Trump ratchets up pace of executions before Biden inaugural

CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s presidency winds down, his administration is ratcheting up the pace of federal executions despite a surge of coronavirus cases in prisons. The Bureau of Prisons has in recent weeks announced plans for five executions starting Thursday. The flurry would conclude just days before the presidential inauguration of death penalty…

Former St. Louis Public Schools Security Officer Charged with Child Sex Crimes

Child sex charges have been filed against 50-year old Robert Ross of St. Peters. St. Louis County Police say Ross worked as a St. Louis Public Schools security/safety officer from from 2003 to 2006. He’s been charged with first-degree statutory rape, four counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, and three counts of first-degree child molestation. Three…

Biden adjusting agenda to reflect narrow divide in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the realities of governing under a divided Congress and the complications of legislating during a historic pandemic. His team and congressional Democrats are looking at ways they can wrap some climate change provisions into a coronavirus aid bill. They’re considering…