Dozens of judges serving on Illinois circuit and appellate courts will appear on ballots during the 2026 primary election, placing renewed attention on how the state’s judiciary functions and how voters can evaluate candidates before casting their vote. Judicial races often receive less attention than statewide contests, yet the officials elected in these positions will make decisions that directly affect legal matters ranging from criminal prosecutions to civil disputes and family cases.

As Illinois prepares for its 2026 primary election, early voting is already underway in several parts of the state, setting the stage for a contest that could reshape the political landscape despite the absence of a presidential race. The March 17 primary arrives at a pivotal moment, marked by the retirement of long-serving U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and a series of high-profile matchups across statewide and congressional offices. In suburban Cook County, early voting begins Monday, with

Municipal and county officials in Morris County are stepping up preparations ahead of a significant winter storm expected to impact the region this weekend. Emergency management teams are closely monitoring weather forecasts that indicate the potential for heavy snowfall, hazardous road conditions and disruptions to daily life across the county. Authorities say early planning is critical to ensuring public safety and minimizing the storm’s overall impact. The Morris County Office of

Property owners in central Ohio will see notable changes to property tax payment schedules beginning in 2026, as officials in Franklin County revise due dates and Delaware County advances the start of its billing cycle. County leaders emphasized that the adjustments are designed to improve administrative efficiency and provide taxpayers with more time to prepare payments, without altering the total amounts owed or disrupting existing payment plans.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official schedule for the 2026 fair season, giving communities across the state an early look at one of Ohio’s most anticipated summer and fall traditions. The announcement confirms dates for fairs in all 88 counties, along with independent fairs, bringing the total number of events scheduled statewide to nearly 100. The calendar allows families, exhibitors, and fair organizers to begin planning months in advance for a season rooted in agr

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

Cook County property owners are finally set to receive their long-delayed second installment property tax bills, with officials confirming that 1.8 million bills are expected to be mailed by Friday. The bills, which are normally delivered during the summer, will carry a due date of December 15, marking the end of a months-long delay that left many residents uncertain about their financial planning for the year. The delay stems from an extensive modernization of Cook County’s aging

Multiple polling places across New Jersey were forced to close or relocate on Election Day following a series of bomb threats sent via email to several counties. The threats, which prompted immediate law enforcement response, temporarily disrupted voting but did not prevent residents from casting their ballots. Officials confirmed that all affected locations have been secured and that voting has resumed safely in most areas. Authorities said the emailed threats were received by electi

A former Santa Clara County correctional officer who now serves as president of the NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley branch is suing the county and its officials after a personnel board upheld findings that he engaged in sexual harassment and intimidation of a female co-worker. Sean Allen, who was fired from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 following a lengthy investigation, claims he was the victim of bias and retaliation and is seeking to overturn the decision that ended his l

In Woodbridge Township, a significant crack that first appeared weeks ago along Smith Street remains unrepaired, leaving local residents in the Keasby section frustrated and anxious. The roadway serves as a crucial link between Woodbridge and Perth Amboy and provides access to major arteries such as the Garden State Parkway. County and township officials have confirmed the damage was triggered by a nearby construction project, but as of now no firm start date for permanent repairs has been an

Tarrant County commissioners have voted to approve a slightly lower property tax rate after days of disagreements and tension. With four commissioners present, the proposal passed by a 3-1 vote, setting the new rate at $0.1862 per $100 of valuation. This represents a small decrease of 0.69 percent from last year’s rate of $0.1875. For a home valued at $300,000, the cut amounts to annual savings of about four dollars. While the financial impact on individual homeowners is min

The troubling case of suburban ice cream shop owner Steven Weisberg has taken another serious turn as a new lawsuit has been filed against him following allegations that extend beyond his business. Weisberg, who owns the once-popular shop Flavor Frenzy in Addison, is already facing criminal charges after police discovered a hidden camera in the restroom of his shop. Now, a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court reveals that authorities allegedly found an additional hidden camera ins

Johnson County, Texas, remains in the spotlight as the legal case against Sheriff Adam King continues without new public developments. Commissioners gathered Monday for their scheduled court meeting, which included an agenda item on the sheriff’s office, but offered no new details about the indictment of the county’s top law enforcement officer. Instead, the commissioners focused briefly on operations before moving on, leaving many questions about the ongoing investigation unanswe

A tragic accident in Glencoe claimed the life of a 48-year-old woman on Saturday morning after she was struck by a Metra train. Authorities confirmed that the victim, identified as Daniella V. Weisman of Glencoe, was fatally injured near Green Bay Road and Maple Hill Road shortly after 9:30 a.m. The incident not only resulted in the loss of a community member but also of a dog that was found dead at the scene. Responders from the Village of Glencoe arrived quickly after receiving re

A lawsuit has been filed against the Chicago Park District and former lifeguard Charles Leto after a deadly shooting at the Douglass Park pool left one teenager dead and another permanently paralyzed. The incident, which took place on June 26, has shaken the West Side community and raised serious questions about hiring and oversight within the park district. According to the lawsuit, Leto, 55, is accused of fatally shooting 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and critically injuring 14-year-o

The iconic Goodguys West Coast Nationals is back at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA, for its 38th year, bringing with it an incredible collection of 3,500 hot rods, muscle cars, trick trucks, and custom vehicles. The event, set to take place this weekend, is a must-visit for car enthusiasts, offering a spectacular showcase of some of the coolest cars on the planet. In addition to the massive car disp

Santa Clara County is urging support for a proposed sales tax increase that it says is critical to keeping its hospital system alive in the face of looming federal funding cuts. The measure, known as Measure A, would add a five-eighths cent sales tax and has been fast-tracked for the November 4 special election ballot. County officials warn that without additional revenue, essential public hospital services, trauma care, and safety net programs could be jeopardi

Harris County Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia are preparing to unveil their new budget priorities during a press conference this morning, with a focus on investments in public safety, health, and infrastructure. This announcement, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. outside Commissioners Court in downtown Houston, is expected to highlight crucial areas such as disaster preparedness, road projects, and law enforcement funding. Despite the expansive

San Mateo County is taking decisive steps to combat the recreational abuse of nitrous oxide, with the Board of Supervisors unanimously approving the drafting of an ordinance to ban its sale in unincorporated areas. Board of Supervisors President David Canepa and Supervisor Ray Mueller are co-sponsoring the proposed legislation, which targets the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide canisters, often referred to as laughing gas or whip-its, in these parts of th

Santa Clara County officials are preparing to propose a sales tax increase to voters in an effort to safeguard the county’s public hospital system from severe federal revenue losses. The Board of Supervisors is expected to convene a special meeting around August 7 to decide whether to place the measure on the November 4 ballot. The proposed five-eighths cent sales tax would raise the current rate from 9.125% and is seen as a crucial step to help offset billions in anticipated funding cu