Fletcher Farrar

It was billed as a “Community conversation” about “Faithful responses to hostility” but nobody knew beforehand whether there would be much of a turnout for this June 25 gathering of Springfield’s seven “open and affirming” churches and the LGBTQ+ community they support. By 6 p.m. there were maybe 200 in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary […]

Springfield came together for a happy, safe and successful Juneteenth 2023, with many events spread over six days. The big solidarity march made its way Saturday morning to Comer Cox Park, where platform speakers announced and applauded each community group as it arrived. They also recognized those who had kept this event alive in Springfield […]

If the charges in the indictment of Donald Trump are true, said presidential candidate Nikki Haley, the former president has been “incredibly reckless with our national security and has put all of our military men and women in danger.” The next day she added that if Trump is found guilty, she would be “inclined in […]

Springfielders still mourning the decline of their daily newspaper can take heart, in a roundabout way, from news reports June 5 of the walkout by hundreds of journalists at about two dozen newsrooms owned by Gannett, the country’s largest newspaper chain. Gannett’s Illinois newspapers, which include Springfield’s State Journal-Register, did not participate this time, but […]

“What’s happening to the local news?” is the question posed to the three of us on the panel at the Citizens Club May 26. It led to a generally gloomy discussion, moderated by Randy Eccles, NPR Illinois general manager, about the changing media environment in Springfield and across the nation. Social media, polarization and misinformation […]

The Springfield Park District is refreshing its playgrounds with some cool new equipment. “Push me. Push me again. Again,” was the plea at a zipline-like contraption that had its rider zooming maybe 30 feet from one platform to the other. Are you ready to stop now? “I don’t ever want to stop.” A little kid […]

A friend who liked the old mayor told me he wasn’t so sure about this new mayor, not for any particular reason except he doesn’t know her well. I said I know but let’s give her a chance. It’s good to get new people involved, a new set of eyes on problems, a fresh approach. […]

At last week’s meeting of the Citizens Club of Springfield, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White was asked: Does the absence of ethical standards for the U.S. Supreme Court lead to a decline in public trust for the court? “The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court have a lifetime appointment,” she answered. “That probably […]

Sometimes it’s good to thank oldsters for staying in the fight. They don’t always do so for ego or pride, but sometimes for compassion or duty. Pope Francis must know that, despite frailties and pain, nobody else would use the power of his office to voice the love of God in quite the way that […]

The violence that broke out in Sudan this week dashed the hopes of millions there who had hoped for peace since 2019, when a popular revolution ousted the African nation’s longtime dictator. News reports say British and American negotiators thought they were close, even last week, to a deal that would lead to democracy. Then […]