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ICE Is Going On A Surveillance Shopping Spree

2 months ago
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a new budget under the current administration, and they are going on a surveillance tech shopping spree. Standing at $28.7 billion dollars for the year 2025 (nearly triple their 2024 budget) and at least another $56.25 billion over the next three years, ICE’s budget would be the envy of many […]
Cooper Quintin

More Developer Money to Nexus PAC

2 months ago
Nexus PAC received a $10,000 contribution on January 12, 2026, from developer Paric Holdings. The PAC is the legal money laundry for lobbyists at Nexus Group. Some redevelopments in St. Louis City involving Paric include The Victor (Butler Brothers Building), One Cardinal Way luxury apartments,  Alexander Lofts luxury lofts, all in Downtown, and Robert Place Lofts … Continue reading More Developer Money to Nexus PAC →
mceselski

Visa processing for immigrants from 75 nations frozen by Trump administration

2 months ago
WASHINGTON — The State Department announced Wednesday it would suspend all visa processing for immigrants hailing from 75 countries because they are deemed likely to need governmental assistance in the United States, known as a “public charge.”  The State Department did not answer States Newsroom’s inquiry as to when the policy would take effect or […]
Ariana Figueroa

Durbin, Fischer's Protecting Children With Food Allergies Bill Signed Into Law

2 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today celebrated that their bipartisan Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act became law through an amendment in the newly signed Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Durbin and Fischer’s legislation will ensure school food service staff receive essential training about food allergies, so that they are better

Industry Veteran John P. Smith Retires After 41 Years, Including 25 at Tarlton

2 months ago

John P. Smith, CPE, has retired after a distinguished 41-year career in the construction industry, including 25 years with Tarlton Corp. in St. Louis. His leadership and expertise in estimating have been part of many high-profile projects and long-term client partnerships. Smith originally joined Tarlton in 1989, beginning a tenure that would extend through 2011 […]

The post Industry Veteran John P. Smith Retires After 41 Years, Including 25 at Tarlton appeared first on Construction Forum.

Tom Finan

Durbin Statement On Trump Administration Terminating Funding For Addiction Treatment, Suicide Prevention, And Rural Ambulance Services

2 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration terminated an estimated $2 billion in grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to treat addiction, mental health, and provide homelessness services. The grant cuts also affect Durbin’s longstanding bipartisan priorities to address childhood trauma and bolster rural ambulance services. Durbin’s office

Pritzker Administration Awards $36 Million In Grants For Local Park Projects

2 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced $36 million in grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants were awarded through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program. For the fourth year in a row, the governor ensured funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting

Durbin, Coons, Reed, Rosen Meet With Chinese Ambassador To The United States

2 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) met with Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, to discuss a broad range of issues including U.S. agricultural exports to China, the war in Ukraine, tariffs, fentanyl, critical minerals, and Taiwan. “At a time when the U.S. and China have a number of shared interests, as well a

Arctic Air Front Brings Cold to St. Louis Region

2 months ago
ST. LOUIS - A cold front moved through the St. Louis region Wednesday morning, Jan. 14, 2026, ushering in the first push of Arctic air and marking a significant drop in temperatures for the area in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jared Maples in St. Louis said the region can expect a stronger push of cold air from Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, into Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, with temperatures remaining below normal through at least Monday,