A national political analyst says Republican Esther Joy King could give U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos a closer-than-expected race in the 17th Congressional District.

As top national security officials point to Russian and Iranian meddling in the upcoming general election, Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman is working to reassure voters their ballots are safe.

During a news conference Thursday outside the Tazewell County Courthouse in Pekin, Ackerman said his office fielded numerous calls from concerned residents after the reports of foreign interference spread.

The Food and Drug Administration is preparing for the eventual rollout of one or more COVID-19 vaccines — by identifying the concerns that some people have about taking such a vaccine.

At a meeting Thursday of experts advising the FDA on COVID-19 vaccines, the concerns of front-line workers and people of color were read aloud verbatim, highlighting the crucial project of communicating the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine in an environment of deep political distrust.

James Randi hated tricking people. Sure, as The Amazing Randi, he pulled off amazing escape acts and sleight of hand maneuvers faster than you could see — but it was all in service of proving that he wasn't magical in any sense of the word. He hated tricking people so much he made a career out of debunking so-called psychics, faith healers, and fortune tellers of all sorts.