Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a police officer bill of rights into law July 14, even though other states have moved to repeal their law enforcement officer bills of rights as part of a larger effort to hold police officers accountable. Surprisingly, just over a year after the murder of George Floyd, Missouri’s leading media outlets hardly noticed the passage of the bill, … [Read more...] about Missouri media miss story of new police ‘bill of rights’
Midwest
Recovering the history of free Black settlements in Illinois
When Kimberly France, a descendant of free African-American pioneers, first approached Toni Craig to help piece together her family’s history in a southern Illinois community called Africa, Craig wasn’t sure she was up for it. Craig already had spent years assembling and telling the stories of the community of Africa, which is located 120 miles from St. Louis. France and … [Read more...] about Recovering the history of free Black settlements in Illinois
News Analysis: Media and letter writers say Missouri legislature ignores ‘will of the people’
The Missouri legislature’s determination in its 2021 session to undo the “will of the people” on Medicaid Expansion, a measure passed statewide in 2020 by Missouri voters, is nothing new. Over the years, Missouri’s legislature has rejected or watered down the “will of the people” on their votes for gun restrictions, collective bargaining, renewable energy, clean elections, … [Read more...] about News Analysis: Media and letter writers say Missouri legislature ignores ‘will of the people’
Police misconduct records secret, difficult to access
Police misconduct records are either secret or difficult to access in a majority of states - 35 of them plus Washington, D.C. But the breeze of openness is blowing. Seven big states have opened records in recent years - California, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon and Maryland. Now 15 states have laws that allow these records to be mostly … [Read more...] about Police misconduct records secret, difficult to access
Illinois gun media flourish with stories downplaying failed Jan. 6 insurrection, claiming election fraud
From new chat sites, to Facebook knock-offs, to print and radio, right-wing organizers are finding new ways to spread their message after being banned from social media following the failed Jan. 6 insurrection against the US government. Common messages in the media are that Donald Trump supporters weren’t responsible for the insurrection and that the presidential election … [Read more...] about Illinois gun media flourish with stories downplaying failed Jan. 6 insurrection, claiming election fraud