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Illinois Lottery celebrates 50 years of rich history, from pingpong balls and TV drawings to minting folk-hero millionaires
The Illinois Lottery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first drawing this week, a pioneering gamble that has become an enduring cash cow for the state, and a shared fantasy for millions of players. Plunk down a couple of bucks, stick a ticket in your wallet and, for the...
IDNR looking for public comment on next round of mine reclamation projects
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking for the public’s thoughts on proposed mine reclamation projects, including some in Central Illinois. The funding for the project comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. IDNR was awarded $75.7 million in grants for the first year of […]
37th annual Tugfest returns to Mississippi Riverfront
PORT BYRON, Ill. — A longtime Quad Cities tradition returns to the Mississippi Riverfront this weekend. Port Byron in Illinois and LeClaire across the river in Iowa will be hosting the 37th Annual Tugfest, with festivities starting Aug. 8 and lasting through Aug. 10. The bi-state tug-of-war competition dates...
Butter believe it: Illinois State Fair kicked off with unveiling of 800 pound butter cow
Governor Pritzker, First Lady MK Pritzker, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton presided Wednesday, a day ahead of the Illinois State Fair’s opening day, over the unveiling of this year’s butter sculpture. It’s the 103rd butter cow.
BND editor, general manager is retiring. Belleville native appointed new top editor
After 20 years as editor, Jeffry Couch is stepping down Aug. 23. Todd Eschman will be the new executive editor. “It’s been an honor serving Belleville and southwestern Illinois readers as the editor of this 166-year-old institution. I am so grateful,” Couch said.
'A fed bear is a dead bear': St. Louis area bear sightings pose dangers to both residents and bears
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A black bear's recent light-hearted welcome into the Metro East could result in its future death, conservationists warned. The bear, named "Dewey" by local Facebook accounts, was spotted in a tree in Columbia, roamed around Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, and even prompted a post from the Fairview Heights Police Department. It likely came from Missouri, since there are no recorded black bear populations established in Illinois.
Illinois Legislature Declines to Vote on Gun Safety Laws as Crime Rates Rise in Chicago
Bills Aimed at Public Safety and Transparency Fail to Garner Support for Vote. Three proposed bills aimed at preventing gun violence and increasing transparency and accessibility for the public of police activity failed to receive a vote this past spring session despite being introduced at the start of the year. Those bills were known as Karina’s Bill, the Homicide Victims’ Families’ Rights Act, and the Homicide Data Transparency Act. Karina’s Bill, named after Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter who were murdered by their husband/father when they had an active order of protection against him, would both clarify the process for removing guns after being ordered to do so by a judge and expand the protection for “intimate partners” not just a spouse or co-parent. The Homicide Victims’ Families’ Rights Act would create a pathway for families to petition a police agency to assign an open cold case for an unresolved murder to a new detective. The Homicide Data Transparency Act would require law enforcement agencies to publish various information about the number of homicides and shootings over a set period of time, along with their clearance rate, monthly via their website. State Representative Kam Buckner, who was lead sponsor for the measure that deal with victims family rights and data transparency, is hopeful that the bills would be voted on during the upcoming fall session, saying, “It’s just the way that Springfield works, but we got to stay on it and do all we can to get it over the finish line.” Adding about the need for the bills he sponsored, Buckner stated, “This is about making sure that people who have suffered these unthinkable fates have their police departments and their government working for them,” he said, “that these families don’t get left behind.”
Two arrested when stolen car taken from Central City is recovered
Two Centralia residents were arrested on various charges and St. Clair County warrants when they were allegedly found in a stolen vehicle taken in Central City. Centralia Police located the vehicle parked in the 200 block of South Poplar based on information received by Central City Police. The driver, 52-year-old...
'A thorny history': How some athletes were forced to compete in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics
ST. LOUIS — The 2024 Paris Olympics has captured the world's attention. But, did you know that 120 years ago, Olympians were competing in St. Louis? Trained athletes weren't the only people competing in the events. People from around the world with practically no training were forced to compete...
Missouri auditor to focus on SLPS deficit, transportation, and more beginning next week
Missouri's top auditor is looking into finances at one of the largest public school districts in the state. Taxpayers want answers from Saint Louis Public Schools surrounding staff hires, a multi-million dollar budget drop, and curriculums.
City Museum teams up with KidSmart for school supply drive
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4)—The City Museum needs help packing the school bus on top of its roof with school supplies. The St. Louis staple has teamed up with KidSmart to fill the school bus on its roof with school supplies. Visitors to the City Museum are asked to bring in five items to get $5 off their entry fee.
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