Jim Muir, Author at Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News

Local community colleges among recipients of emergency funds

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE — The Illinois Community College Board announced on Friday the distribution of $3 million in emergency funds for community colleges across seven districts. A news release from the ICCB lists Rend Lake College, John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College, Southeastern Community College, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Kakaskia College and Lake Land College as community colleges who qualify for the allocation. From the $3 million of emergency funds, each district will receive $28,571.42 in financial support for essential operations.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Keith Olbermann Has A Message To Share With Your Trump-Supporting Friends

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Former news and sports commentator Keith obermann

Here is a link to the video by former Newscaster and Sportscaster Keith Obermann that was causing a firestorm on social media this morning. Here is your opportunity to watch it if you would like.

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News, Opinion

Obamas throwing themselves a big White House farewell party

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

White House file photo

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are throwing themselves a big A-list party Friday night — their last White House blowout before leaving office. Among the expected celebrity guests are Paul McCartney, Beyonce and husband Jay Z, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, David Letterman, Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, director George Lucas, actor Bradley Cooper and Chance the Rapper from Chicago. White House press secretary Josh Earnest confirmed the party. Typically, the White House says the Obamas pay for their own private events…..Click and read the rest of the story from Dave Boyer of the Washington Times

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News

Intel chiefs call for tougher fight against Russia

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Director of intellegence James Clapper (AP file photo)

The nation’s top intelligence chiefs said Thursday that the government needed to conduct a far more aggressive information war push to counter foreign cyberespionage while strongly defending their conclusion that top Russian officials authorized efforts to hack the presidential election in an effort to influence the vote. Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the CIA and other agencies are increasingly confident that Russia used hacking, propaganda and misinformation in an effort to influence the U.S. election. He dismissed President-elect Donald Trump’s skepticism and said the U.S. has to fight an information war more aggressively. Mr. Trump is to get a private briefing on the controversy Friday. Mr. Clapper told lawmakers that the U.S. has fallen far short in efforts to counter such hacking and tell its story in the face of foreign criticism. He recommended reviving the U.S. Information Agency, the Cold War-era office that oversaw an aggressive public diplomacy campaign. Please click to read the rest of the story from Carlos Munoz of the Washington Times

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News, Slider

Rivian completes purchase of Mitsubishi plant

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

The former Mitsubishi plant in Bloomington (Pantagraph file photo)

NORMAL — The former Mitsubishi plant officially has a new owner. Rivian Automotive, which plans to employ 1,000 and invest $175 million in making electric vehicles in Normal, has purchased the plant, the company announced Thursday. “We couldn’t be more excited to purchase this tremendous facility in the town of Normal,” said founder and CEO RJ Scaringe in a release. “This location will be crucial to bringing our products to market, and we look forward to being an active part of this vibrant community.” Rivian operates research facilities near Detroit and San Francisco, but hopes the vacant 2.6 million-square-foot plant will be the manufacturing core of its upcoming line of cars — the first of which could be unveiled this year. Please click to read the full story from Derek Beigh of the Bloomington Pantagraph

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Trump on border wall: Mexico will pay us back

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

President elect Donald Trump with the future first lady blasting mayor Emanuel for the violence in Chicago (Daily Mail photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that Mexico will reimburse American taxpayers for a new border wall and that U.S. money spent will be for the “sake of speed.” His tweet came as congressional Republicans and his top aides consider a plan to ask Congress to ensure money is available in U.S. coffers for the wall without passing any new legislation. Instead, they would rely on existing law that already authorizes fencing and other technology along the southern border. The potential approach was disclosed Thursday by two congressional officials and a senior transition official with knowledge of the discussions; all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Click to read the rest of the story from Associated Press

Filed Under: Breaking News, National News

Brrrrrrr……

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Forecasted wind chills for this morning.

Flurries are falling here in West Frankfort as I write this. We have a couple of cold days in front of us . Highs today and tomorrow will be around 20 degrees, with lows around 10. A warming trend will take place early next week, with chances of rain back in the forecast.

Here is a link to the seven day forecast for Franklin County.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?map.x=176&map.y=89&site=pah&zmx=1&zmy=1#.WG-HpdQrJxA

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider

Morgan Griffith explodes for 61….sets West Frankfort all time scoring record

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

Griffith drives the lane in Tuesday night’s OT win over Gallatin County (westfrankfortsports.com photo)

FCHS Lady Redbirds Morgan Griffith broke her cousin Missy Broy’s career scoring record earlier this season. The 5’9” two time all stater took over her cousin’s other remaining scoring record Thursday as she scored an amazing 61 points in a 90-64 victory at Eldorado. Broy’s previous single game record for both boys and girls was 58 points. Griffith was phenomenal as she scored 12 points in the 1st quarter, 18 in the 2nd, 18 in the 3rd and 13 in the 4th. Her 61 points came on 15 of 19 from the field and 28 of 33 from the free throw line. …Please click on the link to read the story from westfrankfortsports.com

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Rangerettes get Road Victory at Massac County

January 6, 2017 By Jim Muir Leave a Comment

METROPOLIS- Benton only puts three in the scoring column, as the Rangerettes go on the road and pick up a 33-24 road win over the Massac County Lady Patriots.