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Story category: United States
Astronaut, UI Alumnus Looks Beyond NASA's Shuttle Program
Story air date: Thursday, May 07, 2009
NASA is preparing for a phase-out of its space shuttle program. The shuttle will be replaced by the Orion space capsule. But there will be a 4 to 5 year gap in between the last shuttle launch and the first voyage of the Orion. AM 580’s Jeff Bossert talked with the commander of the most recent shuttle mission, University of Illinois graduate Lee Archambault, for his thoughts on the future of the US space program:
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government • United States • science • technologyELECTION 2008: A Quiet 15th District Congressional Race
Story air date: Friday, October 31, 2008
Republicans have been hurt by the Bush administration’s low approval ratings. Some members of Congress from traditionally conservative districts are having more trouble fending off Democratic challengers. But local incumbent Tim Johnson of the 15th district could be one of the safest Republicans up for re-election. AM-580 intern Whitney Wyckoff has more.
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government • elections • United States • politicsFrance's Ambassador on the Economy, the EU and the US
Story air date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
This month the International Monetary Fund released a bleak outlook for economic growth in the United States and many European countries in 2009. The IMF estimates the US economy will grow by only 0.1 percent -- and for countries like Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy, it projects a probable recession. Under the current EU presidency of France, the European Union is working to get its economies back on track. AM 580's Michael Koliska talked with France's Ambassador to the US, Pierre Vimont, as he visited the UI. Vimont says currently, Europe is working on three fronts.
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economy • government • United States • politicsRural Issues and the Campaign: Small Town Entrepreneurs
Story air date: Thursday, October 09, 2008
Rural America has seen an exodus of residents and businesses for decades. But now it’s evolving into a garden spot for entrepreneurs. Many don’t have much of a choice – jobs in large companies or farms are drying up, and self-employment helps pay the bills. Still others (like Becky and Freddy Smith, left) get into business for love of their communities – they’re helping small-town storefronts spring back to life. What can government do to help them out? AM 580's Tom Rogers reports on the challenges these rural entrepreneurs face, and what the presidential candidates want to do about it.
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business • community life • economy • government • United StatesRural Issues and the Campaign: Ethanol Plants
Story air date: Monday, October 06, 2008
AM 580 is joining with public radio stations across the country to look into how the Presidential race impacts rural residents.
The debate over alternate energy sources like wind and solar power is not only aimed at reducing dependence on natural resources like coal and natural gas.
Driving cars and using other machines rely more on these sources. While John McCain stresses greater production of oil, and nuclear energy, Barack Obama speaks more of using alternates. One getting a lot of attention in recent years is ethanol. But lately, supply and demand have hurt the development of new facilities that produce it. AM 580’s Jeff Bossert looks at how the state of the industry is affecting two rural Central Illinois towns and what the presidential candidates’ energy policies could mean for their future.
