Recovery Work Begins After Hurricane Michael Carves Through Florida Panhandle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13UoLG4assM Updated at 6:45 p.m. ET Search and rescue teams worked through the night in Florida to find people who need help, after Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle as a historic Category 4 storm on Wednesday. Nearly 400,000 electricity accounts had lost power in Florida as of 3 p.m. ET Thursday . Michael wrecked buildings and tore down trees in Panama City and nearby towns. The city of Tallahassee, known for its extensive tree canopy, says "thousands of...

Read More

SIUC Chancellor Carlo Montemagno Dies

Chase Cavanaugh / WNIJ

Cargo Flights And Airplane Repair Keep Rockford's Airport Flying High

Illinois Third Party Candidates Not Included In Upcoming Gov. Debate

By • Oct 2, 2018
Flickr Commons: Public Domain

The next debate for Illinois nominees for governor is this Wednesday in Chicago. But two candidates are being left out this time around.

At an NBC Chicago roundtable last month, Republican Governor Bruce Rauner sparred with state Senator Sam McCann, who is running under the banner of the Conservative party.  That's something that won't be happening at the forthcoming debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, since McCann and Grayson "Kash" Jackson, the Libertarian nominee, did not meet the criteria to attend.

 

Tackling Illinois' Crumbling Roads & Bridges One Tour At A Time

By • Oct 2, 2018

Illinois roads and bridges are in major disrepair. But after a two-year budget impasse and a backlog of bills that the state is struggling to cover, infrastructure continues to take a backseat. This year, advocates and lawmakers plan to change that.

President Trump, Brett Kavanaugh And Beer

By • Oct 2, 2018

Drinking beer became such a theme in last week's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that Saturday Night Live spoofed Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's many references to drinking beer with his friends.

But there are serious questions underlying all the focus on beer: whether Kavanaugh was fully forthcoming in his testimony and what his behavior was like when drunk.

Report Shows Crimes Mostly Down At NIU

By • Oct 1, 2018
NIU Department of Police and Public Safety

There were fewer rapes reported at Northern Illinois University in 2017 compared to previous years. Drug arrests took a steep drop as well. That's according to Northern Illinois University's latest Annual Safety and Security Report.

Meet Kash Jackson, Libertarian Nominee For Illinois Governor

By • Oct 1, 2018

There are two third party candidates for Illinois governor. And while four names will be on the ballot November 6th (or now, if you choose to vote early) - the efforts to get out messaging is one where odds are certainly stacked heavily against Sam McCann of the Conservative party, and Grayson "Kash" Jackson, running as a Libertarian.

Illinois Candidates For 13th Congressional Race Weigh In On Kavanaugh, Ford Testimony

By • Oct 1, 2018
Provided by Davis and Londrigan campaigns.

The candidates running for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District weighed in on the testimony provided last Thursday by Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, and one of his accusers, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. But only one provided a straight answer when asked whether or not they support a full investigation into the allegation of sexual assault.

Supreme Court Term Begins In The Shadow Of Kavanaugh Confirmation Battle

By • Oct 1, 2018

As the Senate remains in a pitched battle over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court on Monday will begin its new term with far less fanfare.

The high court is launching its nine-month term evenly divided — with four conservative and four liberal justices — as an F.B.I. investigation into sexual misconduct allegations lodged against Kavanaugh delays a full Senate vote on the nomination. Kavanaugh was nominated to fill the vacancy created by the retirement this past summer of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who often cast the pivotal swing vote on cases.

Gov. Rauner And Speaker Madigan Urge FBI To Investigate Kavanaugh

By • Sep 28, 2018

Illinois leaders of both parties are urging the U.S. Senate to delay a vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and ask the FBI to investigate a charge of sexual assault against him.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said on WBEZ Chicago Friday that Christine Blasey Ford's allegations "are very serious and seem very credible." Ford claims Kavanaugh assaulted her at a party when they were teenagers 35 years ago.

Some Budget Suggestions For The Winning Candidate For Governor

By CHARLES N. WHEELER III • Sep 28, 2018
CARTER STALEY / NPR ILLINOIS

While debating, candidates offered no concrete suggestions for addressing fiscal problems but possibilities exist.

In today's fevered political climate, is it possible to have a serious discussion about possible ways to address the fiscal problems Illinois faces?

Not very likely, if one judges by the first debate among incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and his three challengers, Democrat J.B. Pritzker, Conservative candidate/Republican Sen. Sam McCann, and Libertarian Grayson "Kash" Jackson.

Kavanaugh Confirmation Spills Into Governor's Races

By • Sep 28, 2018
Brian Mackey

The controversy over sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh spilled into governor's races across the country as Christine Blasey Ford told her story Thursday.

Governors have no role in how the U.S. Senate should handle Kavanaugh's appointment. But their voices could add pressure to senators trying to decide how to vote.

Pages

News From NPR

Congress Really Can Demand, And Get, Trump's Tax Returns. Here's How.

By • 16 minutes ago

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi vowed this week to demand President Trump's tax returns if Democrats win control of the House of Representatives next month.

Pelosi, seeking to regain her gavel as House speaker after elections next month, told The San Francisco Chronicle editorial board that the move "is one of the first things we'd do — that's the easiest thing in the world. That's nothing."

Does The New GOP Strategy Include 'Angry Mob' Talking Points?

By editor • 19 minutes ago

Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

'Proud And Relieved': Matthew Shepard's Remains To Be Interred At National Cathedral

By & • 1 hour ago

The remains of Matthew Shepard, whose death became an important symbol in the fight against homophobia — and whose name is on a key U.S. hate-crime law — will be interred at Washington National Cathedral later this month.

Shepard's parents say they're "proud and relieved to have a final resting place for Matthew's ashes."

McConnell Warns Of 'Scary Prospect' If GOP Loses Senate Control In Midterms

By • 1 hour ago

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a message for Republican voters who are celebrating the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh: Get to the polls in November if you want more conservatives sitting on judicial benches.

"Lose the Senate, and the project of confirming judges is over for the last two years of President Trump," McConnell said in an interview with NPR in his Capitol Hill office. "That, I think, is a scary prospect to the people who like what we've been doing on the judge project and I hope will help us hold on to our majority."

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Faces Increasing Scrutiny As Crises Mount

By • 1 hour ago

When Mohammed bin Salman became Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince in 2015, just before his 30th birthday, it created a wave of optimism that he could modernize a kingdom that has long resisted change.

Change has come rapidly indeed. Women can now drive, the powers of the religious police have been scaled back, and Mohammed has sketched out plans to overhaul and diversify the oil-based economy.

More News