RICHMOND, Va.

Tony Smarjesse, who served for 11 years on the board overseeing what is now the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield, could rejoin the board in February.

Miss White County Fair Queen Kelsi Kessler has been named Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Kessler, 18, is from Carmi.

  Five Republican Illinois House members are calling for an immediate hearing into the state's automatic voter registration law after more than 500 non-U.S. citizens were inadvertently registered to vote because of a programming error in the secretary of state's office.

RICHMOND, Virginia - Thousands of gun owners and gun rights supporters gathered Monday at Virginia's Capitol for a "peaceful day to address our Legislature" that appeared to generate none of the violence feared by some state leaders.

ATLANTA - Martin Luther King III sits in his living room on a recent Thursday afternoon, surrounded by lush decor and wearing a dark suit.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Australia's forests are burning at a rate unmatched in modern times and scientists say the landscape is being permanently altered as a warming climate brings profound changes to the island continent.

MELBOURNE, Australia - Everyone had the same question when the Australian Open draw was revealed: What were the odds that Coco Gauff and Venus Williams would face each other again in the first round at a Grand Slam tournament?