Brady hanging on

Illinois Republican party Chairman Pat Brady will remain state party leader, despite calls for his ouster after his endorsement of gay marriage. A crowd of about 50 GOP members grew angry on Saturday, yelling because they were excluded from most of the hours-long discussion behind closed doors in Tinley Park.

meat recall

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination. No illnesses have been reported from the 468,000 pounds of products that were shipped to Illinois, Missouri, and several other states. A statement on the company’s website says the recalled meats were produced at Manda’s Baker facility between February 27th and April 9th.

wind and more rain

How strong will the winds get today? Enough for the National Weather Service in Chicago to issue an advisory for 1 – 9pm today. Gusts of 45 mph may make driving high profile vehicles more difficult. Minor property damage is possible, too. The Weather Service also has one word for the week ahead…..rain. Meterologist Ben Deubelbeiss (doo buhl bice) says our Illinois Valley could receive just under three inches of rain this week. That says, Deubelbeiss will keep creeks and rivers at their present level or boost them more. The Weather Service says a frontal boundary will stall out over the Midwest providing daily chances for rain.

Mendota woman dies on Minnesota highway

A 34-year old Mendota woman died Friday night when her sport utiltity vehicle rolled on a Southwestern Minnesota highway. The News Tribune quotes Minnesota State patrol, saying Sarah Dalton was westbound on I-90 near Wilson, Minnesota in Winona County around 9:40pm when her SUV went out of control. The state patrol report says it entered the median, crossed eastbound lanes and rolled. Road conditions at that time were listed as wet.