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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)—along with 38 of their Senate Democratic colleagues—in introducing legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood following U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC-At Large) introduction of the bill in House. The bills are numbered S. 51 and H.R. 51, respectively, highlighting the lawmakers’ effort to admit Washington, D.C. into the Union as its 51st state. “Over 700,000 Americans who live in D.C.—including over 21,000 Veterans—are currently being denied full voting representation in both chambers of Congress despite the fact that they pay federal taxes,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Van Hollen, Senator Durbin and my colleagues in introducing this bill that would help right this injustice by providing D.C. residents with the same democratic representation

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Donald Trump says that if Russia doesn't settle its war with Ukraine he will put "high levels" of tariffs on Russian goods. Apparently no one has told him that we only imported $3 billion worth of stuff from Russia in 2024. Even for Russia that's only 0.1% of GDP. This is about like Belgium threatening ...continue reading "Trump reveals plan to end Ukraine war"

The 16th year of the St. Jude Dream Home contest in the St. Louis area has begun, with a new dream home to be built in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, and tickets going on sale for $100 each on June 5.

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched a new dashboard detailing information about all violent deaths and firearm-related injuries in the state. The new dashboard is presented in two parts: Illinois Firearm Injury Rates and Illinois Violent Deaths . It is intended to provide detailed information at the county level about these incidents, including the types of incidents (e.g., homicide, suicide, etc.), weapon type and where victims reside, broken down by county. The goal of the dashboard is to inform data-driven prevention and intervention efforts to reduce violent deaths and firearm injuries in Illinois. “Firearm violence is a public health crisis that requires public health solutions,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Modernizing how we gather and use data is critical to finding holistic solutions that address firearm violence in a comprehensive way. IDPH is proud to partner with the Joyce Foundation and Understory to

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the bipartisan Dignity in Pay Act (HB793) into law alongside bill sponsors Representative Theresa Mah and Senator Cristina Castro. The Dignity in Pay Act primarily implements a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage authorizations in Illinois, joining 18 other states in doing so. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) and the Illinois Department of Labor will lead the 5-year process—eliminating subminimum wage for people with disabilities by December 31, 2029. “Illinois is closing an era of an outdated two-tier wage system that let disabled workers make less money for their hard work,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The strength of the Dignity in Pay Act is that it not only sunsets an unfair wage policy, it puts an unprecedented emphasis on expanding employment opportunities for people across the spectrum of disability—strengthening rates, programs,

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Elton John is among the notable queer artists receiving nominations for this year's GLAAD Media Awards.Elton is nominated in the category of Outstanding Music Artist, for the soundtrack of his…

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Trump fulfills promise and pardons Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht's life sentence. (Ulbricht family; Official White House Photo) President Donald Trump, fulfilling a promise made at the Libertarian Party's National Convention in May, pardoned Ross Ulbricht today. Ulbricht had been serving a life sentence for his role in founding and operating the dark web marketplace Silk Road . As Trump put it in a Truth Social post: "in honor of , and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross." He said "the scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me." As I reported on his sentencing in May 2015 (he has been in prison since his October 2013 arrest): Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison with no parole…by Judge Katherine Forrest in U.S. District Court

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The band's sophomore album offers a more polished sound inspired by artists such as St. Vincent and Wye Oak.

Mayor Tishaura Jones discusses her re-election bid ahead of the March 4 primary.

ST. LOUIS - This week, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, and Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, along with support from Greater St. Louis, Inc., announced an agreement for the investment of funds from the Rams settlement. Through a series of amendments, the new TRANSFORM ACT combines components of Board Bill 153, sponsored by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, and Board Bill 131, sponsored by Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, representing weeks of negotiations between the bill sponsors, the business community, and the Mayor’s Office. “The changes being introduced to this bill are a reflection of governing at its best,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I want to thank Alderwoman Sonnier, Alderwoman Boyd, Greater St. Louis, Inc., and my own staff for working diligently to make this compromise happen.” “It has been an honor to work with Mayor Jones, Alderwoman Boyd, and the business sector to create legislation providing such a historic example of collaboration

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From the iconic "cheese caves" in Springfield, Missouri, to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, "American Truck Simulator Missouri" highlights the Show-Me-State's most unique features.

ST. LOUIS - Mayor Tishaura Jones will be in Jefferson City, Mo., on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, to testify against SB44 (Fitzwater), SB52 (Schroer) and HB495 (Christ), bills that would allow for state takeover of the SLMPD. You can find a copy of her testimony attached, and a few highlights below. Under state control, in 2006, St. Louis was the so-called most dangerous city in the country and ranked second most dangerous on the eve of the switch to local control in 2013 . Right now, St. Louis is no longer considered to be one of the top 10 most dangerous cities. Kansas City, the only remaining law enforcement agency under state control, has not matched St. Louis City’s success in crime reduction. In 2023, while our city saw a more than 20 percent decrease in homicides , Kansas City experienced a record high . In 2024 alone, more than $330 million in new, private investment in Downtown was announced. After 151 years of state control, advocates of local control

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Reports on use-of-force at St. Louis jails show that, despite 1,700 incidents, just nine resulted in injury. And the city hasn't reported a single injury since 2019.

BELLEVILLE – Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Patrick B. Mathis and Laura E. Schrick have been named 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers and Allyson T. Schwab has been named a Rising Star. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, releases a new list every year with the names of the top attorneys in each state according to their professional achievements and peer recognition among other distinguishing criteria. Their knowledge of the law, professional work ethic, and advocacy on behalf of their clients allow them to stand out among other attorneys in the field. The Super Lawyers list recognizes the top 5% of attorneys in each state. Pat was originally selected as a Super Lawyer in 2005 and has been named every year since then. Super Lawyers recognizes him as a top-rated tax attorney for his experience and skills in dealing with tax controversies, business tax issues, including tax audits, appeals and Tax Court litigation, and estate planning. Laura wa

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COLLINSVILLE - Louer Facility Planning, Inc., a leading provider of commercial interior design and furniture solutions in the St. Louis Metro East region, proudly announces the completion of its ownership transition. Yvette Paris, President, has successfully finalized the buyout of the business from its founder, Jane Louer, marking a significant milestone for the well-established firm. Founded in January 1996 by Jane Louer in Edwardsville, Louer Facility Planning has spent nearly three decades creating thoughtful, high-quality commercial interiors for corporate, financial, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. Paris, who joined the firm as an entry-level interior designer in 2006 after graduating from San Diego State University, became President in 2023. The company moved its headquarters to Collinsville, in January 2008, where its showroom in the Eastport area continues to evolve, showcasing adaptable design solutions that respond to changing workplace and

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Well, that didn’t take long. A short-lived win for civil liberties and the Free Speech Coalition has been undone by the Sixth Circuit Appeals court. The reasoning behind the roll back of the injunction are questionable, to say the least. The Free Speech Coalition’s case against Tennessee’s age verification law was solid. Or, at least, […]