Dr. Martin Abraham moved to Macomb a few weeks ago to serve as the new provost at Western Illinois University. But following Dr. Jack Thomas' decision to step down as president, Abraham has been thrust into the role of acting president.

Financier and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein is charged with sex trafficking.  And Politico quoted a federal prosecutor as saying "We were assisted by some excellent investigative journalism," specifically citing the Miami Herald series "Perversion of Justice" by reporter Julie K. Brown.  That’s the starting point for this week's discussion on Shop Talk.

It appears the Fort Madison School District will be in the market for a new superintendent.

McDonough District Hospital in Macomb has operated without a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for much of its history. But that is changing.

Julian Castro used a stop in Keokuk this week to promote his plan for reforming the criminal justice system. The former Mayor of San Antonio and former HUD Secretary is one of roughly two dozen Democrats seeking their party's nomination for President.

Democrat Tessa Pfafman was one of three people elected to a full, four-year term in McDonough County Board District 1 last fall.  She was sworn into office in early December – and hasn't been seen at a county board meeting since.