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She fought the law and the law won

One of the most bitter child custody battles in state history ended Tuesday as Jennifer Watkins agreed to give up custody of her daughter Sidney to the girl’s paternal aunt.Watkins wept as she

Upon Further Review

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 12:00 am

The lone ranger

A sheriff's deputy shunned

By Bruce Rushton

Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Travis Koester may soon need a tattoo removal specialist.Then again, Koester’s colleagues might be willing to do the job themselves, judging by an Illinois L

News

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 12:00 am

She fought the law and the law won

Jennifer Watkins loses custody case

By Bruce Rushton

One of the most bitter child custody battles in state history ended Tuesday as Jennifer Watkins agreed to give up custody of her daughter Sidney to the girl’s paternal aunt. Watkins wept as s

Breaking News

Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 12:00 am

Childress leaving Springfield U.S. attorney's office

Taking job in Indianapolis

By Bruce Rushton

John Childress, temporary head of the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of Illinois, is leaving.Sharon Paul, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Springfield, confirmed

Upon Further Review

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 12:00 am

Hat trick

Rodney Davis spins truth

By Bruce Rushton

Here’s an ad we haven’t seen.“Hello, I’m Rodney Davis. In 2015, I voted for a $1.1 trillion budget bill that exceeded spending limits by $66 billion. Barack Obama called it a Christmas present

Upon Further Review

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 12:00 am

A rush to judgment?

Man serving life asks for new trial

By Bruce Rushton

Another troublesome email has surfaced between U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce and the U.S. attorney’s office headquartered in Springfield.Attorneys for Jason Gmoser, a convicted child p

Upon Further Review

Monday, Oct. 8, 2018 12:00 am

Willie Horton comes to Cass County

Judicial candidate teams with Hank Williams, Jr.

By Bruce Rushton

Enough about the Supreme Court. Let’s talk about judgeships closer to home, where things really matter. Luke Thomas, the Republican candidate to replace retiring Cass County Circuit Court Jud

Upon Further Review

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018 12:00 am

School board blues

By Bruce Rushton

I have long believed that the death penalty is insufficient for the most egregious crimes.Don’t send rapists and murderers and former governors to the gurney. Instead, sentence them t

Feature

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 12:00 am

Starting Springfield’s economic engine

Will public money help?

By Bruce Rushton

If nothing else, hundreds of thousands of dollars in public money buys hyperbole.“This is, indeed, a once in a generation opportunity,” Timothy Killeen, University of Illinois president, sai

Upon Further Review

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 12:00 am

A confederacy of dunces

Now playing at a museum near you

By Bruce Rushton

Let’s consider how we came to once worship a hat that could have belonged to Abraham Lincoln – or Willy Wonka, or Slash, as some Twitterheads, including myself, have suggested.The year was 2