A vital piece of federal legislation, the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, awaits final Congressional approval before legislators adjourn in December. It would authorize the full, permanent, dedicated funding of America’s most important conservation and recreation…
Letter to the Editor | Take a second look at Kavanaugh
The current administration is establishing itself in history for using the power of the executive branch to reverse progress made over the past 50 years toward implementing the values of equality and wisdom. Instead, we see threats to better U.S.…
Op-Ed | Blackmail by plea bargain
BY ELIIDA LAKOTA Chase Iron Eyes is a member of the Standing Rock Nation in North Dakota. He is an attorney, an Indian activist and a member of the Lakota People’s Law Project. He was a Democratic candidate who ran…
Reflections From The Clergy | Maternal health is a human rights issue
As Christmas decorations and celebrations surround us, we often take for granted the story of the birth of Jesus that created the reason for this holiday. I have found that as we remember all the other strange and miraculous stories…
Real Talk | A -meri -Ca / A country divided
Never in my lifetime have I seen so much division in a democratic country. I realize that in a society where we have allowed sound bites and hash tags to think for us, we have gotten lost in the translation…
Nature Rambles | Nero fiddles
Inland Art | A not-in-New York artist
Art: What is it Good For? | What will it take to be a national arts destination?
Arts Beat | December 2018
Serendipity | Smiles and tears during the holidays
Sentimentality isn’t necessarily a component of holiday plans. Perhaps my current bout with heightened emotions has something to do with my age. Since turning 70 some seven months ago, I’ve chalked up nearly every unusual response as an age related…
West Peoria News | Holiday season is underway
A greeting from the West Peoria Beautification committee: “Garland and lights have been hung on the Welcome Wall, Township and City Hall with care knowing that the holiday season would soon be here. Snowmen are keeping a watchful look out…
Labor Roundup | December 2018
The U.S. Agriculture Department planned to speed up poultry plant production four years ago after lobbying by big poultry processors, endangering 250,000 workers and potentially putting sick chickens on consumers’ plates. But labor protested, and the USDA backed down. In…
Cleve’s triumph
Invisible barriers to GED
Paul Robeson defied racism in Peoria
Views & Perspectives | So Many Topics to Write About
If you are reading this column on or before Nov. 6, please vote. Election Day is Nov. 6. This Election Day offers an opportunity to chose a Governor of Illinois. Incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner is being challenged by Chicagoan J.B.…
Straight Talk | Conflict of interest claims are shameful
“Never underestimate desperate people. You never know how far they will go to get what they want.” — Anonymous Does that quote apply to the CEO Council? After learning of the personal attacks on Mayor Jim Ardis and councilwoman Denise…
Bill Knight | Midwest artist offers eclectic sampling of “Americana”
The label “Americana” means music that blends folk, gospel, country, R&B and gospel, but it’s no uniform, sound-a-like genre. Artists carve out distinctive sounds mixing acoustic and electric, creating an eclectic delight. Edward David Anderson’s record released in October is…
Editorial | Bright Future for Hotel Pere Marquette/Peoria
Letter to the Editor | Senior Republicans should be speaking out
Issues that should disturb us include Russian interference in our sacred elections, Putin’s admission of support for Trump as President and the Russian spy Maria Butina’s work with the NRA. I long for presidents who governed our foreign policies when…
Letter to the Editor | Supreme Court tilts from justice
The Senate’s recent confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court likely means curtains for reproductive rights, environmental protection, union membership, voting rights, public education, medical coverage, even LGBTQ rights, as cases involving these issues work their way through…
Op-Ed | Vote As If Our Country Is Depending On You
BY DALE GOODNER Margaret Chase Smith probably never expected that her “Declaration of Conscience” would become listed as No. 41 in American Rhetoric’s Top 100 Speeches of the 20th century. The Republican Senator from Maine delivered that speech on June…