CHICAGO (AP) – The state Department of Employment Security says unemployment decreased in Illinois in August, the fourth-straight monthly drop. But state officials were not celebrating the drop in the unemployment rate to 5.5 percent from 5.8 percent in July. Instead on Thursday department Director Jeff Mays noted that the state also lost jobs in…
ST. LOUIS (AP) – The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri assembles an AR-15 assault rifle – blindfolded – then dares the incumbent Republican to do the same. The TV ad released Thursday by Jason Kander is the latest salvo in a race that could be a factor in determining control of the Senate. Incumbent…
St. Charles, MO Â (KTRS) Â Child welfare advocates are gathering in St. Charles this week for the 12th annual Midwest Justice For Children Conference. The three-day event is a joint effort between the Child Center in Wentzville and the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The conference, which is being held at the St. Charles Convention…
CHICAGO (AP) – Social service providers are appealing a judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit asking the court to force payment on contracts with the state of Illinois. The Pay Now Illinois coalition said Thursday morning that it intends to appeal Cook County Judge Rodolfo Garcia’s Aug. 31 ruling to an Illinois appeals court. Garcia says…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Gov. Jay Nixon is making more budget cuts after Missouri lawmakers overrode his vetoes on several bills creating new tax breaks. The Democratic governor has scheduled a Thursday afternoon press conference to announce details of the budget cuts. That comes one day after the Republican-led Legislature overrode vetoes of bills…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – An attorney defending a proposal to raise Missouri tobacco taxes for early childhood programs says taking it off the ballot would violate backers’ constitutional right to use the initiative petition process. Attorney Jane Dueker argued Thursday to state Supreme Court judges that it should go to voters Nov. 8, despite…
ATLANTA (AP) – Jimmy Carter says the United States is experiencing “a resurgence of racism” and he’s calling on Baptist faith leaders to foster change in their communities. The former U.S. president spoke Thursday at a summit hosted by the New Baptist Covenant, which he convened in 2007 to unite Baptists. Carter’s keynote address came…
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker Paul Ryan says he released his tax returns and “I think we should” do so. But he said he’ll defer to Donald Trump on timing. Ryan was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2012 and released his tax returns at that time. He made his comments in response to…
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has approved a $10 billion water projects bill that includes money for Flint, Michigan – nearly a year after a public health emergency was declared there because of lead-contaminated water. Senators approved the bill by a 95-3 vote. It goes to the House, where approval of a similar bill –…
St. Louis, MO Â (KTRS) Â Another member of the Hubbard family is being challenged over election results from the August second primary. Once again absentee ballots are at the center of another election dispute. This time its with St. Louis’ Fifth Ward Democratic Committeeman race. Rasheen Aldridge, who served on the Ferguson Commission, lost that race…