Regional Media Podcast Network

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau recently highlighted several significant initiatives fostering community support and education. The Bushels for Hunger program has enabled area farmers to donate enough grain, translating to 1.7 million meals over 15 years, significantly aiding the River Bend Food Bank with a $21,523 contribution this year. Scholarships worth $50,000 have been awarded by the Bureau, with recipients soon to be announced. Additionally, the Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program is inviting applications, focusing on strengthening healthcare in rural Illinois. Upcoming events include the annual golf outing at Baker Park in Kewanee, set for August 8, 2025.

Russ Hughes joined Jennifer Russell in the Sav-A-Lot Studio for the April 11, 2025, edition of The Boiler Shop on Wake Up Tri-Counties. Russ talked about baseball, softball, and track. 

Galva Mayor Rich Volkert joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to recap the Monday, April 7th, Galva City Council meeting. The recent Galva City Council meeting addressed several key updates. Mayor Rich Volkert discussed proclamations for Junior Achievement Day and Arbor Day, emphasizing support despite the program's inactivity in Galva. The city has received 60 trees from Henry County's Soil and Conservation. Starting in May, a new water billing system will eliminate red tag notices.

Additionally, cemetery plot prices will rise to $2,500 to fund perpetual care and land acquisition. Jim Hartman was also honored with a plaque, recognizing his 8-year service as he retires. Lastly, spring cleanup is set for June, with further details forthcoming. Stay informed for updates.

State Representative Dan Swanson is taking strides to raise awareness about alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy affecting a growing number of people. His initiative, House Bill 1754, has passed the Illinois House and is moving to the Senate for review. The bill proposes the Tracking Infectious Cases Knowledgeably Act, pressing the Illinois Department of Public Health to create educational resources about this syndrome. It stresses educating communities and healthcare providers on the symptoms and diagnostic procedures. This effort aims to enhance understanding and swift diagnosis, combating this unusual red meat allergy tethered to tick bites.

A Rockford Democrat in the Illinois House is pushing legislation to ban the use of Indigenous mascots in schools, citing their offensive nature and impact on Native American students' well-being. The bill targets names like Redskins, Braves, and Indians, prohibiting logos depicting Native Americans or using symbols like feathered headdresses. Schools have until September 1, 2028, to phase out such mascots. The Illinois Association of School Boards raises cost concerns, labeling it an unfunded mandate for over 50 schools. Despite these challenges, the bill has cleared the committee and is poised for a House vote this week.

The Illinois Association of School Boards has voiced concern over the bill, as they argued it would be an expensive mandate for over 50 high schools across the state.   State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) brought up fact the legislation is another unfunded mandate on these schools that is full of concerns and inconsistencies.

In Illinois, a new legislative move aims to reward firefighters with academic credit. House Bill 1149, championed by Representative Dan Swanson, has successfully passed the House with a unanimous 115-0 vote. The bill mandates that higher education institutions in the state grant academic credits for firefighter training, similar to the existing arrangement for EMT training. Swanson believes that this incentive could encourage more individuals to pursue volunteer firefighting roles or further their educational pursuits. The next step for the bill is the Senate, where it awaits further deliberation.