WSIU InFocus

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with SIU Journalism Ethics Professor Bill Babcock, who was International Editor and Asia Editor for the Christian Science Monitor during the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989. Babcock sees similarities between that incident, and the tensions building in Hong Kong today.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 1952 this month, eliminating a test of basic skills for potential teachers in Illinois. WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talked with SIUC's Director of Teacher Preparation Nancy Mundschenk about what impact this new law will have:

The conversation continued, into Part 2:

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Interim SIUC Chancellor John Dunn about the upcoming 2019 Fall Semester, new Nursing Program, and more.

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry about the impact of SIUC's students returning for the Fall 2019 semester, and previews a joint meeting between the Carbondale City Council and Carbondale Park District regarding a potential merger.

For over a year, southern Illinois stakeholders spearheaded by SIU Carbondale's Innovation and Economic Development and State Senator Paul Schimpf, have been gathering input and compiling a study highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Randolph County, and Perry County's Pyramid State Recreation Area.

WSIU's Kevin Boucher talks with SIUC MFA Student Lauren Stoelzle, a contributing filmmaker in "HOOPS."

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute's John Jackson about "The Simon Review: The Climate of Opinion in Illinois 2008-2019: Gridlock Broken?" to get his take on what's changed, and what remains the same.

On this edition of WSIU InFocus, we hear from some soil experts and a local farmer about the impact of the floodwaters in southern Illinois.

In late March, a child welfare worker visited the family home of 9-year-old Byron Casanova in Johnston City, Illinois. The social worker expressed concerns about the environment but Byron and his three siblings weren’t removed from the home. Four days later, Byron Casanova committed suicide.  

“The Intact worker was there the Tuesday before, noted some things in the house and said he was concerned about the current cleanliness of the house,” said Johnston City Police Chief William Stark.

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) about the 2nd Annual Southern Illinois Made Expo, hosted in Marion July 27-28.

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Author Jeremy Finley about his book, The Dark Above.

Caretaking of passing loved ones can be a stressful journey with a dim light at the end of the tunnel. 

Kris Juul, a  World War II veteran and Southern Illinois University Professor at Carbondale, helps his family take care of his final moments with the story of his past and present life. 

Visual adapation: Part 1

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Interim SIUC Chancellor John Dunn.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois, two southern Illinois Libraries have brand new telescopes, for the public to learn about the planets and stars.

On this edition of WSIU InFocus, we visit a southern Illinois farm that has eight acres planted in native plants to provide much-needed food for a group of insects and mammals, known as pollinators.

June was a tough month for farmers and smaller growers in southern Illinois.

However, in between the rain showers, a beam of good news arrived in the form of a

$10,000 grant from the non-profit Faith In Place group, and the Little Egypt Alliance of Farmers, or LEAF.

WSIU's Amelia Blakely reports from Southern Illinois Univesrity Carbondale's field school at Fort Kaskaskia near Chester, Illinois. This is the third year the six-week field school has taken place. The school is ran by SIU's Center for Archeological Investigations and led by SIUC Anthropology Professor Mark Wagner. 

In the April municipal elections, voters in Carbondale by a wide margin chose to further study the merging of the Carbondale Park District with the City of Carbondale.

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Jane Otte, the Faith Lead for Moms Demand Action Southern Illinois, about their upcoming community safety fair in Marion.