Railroads need to kick in more money and build closer ties with residents in freight hubs like Chicago, officials say
Norfolk Southern portrays its expansion plan as a badly needed infusion of jobs and investment. But the demolition of hundreds of homes and a rising tide of truck pollution has sparked discontent.
chicagotribune.comBrenda Priestly Jackson will not seek reelection to District 10. She gives reasons why in letter
In a letter addressed Thursday to Mike Hogan, the Duval County supervisor of elections, Jacksonville City Council member Brenda Priestly Jackson writes that she be withdrawing as a candidate for District 10.
Large voter turnout expected for high-stakes city election as redistricting issues loom
In March, Jacksonville will be voting for a new mayor and new city council members to run the city. Political observers anticipate a high turnout compared to past local elections as races began to become very competitive.
Feds say indicted Ald. Carrie Austin exaggerating health issues to avoid trial on corruption charges
Federal prosecutors said indicted Chicago Ald. Carrie Austin is exaggerating health issues to avoid going to trial on fraud charges, saying the FBI recently observed her going about political duties and running daily errands.
chicagotribune.comBend becomes latest Oregon city to restrict homeless camping
City Council members in the central Oregon city of Bend have approved strict new rules for homeless camping that will limit where, when and how people can live outside, as a growing number of cities across the state seek to control encampments amid a surging homelessness crisis driven by an affordable housing shortage and the coronavirus pandemic. OPB reports that the code change, approved Wednesday, will require people camping on city property and public right-of-ways such as sidewalks and landscaping strips to move locations by 600 feet, or one block, every 24 hours. Additionally, the code dictates what homeless people can possess while living outdoors.
news.yahoo.comBrighton Park latest spot for deadly drag racing trend that lawmakers, police are attempting to curb
Less than a month since the Chicago Police Department began to enforce an ordinance aimed to curb drag racing — a citywide trend that has often turned violent — police have impounded more than two dozen vehicles and has had more than 70 impound requests.
chicagotribune.comSan Diego to pay $600K to woman attacked by police dog
San Diego officials on Tuesday were expected to approve a $600,000 payout to a woman who was severely injured when a police dog attacked her in her own yard after escaping from its trainer's home nearby. A lawsuit filed by Jenna Cole in March called the bite a “vicious” and “unprovoked attack” and accused the city of negligence for how it trained, monitored and caged the K-9. The suit also contended such animals should be in secure facilities, not residential neighborhoods.
news.yahoo.com‘We need help.’ In first Highland Park council meeting since mass shooting, mayor renews call for federal assault weapons ban
In a report following the mayor’s remarks, city manager Ghida Neukirch said 115 agencies responded to the shooting, including 74 law enforcement agencies and 25 fire departments.
chicagotribune.comMayor Curry presents $1.5B budget proposal to Jacksonville City Council
A property tax rollback, money for riverfront development downtown, a new fire station and more money stashes away for emergencies in the reserve fund -- those were just some of the things Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry highlighted Thursday morning in his budget address to City Council.
Detroit to pay $7.5M to man who claims cops switched bullets
Detroit agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit by a man who claimed police switched bullets to pin a murder on him in 1992. Desmond Ricks was released from prison in 2017 after 25 years, thanks to gun experts, law students at the University of Michigan and his unwavering insistence that he was innocent. Police seized a gun that belonged to Ricks' mother and said it was the murder weapon.
news.yahoo.comNebraska's capital city rescinds LGBTQ fairness ordinance
The City Council in Nebraska’s capital city has rescinded an anti-discrimination measure that extended protections to sexual orientation and gender identity, just four months after unanimously approving it. The Lincoln City Council voted 4-3 Monday to rescind the February revision to the city’s fairness ordinance in the face of a successful petition effort by a conservative group that would have put the measure on the November ballot, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
news.yahoo.comJacksonville City Council approves a special election for sheriff on Aug. 23
As expected, every city council member voted yes to approve the special election, but council members also had questions for General Counsel Jason Teal. Some wondering why the city’s top lawyer is saying the sheriff did not vacate the office until four days ago, June 2, when it was clear he moved out of Jacksonville a year ago.
Proposal to give decision on historic monuments to voters gets 1st reading in City Council
A proposal that would let Jacksonville voters have the final say on whether to take down historical monuments, including one in particular that’s tied to the Confederacy, was introduced to the City Council during its Tuesday evening meeting.
Trust Index: Is City Council candidate Tracye Polson ‘for defunding the police?’
The News4JAX Trust Index team is fact checking a commercial that’s been all over Jacksonville airwaves, including Channel 4. It’s a political ad created for City Council candidate Republican Nick Howland, attacking his opponent, Democrat Tracye Polson.
Trust Index: Is City Council candidate Tracye Polson ‘for defunding the police?’
The News4JAX Trust Index team is fact checking a commercial that’s been all over Jacksonville airwaves, including Channel 4. It’s a political ad created for City Council candidate Republican Nick Howland, attacking his opponent, Democrat Tracye Polson.
Future of Confederate monuments a top priority for Jacksonville City Council in 2022
There are a number of pressing issues and hot-button topics facing Jacksonville, including the future of the city’s remaining Confederate monuments, suspension of curbside recycling pickup and traffic delays due to trains.
Councilman, influential groups ask city council to postpone vote on Confederate monument removal
A Jacksonville City Counil member along with the chairman of the Jax Chamber are calling for the city council to postpone an upcoming vote to remove a Confederate moment that is still standing in a Springfield park.