After days of frenzied lobbying and speculation, President Donald Trump decided on federal appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh for his second nominee to the Supreme Court, setting up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats as he seeks to shift the nation’s highest court further to the right.

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

If a suburban lawmaker has her way, this would be the last year that Illinoisans celebrated America’s independence with little more than snakes and sparklers.

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

QUINCY — When Dr. Michael Connolly moved from Wisconsin to Quincy in January 2017 to teach at Southern Illinois University’s Center for Family Medicine, he was shocked at the number of opioid prescriptions and substance use disorders.

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

On July 5, 2018 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Hoot N Holler tavern located at 107 Lewis Lane in reference to an alarm.

Upon investigating, police deployed K9 “Ranger” inside the business and three suspects were subsequently located hiding inside a storage closet.

Dalton Roberts, age 18, of Benton was arrested and charged with burglary and criminal damage to property.

Roberts was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Police also charged the other two juvenile suspects with burglary and criminal damage to property.

On July 5, 2018 at approximately 10: 50 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Sixth Street in reference to an intoxicated female.

Upon investigating, police  arrested Lisa A. Hobell, age 57, of St. Louis, MO for aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer.

On July 6, 2018 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of East Webster Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Lindsay N.Thomas, age 30 , of Benton for driving while license suspended and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

Thomas was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On July 6, 2018 at approximately 1:15p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Fred’s located at 215 Bailey Lane for retail theft.

Upon investigating, police arrested Christopher R. Braden, age 35, of Thompsonville for retail theft.

Braden was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Now that the November ballot has been all but certified, the gubernatorial candidates from independent political parties want to be included in the TV debates.

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

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner named three new appointees to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on Thursday, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

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

CARBONDALE — Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn is speaking out against an analysis of documents that found he colluded with SIU Edwardsville officials on a campus reallocation proposal and supported a bill to split up the university system.

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

The latest plan to ease Illinois’ teacher shortage aims to make it easier for out-of-state and retired teachers to get into Illinois classrooms. 

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

Three people were seriously injured in an early morning crash July 4 in Franklin County.

According to a report from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, John M. McCrelles, 51, of Ohatchee, AL was traveling westbound on Park Street Road and failed to stop at the intersection of Route 148 and struck a small pickup truck being driven by Jonathan A. Hood, 22, of Tamaroa, IL, who was southbound. The Park Street/Route 148 intersection has been the site of several serious accidents in the past.

McCrelles, and a passenger in his vehicle, Jeffrey S. Boatwright, 29, of Wellington, AL, received major injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Hood also received major injuries and was air evacuated to an out-of-state hospital. The crash is still under investigation and citations are pending.