a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Duckworth, Warren and Colleagues Demand Investigation After Uncovering DOGE Employee Gained Access to Sensitive Education Department Data

1 year 4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to open an investigation into new information obtained by her office revealing that DOGE may have gained access to “two of FSA’s internal systems: Financial Management System (FMS) and Partner Connect,” in addition to sensitive borrower data. Following DOGE’s “takeover” of ED, the Senators opened an investigation into the matter. In response, ED disclosed that DOGE supported a review of FSA’s contracts, and to conduct this review, ED granted “one employee read-only access” to two of FSA’s internal systems, which both hold sensitive personal information for people on Title IV loan and grant programs. “Because of the Department’s refusal to provide full and complete information, the full

Continue Reading

SIUE PD Prepares Officers with Training that Applies to Reportedly One-Fourth of the Population

1 year 4 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE – As long as there are instances of people dealing with post-traumatic stress, depression and more becoming increasingly intertwined with responses from law enforcement, then it will remain critical for police officers to be properly trained in sensory inclusivity, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dominic Dorsey. Dorsey, Director of SIUE Office for Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) and President of SIUE’s Black Faculty and Staff Association, presented the topic of sensory inclusivity to the SIUE Police Department. “During a conversation with Director Dorsey, regarding how the SIUE PD could better serve our diverse community, he mentioned sensory inclusivity and the great training provided by KultureCity ,” said Patrol Officer Maria Ferrari. The department is in the process of obtaining sensory inclusion first responder certification from KultureCity. “Sensory inclusivity

Continue Reading

Steve Bannon Is Right About Elon Musk

1 year 4 months ago
Today on TAP: Trump has threatened to revoke Musk’s SpaceX government contracts. It would be better if he followed Bannon’s advice and nationalized SpaceX.
Robert Kuttner

Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bicameral Bill to Repeal the Gun Industry's Legal Liability Shield

1 year 4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During Gun Violence Awareness Month, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) and more than 80 Members of Congress in introducing the bicameral Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, legislation to ensure that victims of gun violence have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety. The bill would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), passed by Congress in 2005, which gives the gun industry a unique and unjustifiable legal liability shield that protects gun manufacturers from lawsuits. “The needless gun violence that too many Illinoisans—and Americans across the country—experience

Continue Reading

The TikTok Ban’s Third Snooze Button Proves It Was Always Bullshit

1 year 4 months ago
Remember when TikTok was supposedly an urgent national security threat that required emergency legislation? Funny how that “emergency” keeps getting 75-day extensions. Trump is reportedly about to hit the snooze button on TikTok enforcement for the third time, extending a deadline that was supposedly so urgent that Congress had to rush through legislation ignoring basic […]
Mike Masnick

Daily Deal: The Ultimate Python Programmer And Data Bundle

1 year 4 months ago
The Ultimate Python Programmer and Data Bundle has 9 courses that cover a variety of data science and Python related skills and tools. Start with learning the basics and move into learning how to use Keras, PyTorch, R, and more for data analysis and visualization. There’s more and it’s all on sale for $40. Note: […]
Daily Deal

Godfrey Parks Getting Extra 'No Smoking' Signage

1 year 4 months ago
GODFREY – Godfrey park visitors may notice more “no smoking” signs in the near future. Concerns were raised at last week’s Public Safety Committee meeting about people smoking near playgrounds and potentially exposing children to second-hand smoke. Local resident and physician Katie Sherer said the issue is especially urgent as cases of asthma and other respiratory conditions in children are on the rise. “Anything you smell, your body has to process and will deliver your lungs, so even the smell of the cigarettes and the non-smells of the vapes, are dangerous – especially for children with respiratory issues,” Sherer said. “I’ve seen a growing number of kids with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions that would really benefit from just having no exposure whatsoever.” One possible solution she and trustees discussed were “smoking huts,” though Sherer said they would have to be placed away from

Continue Reading

Jerry's Cafeteria Reopens in Granite City

1 year 4 months ago
GRANITE CITY - After a hiatus, beloved staple Jerry’s Cafeteria is open again. Located at 1920 Edison Avenue, Jerry’s Cafeteria has been a Granite City institution for decades. In October 2024, they closed the cafeteria side of their business to focus on catering. But thanks to the community’s support, they are open again from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday. “It’s looking like it’s going in the right direction,” said Mickey Loftus, general manager. “But running a small business, it’s tough, and we could definitely use more traffic. We’re not trying to be everybody’s competition. We just would like to be able to pay the bills and take care of our loyal customer base and continue to be a staple in Granite for however many more years we can make it.” Loftus explained that Jerry’s started 40 years ago. Owner Jon Roderick’s grandparents owned a tavern,

Continue Reading

Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair Draws Hundreds to Pere Marquette On June 7, 2025

1 year 4 months ago
ALTON — The 36th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair welcomed families to the National Great Rivers Museum on Saturday, June 7, 2025, offering free fishing activities, educational exhibits, and entertainment designed to connect children and adults with outdoor recreation and natural resources. Hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, the event featured more than 30 stations, including catch-and-release bluegill fishing, a One-Cast station where every participant earned a prize, and bow-fishing at moving and three-dimensional targets. Children who completed at least seven stations were rewarded with prizes and had the opportunity to catch trout from a stocked pond. Scott Isringhausen, urban fishing coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said the fair has been held since 1990 and continues to attract strong participation despite weather challenges. “We

Continue Reading

Crews working on water main break in Berkeley

1 year 4 months ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Crews are on the scene after reports of a water main break Monday morning in Berkeley. The main break took place at the 6300 block of James S. McDonnell Boulevard, outside of the Boeing Headquarters building. According to a spokesperson for Missouri American Water, the main break involves a 12-inch [...]
Nick Gladney