News

By Dan Klefstad

DeKalb, IL – Two proposals are emerging in Congress to overhaul the nation's healthcare system. One proposal would create a public option similar to Medicare. The other would create a system of regional health care cooperatives.

Most Americans are familiar with Medicare, but...cooperatives? What are they, and how would they work? And would a Midwest regional co-op provide better, more efficient care than a public option? WNIJ's Dan Klefstad asked NIU economist Virginia Wilcox-Gok.

By Christopher Hosken

Rockford, IL – When Rockford resident Kay Koster began teaching how to play guitars, AND repair them, F-D-R was in the White House. This 91-year-old musical pioneer is STILL playing and fixing all makes and models of guitars and amps. WNIJ's Christopher Hosken has this profile.

By Susan Stephens

Batavia, IL – Things have turned around in the past year for the national physics lab in Batavia. Fermilab faced layoffs, cutbacks, and furloughs a year ago. Now it's getting a huge infusion of federal stimulus money. WNIJ's Susan Stephens reports:

By Andrew Mitchell

Live Music and the Economy

Andy Mitchell

DeKalb, IL – The recession has been obviously bad for many business owners. But as WNIJ's Andy Mitchell has found, local live music is persevering... AND growing.

By Mike Moen

DeKalb, IL – Two Northern Illinois communities are competing for a stop on a proposed Amtrak line. WNIJ's Mike Moen has more on the latest twist in the passenger rail initiative: