Congress ran full-tilt into election-year gridlock over immigration Thursday and staggered toward a five-week summer break with no agreement in sight on legislation to cope with the influx of young immigrants flocking illegally to the United States.

Rushing toward the exits, Congress on Thursday scrambled to wrap up legislation addressing the troubled Veterans Affairs Department and a looming shortfall in highway money. House Republicans sought to win over reluctant, tea party conservatives on a border security bill.

The worst recorded Ebola outbreak in history surpassed 700 deaths in West Africa as the World Health Organization on Thursday announced dozens of new fatalities.

As fighting raged in eastern Ukraine, an international team of investigators on Thursday reached the crash site of the Malaysian Airline Flight 17 and got a first look at where it was brought down by a missile two weeks ago.

Incumbent Division 5 Associate Circuit Judge Richard Copeland is retiring after several years on the bench and two attorneys are running for the Republican nod to replace him.

The flocks are coming.

Last weekend, Bright Futures Carthage hosted the Stuff the Bus collection drive for school supplies for students in need.

Last weekend, Bright Futures Carthage hosted the Stuff the Bus collection drive for school supplies for students in need.

Israel said today that 16,000 more reservists will be called up, bringing the total called up during the latest round of fighting to 86,000. Israel is trying to target Hamas in Gaza, and wants to destroy all the tunnels Hamas has built in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Israel will continue to target the tunnels.

The Galena City Council voted Wednesday night during a special meeting to postpone any council discussion of a landfill in Cherokee County until January.