House GOP abruptly drops plans to debate abortion bill - Yahoo News

 

In an embarrassing setback, House Republicans abruptly decided Wednesday to drop planned debate of a bill criminalizing virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes.

The decision came on the eve of the annual March for Life, when thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators stream to Washington to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. It also came with GOP leaders eager to show unity and an ability by the new Republican-led Congress to govern efficiently.

Despite a White House veto threat, Republican leaders had planned on Thursday House passage of the legislation, which would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But they ran into objections from women and other Republican lawmakers unhappy that the measure limited exemptions for victims of rape or incest to only those who had previously reported those incidents to authorities.

The rebellious lawmakers argued that that would put unfair pressure on women who often feel shame or fear retaliation if they report those assaults.

In a complication GOP leaders were not able to resolve, they then ran into objections from anti-abortion groups and lawmakers when they discussed eliminating the reporting requirements.

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House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said leaders made the decision after meeting "really, all day" with rank-and-file lawmakers.

Congressional Democrats who solidly oppose the legislation, along with abortion rights advocates, all but mocked the GOP's problem. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said Republicans suffered "a meltdown."

Read more by clicking on the following:  House GOP abruptly drops plans to debate abortion bill - Yahoo News

Justice Department said ready to clear Ferguson officer: N.Y. Times - Yahoo News

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department is about to close the investigation into the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, and clear the white police officer involved of any civil rights charges, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

 

The newspaper quoted law enforcement officials as saying that federal prosecutors had begun work on a legal memo recommending no civil rights charges against the officer, Darren Wilson, after an FBI investigation found no evidence to support charges against him.

The Justice Department declined comment.

The agency is still conducting a probe into the Ferguson police force. A St. Louis County grand jury decided last year not to prosecute Wilson.

The shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown last August led to months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and galvanized critics of the treatment by police and the U.S. criminal justice system of blacks and other minority groups.

A lawyer for Brown's family, Benjamin Crump, said the family would wait "for official word from the Justice Department regarding whether or not any charges will be filed against the police officer who shot and killed him.

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Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson at the hospital hours after the shooting of Michael Brown in F …

"The family won't address speculation from anonymous sources," Crump said in a statement.

Neil Bruntrager, an attorney for Wilson, said Wilson's lawyers had received no communications from the Justice Department and would not comment until there was a final determination

Justice Department said ready to clear Ferguson officer: N.Y. Times - Yahoo News

Three Injured In Four-Vehicle Crash Involving Governor Rauner’s Motorcade « CBS Chicago

 

Three people were transported to the hospital Wednesday with non-life threatening injuries after a crash involving four vehicles, including one carrying Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, who was unhurt, according to Illinois State Police.

Rauner’s motorcade was stationary at a red light at Michigan Avenue as it prepared to travel westbound on Randolph when a two car collision occured in front of them. One of the vehicles then spun out of control and struck the car carrying Rauner and another carrying Illinois State Police.

The three injured people were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Neither Governor Rauner nor the Illinois State Police officers were injured, but the front bumper area of the car he was traveling was damaged.

Three Injured In Four-Vehicle Crash Involving Governor Rauner’s Motorcade « CBS Chicago

FOUR HONORED WITH THE 2015 FRIEND OF ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR AWARD | Illinois Department of Agriculture

 

Springfield, IL - The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) presented their coveted "Friend of Illinois County Fair" award to Ray and Janice Swyear of Swyear Amusements of New Athens; Robert "Bob" Scherer of Boone County Fair; Jerry Jacobs of Carroll County Fair.

Each year the IAAF recognizes individuals who are outstanding Illinois county fair supporters, volunteer workers, or innovators in the industry that are respected by their colleagues and peers at their 104^th annual convention in Springfield.

Ray and Janice Swyear

Swyear Amusements of New Athens, Illinois, is celebrating its 57^th year in the amusement industry, making it one of the oldest Illinois based traveling amusement companies and one of the longest serving associate members of the IAAF. Ray Swyear Rides was started in 1958 by Ray and Janice when Ray purchased a small kiddie train ride. With the birth of three sons and a strong work ethic, Ray, Janice, and the family built what is known today as Swyear Amusements Inc.

With the passing of Ray in 1997 and Janice's retirement in 2013, the second and third generations have taken the helm. The Swyear Carnival is now operated by Ray's oldest son, Terry and wife Kathy, their son Adam and Terry's brother Roger and his wife Teresa; who all work in the day to day operations of the company. There are currently 19 members of the Swyear Family.

With the grandchildren's involvement, there is hope that Ray and Janice Swyear's legacy will continue on in the years ahead. With new purchase every year and a love for the industry, the show has grown stronger than ever. New rides, games, and food

concessions are upgraded every season, keeping current with the growing trends of the carnival industry.  Swyear Amusements play over 10 percent of the Illinois County Fairs and numerous festivals, homecomings and community events each year. They strive to present an attractive, well maintained Midway with a clean, wholesome environment befitting their family and the families across Illinois whom they serve.

Robert "Bob" Scherer

Robert "Bob" Scherer, of Genoa, has served on the Boone County Fair Board for 18 years. He is in charge of the free entertainment building and secures the entertainment for the building.

In addition, Scherer was instrumental in securing aluminum benches for the building. He is also the superintendent of the truck and tractor pulls and puts in countless hours overseeing the organizational needs and track preparation.

Scherer is an active board member and assists the other departments of the fair including the maintenance department where he helps put up portable fencing, trimming trees, running for parts or any job that needs to be done. He is always there to lend a helping hand.

Jerry Jacobs

Jerry Jacobs is a 26 year board member of the Carroll County Fair Association in Milledgeville. He is an exemplary board member and individual. Jerry is the first to volunteer for any project. He is the person with a smile on his face from morning to night. After two major commercial buildings were devastated so Jacobs was there, diligently working with other board members. He also assists with the boat and camper storage.

Jacobs has always put the needs of the county fair before his own. He passes his contagious love for the fair to his wife, children and grandchildren. He is passionate about maintaining the rural appeal of the county fair and works hard to share that passion with whomever he comes into contact with. Jerry has innovative ideas and actively solicits other organizations in the county to become involved with the fair.

He works with other area county fairs and drives his 1949 International H tractor in parades advertising the Carroll County Fair. He is an avid member of the Whiteside County Rabbit Association, the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the Illinois Rabbit Breeders Association. Jerry is also very active in his church and is a council member for the First Lutheran Church.

Over 3,500 county fair members and friends spent this past weekend selecting their entertainment and service needs for the 2015 county fair season. The 103 county fairs coordinate with the Illinois State Fair, August 13-23, 2015, and the Du Quoin State Fair, August 28^th through September 7th. Visit our website at www.illinoiscountyfairs.org.

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The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs is a non-profit corporation formed in 1910.  It serves 103 Illinois County Fairs and Expositions.  Its purpose is to provide guidelines, inform, and monitor and /or initiate legislation that promotes and assist Illinois County Fairs.  The association is volunteer based and is dedicated to the promotion of agriculture, development of youth, and as a showplace of American agriculture's traditions and future agricultural innovations

FOUR HONORED WITH THE 2015 FRIEND OF ILLINOIS COUNTY FAIR AWARD | Illinois Department of Agriculture