Illinois Public Media News

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.

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.

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".

A University of Michigan Economist is advocating for the elimination of the complicated Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

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.