Trump Trial Could End Soon; Alexander Says no to Witnesses

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) — Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee will oppose calling more witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, all but dashing Democratic efforts to hear more testimony and boosting odds the Senate will vote imminently to acquit without new testimony, in a matter of days. Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said…

Pritzker: ‘Root Out the Purveyors of Greed and Corruption’

Springfield, IL (AP) Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his first State of the State address Wednesday, talking tough about ending fraud and graft in a state notorious for corruption, and urging support for such contentious ideas as halting the so-called revolving door, the time-honored practice of lawmakers leaving the Legislature to immediately become lobbyists. The Democrat…

Weinstein’s Rape Trial Shifts Gears After Intense Testimony

New York, NY (AP) After a day of intense testimony at Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial, prosecutors are expected to shift gears Thursday with a slate of ancillary witnesses. Two aspiring actresses testified Wednesday that Weinstein preyed on their vulnerabilities while pushing the notion that sex could lead to film roles. Tarale Wulff choked back tears…

Central Illinois Authorities Report 3 Dead in Plane Crash

Springfield, IL (AP) Three people were killed when a small plane crashed in a field southeast of Springfield, Illinois. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department says the pilot of the twin-engine Piper Aerostar reported having trouble with the plane’s instruments prior to the crash. Springfield Airport Authority executive director Mark Hanna says the plane went down…