(The Center Square) – A second Florida state House Democrat has switched to the Republican Party, building on momentum that has expanded the Republican Party under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Here’s a link to the story at Center Square.

(The Center Square) − Pornhub will soon be inaccessible in 13 states after lawmakers passed a slurry of restrictions for social media and other internet sites.

Here’s a link to the story at Center Square.

(The Center Square) – With the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year coming soon, recent data shows that while college tuition and fees have inevitably increased, the cost of on-campus inflation is lower than usual.

Here’s a link to the story at Center Square.

(The Center Square) – About a dozen new Illinois laws set to take effect Jan. 1 impact employers.
Here’s a link to the story at Center Square.

(The Center Square) – The majority of Americans approve of the way President-elect Donald Trump is handling the presidential transition, according to a new poll.

Here’s a link to the story at Center Square.

There are two pieces of very good news that have come out of the infighting over H-1B visas for foreign skilled workers in Trump World this week. The first happy accident is that tensions are already easing, much to the chagrin of liberals who hoped they were witnessing a permanent schism.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

On February 4th, 2023 at approximately 9:45 p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Joplin and Grand Street. Through investigation, police arrested Devin L. Eubanks, age 26, of Sesser for driving while license suspended. Eubanks was provided a copy of his citation and was later released from the scene.

On February 4th, 2023 at approximately 11p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of West Main Street. Through investigation, police arrested Audrey C. Shadowens, age 21, of Herrin for driving while license suspended. Shadowens was provided a copy of her citation and was later released from the scene.

On February 7th, 2023 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Benton Police arrested Michael S. Newberry, age 38, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear for retail theft. Newberry was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 7th, 2023 at approximately 9:15 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of North Ninth Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Through investigation, police arrested Samantha D. Thebeau, age 31, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Thebeau also had an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear for theft. Thebeau was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Lawyers for R. Kelly early Friday asked a federal judge in Chicago to sentence the disgraced R&B singer to about 11 years in prison for his conviction last year for repeatedly sexually abusing his teenage goddaughter and others on videotape decades ago.

Here’s a link to the story.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s second-term legislative agenda will kick off in earnest next week as he proposes his fifth annual state budget to lawmakers in the General Assembly.

Here’s a link to the story.

Social media has significantly changed politics and journalism, says an analyst from the University of North Carolina

Here’s a link to the story.