USDA says Illinois over-issued food stamps, may face significant fines

Illinois has been warned by federal authorities that the state has significantly over-issued federal food assistance to individuals who didn’t qualify and may face a large fine as a result.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A wrenching day in Washington: Top takeaways from the Ford, Kavanaugh hearing

Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh riveted Washington and the nation with hours of fiery, emotional testimony from the judge and Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing him of sexual assault when they were high schoolers. Kavanaugh denied the accusation.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Bost opts out of 12th district debate at Lindenwood in Belleville

The campaign for U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who is seeking a third term in Congress, says he does not plan to participate in a 12th Congressional District candidate debate at Lindenwood University-Belleville on Oct. 16.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

After tumultuous Kavanaugh hearing, swing-vote senators weigh judge’s fate: ‘It’s a tough one’

Following an explosive and, at times, highly emotional day of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, all eyes turned to several key swing-vote senators who remained outwardly undecided on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s fate late Thursday.

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

On eve of hearing, Trump stands by Kavanaugh as third accuser comes forward

President Donald Trump forcefully dismissed the accusations of sexual misconduct against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday, saying his views have been affected by allegations he has faced in his own life and vigorously denied

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

911 caller testifies attacker tried to stab him minutes before Van Dyke fatally shot McDonald

Prosecutors in the murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke have argued that 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was no threat to officers or civilians on the night Van Dyke shot him 16 times.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Education a key issue for candidates in Illinois’ 59th Senate race

CARBONDALE — This November, incumbent Republican Dale Fowler and his Democratic opponent Steve Webb are both vying to be the senator representing Illinois’ 59th District.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Despite national economic recovery, Illinois’ debt per taxpayer worse than during Great Recession

States are putting taxpayers on the hook for more and more debt, with Illinois among the state’s with highest tax burden per taxpayer in the nation, according to the latest report from public finance watchdog Truth In Accounting. 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

‘Absolute failure at every level in Alexander County’: HUD says findings could lead to civil, criminal charges

WASHINGTON — Appearing before a House subcommittee, a representative for Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General said that his team has sent findings of mismanagement at the Alexander County Housing Authority to the Illinois U.S. Attorney, which could be pursuing civil and criminal charges.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison after judge declares him ‘sexually violent predator’

At an age when other Hollywood stars are settling into retirement and collecting lifetime-achievement awards, an 81-year-old Bill Cosby was led away to prison in handcuffs Tuesday, sentenced to three to 10 years behind bars in what was seen by many of his accusers as a reckoning richly deserved and long overdue.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

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