Area News
AG Raoul wins court order blocking Trump administration’s dismantling of HHS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured a preliminary junction halting Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ensuring continued access to critical public health and social service programs. On May 5, Attorney General Raoul and a coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to stop…
Read MoreU.S. Attorney’s Office to participate in Collinsville naturalization ceremony
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The U.S. District Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both of the Southern District of Illinois, will take part in a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens in Collinsville on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. “As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence on Friday, we’re reminded of our country’s long-standing tradition of…
Read MoreFirst Mid Insurance Group’s Senior Solutions division receives Million Dollar Producers Award
First Mid Insurance Group recently announced that their Senior Solutions division, which assists Medicare beneficiaries and seniors with their health insurance needs, received the 2024 Million Dollar Producers Award from Senior Marketing Specialists. In addition, they were recognized for impacting 1,019 lives in 2024 through service and sales to their customers. “This recognition is a…
Read MoreState launches newly formed Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
llinois Department of Human Services integrates divisions to improve outcomes and access, promoting recovery and wellness for all Illinoisans On July 1, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the newly formed Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) has officially begun operations. Housed in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the new division integrates…
Read MoreIDPH adds more ZIP codes to lead testing list
State moves closer to implementing universal childhood lead testing in 2026 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced an expansion of its list of ZIP codes where lead exposure testing is required for children who live within those areas. 180 new zip codes, representing parts of 47 Illinois counties, have been added to…
Read MoreIDNR shares upcoming events, highlights for July
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for July as it continues marking its 100th anniversary in 2025: July 1 Application period opens for OSLAD park grants Statewide The application period for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants opens at 5 p.m. July…
Read MoreSt. Louis Regional Airport selected to host Air Race Classic in 2026
St. Louis Regional Airport has been selected by Air Race Classic Inc. to host the 49th Annual Air Race Classic Start event next year, in June 2026. Occurring annually, the Air Race Classic is an all-female piloted aviation race which provides upwards of 60 teams from around the country the opportunity to fly a pre-determined…
Read MoreMetro Transit’s July update for the Secure Platform Plan highlights continued progress
Metro Transit’s latest update to stakeholders regarding the Secure Platform Plan (SPP) reveals additional progress on the implementation of this strategic initiative aimed at enhancing safety, security, and the overall passenger experience across the St. Louis region’s transit system. The July 2025 update highlights key construction milestones, early impacts in terms of ridership trends and…
Read MoreCollege access, affordability bills signed into law by governor
New laws help high school students apply for college, reduce application fees On June 30, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), community college presidents, and legislators to sign bills into law that will support Illinois high school…
Read MoreThe Gardens at SIUE ‘sprout’ Ready Readers Storybook Walk
On Tuesday, June 24, Ready Readers, a St. Louis nonprofit with the mission of expanding literacy for early readers, planted pages of the children’s picture book, “Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep” by Author JaNay Brown-Wood and Illustrator Elissambura, in The Gardens at SIUE. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of 14 locations this June taking…
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