SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says negotiations on a budget deal are ongoing, but that no votes will be taken over the weekend. The Chicago Democrat appeared briefly on the House floor Saturday to say legislative leaders would meet again. The state is starting its third straight fiscal year without a budget. Republicans…
St. Louis, MO (KTRS) The Independence Day celebration is underway. The 135 V.P. Parade on Saturday morning kicked off the festivities. On Sunday Fair St. Louis will open in Forest Park. This will be the last year the event is held in Forest Park. The change of venue over the past few years has been…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has signed legislation to make it tougher to prove workplace and housing discrimination in court. Greitens signed the measure late Friday. The legislation has been blasted by Democrats and groups such as the state NAACP. The Missouri NAACP last week cited the measure in issuing an advisory…
Champaign, IL (AP) A man was charged Friday with kidnapping a visiting University of Illinois scholar from China who authorities believe to be dead after she disappeared three weeks ago. A federal criminal complaint alleges the suspect’s phone was used to visit an online forum in April called “Abduction 101.” Yingying Zhang, the 26-year-old daughter…