SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (December 20, 2019) — Ray LaHood, former long-term Illinois Congressman and the US Transportation Secretary from 2009 to 2013, will be the featured speaker at the annual Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA) Birthday Banquet on Wednesday, February 12 in Springfield.

JOHNSTON, IOWA (December 18, 2019) — To commemorate Iowa Public Television's 50th anniversary, the City of Johnston has named the street on the corner of Pioneer Parkway and the entrance to Terra Park as "Friends Circle." This new street name honors Iowa Public Television's Friends Foundation and the relationship that IPTV has with the City of Johnston and the patrons of its neighbor, Terra Park.

DES MOINES, IOWA (December 17, 2019) — During the State Agricultural Society meeting on Sunday, December 15, Iowa State Fair Board Member Randy Brown, of Osceola, was the recipient of a Quilt of Valor, presented by Rod and Jeri Beem in recognition of his past military service. A Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt meant to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comfort and healing.

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) makes no bones about his position on the likely upcoming impeachment trial of US president Donald Trump. "I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind," he tells CNN International's Becky Anderson. "I'm not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here." Well, okay, then. Graham has publicly disqualified himself as, and should be excused from serving as, a juror.