’s Attacks on the Rule of Law.” Today’s spotlight hearing was led by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary. Durbin began by asking Liz Oyer, the former head of the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney who was fired for refusing to give actor and Trump “Special Ambassador” Mel Gibson special treatment to own a firearm despite a domestic violence conviction, about President Trump granting “full, complete and unconditional” pardons to every person convicted of offenses related to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. “It

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SPRINGFIELD - With 30 days left until the REAL ID enforcement date takes effect on May 7, 2025 Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to get the facts about REAL IDs as many scramble to get one. “The federal REAL ID rollout has caused a great deal of confusion across the country, including here in Illinois,” Giannoulias said. “We’re monitoring REAL ID demand and adjusting our services to efficiently accommodate the unprecedented surge.” Giannoulias noted if you’re not traveling after May 7, you probably don’t need a REAL ID right away. Given the recent surge at Illinois DMVs, Giannoulias advised Illinoisans who don’t need a REAL ID in May to consider holding off to avoid waits at facilities. He added that the May 7 “deadline” isn’t really a deadline. On May 7, Americans will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport, to board a domestic flight; however, DMVs will

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Just days after the world shut down because of a global pandemic, the Missouri Historical Society released this video: The message was clear: St. Louis has always found ways to stay strong in tough times. St. Louis’s history—from fires and floods, to cholera and flu epidemics, to the time we literally blacked out the sun …

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a bipartisan coalition of 13 attorneys general, today announced a $335 million national settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. (Mylan) over allegations the company deceptively promoted its opioid products as being less prone to abuse despite knowing for years that many of its opioid products – particularly its fentanyl patches – were actually more vulnerable to abuse. Illinois will receive more than $9 million in abatement funds from the settlement. “This bipartisan settlement represents the latest development in the work state attorneys general are doing to hold entities responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic that has wreaked havoc in communities across our country,” Raoul said. “I remain committed to ensuring funding is equitably distributed across Illinois to help fund services that mitigate opioid addiction.” Mylan, which is now a part of Viatris, has manufactured

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This article originally ran in St. Louis Business Journal on April 1, 2025. The events of the past few years have significantly impacted the consumer experience, resulting in a positive operational shift for businesses in the cold storage market. As this specialized sector continues to grow, a trend report from Colliers anticipates cold storage real estate to experience an increase of 13.2% […]

The post Refrigeration: The Emerging Cold Storage Market  appeared first on St. Louis Regional Freightway.

SWANSEA — Three young boys and three police officers were recognized for their heroic actions in saving a resident from a fire during a Swansea Village Board meeting. The Swansea Police Department and Swansea Fire Department honored the individuals for their quick thinking and bravery in an incident that occurred on March 28, 2025. The boys, identified as Roman, Xavier, and Darius, were playing outside when they noticed smoke coming from their neighbor's house. They promptly alerted an adult, who called 911, ensuring a swift response from emergency services. Swansea Police officers Schutzbach, Lindley, and Sgt. Kemper-Damm were the first responders on the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered that a resident was trapped inside the garage. The Swansea officers collaborated to breach the garage door and successfully rescued the individual. This incident underscores the vital role of community involvement in public safety, showcasing how the actions of both the children and

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GRANITE CITY – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a Granite City man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office prosecuted Sergio Alberto Zuniga-Chapol, 26, who was sentenced by Madison County Circuit Court Judge Amy Maher after pleading guilty to four Class 2 felony counts of possessing child pornography involving children under the age of 13. His sentence will be followed by three years to life of mandatory supervised release, and he will also register as a sex offender for life. “This sentence represents a degree of justice for the young victims who are exploited and abused by child sexual abuse material,” Raoul said.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month, reminding drivers to pay attention or pay the price. Distracted driving, which involves cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of operating your vehicle, is a risky behavior that endangers everyone on the road. “Arriving late is better than never arriving. Stay focused, stay safe and reach your destination without distractions,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Remember: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.” According to IDOT statistics, 260 people died and 29,458 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, 58 people were killed in crashes involving at least one distracted driver, 4.7% of all traffic fatalities that year. All o

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Tickets will go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11.

SHILOH — New and soon-to-be parents in the Shiloh area are invited to attend the Baby in Bloom Pop-Up Shower for Growing Families, a free event hosted by Memorial Hospital Shiloh on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital, located at 1404 Cross St., Shiloh, IL 62269. The Baby in Bloom event aims to provide essential resources for parents, covering topics such as planning a healthy pregnancy, infant safety, and the transition into parenthood. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals and access a variety of informative offerings. Among the highlights of the event are discussions on childbirth, breastfeeding, and the various care options available at Memorial Hospital. Participants will also be able to tour the Family Care Birthing Center and learn about the hospital's Level II E Special Care Nursery. Additionally, information will be provided about the OB Emergency Department,

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WOOD RIVER - State Representative Amy Elik’s office will be hosting mobile office hours in Wood River on Monday, April 14, 2025 to meet with constituents who need help with issues concerning a State of Illinois agency. Rep. Elik’s staff will be available to meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Wood River City Hall, located at 111 N. Wood River Ave. in Wood River. “I know that there are people in my district who can’t always drive all the way to my District Office in Alton to receive help with a state agency,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “That’s why I’m bringing my office to you! Stop by if you’re having an issue with a state agency and my staff will be there to help.” Mobile office hours are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged but not required, however scheduled meetings will take place in the order in which they were received. To schedule a meeting, please call State Representative Amy Elik’s

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SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored a group of creative fifth and sixth grade students selected for their artistic and writing skills used to express environmental awareness, as part of the Agency’s Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest. The students selected from throughout Illinois were recognized at a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. Each year, fifth and sixth grade students in Illinois take part in the Poster, Poetry, and Prose contest as one of the Agency’s environmental education initiatives. As part of the contest, participating schools study environmental concepts with an emphasis on the current year’s environmental theme. Teachers round out the classroom instruction by having the students create posters or poetry/prose works to illustrate what they have learned and submit these to the Illinois EPA. Participating schools can select four works in each category to

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the Tuesday, April 15, 2025 deadline is quickly approaching for filing 2024 state individual income tax returns. The agency began accepting and processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 27, 2025 the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting federal returns. "We encourage taxpayers to file electronically and choose direct deposit in order to ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds," IDOR Director David Harris said. Illinois is participating in the free IRS Direct File program this year. Eligible Illinois taxpayers can use the program to file their 2024 federal returns directly with the IRS. Federal return information can then be transferred into MyTax Illinois, to file Illinois individual income taxes at no cost. Direct File eligibility can be confirmed by visiting https://directfile.irs.gov . “IRS Direct File offers free federal tax return filing

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is working with area early childhood agencies to take part in the annual Week of the Young Child (WOYC), which runs from Saturday-Friday, April 5-11, 2025, and is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). SIUE is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois: Regions 50 and 41, Brightpoint, Madison County Alliance for Children & Families and the Metro East Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children. SIUE participants include the School of Education Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Department of Teaching and Learning, the Early Childhood Center (ECC) and the Head Start/Early Head Start Program (HS/EHS). “The Week of the Young Child is a national celebration of the power and importance of early childhood education,” said Rebecca Swartz , PhD, assistant professor in the SEHHB Department of Teaching and Learning. “High-quality early childhood education experiences

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April 8th has witnessed a myriad of significant events throughout history, shaping the world in various ways. As we look back in time, April 8, 1974, marked a pivotal moment in sports history when Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing record in Major League Baseball. Aaron's achievement transcended the sport, symbolizing the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the United States during a time of racial tension. The event was celebrated by many, but it also faced backlash from those who were resistant to change. Aaron's legacy continues to inspire athletes and fans alike, as he is remembered not just for his incredible skill but for his perseverance in the face of adversity. In the realm of science, April 8, 1966, was a significant date when the famous Time magazine cover posed the provocative question, "Is God Dead?" This issue sparked a nationwide debate regarding religion's role in modern society and the burgeoning influence of science

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