Labor board formalizes AFSCME ruling; union will fight
Caterpillar, LeTourneau spurred earthmoving success for Allies in World War II
As the story goes, Admiral Bill Halsey was ranking the determining factors that contributed to the Allied Forces prevailing in World War II. He rattled off submarines, radar and planes. But he surprised listeners with his final answer — the bulldozer. The freshly merged 
company known as Caterpillar Inc. moved its headquarters to Peoria a little more than a decade before the United State officially entered World War II. Caterpillar operated only two plants at the time, one in East Peoria and the other in San Leandro, Calif., with the East Peoria plant dominating tractor production. Please read the link out of the Peoria Journal-Star.
Michigan to begin recount; legal fight moves to Pennsylvania
A judge has ordered a hand recount of Michigan’s presidential results to begin by noon Monday, and the Green Party is trying to force a federal court order for a statewide recount in Pennsylvania. 
Green Party candidate Jill Stein is trying to force recounts in three states. The count is underway in Wisconsin. In Nevada, a partial recount of the race was requested by independent presidential candidate Roque De La Fuente. Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his ruling early Monday that rejected an effort by Michigan state officials to wait two business days before starting to hand-count about 4.8 million ballots. The move increases the chances that the state could complete the count ahead of a Dec. 13 deadline. Please click to read entire story in the Washington Times.
Donald Trump picks Ben Carson, former campaign rival, as housing secretary
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former campaign 2016 rival Ben Carson to become secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In a statement, 
Trump says he’s “thrilled to nominate” Carson, saying he “has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities.” Carson has been coy about joining the new administration, saying shortly after Trump’s election victory that he wasn’t certain he’d fit into a Cabinet-style role. The discussion at that time centered on speculation that Carson might be selected to head the sprawling Department of Health and Human Services. Please click on the link to read the Associated Press story…
