The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provided its analysis of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H. Con. Res. 14) on May 20, 2025, setting the stage for a contentious vote in the House just days later. The legislation narrowly passed the House of Representatives in a 215-214 pre-dawn vote. The […]
Author: Dani Tietz
Charleston’s Forgotten Tribute: How Freed Slaves Sparked America’s Memorial Day Tradition
On May 1, 1865, just weeks after the Civil War’s end, a remarkable procession unfolded at Charleston’s old racecourse. Nearly 10,000 people, most of them newly freed African Americans, gathered to honor 257 Union soldiers who had died as prisoners of war and were buried in a mass grave behind […]
Illinois Senate Executive Committee Advances Bill the Would Allow Pharmacists to Dispense Emergency Contraceptives Without Prescription
Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that would make it significantly easier for residents to access a full range of contraceptive options, including the prescription-only emergency contraceptive Ella (ulipristal acetate), directly from pharmacists, without the need for a doctor’s visit. House Bill 3489, championed by State Senator Rachel Ventura […]
DOJ Settlement with Rare Breed: What It Means for Aftermarket Triggers
The recent settlement between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Rare Breed Triggers marks a pivotal moment for the aftermarket trigger industry, especially for forced reset triggers (FRTs) like the Rare Breed FRT-15. The agreement ends the federal government’s ban on these devices, which had previously been classified as illegal […]
U.S. Attorney Drops Trespass Charge Against Newark Mayor, Files Assault Charge Against Congresswoman After ICE Facility Clash
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, announced Monday that her office is dismissing the misdemeanor trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka but is filing federal assault charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) following a confrontation earlier this month outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention […]
Trump Administration Terminates Federal Digital Equity Program, Halting $23.7 Million in Illinois Grants
Illinois officials and community leaders are voicing strong opposition after the Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), abruptly terminated the Digital Equity Capacity Program in mid-May. The move halts more than $23.7 million in planned federal grants that would have expanded digital […]
Supreme Court Allows DHS to End Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Venezuelans
The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 300,000 Venezuelan nationals living in the United States, a move that could lead to widespread deportations and loss of work authorization for those affected. In a brief order, the […]
Illinois Supreme Court’s Role in Ending Slavery Explored in Upcoming Online Event
A new public program set for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, will shed light on a little-known chapter of Illinois history: the persistence of slavery in a state that entered the Union as “free.” Titled “The Presumption of Freedom: The Illinois Supreme Court and the Fate of Slavery in Illinois,” the […]
Walmart Announces Price Increases Citing Trump Tariffs; Trump Responds on Truth Social
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, announced last week that it will raise prices on a wide range of products, citing the financial strain imposed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported goods, particularly those from China. The company warned that consumers could see higher prices as soon as the end […]
Sesame Street Heads to Netflix with Reimagined Season and Classic Episodes
After more than fifty years as a staple of children’s television on PBS, Sesame Street will make its debut on Netflix later this year. The beloved series will launch its all-new, reimagined 56th season on the streaming platform, accompanied by 90 hours of classic episodes. The upcoming season will introduce […]
