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ISP Leads Human Trafficking Enforcement Operation In Columbia, IL.

1 year 3 months ago
COLUMBIA – In a concerted effort to combat human trafficking, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested five individuals during a two-day operation in Monroe County. The enforcement action, which took place from July 31 to August 1, 2024, in the Columbia area, targeted individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts. The operation led to the arrest and charging of the following individuals: - Deepak Chiluveru, 24, of St. Louis, Mo., charged with indecent solicitation of a child (Class 3 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony), grooming (Class 4 Felony), and solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony). - Tuan M. Huynh, 34, of St. Louis, Mo., charged with indecent solicitation of a child (Class 3 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony), grooming (Class 4 Felony), solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony), and armed violence (Class X Felony). - Leslie M. Johnson, 56, of St. Louis,

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Why did Bloomberg break the prisoner swap embargo?

1 year 3 months ago
Yesterday morning I was wondering why I hadn't seen any new reporting about the prisoner swap the previous night. Charlotte Klein has the answer: For days, various media outlets had been aware — through their own reporting and as information trickled out elsewhere — that a prisoner swap involving American journalists and dissidents was in ...continue reading "Why did Bloomberg break the prisoner swap embargo?"
Kevin Drum

Justice Alito Almost Messed Up The Internet; Then He Threw A Temper Tantrum

1 year 3 months ago
It turns out the internet was one Sam Alito petulant tantrum away from being a total disaster. In two key First Amendment cases, Alito was given the majority opinion to write. And, in both of them, his insistence on obliterating the old boundaries of the First Amendment caused other Justices to switch sides – and […]
Mike Masnick

Five St. Louis men arrested in Illinois human trafficking sting

1 year 3 months ago
COLUMBIA, Ill. -- In a two-day operation targeting human trafficking, Illinois State Police arrested five suspects in Monroe County. The sting, conducted from July 31 to August 1, 2024, focused on identifying those seeking commercial sex acts. All five suspects hail from the St. Louis area. Deepak Chiluveru, 24, Tuan M. Huynh, 34, Leslie M. [...]
Joe Millitzer

St. Clair County Mourns Loss Of Heroic K9 Havik

1 year 3 months ago
BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of K9 Havik, who died unexpectedly on Friday, July 26, 2024. Havik, a 9 1/2-year-old Black German Shepherd, had been a dedicated member of the department since he was 14 months old, serving alongside Sheriff Lee Hilty. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office said throughout his career, Havik was instrumental in numerous narcotic arrests and deployments, contributing to the safe apprehension of suspects and the recovery of lost citizens. His dedication and service earned him a special place in the hearts of both the department and the community. “Havik’s drive was to always do the best he could and his playful presence will be missed,” the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office stated. “K9 Havik was a big part in our department and in the community. Havik’s love for work and for everyone around him was seen in his eyes every day. We are grateful for the time and dedication

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Putin’s prisoner strategy: Just keep kidnapping Germans until they give in

1 year 3 months ago
According to the Wall Street Journal, the key figure in the recent prisoner swap with Russia was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. That's because the main sticking point was the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin serving a life sentence in Germany for gunning down a Chechen exile in Berlin: During a meeting in Saudi ...continue reading "Putin’s prisoner strategy: Just keep kidnapping Germans until they give in"
Kevin Drum

SIUE Fall 2025 Admission Applications Are Now Open

1 year 3 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - The Office of Admissions at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announced today that the fall 2025 admission applications are open. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply online at siue.edu/apply . "Students and families continue to seek out SIUE as a top-quality choice for higher education in Illinois and the Greater St. Louis area," said Samantha Ray, director of undergraduate admissions. "Graduates from SIUE earn more on average than other Illinois universities while being charged significantly less for tuition. At SIUE, we seek to make upward socioeconomic mobility possible for everyone." The $40 undergraduate application fee is being waived through December 1. There is a graduate application fee of $40. SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission consideration. For scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to apply by December 1. SIUE offers several need- and merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students, including the prestigious

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DCEO Celebrates National Black Business Month

1 year 3 months ago
CHICAGO – This August, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating National Black Business Month. Through the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), DCEO will host a series of virtual and in-person events highlighting Black businesses, organizations, and community leaders while also providing resources to Black businesses and entrepreneurs. This monthlong celebration will also include a social media campaign inviting and encouraging Illinoisans to shop Black-owned businesses through the “Shop Black Saturdays” social media campaign. Information about resources and events can be found on the DCEO website . “Black-owned businesses are the heart and soul of our state's economic success,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “This Black Business Month, we celebrate and honor the incredible contributions of Black entrepreneurs who drive innovation and enrich our communities. I couldn't be happier to join th

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Duckworth Joins Booker in Introducing Chance to Come Home Resolution   

1 year 3 months ago
– U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) this week in introducing a bicameral resolution aimed at encouraging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a pathway for individuals who have been unjustly deported from the United States to return and reunite with their families. The Chance to Come Home Resolution calls on DHS to use its legal authority to establish a centralized and independent process for reviewing emergency requests from individuals who were wrongfully removed from the country. “Far too many men and women have been cruelly, wrongfully deported—separating them from their families and the country they’ve come to love,” said Duckworth. “The immigrants who reside in America are our teachers, servicemembers, business owners, essential workers and more. For all that they contribute to our nation, I am proud to help Senator Booker introduce this resolution that advocates for a fair, humane

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