News Local/State
Three-time Grammy-winning vocalist, and former Champaign-Urbana resident, Dee Dee Bridgewater released her latest album last month. “Dee Dee’s Feathers” was recorded in New Orleans in Esplanade Studios, a former church that was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina ten years ago. Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline spoke with Bridgewater this week about how she and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield put together their new album.
News Local/State
The acting chancellor of the University of Illinois' Urbana campus Thursday named Edward Feser as interim provost. Barbara Wilson said in a statement that Feser has the skills and experience needed to help address what she called "the many issues" facing the campus.
News Local/State
Peggy Johnson, a Republican, said in a statement that she decided to retire as Vermilion County Coroner when her current term concludes in November, 2016. She said her decision came "after careful consideration and many heartfelt talks with my family".
News Local/State
A University of Michigan Economist is advocating for the elimination of the complicated Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
News Local/State
A group of University of Illinois students from Nepal spent the summer helping to rebuild their country after last spring's 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The series of quakes and aftershocks killed some 9,000 people and destroyed buildings and infrastructure. Engineering student Sital Uprety tested and rebuilt water sanitation systems and talked with us about the trip.
News Local/State
The City of Peoria is paying $125,000 to a man who created a parody Twitter account of the city’s mayor. The payment settles a federal lawsuit involving free speech and social media.
News Local/State
U of I President Tim Killeen says the university is reviewing its administrative functions, looking at more centralized services and trying to avoid "duplicative work". His comments follow Gov. Bruce Rauner's renewal of a call for less spending on administration in higher education, and more spending on classroom functions.
News Local/State
James Aikman's plans for a wildlife park in Moultrie County were thwarted over the concerns of landowners. But Aikman announced Tuesday that he's purchased the former Rockome Gardens family tourist site near Arcola with hopes of opening there by May 2016.
News Local/State
The "transition" auction revises a previous capacity auction for the generating year starting next June. But Exelon says the additional revenue will not help its money-losing Byron and Quad Cities nuclear plants.
News Local/State
Illinois football coach Tim Beckman was fired for allegedly pushing student-athletes to play while injured. A reporter found that many athletic trainers feel pressure from coaches to get players back on the field before they're ready.
