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Your news connection to Southern Illinois.
‘A good deal’: Granite City chops grocery tax as other Metro East cities keep 1% tax
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‘A good deal’: Granite City chops grocery tax as other Metro East cities keep 1% tax
Starting Jan. 1, the state of Illinois is no longer collecting taxes on groceries. While many Metro East cities elected to still charge 1%, in Granite City, groceries are tax free.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/good-deal-granite-city-chops-grocery-tax-other-metro-east-cities-keep-1-tax/
about 2 hours ago
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Only 2% of bills filed in Missouri made it to governor’s desk in 2025
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Only 2% of bills filed in Missouri made it to governor’s desk in 2025
This year, there are more bills than ever already pre-filed, over 1,700, and more are sure to come once lawmakers return for the session.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/02/only-2-bills-filed-missouri-made-it-governors-desk-2025/
about 3 hours ago
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Jefferson County couple warns of possible fake utility worker knocking on doors
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Jefferson County couple warns of possible fake utility worker knocking on doors
A Jefferson County couple is warning neighbors after a suspicious man claiming to be a utility worker knocked on their door Tuesday morning.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/02/jefferson-county-couple-warns-possible-fake-utility-worker-knocking-doors/
about 3 hours ago
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Jefferson County couple warns of possible fake utility worker knocking on doors
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Jefferson County couple warns of possible fake utility worker knocking on doors
A Jefferson County couple is warning neighbors after a suspicious man claiming to be a utility worker knocked on their door Tuesday morning.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/jefferson-county-couple-warns-possible-fake-utility-worker-knocking-doors/
about 3 hours ago
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Court ruling stops attempt to appoint interim St. Louis sheriff
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Court ruling stops attempt to appoint interim St. Louis sheriff
Efforts to replace Alfred Montgomery as St. Louis Sheriff are on hold after a new court ruling.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/court-ruling-stops-attempt-appoint-interim-st-louis-sheriff/
about 3 hours ago
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Two officers injured in late night crash in St. Charles
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Two officers injured in late night crash in St. Charles
Two St. Charles Police officers were recovering Thursday after being injured in a late-night crash.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/02/two-officers-injured-late-night-crash-st-charles/
about 3 hours ago
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Two officers injured in late night crash in St. Charles
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Two officers injured in late night crash in St. Charles
Police said the officers were responding to a call just before midnight when their patrol vehicle was involved in an accident with another vehicle.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/two-officers-injured-late-night-crash-st-charles/
about 3 hours ago
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‘A good deal’: Granite City chops grocery tax as other Metro East cities keep 1% tax
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‘A good deal’: Granite City chops grocery tax as other Metro East cities keep 1% tax
The new year can bring savings to some in the Metro East. Starting Jan. 1, the state of Illinois is no longer collecting taxes on groceries. While many Metro East cities elected to still charge 1%, in...
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/02/good-deal-granite-city-chops-grocery-tax-other-metro-east-cities-keep-1-tax/
about 3 hours ago
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As new year begins, some North St. Louis tornado victims ready to look to the future and move on from devastation
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As new year begins, some North St. Louis tornado victims ready to look to the future and move on from devastation
Early estimates from the City of St. Louis indicated more than 5,000 buildings were damaged in the storm. Many of those buildings included generational homes for families living on the city’s north...
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/new-year-begins-some-north-st-louis-tornado-victims-ready-look-future-move-devastation/
about 4 hours ago
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As new year begins, some North St. Louis tornado victims ready to look to the future
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As new year begins, some North St. Louis tornado victims ready to look to the future
Nearly eight months after a devastating EF-3 tornado ripped through the heart of St. Louis, those who lost their homes are looking to the future.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/new-year-begins-some-north-st-louis-tornado-victims-ready-look-future/
about 4 hours ago
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Woman hit by stray bullet in Ferguson
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Woman hit by stray bullet in Ferguson
A woman was hit by a stray bullet overnight on New Year’s Eve in Ferguson, a police department spokesperson told First Alert 4.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/woman-hit-by-stray-bullet-ferguson/
about 4 hours ago
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Large police presence in south St. Louis
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Large police presence in south St. Louis
There is currently a large police presence in south St. Louis.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/large-police-presence-south-st-louis/
about 9 hours ago
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Dog treats recalled for salmonella contamination
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Dog treats recalled for salmonella contamination
Dog treats have been recalled due to salmonella contamination.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/dog-treats-recalled-salmonella-contamination/
about 9 hours ago
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Shawnee Community College places fifth in donations for 'Feed the Need' food drive
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Shawnee Community College places fifth in donations for 'Feed the Need' food drive
Shawnee Community College placed fifth in Illinois' statewide "Feed the Need" food drive, collecting 10,750 items in total. SCC is the only campus in the region to finish in the
https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/shawnee-community-college-places-fifth-in-donations-for-feed-the-need-food-drive/article_c18a8663-9f81-46de-a784-80b29198972a.html
about 12 hours ago
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Here’s how new federal changes that start on New Year’s Day could affect you
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Here’s how new federal changes that start on New Year’s Day could affect you
Here is how new federal changes that start Thursday could affect you.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/heres-how-new-federal-changes-that-start-new-years-day-could-affect-you/
about 13 hours ago
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Child safe after being taken during car theft
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Child safe after being taken during car theft
Someone stole a car with a 1-year-old inside Wednesday evening, according to police.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/child-safe-after-being-taken-during-car-theft/
about 14 hours ago
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Shawnee MTD, Vienna launching new service on Jan. 5
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Shawnee MTD, Vienna launching new service on Jan. 5
VIENNA — Shawnee Mass Transit District, in partnership with the City of Vienna, announced a new transportation program that will make all in-town transit services free for Vienna residents.
https://www.metropolisplanet.com/news/shawnee-mtd-vienna-launching-new-service-on-jan-5/article_74ed189f-99be-5f4a-bb1f-bec650f2004e.html
about 16 hours ago
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SWCD director election is Feb. 23
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SWCD director election is Feb. 23
MASSAC COUNTY — The Massac County Soil & Water Conservation District of the State of Illinois will hold an election of directors on Monday, Feb. 23.
https://www.metropolisplanet.com/news/swcd-director-election-is-feb-23/article_8a18c196-c552-5d43-8154-0bfd18f8a0a9.html
about 16 hours ago
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MacKinnon scores 400th goal and Nichushkin nets hat trick as Avalanche rout Blues 6-1
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MacKinnon scores 400th goal and Nichushkin nets hat trick as Avalanche rout Blues 6-1
Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, including his 400th career goal, and Valeri Nichushkin netted his second NHL hat trick as the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 6-1 on Wednesday night for their...
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/mackinnon-scores-400th-goal-nichushkin-nets-hat-trick-avalanche-rout-blues-6-1/
about 16 hours ago
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St. Louis-area workers to build new fighter jets for Israel
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St. Louis-area workers to build new fighter jets for Israel
The Pentagon recently announced that Boeing workers in St. Louis will be building 25 new fighter jets for Israel’s air force
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/st-louis-area-workers-build-new-fighter-jets-israel/
1 day ago
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Homicide vigil honors victims as St. Louis sees lowest murder rate in over a decade
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Homicide vigil honors victims as St. Louis sees lowest murder rate in over a decade
While St. Louis saw a significant drop in homicides in 2025, loved ones of victims remembered them at an annual vigil.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/homicide-vigil-honors-victims-st-louis-sees-lowest-murder-rate-over-decade/
1 day ago
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Crime was down in 2025 in the City of St. Louis: Chief Tracy
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Crime was down in 2025 in the City of St. Louis: Chief Tracy
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2026/01/01/crime-was-down-2025-city-st-louis-chief-tracy/
1 day ago
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Missouri lawmaker looks for solutions to car theft problem
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Missouri lawmaker looks for solutions to car theft problem
Missourians experience more car thefts than most of the country. That’s according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau that ranked Missouri sixth in the country for car thefts per capita in 2025.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/missouri-lawmaker-looks-solutions-car-theft-problem/
1 day ago
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Southern Illinois towns receive housing rehabilitation grants
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Southern Illinois towns receive housing rehabilitation grants
On Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $8 million in grant funding for 13 communities across the state to support housing rehabilitation.
https://thesouthern.com/contests/southern-illinois-towns-receive-housing-rehabilitation-grants/article_c2ff45b3-757b-53c1-bb3b-7bd19fd505b0.html
1 day ago
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Cairo grocery co-op to close amid debt, reduced foot traffic
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Cairo grocery co-op to close amid debt, reduced foot traffic
Rise Community Market, Cairo's co-op grocery store, is set to close at the end of January after more than two years in operation, the board announced Wednesday. The final day
https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/tncms/asset/editorial/825d90ee-9ebd-4c9b-8f02-bec85a3f8fa6/
1 day ago
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Police investigating homicide near Lafayette Square
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Police investigating homicide near Lafayette Square
A man died Wednesday evening after a shooting in south St. Louis City.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/police-investigating-homicide-near-lafayette-square/
1 day ago
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‘This happens every year’; Long lines mark end of tax season in St Louis County
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‘This happens every year’; Long lines mark end of tax season in St Louis County
People who waited until the last minute to pay their taxes in St. Louis County faced long lines Wednesday
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/this-happens-every-year-long-lines-mark-end-tax-season-st-louis-county/
1 day ago
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving asking people to plan ahead and have sober driver for New Years Eve
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving asking people to plan ahead and have sober driver for New Years Eve
As New Year’s Eve celebrations take place across St. Louis, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is reminding drivers to make safe choices and help prevent impaired driving crashes
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/01/mothers-against-drunk-driving-asking-people-plan-ahead-have-sober-driver-new-years-eve/
1 day ago
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Mailed on Time, Postmarked Late: The New USPS Rule That Could Cost You
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Mailed on Time, Postmarked Late: The New USPS Rule That Could Cost You
As of December 24, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has officially updated its postmarking rules ...
https://www.920wmok.com/2025/12/31/50879/
1 day ago
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Trump administration freezing child care funds to all states amid investigation into fraud schemes
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Trump administration freezing child care funds to all states amid investigation into fraud schemes
States will have to provide more verification for the child care centers that receive funds from the Child Care and Development Fund, according to a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/trump-administration-freezing-child-care-funds-all-states-amid-investigation-into-fraud-schemes/
1 day ago
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New USPS rule could affect postmark dates for mail, like taxes or ballots
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New USPS rule could affect postmark dates for mail, like taxes or ballots
Mail may not be postmarked the same day it is dropped off.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/new-usps-rule-could-affect-postmark-dates-mail-like-taxes-or-ballots/
1 day ago
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St. Louis County mourns death of decades-long recreation leader
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St. Louis County mourns death of decades-long recreation leader
The man who spearheaded the creation of the Great Rivers Greenway and Metro East Park District has died.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/st-louis-county-mourns-death-decades-long-recreation-leader/
1 day ago
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Trump says he’s dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
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Trump says he’s dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
The move comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/trump-says-hes-dropping-push-national-guard-chicago-la-portland-oregon-now/
1 day ago
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SSM Health, UnitedHealthcare announce update in contract dispute
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SSM Health, UnitedHealthcare announce update in contract dispute
SSM Health and UnitedHealthcare have signed a letter of agreement on a new contract.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/ssm-health-unitedhealthcare-announce-update-contract-dispute/
1 day ago
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Keeping the Dream Alive: A Realistic Guide to Your 2026 Planner
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Keeping the Dream Alive: A Realistic Guide to Your 2026 Planner
Let's be honest: setting up a new planner feels great in theory, but life in Metropolis moves fast. Here at WM...
https://www.920wmok.com/2025/12/31/keeping-the-dream-alive-a-realistic-guide-to-your-2026-planner/
1 day ago
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Crime was down in 2025 in the City of St. Louis: Chief Tracy
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Crime was down in 2025 in the City of St. Louis: Chief Tracy
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Tracy sent a letter to the department on New Year’s Eve outlining why the City was safer in 2025.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/crime-was-down-2025-city-st-louis-chief-tracy/
1 day ago
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Here are the most popular pet names of 2025
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Here are the most popular pet names of 2025
According to a new report from Trupanion, Luna is the most popular name of 2025 for both dogs and cats.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/here-are-most-popular-pet-names-2025/
1 day ago
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WANTED: St. Louis police release photos of man sought in connection with downtown shooting
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WANTED: St. Louis police release photos of man sought in connection with downtown shooting
St. Louis police are asking for help identifying a suspect in a downtown shooting.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/wanted-st-louis-police-release-photos-man-sought-connection-with-downtown-shooting/
1 day ago
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Instagram influencer who described herself as a ‘con artist’ gets 16 years in prison for identity theft, bank fraud
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Instagram influencer who described herself as a ‘con artist’ gets 16 years in prison for identity theft, bank fraud
A social media influencer who scammed the federal government out of $1 million in disaster loans during the pandemic has learned her prison sentence.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/instagram-influencer-who-described-herself-con-artist-gets-16-years-prison-identity-theft-bank-fraud/
1 day ago
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New legislation would require some schools to teach students about Jan. 6 insurrection
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New legislation would require some schools to teach students about Jan. 6 insurrection
New legislation in New York state would require schools to teach students about the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/new-legislation-would-require-some-schools-teach-students-about-jan-6-insurrection/
1 day ago
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Kansas City law enforcement, FBI investigate threat at KCI
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KCI reopens after being evacuated, law enforcement reports ‘no credible threat’
Airport officials responded to a threat at Kansas City International Airport on Wednesday morning.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/kansas-city-law-enforcement-fbi-investigate-threat-kci/
1 day ago
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Housing Rehab Grant to Improve Safety, Neighborhoods in Sesser
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Housing Rehab Grant to Improve Safety, Neighborhoods in Sesser
SESSER – Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore says the city has been awarded a $650,000 Housing Rehabilitation Grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, funded by HUD. The grant...
https://www.w3dcountry.com/2025/12/31/housing-rehab-grant-to-improve-safety-neighborhoods-in-sesser/
1 day ago
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City of St. Louis announces new emergency shelter activation levels
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City of St. Louis announces new emergency shelter activation levels
Today, the City of St. Louis announced new emergency shelter activation levels to help increase predictability for those in need of shelter and shelter providers.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/city-st-louis-announces-new-emergency-shelter-activation-levels/
1 day ago
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Vandalia School Board officially approves zero increase tax levy, handles personnel matters
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Vandalia School Board officially approves zero increase tax levy, handles personnel matters
At their meeting last week, the Vandalia School Board officially approved their new tax levy for the next fisc...
https://www.vandaliaradio.com/2025/12/31/vandalia-school-board-officially-approves-zero-increase-tax-levy-handles-personnel-matters/
1 day ago
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From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact
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From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact
The world lost influential people in 2025, and some of their deaths had significant impacts.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/pope-francis-charlie-kirk-many-deaths-2025-had-wide-impact/
1 day ago
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Missouri awarded $14.24 million in federal funds for anti-drone security during World Cup
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Missouri awarded $14.24 million in federal funds for anti-drone security during World Cup
Drones have been a major part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup security conversation.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/missouri-awarded-1424-million-federal-funds-anti-drone-security-during-world-cup/
1 day ago
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Clydesdales to feature in Rose Parade on Jan. 1
www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/c...
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Clydesdales to feature in Rose Parade on Jan. 1
The Rose Parade in sunny Southern California is back again to ring in the new year, bringing a floral spectacle to crowds of excited spectators, many of whom will camp out overnight for a prime-time viewing...
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/clydesdales-feature-rose-parade-jan-1/
1 day ago
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Man struck, killed on I-70 in St. Louis County
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Man struck, killed on I-70 in St. Louis County
Police are investigating after a man was struck and killed on Interstate 70 in St. Louis County overnight.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/man-struck-killed-i-70-st-louis-county/
1 day ago
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Man struck, killed on I-70 in St. Louis County
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Man struck, killed on I-70 in St. Louis County
Police are investigating after a man was struck and killed on Interstate 70 in St. Louis County overnight.
https://www.firstalert4.com/video/2025/12/31/man-struck-killed-i-70-st-louis-county/
1 day ago
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Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here’s what to know
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Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here’s what to know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says after a slow start to flu season in early December, much of the country is now seeing a jump in cases.
https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/12/31/flu-is-rising-rapidly-driven-by-new-variant-heres-what-know/
1 day ago
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