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Illinois bill preventing library book bans passes Senate

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) - Illinois is one step closer to ensuring none of the libraries in the state ban any books. The bill would make any municipal library who bans material based on partisan or doctrinal disproval ineligible to receiving any state-funded grants. Libraries have to show they follow the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights or issue a statement they will prohibit banning controversial library materials. Secretary of State files legislation to prevent book banning in Illinois libraries The bill is in contrast to states like Florida, Texas, Indiana and Missouri who have passed laws that restricted books based on discussion of race and LGBTQ identities. The ALA found in 2022 more than 1,200 public libraries and schools across the U.S. faced banned book challenges, with objections to more than 2,500 books. Book ban attempts hit record high in 2022, library org says "We feel we have to protect their bill of rights at this particular point in time...

15-year-old Alton boy gunned down; suspect in custody

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - Investigators with the Alton Police Department say the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy was "not a random act of violence," and that the victim and suspect knew one another.The shooting happened around 12:50 p.m. in the 2600 block of Maxey Street. The victim was shot in the chest and later died from his injuries.Police have not yet disclosed the identities of the victim or suspect.The victim's neighbors and friends were too distraught to go on camera, but they are devastated that this young life was taken.“I heard later it was a 15-year-old young man had been shot, and the police were talking to the other boy that was there and was saying, ‘Where is the shooter?’” a neighbor said. “Anyone that go through that type of tragedy, my heart goes out to them.” As legal battles mount, Kim Gardner takes nursing classes The victim's family said he enjoyed playing sports and was a caring young man as they try and deal with this tragic loss.“On and off the...

Second teen charged in deadly Collinsville shooting

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - Two teenagers face felony charges in connection with a deadly shooting last week in Collinsville, the latest charged Tuesday. Prosecutors have charged Jason Jerez-Hooker, 18, with two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in the investigation. His bond is set at $5 million in the case, per Illinois court records.Last week, prosecutors also charged Isaiah Jenkins, 16, with two counts of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He is jailed on a similar bond. As legal battles mount, Kim Gardner takes nursing classes The shooting happened around April 24 in a neighborhood on North Seminary Street, near the Collinsville Police Department. Police say Vaeden Hawkes, 19, died from his injuries.Following the gunfire, witnesses reported seeing four people running from the scene and were able to provide officers with descriptions. Police searched the area and quickly found thre...

Meet the team behind this 135-year-old local non-profit 

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

Annie Malone Children and Family Services is known as a great refuge for many St. Louis children and families in need. Meet the team behind the scenes and what they do day in and out for the community. Known for their May Day Parade coming up on Sunday, May 21st join in and help raise funds for their many services by registering today at anniemalone.com

St. Louis police make notable change to non-emergency phone line

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will soon make a notable change to its non-emergency phone line, one which police say will better serve the city. SLMPD will switch to a fully-automated non-emergency phone line Thursday. Police say the hotline number (314-231-1212) will serve as a routing system to forward callers to specific agencies within the city or police units. As legal battles mount, Kim Gardner takes nursing classes According to SLMPD, the change happens to alleviate the city's 911 communications center from non-urgent calls that could interfere with calls for emergencies, like shootings, robberies and other critical situations. “Our dispatchers work hard every day handling a high volume of 911 calls to our Communications Center,” said Lt. Adam Koeln, Commander of the Communications Division. “With the new automated non-emergency hotline, our goal is to provide better, more efficient services and response times to both emergency and non-emergency m...

Educators ‘outraged’ after attorneys argue 1st-grade teacher shot in school is ‘workplace injury’

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS — The Newport News Education Association President condemned the premise of the school division’s motion to dismiss Abigail Zwerner’s pending $40 million lawsuit.The motion was filed last week by attorneys representing the School Board and argues that Zwerner, who was shot in her classroom at Richneck Elementary in January by a 6-year-old student, is only entitled to file a worker’s compensation claim because the injury she sustained from the shooting is a “workplace injury,” and that the shooting was a hazard of the job.James Graves, the president of the Newport News teachers union, says that argument is “ridiculous.”“This is not military, this is not the police department. This is an education system,” Graves said in an interview Wednesday.In a Facebook statement posted Tuesday, Graves said, “These lawyers have started a significant hurricane in our district by saying that being shot is part of what teachers signed up for.”Such statements, he said, are “a slap i...

Judge rejects lawsuit seeking to block Bonnie Brae’s first pot shop

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

A Denver judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by eight people who live near Bonnie Brae, clearing the way for that neighborhood’s first dispensary to open next month.District Court Judge Christopher Baumann ruled April 28 that the residents’ Dec. 12 lawsuit was filed one week too late and therefore outside a 28-day statute of limitations.“This court is not in receipt of any competent evidence to justify an alternative finding,” he wrote.The judge’s order is a win for Silver Stem Fine Cannabis, which asked the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses last March to let it transfer one of its existing retail and medical licenses to 2331 E. Ohio Ave., just around the corner from Bonnie Brae Ice Cream.Public hearings were held over two days in June, after which a hearing officer recommended that Excise and Licenses approve the application. On Nov. 7, it was approved.“We are looking forward to opening our Silver Stem store in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood next month,” said Stan Zislis, chi...

California state senator arrested for drunk driving in Sacramento

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

California State Senator Dave Min (D-Orange County) faces a misdemeanor DUI charge after he was pulled over for driving without headlights on and running through a red light in Sacramento, officials said.According to a statement from the Capitol Protection Section of the California Highway Patrol, CHP officers noticed Min’s silver Toyota Camry traveling southbound on 9th Street near S. Street, just blocks from the State Capitol, without headlights around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.“The officers followed the vehicle to 9th St. at Broadway where they observed the vehicle stop at a red light momentarily but then proceed into the intersection while the light remained red,” the agency said in a statement.Officers pulled over Min and noticed “signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication.” He was placed under arrest after officers determined that he was over the legal limit, CHP said.It was unclear if he was administered a breathalyzer test.Min was cited for misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence w...

Expecting a raise? Don't hold your breath

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

The inflation rate is currently running at about 5% -- more than double what the Fed would like to see -- so it's not unreasonable for many workers to be expecting a little salary bump to help make ends meet.A recent survey by payroll processor ADP found that most U.S. workers are expecting a raise this year, with the average anticipated increase running between 6% and 7%.But the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that economic uncertainty and the likelihood of a recession are prompting many employers to be more cautious when it comes to compensation.If you do get a raise, it will probably be closer to 4%, the Journal reported. If so, that would lag the inflation rate and keep many households living paycheck to paycheck."We’re seeing a lot more prudence into how those compensation increases are delivered," the paper quoted one expert as saying.These are frustrating times for many employees, not least because executive pay seems to keep soaring while layoffs and cutbacks overshad...

California's ranking drops in 'Best States' annual report

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:18 GMT

California was considered the country's 33rd “best” state, according to the latest Best State Ranking from U.S. News and World Report.The annual study used survey data to measure how well the 50 states serve its residents. Researchers analyzed more than 70 metrics across eight categories, including health care, education and economy. One California location named among the ‘most beautiful’ places in the world Here is where the Golden State ranked in the following categories: 6th: HealthCare20th: Education:23rd: Crime and Corrections:29th : Economy30th: Natural Environment:34th: Infrastructure39th: Fiscal Stability50th: OpportunityThe Golden State’s overall 33rd ranking for the “best” state is a decline from its placement in 2021 when it was considered the 24th “best” state.  Researchers found that the top 10 best states were:UtahWashingtonIdahoNebraskaMinnesotaNew HampshireIowaWisconsinVermontFloridaUtah took the top spot from Washington, which held the position for two ...