The latest news updates from Springfield Watch include the sentencing of a Maine man to life in prison for murders and a shooting spree, as well as Tennessee’s passing of a law allowing the death penalty for child rapists. Additionally, the ripple effects from the ongoing border crisis in Rio are being felt across the United States, while deliberations continue in the Karen Read murder trial.
In local news, Springfield is unlikely to change its approach to homeless issues despite a recent Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, freelance workers now have new protections under a law that went into effect on July 1st. The US Supreme Court has declined to review cases related to Illinois’ assault weapons ban, and some cities have responded by banning outdoor sleeping, which has sparked mixed reactions. Officials hope that a new apartment complex will boost downtown Springfield’s economy.
On a national and global scale, a new book honors the women who influenced Theodore Roosevelt. NEA members are pushing for an Israel boycott at their annual meeting, despite education priorities being ignored. Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, is heading towards Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and has already caused six deaths. The Biden White House staff has reached a record number with a $225 million payroll, while Temu’s alleged data collection practices have gained attention from states across the US.