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Governor signs HB2196, expanding poultry processing access for Illinois farmers

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance recently celebrated the signing of House Bill 2196 into law, a groundbreaking reform that expands on-farm poultry processing opportunities for small-scale farmers and brings Illinois regulations closer to federal standards and neighboring states. Championed by Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) and Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville), HB2196 increases the annual poultry processing limit…

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‘A la carte menu’ of topics announced for upcoming Lunch & Learn series

Each session in seven-month mental health speaker series highlights a different topic and is free to the general public Intellectual and biological appetites will be satisfied thanks to what the Psychological Services Department at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center will be serving through an upcoming Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series. Residents in and…

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Scale AI to open new, state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, geo-tech center

Scale AI, a national leader in artificial intelligence and geospatial technology, recently announced that it will locate its state-of-the-art AI center in St. Louis’s historic Post Building, a major center for the city’s geospatial ecosystem. Scale AI’s St. Louis AI Center was founded to support the critical geospatial data needs of the U.S. Government. The company’s…

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Flyin’ High: First Global Aerospace Summit held, leaving behind indelible regional impact, planned return

By RANDY PIERCE [email protected] Designed to focus upon the strength of the St. Louis area as it relates to the aerospace and aviation industries, the first-ever Global Aerospace Summit was presented by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois in partnership with the counties of Madison and St. Clair and Bi-State Development’s St. Louis Regional Freightway in…

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U.S. agricultural trade deficit reaches new record high

By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek  The U.S. ag trade deficit climbed to a new high the first half of 2025. The deficit hit a record $28.6 billion through June, according to USDA data released this month. Ag exports through June totaled $85.6 billion with imports totaling $114.1 billion, a deficit of nearly $29 billion compared to…

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Macoupin County law enforcement personnel charged after weekend incident

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] On Aug. 20, 2025, the Staunton, Illinois Police Department released an official statement regarding an incident that had occurred over the past weekend involving three Macoupin County law enforcement personnel. The official statement said that the Staunton Police Department had been contacted by the victim’s…

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