Zeigler Health Fair aimed at underserved, rural populations

ZEIGLER — Residents of Zeigler and the surrounding community will have a unique opportunity Saturday, June 16, to learn about healthcare and other services offered in the region as part of the first Zeigler Health Fair.

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

SIU board chair disputes meeting on president’s potential removal

CARBONDALE — On Wednesday, the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees Executive Committee announced that it would consider ousting the SIU president, sending shock waves across the university system.

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

Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus calls for independent probe after latest harassment allegations

Members of the Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus are calling for an independent investigation into all operations of the House of Representatives, including House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office. 

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

State trooper and Bethune’s police interview highlight Day 4 of murder trial of man accused of 2014 death of SIU student

MURPHYSBORO — An Illinois State Police trooper who was on scene the night a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student went missing in 2014 testified Thursday in the murder trial of the man that last saw the teenager alive.

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

In opening statement, defense says accidental hypothermia was the only cause of Pravin Varughese’s death

MURPHYSBORO — Attorneys gave opening statements Wednesday in the murder trial for the man charged in the death of a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student in February 2014.

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

SIU trustees unexpectedly move to replace president without his prior knowledge

A faction of Southern Illinois University’s board of trustees may move to oust the system’s embattled president this week, an extraordinary move that came about without the president’s knowledge and intensifies weeks of tension at the schools.

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

Speaker Madigan’s chief of staff resigns hours after aide accused him of repeated sexually inappropriate comments

Speaker Michael Madigan ousted his longtime chief of staff on Wednesday after a House staff member accused the top aide of sexual harassment over several years and fostering “a culture of sexism, harassment and bullying that creates an extremely difficult working environment.”

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

Bethune trial goes back to jury selection after juror asks to be excused

A juror in the trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University Carbondale student asked to be excused Tuesday before opening statements were set to begin.

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

Governor to consider hundreds of bills passed this session

Now that the state has a budget and lawmakers have left Springfield for their districts for the summer, the floodgates of legislation that cleared both chambers this year will soon hit Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

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

Blagojevich files paperwork asking Trump to commute sentence

CHICAGO — Illinois’ imprisoned ex-governor, Rod Blagojevich, has filed paperwork asking President Donald Trump to commute his 14-year prison term for corruption that included seeking to sell an appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated to become president.

A spokesman for Blagojevich’s lawyers told the Chicago Tribune it was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Justice. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the paperwork is a formality and that Trump doesn’t necessarily require it to act.

Trump last week broached the possibility of freeing the 61-year-old, suggesting the one-time “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant was convicted for “being stupid.” But many Illinois voters regarded Blagojevich’s corruption as brazen. His convictions included attempting to extort a children’s hospital.
— Associated Press
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