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Well… fuck the Supreme Court, I guess. That’s how law enforcement is working these days, bypassing the restraints of the Carpenter decision to do what they want, when they want, with whatever location data they can purchase from private third-party brokers. It’s the “third party” that counts. It’s also the narrower aspects of the Supreme […]

Voters in the City of St. Louis who want to vote an absentee ballot for the April 4, 2023, General Municipal Election may now do so.

When it comes to St. Louis-made beers, there’s a special place in Iain Shaw’s heart for Civil Life’s American Brown Ale. A staff writer for Sauce Magazine, his new essay “An Ode to Civil Life’s American Brown Ale” sings the praises of the popular local ale. Shaw discusses his long-standing fascination with the ale and its status as Civil Life’s flagship drink, and Dylan Mosely, head brewer at Civil Life, reflects on the ale’s creation and his reputation as a “malt whisperer.”

When it comes to St. Louis-made beers, there’s a special place in Iain Shaw’s heart for Civil Life’s American Brown Ale. A staff writer for Sauce Magazine, his new essay “An Ode to Civil Life’s American Brown Ale” sings the praises of the popular local ale. Shaw discusses his long-standing fascination with the ale and its status as Civil Life’s flagship drink, and Dylan Mosely, head brewer at Civil Life, reflects on the ale’s creation and his reputation as a “malt whisperer.”

Screenshot of journalist Matt Taibbi testifying during Congressional hearings on the "Twitter Files," a set of internal documents on the social media platform now run by Elon Musk.

During last week’s congressional hearings on the Twitter Files, Democratic lawmakers called Matt Taibbi a "so-called journalist" while urging him to identify his sources despite his repeated refusals. Rep. Jim Jordan vocally defended Taibbi’s First Amendment rights, which are not dependent on politicians’ approval of his work. Right-leaning media outlets echoed Jordan’s outrage.

They’re right. Press freedom is not a partisan issue and is not limited to establishment-approved outlets. But currently there is no federal law protecting journalists from being forced to burn sources. Republicans should seize on this moment and quickly move to pass the PRESS Act — a strong federal “shield” bill that came within inches of becoming law last year. Everyone benefits when the press can expose government wrongdoing by working with sources who do not need to fear for their jobs or freedom.

We’ve previously explained why Americans of all political stripes should oppose government surveillance of journalists (including “so-called journalists”). If politicians think a reporter got a story wrong they can use their platform to correct the record rather than retaliating. The disturbing comments at the Twitter Files hearing underscore the urgency of passing the PRESS Act without delay.

Notably, the hearing came days after reports that the Federal Trade Commission demanded Twitter identify journalists to whom it provided information — a tactic that could enable further monitoring of those journalists. And the legislators who unsuccessfully pressured Taibbi to reveal his sources have admitted they want more than just names. They apparently hope to spy on “discussions” with sources to fish for information on some amorphous deal, of which no evidence exists. That should send a shiver down the spines of anti-surveillance conservatives.

The PRESS Act would bar the government from monitoring journalists’ conversations with sources outside national security emergencies. It defines journalists broadly enough to protect both mainstream and independent outlets, regardless of whether their reporting may upset politicians. It’s also unconcerned with whether sources may have political agendas. Virtually all sources do, but Democratic representatives suggested last week that journalists should only accept information from those who pass some kind of purity test. The PRESS Act would ensure politicians can never make those self-serving judgments.

The PRESS Act passed the House unanimously last year. It had bi-partisan support in the Senate, including from co-sponsors Ron Wyden and Mike Lee, but it was, unfortunately, omitted from the year-end omnibus package before the last Congress adjourned.

It will likely be reintroduced this year. Last week’s debacle is far from the first time Democratic officials have targeted conservative journalists but it once again underscores why Republicans should make passing the act a top priority.

Conservative support of shield legislation is nothing new. In addition to Jordan, Republicans from Lindsey Graham to Mike Pence to Bob Goodlatte have urged Congress to protect journalists and their sources from government snooping. With Jordan serving as House judiciary chair and Graham as the ranking Republican on the Senate committee, the PRESS Act should stand a strong chance of advancing. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin also supports the act.

Republicans will have to overcome resistance from a minority in Congress who are under the false impression that a shield law would favor the “liberal media.” But last week’s events should dispose of that argument.

Now’s the time to make the PRESS Act the law of the land and protect “so-called journalists” from government overreach for good. And last week's hearing can serve as "Exhibit A" in making the case for the act to any skeptical conservatives.

From Gensler: This year’s Super Bowl was peppered with commercials for electric vehicles. EVs really seem to be having a cultural moment. What do you make of it? Dylan Jones: It’s interesting because there is so much thinking and attention being devoted to the vehicles themselves. The advancements there are nothing if not mind-blowing. But there’s this whole other […]

An Illinois lottery employee faces criminal charges for reportedly stealing books of instant lottery tickets and redeeming winning tickets for cash.

ALTON - A few local Papa Johns locations are participating in a fundraiser to benefit the Alton Community Service League - the fundraiser begins today (March 16) and runs until this Sunday, March 19, at the Alton, Wood River, Glen Carbon, and Waterloo Papa Johns locations. Those who order Papa Johns from those locations on those days using the promo code “ACSL” will get 20% off their order, and 20% of that discounted price will be donated to the Alton Community Service League. Public Relations Chair Jean Conrady said that money goes right back into the community. “The Alton Community Service League really does a lot of volunteering, and also as part of raising funds, we also give back to the community all the funds that are raised in beautification or in ways to help other organizations get their groups going,” Conrady said. “We give back to the community in grants and we also do some beautification projects throughout the community.” She said

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Motörhead's Snaggletooth mascot is now a character in Iron Maiden's Legacy of the Beast mobile game. As it's done with bands including Avenged Sevenfold, Ghost, Five Finger Death Punch and…

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Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was the victim of an attack outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, over the weekend. TMZ obtained the police report from the incident, which reveals Allen was…

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Jim Brainard’s exhibition “Bits & Pieces” creates assemblages made from found, often-neglected, objects such as tree bark, used matches, and corrugated cardboard. He also scavenges small mysterious pieces of trash

The post Jim Brainard appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Ryan Eckert’s structural abstractions explore ideas about the state of splitting worldviews, depicted through the lens of biblical Christianity. Eckert’s works in his exhibition:“Two Worldviews” presents the clashing of ideals

The post Ryan Eckert appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

Mario Trejo’s exhibition “Idiosyncratic Tantrums” features extensive accumulations that visually explore eternity and struggle through manic mark making. Considering the concepts of time, space, and number. He creates hundreds of

The post Mario Trejo appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell, when asked to characterize her new album, Send For Me, replied, “I love romance that swings.” Send For Me features a baker’s dozen of newly recorded

The post Catherine Russell appeared first on Explore St. Louis.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the CEO and President of Bi-State Development Taulby Roach to discuss MetroLink, the bistate transit system serving St. Louis and Metro East. During their meeting, the Senators heard from Mr. Roach about MetroLink’s new safety plan and proposed expansion to the transit system. Mr. Roach spoke about federal support for MetroLink, noting Durbin’s efforts to secure Federal Transit Administration (FTA) emergency relief funding to assist the transit system in recovering from extensive flooding in the Metro East region. “MetroLink fulfills an important service in keeping Illinois and Missouri connected,” said Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I had an impactful conversation this afternoon with President of Bi-State Development Taulby Roach about the future of MetroLink and ensuring that the transit system remains safe and accessible for every

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf urging them to enhance interagency coordination to address unlawfully marketed vaping products, and requesting more information about their enforcement efforts. Following a scathing independent review of FDA’s tobacco regulatory program that highlighted how inadequate enforcement efforts are jeopardizing public health, the agency recently announced its intention to convene a summit with DOJ related to tobacco enforcement, which Durbin’s letter commended. Durbin has slammed FDA for its continued lack of urgency as millions of children have begun using addictive e-cigarettes. For years, FDA has failed to regulate e-cigarettes—currently falling more than 18 months past a court-ordered deadline to review applications from vaping companies,

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ST. LOUIS -- The Fabulous Fox Theatre is sharing the shows for their 2023-2024 Broadway season. The eight shows are a mix of big hits and St. Louis favorites. The theatre is offering seven or eight show season ticket package. Season ticket package shows include Beetlejuice, The Tina Turner Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Funny Girl, Company, [...]