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Jeffrey Epstein's Death Ruled A Suicide By New York Medical Examiner

Updated at 5:40 p.m. ET Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan prison cell, according to the office of New York City's chief medical examiner. The office announced its findings in a statement released Friday afternoon, six days after the wealthy financier was found unresponsive while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The statement released by Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, which specified that Epstein hanged himself, confirms her office's preliminary findings last...

State Fair's Ethnic Village Getting Rebrand

Six Months On, Friends And Families Of Aurora Shooting Victims Dedicate Memorial

Tensions At DeKalb City Hall Get Attention Of State's Attorney

By WNIJ News • 16 hours ago

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Rick Amato is wading into the conflict at DeKalb City Hall related to the role of the City Clerk.

The Daily Chronicle reports Amato sent a letter Friday to the city of DeKalb, saying it is in his reading of state rules that the city should not pass ordinances to make the city clerk an appointed position rather than elected.

Remembering Congressman Paul Findley; The Debate Over Active Shooter Drills In Schools

By Sean Crawford • Aug 16, 2019

Former Illinois congressman Paul Findley passed away this month. He waas 98. Findley served 22 years in the U.S. House. We look back at his career - his successes and controversies.

Also, this week we find out why some say a new requirement that students participate in active shooter drills could be doing more harm than good.

And, a group of students in western Illinois are getting involved to get improvements made on a dangerous stretch of highway.

That and more on this episode of Statewide.

Rep. Keicher To Host Property Tax Seminar

By Chase Cavanaugh • Aug 16, 2019

Simon Cunningham, licensed under CC BY 2.0 / lendingmemo.com

Illinois State Representative Jeff Keicher wants residents to learn more about their property taxes.

The event is designed to educate residents about how local governments value their property, and in turn, how much is due in taxes. Keicher says it will also detail how residents can appeal the amount if they feel it’s inaccurate.

Teachers' Lounge Podcast: Indie Musician, Comedy Writer, and Special Needs Educator

By Peter Medlin • Aug 16, 2019

She works with teenagers and young adult students with autism. She also happens to be a comedy writer. And she moonlights on top of that as an indie musician. She says her work has been described as a "girls' night out with Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss." On this episode of Teachers' Lounge we talked to Cora Vasseur about how all of that happened, and how her art influences her work with special needs students -- and vice versa.

Also on the show, a conversation about student debt forgiveness; and two prominent Illinois politicians weigh in on the debt crisis.

Perspective: Worth It?

By David Gunkel • Aug 16, 2019

Earlier this summer I told you about Monty and Rose, two piping plovers that decided to take up residence at Montrose Beach in Chicago.

Illinois Republicans Confident Of Comeback

By Sam Dunklau • Aug 15, 2019

The Illinois Republican Party’s top brass says it’s optimistic about its chances in 2020. Officials rallied the base Thursday at the Illinois State Fair.

The Reason Why Hundreds Of Books Were Removed From An Illinois Prison Library

By Lee V. Gaines & Christine Herman • Aug 15, 2019

Lance Pittman arrived at the Danville Correctional Center on Jan. 10 with multiple boxes of books, and bound printouts of articles and book chapters. Pittman coordinates a college in prison program called the Education Justice Project, which offers University of Illinois classes to a select group of men at the Danville prison.

Newly Legal Hemp, CBD Plants At Illinois State Fair Display

By Associated Press • Aug 15, 2019

Visitors to the Illinois State Fair can see a plot of newly legalized industrial hemp growing.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that 100 industrial hemp and eight CBD plants were planted next to the U of I Master Gardner's land on 8th Street.

Hemp production was legalized last summer and officials in April made applications available to would-be growers.

Agriculture Groups Tout The Benefits Of Animal Composting

By Corey Hanson • Aug 15, 2019

Livestock mortality is an issue many farmers deal with. Yet when it happens, many don't know how they should dispose of the animal. Some farmers are now looking at composting as a means of getting rid of deceased livestock.

Composting brings up images of buckets of scrap food and lawn trimmings. But the University of Illinois Extension Office took the idea one step further as they showed farmers how to compost livestock.

Brian Gordon is a farmer in Iroquois County.

Settlement Terms Announced In Winnebago County Sheriff Lawsuit

By WNIJ News • Aug 15, 2019

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross announced Thursday the terms of an agreement to settle a lawsuit filed by Sheriff Gary Caruana against Winnebago County, County Board Chairman Frank Haney and County Treasurer Susan Goral.

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Suicide Bomber Kills 63, Injures 182 At Wedding Reception In Kabul

By James Doubek • 2 hours ago

A suicide bomber killed at least 63 people and wounded 182 in an explosion at a packed wedding hall Saturday night in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to the country's interior ministry.

An Afghan government spokesperson said the bomber detonated inside the wedding reception, where more than 1,000 guests had gathered to celebrate a marriage.

"Everybody was running," a waiter at the hall, Sayed Agha Shah, told Reuters.
"Several of our waiters were killed and wounded."

Marium, The Dugong That Charmed Thailand, Dies After Ingesting Plastic

By Amy Held • 11 hours ago

Marium, an orphaned dugong cared for by biologists in southern Thailand, had what it takes to win over the internet; few could resist pictures and videos of the button-eyed mammal being fed sea grass and bottled milk and even cuddling her caregivers, all while seeming to wear a satisfied smile.