On July 31, the White House announced plans to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom in the East Wing, capable of seating 650 guests, more than triple the capacity of the current East Room. The $200 million project, funded by President Trump and private donors, will begin construction in September 2025 and is […]
Other News
Trump administration launches new health data sharing system with Big Tech
The Trump administration has unveiled a new program that aims to let Americans share their personal health data and medical records across different healthcare systems and private tech company apps, with the goal of making it easier for people to access their health information and track their wellness. At a […]
State leaders seek more transparency from insurance companies
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 30, 2025 Article Summary Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is calling on Illinois lawmakers to pass legislation banning auto insurance companies from considering non-driving factors when setting a person’s premium. Insurance industry groups say considering non-driving factors helps keep insurance costs lower in […]
St. Joseph Community Festival Returns August 7-9 With Food, Fun, and Fireworks
The St. Joseph Community Festival is set to bring three days of excitement and celebration to the town from August 7 to 9, 2025, filling the St. Joseph Community Park and downtown area with festivities for all ages. The festivities kick off Thursday evening at 5p.m. with the traditional American […]
Trump Fires Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner After July Jobs Report
President Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Friday, accusing Dr. Erika McEntarfer of manipulating employment data for political purposes after the agency released a jobs report showing significant economic weakness. Hours after the report’s release, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had directed his team […]
Unemployment rate edges up to 4.2% as hiring remains sluggish across most sectors
The U.S. economy added just 73,000 jobs in July, marking a significant slowdown in employment growth that has persisted since April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday. The unemployment rate remained relatively stable at 4.2 percent, continuing a narrow range between 4.0 and 4.2 percent that has […]
U.S. Added to CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist Again Amid Surge in Political Violence and Crackdown on Civic Freedoms Under Trump’s Second Term
The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist for the second consecutive time in 2025, with the global civil society organization documenting an unprecedented assault on civic freedoms during President Donald Trump’s second term. The country joins five other nations—El Salvador, Indonesia, Kenya, Serbia, and Turkey—on the […]
Pritzker signs bill to implement mental health screenings in schools
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 31, 2025 Article Summary A new Illinois law is scheduled to implement annual mental health screenings in public schools beginning during the 2027-28 school year. The screenings would be available for students in third grade through high school, but parents can opt their […]
US Economy Shows Resilience with 3% Q2 Growth While Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Tariff Uncertainty
The U.S. economy rebounded in the second quarter with 3.0% annualized growth following a first-quarter contraction, while the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates unchanged on July 30. The U.S. economy demonstrated resilience in the second quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding at an annualized rate of 3.0% according to […]
Hundreds of Cities Mobilize for ‘Rage Against the Regime’ Protests as Champaign County Indivisible Launches August Accountability in Mahomet
Americans in more than 300 cities are preparing for what organizers say will be one of the largest coordinated protest actions of 2025. The “Rage Against the Regime” National Day of Action, spearheaded by the 50501 Movement and supported by local Indivisible groups, is set for Saturday, August 2, and […]











