Election official lays out next steps for 3 Illinois judges
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – An Illinois State Board of Elections official says he’ll accept written arguments later this week in the case of three southern Illinois judges who plan to retire in name only to avoid retention elections that require 60 percent approval rather than a simple majority. The Belleville News-Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/1P45McI ) hearing…
Illinoisans can suggest new diseases for marijuana program
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois residents who want to add specific diseases to the state’s medical marijuana pilot program have another chance to submit suggestions during January. The Illinois Department of Public Health will accept petitions starting Jan. 1 and continuing through the month. The program allows people to suggest new diseases for the program twice…
Retired judges argue for back pay to Missouri Supreme Court
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Some Missouri retired judges say they were underpaid based on a 2010 policy change that tied state judges’ salaries to their federal counterparts’ pay. The judges’ attorneys argued to the state Supreme Court Monday that Missouri owes them back pay and an increase in retirement benefits. The judges’ lawsuit follows similar…
St. Louis County Police Department Implements Predictive Policing Service
( KTRS ) Starting this week, the St. Louis County Police Department will begin using a predictive policing service called “HunchLab”. Officials say the service will make it easier for police to pinpoint what areas are at the highest risk of crime. Chief Jon Belmar said “Not only is using predictive policing a step forward…
Illinois budget impasse hurting black population
( KTRS ) Lawmakers from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus say the state’s budget stalemate is having a big impact on the black population as youths miss out on financial aid for colleges and after-school programs. The group called at a Monday news conference for an end to the standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner…
Missouri bill would strip scholarships if athletes strike
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A state representative is proposing a bill that would take scholarships away from Missouri student athletes if they refuse to play. Republican Rep. Rick Brattin pre-filed the legislation last week in response to a threatened strike in November by the University of Missouri football team. The bill would require colleges…
University of Missouri teaching waivers scrutinized
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – A new report shows that almost 40 percent of tenure-track faculty at the University of Missouri received waivers that allow them to reduce their teaching load during their final academic years. According to the report, the majority of the waivers were for research purposes. The second-highest number of waivers went to…
Police investigate fatal attempted home invasion
(KTRS) – A burglar is dead, police say he was killed during an attempted home invasion in north county. The homeowner told police that he heard someone banging on his door around 10:30 and saw two people he did not recognize on his front porch. That is when the man said he went to get…