Author Archives: TJ Carson
States say paperwork tied to $10B funding freeze is an intentionally 'impossible task'
Article Summary Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of four other states filed a lawsuit after the Trump administration in early January announced a freeze on $10 billion for child ...
Jan 17, 2026 An excerpt of the lawsuit filed by five states against the federal government for its plan to freeze $10 billion in funding that helps to ensure access to child care. (Illustration by Capitol News Illinois, highlight added)
US Justice Department probing Minnesota Governor Walz, other officials, source says
WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation of Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over an alleged con...
Jan 17, 2026 Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after he announced that he would not seek reelection, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans
Venezuela opposition leader sees eventual elections but cautions about complex path ahead
WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on Friday she was confident the remnants of what she called Venezuela's "criminal regime" would eventually be dismantled and ...
Jan 16, 2026 Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaks at a press conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Illinois 'Clean Slate' law allows automatic sealing of nonviolent criminal records
Article Summary Illinois will begin a process to automatically seal criminal records for millions of adults in the state, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the 'Clean Slate' Act on Friday. Critics objecte...
Jan 16, 2026 State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, speaks about the Clean Slate legislation she championed at a Jan. 16, 2026, bill signing ceremony. (Screenshot from Illinois.gov)
Republican candidates for governor debate at Five Points Washington
WASHINGTON, Ill. - Tazewell County was the site of one of the first looks at the candidates for the Republican nomination in the Illinois governor's race this year. Four candidates took the stage Thur...
Jan 15, 2026 (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Program to renovate South Peoria homes for low-income first-time buyers announced
PEORIA, Ill. - A new initiative aims to revitalize broken down houses in South Peoria for low-income first-time home buyers. Reclaim Peoria was announced on Thursday at Neighborhood House. The project...
Jan 15, 2026 One of the homes scheduled for renovation under the Reclaim Peoria program is shown on a slide at a press conference announcing the initiative. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Autopsy scheduled for infant victim of rural Chillicothe trailer fire
PEORIA, Ill. - An autopsy is scheduled for Friday for the eight-month-old infant girl who died in a rural Chillicothe trailer home fire. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says A'maya Johnson was pro...
Jan 15, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Boy accused of bringing gun to Peoria school ordered to home confinement
PEORIA, Ill. - A 10-year-old boy accused of bringing a gun to a Peoria primary school was ordered to home confinement. The Peoria County State's Attorney's Office says a judge on Thursday denied the p...
Jan 15, 2026 courtroom gavel
Illinois county clerks warn of potential vote-by-mail disruptions with USPS policy changes
EAST PEORIA, Ill. - County clerks across Illinois say recent changes by the United States Postal Service could have negative effects on the March primary election. Statewide county clerks are meeting ...
Jan 15, 2026 Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman speaks at a press conference at the Par-A-Dice Hotel about changes made by USPS and its effect on mail-in ballots. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Trump meets Venezuelan opposition leader Machado after praising interim president
WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump was meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday afternoon, in a high-stakes encounter that could affect how th...
Jan 15, 2026 Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado walks on the day of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
