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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting where he outlined how Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi’s Justice Department is already stonewalling the Committee’s oversight efforts. Durbin also reiterated his calls for AG Bondi to provide to the Committee a memo she purportedly gave to the White House Counsel’s Office deeming President Trump’s attempted acquisition of a private jet as a gift from the royal family of Qatar “legally permissible,” despite its unconstitutionality and her clear conflict of interest with Qatar from past lobbying work. During his remarks, Durbin also noted that by this time in the Biden Administration, Durbin, as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had convened Judiciary Committee oversight hearings with the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons. He

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today nonfarm payrolls increased +4,100 (+0.1%) over-the-month to a new record high of 6,172,500 in April. The previous record was set in last month, with 6,168,400 jobs. Additionally, the March monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report of +14,800 to +10,900. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent in April, while the revised unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary March unemployment rate. The April payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job increases included: Government (+2,700), Private Education and Health Services (+1,700), and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,500). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-1,400), Manufacturing (-1,200) and Other Services

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WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the White House to work in good faith with Senators from both sides of the aisle to find U.S. Attorney candidates who will have home state support. Durbin cautioned that while this has been the case for filling some vacancies, not all Democratic Senators have been afforded the same opportunity to consult with the Trump White House. Durbin also noted that because of then-Senator J.D. Vance holding U.S. Attorney nominations during the Biden Administration, there is now a new precedent for roll call votes on the Floor for confirming U.S. Attorney nominees. For decades, the Senate confirmed U.S. Attorneys by voice vote or unanimous consent after they had been considered in the Judiciary Committee. That precedent changed during the Biden Administration when a Senate Republican refused

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Branch of the NAACP proudly announces its 60th annual Freedom Fund Banquet, scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the elegant Meridian Ballroom on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). This year’s banquet carries the timely and empowering theme: “Champions of Change: Building a Better Tomorrow.” The keynote address will be delivered by Orvin Kimbrough, Chairman and CEO of Midwest BankCentre and author of the inspiring memoir, “Twice Over A Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life.” Mr. Kimbrough’s journey from hardship to executive leadership embodies the perseverance, vision, and transformative impact that the NAACP continues to promote and support. Evening Highlights Include: Keynote speech by Orvin Kimbrough Recognition of local community leaders and youth scholars A full-course dinner and live entertainment Reflections on th

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STAUNTON – Rural broadband is more than making an Internet connection, it’s about connecting people and giving back to our local communities. This year marks the 20th year that Madison Communications has sponsored the Teacher of the Year Awards contest! Madison has proudly contributed over $35,000 to local area schools through this program. The Teacher of the Year program annually presents an award to three teachers, however this year they celebrated by awarding the top five teachers to celebrate their 20th contest year! The contest takes place from March 1 – May 1 and is divided into the nomination and voting phase. During the month of March, Madison received a total of 212 nominations and during the month of April, the teachers received OVER 20,000 votes! The five teachers who received the highest number of votes were announced May 1 on social media platforms as well as on their website! The 2025 Teacher of the Year winners are Breanna Seely from Mt. Olive Elementary

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt held a press conference to highlight legislation that would stop gyms and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits of a promised lifetime membership. “This bill is about fairness, trust, and making sure that when a business offers a lifetime membership, it actually means lifetime membership — not one year, not until they decide to change the deal, but for the life of the customer,” said Belt (D-Swansea). "We’re setting a fair and clear standard that responsible businesses are already following and that gym-goers deserve.” Senate Bill 314 requires physical fitness centers that offer so-called “lifetime memberships” to be upfront and transparent about any provisions in the contract that would allow them to raise prices or reduce benefits. These terms must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed — no fine print, no legal gymnastics. The bill also includes commonsense exceptions.

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ALTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project, in partnership with Jacoby Arts Center, is excited to announce its inaugural Plein Air art competition, “Mississippi Riverscapes.” This event is an open-air painting and drawing competition at Rivers Project recreation areas throughout the month of June and is open to all amateur and professional artists ages 16 and up. Artists will compete for regional and cash prizes, including a weekend artist retreat at the Green Tree Inn in Elsah, IL. The competition will conclude with the opening of the new “Mississippi Riverscapes” temporary art exhibit at the National Great Rivers Museum which will feature the artwork of all participants, as well as information about the featured Rivers Project recreation sites. Artists may paint or draw independently at any of eight selected Rivers Project recreation sites, any time between June 1st and June 22nd, 2025. For a one-time entry fee of $25, artists may submit

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ST. LOUIS - Meteorologists from the National Weather Service spent Saturday surveying tornado damage across St. Louis. They say the tornado touched down in Clayton, where the survey team found a lot of uprooted trees and large broken limbs, indicative of EF 0 damage. The tornado continued to strengthen as it moved northeast, uprooting more [...]

Garfield Lacy's sister visited him in the hospital Saturday night and is still very weak, but family members were able to talk to him.

TROY, Mo. — Ellie Sitton has been named the recipient of the inaugural Troy Fire Association Scholarship, the Troy Fire Protection District announced May 17. The district recognized Sitton for her commitment to helping others and extended best wishes for her future endeavors. The scholarship aims to support individuals who demonstrate dedication to community service. The Troy Fire Protection District congratulated Sitton in a public statement, highlighting her achievements and expressing admiration for her dedication. Sitton is an outstanding Triad High School student-athlete. She was a finalist in the IHSA Girls Sectional at Edwardsville in November 2024, placing fourth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.18 and sixth in the 100 breast with a time of 1:13.05.

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An area of showers mainly to the south and southwest of St. Louis moves eastward as it weakens. This trend continues through the morning and rain should be done by mid-morning. Then we'll see decreasing clouds and temperatures in the upper half of the 70s. Late tonight, a complex of storms will arrive from the [...]

At least five people are dead and 38 others are injured after powerful storms, including a likely EF-3 tornado, tore through St. Louis and surrounding areas on Friday. Now, questions are mounting about whether the city's emergency sirens worked or failed to sound before the deadly weather struck.

While Solar for All funds languish, the state continues to lag behind most of the nation when it comes to renewable energy.

Plant of the Week: Chamomile– pretty, pollinator friendly, a sweet apple scent, makes a great tea. How you can support St. Louis’ tornado relief efforts — and get help if you need it (St. Louis Public Radio) For those with a Bluesky account, here’s an excellent thread on St. Louis Tornado Mutual Aid by Brooke … Continue reading This Week in Gardening & Nature →