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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.
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.
Political expert anticipates graduated income tax to be focus of Ill. State of the State on Wednesday
The address will take place on January 29
Sen. Hawley requests federal agencies outline decisions on possible travel restrictions for coronavirus
In the letter, Sen. Hawley expressed concerns about the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in China.
Gov. Pritzker signs law capping insulin costs at $100 per month
According to Governor JB Pritzker’s office, diabetes affects approximately 1,300,000 adults in Illinois.
Gov. Pritzker meets with early childhood, education experts in Marion
They will meet to discuss investments in early childhood.
Heartland history teacher says impeachment trial a big topic in class
The impeachment trial is history in the making, and one history teacher at Cairo High School is making sure his students keep up with it.
Legislation filed in Mo. to fight call ‘spoofing’
House Bill 2175 would add call spoofing to Missouri’s existing no-call list statute.
Ill. bill lowers retirement age to 60 for DHS security employees
The legislation would benefit security employees at DHS facilities, like Chester Mental Health Center.
Local lawmaker reacts to the State of State address
Governor parson said he has four main priorities this year building stronger communities ,workforce and education , infrastructure and government reform.
Mo. Governor delivers 2020 State of the State address
Missouri Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2020 State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
US border arrests drop as focus turns to Mexicans
U.S. authorities said they made 40,620 arrests or detentions of people on the Mexico border in December
Ky. bill would ban plastic bags, containers, straws; release of plastic balloons
Bill Request 999 aims to reduce plastic waste in the state.
$5M for rural EMS funding added to year-end funding bill
The SIREN Act was signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill.
Bill to raise tobacco purchase age to 21 now goes to Pres. Trump for signature
The products include e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader McConnell delivers remarks on impeachment
McConnell spoke on the Senate floor on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Tax relief extended for Ky. distillers, brewers
Once approved, the government-funding agreement will be sent to President Donald Trump to sign.
U.S. Senate passes bill to end rape kit backlog
The Debbie Smith Act of 2019 now heads to the President's desk.
Mo. lawmaker wants to add fees, gather more signatures for initiative petitions
Missourians are filing dozens of initiative petitions for the upcoming 2020 general election, but a state senator wants to add upfront costs and raise the standards for each proposal to get on the ballot.
Gov. Pritzker writes letter to Pompeo, welcomes refugees to Ill.
The governor’s letter followed an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at turning refugees away.
Cameron becomes Kentucky’s first African American AG
The 34-year-old becomes the first Republican in 70 years to serve as the state’s top prosecutor.
POW/MIA flag to fly permanently at Kentucky state capitol
No protocols where in place for the flag.
Mo. lawmakers file 2 HIV modernization bills
The two bills, HB 1691 and 1692, were filed by State Representatives Holly Rehder and Tracy McCeery.
Gov. signs ‘Illinois Works’ legislation to increase workforce diversity
The law makes a $25 million investment and works through community-based organizations.
Andy Beshear publicly sworn in as governor of Ky.
A public swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday afternoon, December 10.
Senate leaders ask for input on ways to address climate change
The letters where sent to environmental justice leaders.
U.S. Supreme Court denies Ky. abortion clinic’s petition in ultrasound informed consent law
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Governor Matt Bevin on Monday, December 9, denying a Louisville abortion clinic's petition of certiorari in the House Bill 2 ultrasound case.
Sen. Duckworth introduces bill for body armor, equipment to fit female service members
According to reports, poorly-fitting PPE is a leading cause of injury for all service members, whether deployed or in training.