Featured News

Influenza climbs to ‘very high’ levels in Illinois; COVID-19 also on the rise

Featured News, Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against the spread of influenza (flu) and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, as rates continue to climb across the state. Flu activity in the state has climbed to “Very High” in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness […]

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Average gasoline prices fall nearly a penny a gallon in Missouri

Featured News, MO State News, News /

BOSTON, Mass. == Average gasoline prices in Missouri have fallen 0.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.46/g Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 3,940 stations in Missouri. Prices in Missouri are 16.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 26.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.  

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Senior Property Tax Freeze information is released

Featured News, News, Ste. Genevieve News /

ST. MARY – The city of St Mary has released information on the SENIOR PROPERTY TAX FREEZE (SB 190) which it says it received from the Ste. Genevieve County Assessor’s Office. According to the news release: Ste Genevieve County has adopted an ordinance in compliance with SB 190, regarding the Senior Property Tax Freeze. The

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New laws in Illinois

Featured News, Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 300 new laws took effect in Illinois on January 1, 2026.   These new laws cover a wide variety of topics, including policies that impact students, enhance educational opportunities, improve public health and healthcare access, support veterans, and more. Below is a summary of some of the more interesting new laws impacting

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Missouri health officials urge flu prevention amid seasonal uptick

Featured News, MO State News, News /

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reports a significant increase in influenza activity across the state as the 2025–2026 flu season progresses. As shown on the Missouri Influenza Surveillance Dashboard, DHSS has recorded 9,255 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and 558 flu-related hospitalizations statewide.     Incidence of flu in Missouri  

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Reset. Rebalance. Refresh. Dry January Starts with One Choice

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – January 1st marks the new year and a new challenge: Dry January. This is the time to reset and renew after an indulgent holiday season. Dry January is a one-month sobriety challenge where participants abstain from drinking alcohol for 31 days. The goal is to cleanse the body, adopt healthy new habits,

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Chester High School has six Illinois State Scholars for the 2025-26 school year

Featured News, News, Randolph County News /

Honorees include David August, Addison Gottschammer, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, and Camryn Wolff By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer CHESTER – Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle and School Counselor, , are pleased to announce that six students from the Chester High School graduating Class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. 

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Donate live Christmas trees to MDC after the holiday season

Featured News, MO State News, News /

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites Missourians to drop off their live Christmas trees in January to be used for habitat improvement around central Missouri.      MDC will accept trees at the following locations from Jan. 1-31: MDC’s Central Regional Office at 3500 E. Gans Road in Columbia Washington Park near

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Learn about native wildflowers, how to order native trees and shrubs, proper tree pruning and more

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ROLLA, Mo.– Want a healthier yard in 2026? Try going native! The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Rolla Parks & Recreation, and area organizations are hosting a Conservation at Home event for families and individuals at Eugene E. Northern Community Center on Jan. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon.     Learn about native wildflowers, ordering

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