MURPHYSBORO — Attorneys gave opening statements Wednesday in the murder trial for the man charged in the death of a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student in February 2014.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

A faction of Southern Illinois University’s board of trustees may move to oust the system’s embattled president this week, an extraordinary move that came about without the president’s knowledge and intensifies weeks of tension at the schools.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Speaker Michael Madigan ousted his longtime chief of staff on Wednesday after a House staff member accused the top aide of sexual harassment over several years and fostering “a culture of sexism, harassment and bullying that creates an extremely difficult working environment.”

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

A juror in the trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University Carbondale student asked to be excused Tuesday before opening statements were set to begin.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Now that the state has a budget and lawmakers have left Springfield for their districts for the summer, the floodgates of legislation that cleared both chambers this year will soon hit Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Tim Morthland promised economic revitalization for Franklin County and Southern Illinois by opening Morthland College and its family of businesses — a research park that would produce energy drinks, a music conservatory, phone screen repair, even a cafe on top of a proposed hospital, and a four-year private college based on Christian values.

Here’s a link to the story, written by Isaac Smith, that appeared in the Southern Illinoisan.

A professor teaching in Chicago wants President Donald Trump to send in the military to deal with gang violence.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Liberty Counsel, which filed an amicus brief in the free religious exercise case in which the US Supreme Court sided with a Christian baker, says the decision could have an effect on Illinois as a state whose civil rights law mentions “sexual orientation,” “gender Identity” and “public accommodation.”

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois Review.

Democratic governor nominee J.B. Pritzker continued his record self-funding of his campaign, crossing the $100 million mark with a $25 million contribution.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.