Skip to content 
Continued Coverage
Gov. Beshear signs executive order for Kentucky’s June election procedures
Governor Andy Beshear issued an executive order on Friday, April 24 that outlined Kentucky’s election procedures.
Senate bill announced to ban universities with large endowments from relief funds
A bill has been announced in the Senate that would ban universities from receiving Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the CARES Act if they have an endowment larger than $10 billion, unless they first spend some of their own money on coronavirus-related financial assistance for students.
Mid-April in America is an unforgiving time, and now this
For a generation, mid-April has delivered some of American life’s most difficult moments. Traumatic anniversaries of the past 27 years are rolling by as Americans experience one of the most disruptive moments in their history: the coronavirus, and the effort to contain it.
ACLU, Mo. Voter Protection Coalition file lawsuit seeking absentee mail-in voting
This is in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MOST RECENT
Abortion providers sue Texas over virus outbreak order
Planned Parenthood joined other abortion providers Wednesday in suing Texas over moving to ban abortions during the coronavirus outbreak.
DHS: Pandemic measures cut illegal border crossings by half
A Trump administration official says illegal border crossings have dropped by half as the strictest U.S.-Mexico border policies yet went into place amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite confusion about how it was all working.
Illinois elections continued with health safety efforts in mind
Despite concerns about the virus, voters in Illinois were able to exercise their rights in the Illinois Primaries on Tuesday.
AP: Joe Biden wins Illinois Democratic primary
Joe Biden won Illinois’ Democratic presidential primary.
Senator Hawley announces Emergency Family Relief Plan
Under the act, families experiencing school closures or financial hardships will receive a fully refundable monthly benefit which will last through the coronavirus emergency.
Kentucky primary elections postponed from May to June
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday that the state’s primary elections, scheduled for May 19, have been pushed back to June 23.
Agreement reached in Hunter Biden child custody case
A circuit judge this week signed off on an agreement involving a child custody case involving Hunter Biden and an Independence County woman.
Senators push for tax-filing extension
Multiple U.S. senators are pushing to extend the April 15 tax-filing deadline.
Senators push Trump to use FEMA funds for coronavirus outbreak
The letter asks Trump to allow $42.6 billion in disaster funds to help states responding to coronavirus.
Proposed Perry Co., Ill. public safety sales tax on Tuesday’s ballot
As Illinois residents vote on Tuesday, March 17 on various races and issues, Perry County Sheriff Steve Bareis said he is desperately in need of additional funding from the proposed public safety sales tax.
Carbondale implementing sexual harassment training for all city employees
Sexual Harassment training is now mandatory for all Illinois employees.
Illinois legislative session canceled
The Illinois General Assembly has canceled scheduled legislative sessions next week to limit the possibility of spreading COVID-19 among large groups.
Extra health precautions to be taken at polling places in Jackson Co., Ill.
Disinfecting wipes will be placed at each polling location.
Voter turnout low in Cape Girardeau County for Mo. primary
Heartland election officials paid close attention to Tuesday’s contest to get an idea of what it could mean for other elections later in 2020.
Significance of Illinois’ primary before March 17
While Missouri is an important state in Tuesday’s primary, Illinois is also a significant state in March 17 Democratic primary.
What you need to know before the Missouri primaries
Preparing for the Missouri Primaries.
Ill. voters offered free rides to polls for the primary election
Some southern Illinois mass transit companies are offering free rides to the polls on March 17.
Ky. House passes $23 billion spending plan
Instead of a larger, $2,000 raise for teachers, it adds a one percent raise for all public employees from people who work at the capitol.
Bill on immigration policy for children of U.S. servicemembers, civil servants passes Senate
The update would make sure the children, step children and adopted children of military members and civil servants would automatically receive U.S. citizenship.
Sen. Hawley on TikTok: “this is a major security risk for the American people”
Legislation would ban federal employees from using the app on government devices.
Primary candidate filing in Missouri
In Missouri several candidates have already filed for elected positions.
Sexual orientation, gender identity could be added to Miss. hate crime laws
The bill now heads to the full Senate where it has received bi-partisan support.
Joe Biden coming to St. Louis, Mo.
Joe Biden is headed to St. Louis.
Tennessee, Arkansas could play big role in competitive Super Tuesday
With Super Tuesday two days away, the race for the Democratic nomination seems more competitive than ever.
Ill. public heath experts, Gov. Pritzker to discuss state’s plan to combat Coronavirus
Illinois has had two confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
Gov. Pritzker stopped in Carbondale to discuss new DCFS training center
Gov. Pritzker announced that a DCFS training lab will open in southern Illinois.
Kentucky Senate advances proposal to limit pardon powers
The proposed constitutional change is a response to a flurry of controversial pardons by the previous governor, Republican Matt Bevin.
Local watch parties for democratic debate
Local democrats hope to see democratic candidate in office
Mo. House considers legislation to protect the identity of lottery winners
Mosley said the change is needed to give winners the option to stay anonymous.
Missouri joins multi-state investigation of JUUL Labs
One in four high school students said they use vaping products.
Sen. Durbin discusses coronavirus with health commissioner, wants more federal funds to battle illness
Sen. Durbin met with Chicago Department Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner to discuss the coronavirus in Illinois.
Ky. Governor announces new terminal and $5M for airport in Paducah
Funding will go toward the project to build a new 30,000 square foot terminal.
Senate Bill 8: Beshear to require schools to arm resource officers
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday that he’ll sign Senate Bill 8 into law, meaning schools across the state will be required to arm their resource officers.
Gov. Pritzker presented 2021 budget address to Ill. lawmakers
Gov. Pritzker gave his second budget address to lawmakers in Springfield, Ill.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds press conference after prison release
Blagojevich was convicted of political corruption in 2011.
Eric Schmitt announces Mo. Attorney General Campaign
Schmitt was sworn in as the state’s 43rd Attorney General on Jan. 3, 2019.
Gov. Parson to attend roundtable on health care, addiction in Cape Girardeau
The discussion will be held at Southeast Missouri State University on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Ill. lawmaker files bills to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, polystyrene foam food containers
If both bills are approved, they would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022
North Scott County Ambulance District ballot question
The Ambulance district went on to say in the post that they believe this is a fair alternative to the property tax currently in place.
Illinois could lose congressional seat after 2020 census
he U.S. Census Bureau’s latest numbers show the 15th District’s population dropped to about 691,000 in 2018.
Senators introduce bill to disclose federal gun records, tracing data
Supporters believe the bill will help law enforcement to investigate and solve gun crimes, crack down on gun trafficking and negligent gun dealers, and allow researchers to study gun violence and its impact on communities across the country.
More than $11 million awarded for public housing in southern Illinois
Public housing authorities throughout southern Illinois will be receiving $11,398,973 in federal funding.
How the Iowa caucuses ‘broke down in every way possible’
Democratic Party leaders and activists are describing widespread missteps in planning and implementation that made the Iowa caucuses a historic disaster.
Audit cites questionable use of state resources in office of former Mo. Attorney General; Hawley files complaint
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report looking into whether former Attorney General Josh Hawley used state resources for political purposes.
Election officials work to keep your votes safe in 2020
Election workers are doing what they can to make sure voters know their ballots are safe when they head to the polls.
Cape Girardeau Co. Sheriff Ruth Ann Dickerson announces run for re-election
The Cape Girardeau County sheriff says she wants to stay in office.
Results: Cape Girardeau’s Ward 3 council primary election
The top two have been chosen to appear on the April ballot.
Daughter of boat accident victim slams Missouri bill
A woman whose father was among the 17 people who died after a tourist duck boat sank in a Missouri lake is fighting a bill that would limit when companies can be sued over products that hurt people.
Voter security: Public confidence in Heartland’s elections
Election security is top of mind, across the country and here in Illinois.
Missouri Senate pitches yet another redistricting plan
Missouri's Republican-led state Senate is pressing forward with a plan to revamp key parts of a ballot initiative on redistricting that was approved by voters just two years ago.
Nell Holcomb School District asking for support for Proposition Hawks
If you live in the Nell Holcomb School District, officials hope you’ll be ready to pay a little more.
Ill. State Board of Elections and Department of Corrections work to correct data error
Some Heartland counties were impacted.
Ill. reports nearly $40 million in recreational pot sales for Jan.
January adult-use cannabis sales in Illinois totaled $39,247,840.83.
Oran Fire Protection Dist. places tax levy question on April ballot for new fire station
If passed, the tax levy would help with operations.
Ill. Governor Pritzker delivers State of the State address
Governor JB Pritzker delivered the State of the State address on Wednesday, January 29.
Heartland election dates
The following elections are coming up in the Heartland.
KYTC submits 2020 Highway Plan to lawmakers
The 2020 Recommended Highway Plan is based on revenue forecasts of $6.1 billion in traditional state and federal highway dollars during FY 2021 through FY 2026
Gov. Beshear lays out $24 billion Kentucky budget proposal
"There are finally dollars to start reinvesting in our families,” Beshear said.