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Cop charged in beating may get a break
The case has everything no ambitious prosecutor wants. Allegations of racism and police brutality. A community split between those who say Rosario should be prosecuted so that he can never again wear a badge, and those who see extenuating circumstances.

Europe’s disappearing center
This election sends an unmistakable signal that democracy in Italy is both not working and is working well. Throughout Europe nationalistic parties are clearly in the ascendency.

The zeitgeist, it is a-changing
Danica Roem – Virginia House of Delegates; Andrea Jenkins – Minneapolis City Council; Phillipe Cunningham – Minneapolis City Council; Lisa Middleton – Palm Springs City Council; Stephe Koontz – Doraville, GA City Council; Raven Matherne – Stamford, CT City Council; Tyler Titus – Erie, PA School Board; Gerri Cannon – Somersworth, NH School Board.

LETTERS
Someone or some people at McKesson made a conscious decision to prey on people’s pain and weakness to increase their bottom line. Until individuals are held responsible and face the consequences for this the problem will continue.

Pritzker’s path
That’s the most likely reason why billionaire J.B. Pritzker’s campaign began airing negative ads against Kennedy last week. Pritzker has been playing a fascinating game of “whack-a-mole” with his two opponents while Gov. Bruce Rauner has tried to make Pritzker’s task difficult.

Reverence at The Pharmacy, revisionism at UIS Gallery
Two very different art exhibits opened in Springfield last week, both dealing with the subject of religion and spirituality, but from contrasting angles.

PARTY ON, WET BAR
Wet Bar, a downtown bar that’s gotten a reputation for rowdy behavior, will get its 3 a.m. liquor license back, the mayor says. Langfelder in December revoked the 3 a.m. license for Wet Bar, saying that there have been too many fights, disturbances and other incidents requiring police.

FAMILY FILM SERIES
However, this coming Sunday, March 11, marks the debut of a new series from the SAA – three weeks of highquality, family-oriented cinema.

Prison mental health on trial
Care for the mentally ill in Illinois prisons may not be ideal, but it isn’t so bad that it violates constitutional guarantees against cruel and unusual punishment, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections and the company that provides care under a state contract.

Jeanne Ives’ GOP insurgency
“Don’t you think this will be the year of the insurgent?“ Jeanne Ives said as she strolled across the lawn of the Illinois Statehouse. Synonyms for insurgent include rebel or revolutionary, agitator, renegade, freedom fighter. Ives like to think those terms describe her candidacy.

This old house of worship
Early Illinois settlers established sites of worship, first holding services in someone’s home and later building a church. Each year across Illinois these early churches reach a milestone, their 150 th year, and the Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) holds a luncheon to honor them every three years.

Such a good feeling
Old episodes of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” have been my daughter’s show of choice lately. And truthfully, I’ve enjoyed having this soft-spoken gentleman and his kind earnest words back in my life as well.

Death Wish breaks no new ground
Bruce Willis steps into Charles Bronson’s shoes as Paul Kersey, a shattered husband with a grudge. This time out, he happens to be a surgeon with a loving wife (Elisabeth Shue) who’s about to get her doctorate and a teenage daughter (Camila Morrone) who has a promising future.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Susan Williams & Wright Groove
A recent competitor at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, this Chicagobased quartet delivers a funky, dual bass player approach to the world of blues. Susan Williams, known to Springfield blues fans from previous performances at The Alamo on Blue Monday, hails from Chicago where she’s fronted her own bands for 30-some years.

PUB CRAWL
Frank Parker’s Jambalaya Jazz Jam.

Music marches on
For Thursday excitement, Joshua Allen, a singing, songwriting, guitar player from Rolla, Missouri, rolls into the Trailblazer Lounge on Dirksen Parkway for a night of original Red Dirt-styled songs.

THE CALENDAR
Enos Park Artists-In- Residence Opening Reception.

SCIENCE | Study the night sky
On Friday, March 9, celebrate the return of University of Illinois Springfield’s Friday Night Star Parties, hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy and physics. Friday Night Star Parties take place at UIS Observatory, located on the roof of Brookens Library, and will continue on Friday nights from 8-10 p.

ENVIORNMENT | The fundamentals of growing fungi
Learn how to grow your own shiitake and oyster mushrooms and receive all necessary supplies to do so, including inoculated shiitake and oyster logs, during this exciting presentation on Saturday, March 10, at Adams Wildlife Sanctuary.

ART | Art crawl
Tour three of Springfield’s top visual arts galleries during the Passport Gallery Tour on Friday, March 9. The reception for “Ambience” will be held at the Springfield Art Association Collective Gallery (420 S. Sixth St.) from 5-8 p.m.