Less restrictive Covid-19 rules go into effect in the Metro-East

Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in the Metro-East, but there’s still no indoor dining. The Illinois Department of Public Health says improving Covid numbers prompted the drop into Tier 2 mitigations starting today (Friday) in Region 4, which includes St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Clinton, Bond and Washington counties Meetings and social gatherings can have…

Austin wins Senate confirmation as 1st Black Pentagon chief

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lloyd J. Austin, the West Point graduate who rose to the Army’s elite ranks and marched through racial barriers in a 41-year career, has won Senate confirmation to become the nation’s first Black secretary of defense. The vote gives President Joe Biden his second Cabinet member; Avril Haines was confirmed on Wednesday…