The Illinois House has approved legislation that would raise the minimum age at which minors can be detained in juvenile facilities. The bill, which passed the House on a 69-40 vote, now heads to Governor JB Pritzker for his signature. Key Provisions of the Safe Gun Storage Act Exemptions and […]
Author: Dani Tietz
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews, Announces Aggressive Revocation of Chinese Student Visas
On May 27, the Trump administration ordered U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to halt the scheduling of new student and exchange visitor visa interviews. The State Department is preparing to roll out expanded screening of visa applicants’ social media activity, with new guidelines expected soon. The pause does not affect […]
RFK Jr. Proposes Ban on Government Scientists Publishing in Top Medical Journals
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he may prohibit government scientists from publishing their research in leading medical journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA. Kennedy made the remarks during a recent appearance on the “Ultimate Human” podcast, accusing these journals of being […]
CDC Shifts to ‘Shared Decision-Making’ on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children After Kennedy’s Surprise Announcement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated immunization guidelines for children and adolescents on May 29, 2025, retaining COVID-19 vaccination as part of routine care for individuals aged 6 months and older under a revised framework of “shared clinical decision-making.” The update follows a contentious announcement by […]
Supreme Court Narrows Scope of Environmental Reviews for Major Projects in Unanimous Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled to limit the scope of environmental reviews required for major infrastructure projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), fundamentally reshaping how federal agencies must assess the environmental impacts of such projects. The case, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, centered on […]
Supreme Court Allows Immediate Termination of Humanitarian Parole for Hundreds of Thousands
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the federal government’s request to stay a lower court order that had blocked the mass termination of humanitarian parole for more than 500,000 noncitizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The ruling, delivered without explanation from the majority, allows the Department of Homeland Security […]
CDC and FDA Announce Major Changes to COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a strong response following a decision by a federal advisory committee to remove COVID-19 vaccines from the recommended routine immunization schedules for healthy children and pregnant people. The AAP warns that this move disregards established scientific review processes and could increase health […]
FEMA Faces Deep Cuts and Layoffs Amid Major Budget Overhaul
With tornado outbreaks and hurricane season looming, he nation’s primary responder to natural disasters, FEMA, is at a crossroads. President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal calls for a $646 million cut to FEMA, targeting grant programs that the administration says duplicate existing state and federal efforts, while the department, which responds […]
Urbana School District 116 Launches 2025 Summer Meal Program
Urbana School District 116 (USD116) will once again offer free meals to all children 18 years old and younger during the summer months through its annual Summer Meal Program. The initiative, running from June through mid-July 2025, is designed to ensure that local youth have consistent access to nutritious food […]
Illinois Legislature Passes Bill to Strengthen Safe Drinking Water Standards
A bill aimed at bolstering safe drinking water protections across Illinois is now headed to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk, following approval by both chambers of the General Assembly. Senate Bill 2266 seeks to enhance oversight and enforcement for non-community water systems, facilities like schools, factories, restaurants, resorts, and churches that […]
