WNIJ and WNIU | Northern Public Radio

Thousands of WNIJ listeners lost contact with their NPR programming this morning, when a severe thunderstorm cut the power to Northern Public Radio's transmitter in Lindenwood, Ill. The outage also affected listeners to WNIJ's sister station, Classical WNIU.

While Commonwealth Edison struggled to restore power to 175,000 customers, WNIJ and WNIU had hoped to use generator power to continue broadcasting. Unfortunately, according to chief engineer Jeff Glass, our backup lacked coolant. So when the power went out around 6:00am, fans of NPR's Morning Edition were forced to pull in distant signals from Chicago Public Radio or Wisconsin Public Radio.

Read more about WNIJ KO'd by storms, poor maintenance

Read more about Survey

Kyle Norris got her start in radio as a Michigan Radio intern. Her features have appeared on The Environment Report, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Marketplace, The Splendid Table, World Vision Report, Justice Talking, and The Health Show.

In 2008, she won a Division A (News Staff of 5 or more) first place award from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated for best investigative journalism.

Norris is endlessly fascinated with people and their struggles. She's also fascinated with the figurative beating of the human heart. She loves public radio because it gives her the chance to explore all of those things.

In her downtime she enjoys soccer, yoga, and coffee. Her website is at kylenorris.wordpress.com.

Local

6:25 am

Fri May 17, 2013

Recycling Knowledge In DeKalb

Credit Mike Moen

Classic Books in DeKalb

By Mike Moen

Book stores are fighting for survival in the digital age. National chains and independent owners are dealing with the growing presence of e-readers. But in DeKalb, the community’s only remaining used book store appears isolated from the ups and downs within the industry. This tiny outlet operates more as a public service than an actual business.

5:05 am

Fri May 17, 2013

Education Officials Support Cost-Shift For Pensions

Credit Amanda Vinicky

By WNIJ

Although they're facing budget cuts, universities and community colleges say they're willing to begin taking on employees' pension costs. The state covers the employers' share of retirement benefits for Illinois' public schools, colleges and universities.

WEB EXTRA: NIU Pension Overhaul Website

House Speaker Mike Madigan is insistent the state stop.

4:58 am

Fri May 17, 2013

Concealed Carry Measure Advances In Springfield

Credit ilga.gov

Illinois Senator Kwame Raoul

By WNIJ

A measure that would allow people to carry weapons in public is advancing in the Illinois Senate. Gun owners would have to apply to the Illinois State Police. The department would then ask local law enforcement whether there was a reason someone should not be licensed. The measure would also ban weapons from schools, day care, casinos, and stadiums. Those restrictions prompted a quick response from NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde:

10:10 am

Thu May 16, 2013

Limited Navigation Resumes Through Marseilles Dam

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Credit WNIJ

By WNIJ

Limited navigation through the Marseilles Lock and Dam has resumed following the elevation of the navigational pool by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to the Unified Command, The Marseilles pool was elevated to its navigable level late Wednesday afternoon.

The Coast Guard continues to enforce a Regulated Navigation Area from the Marseilles Lock at mile marker 244.6 to the Gum Creek Light and Daymark at mile marker 247.8.

6:06 am

Thu May 16, 2013

Doctor Arrested For Drug Conspiracy

Credit Justice.gov

By WNIJ

A northern Illinois doctor has been arrested on federal charges for drug conspiracy. Richard Ng is accused of causing the deaths of three patients. He was indicted on 89 counts including illegally dispensing prescription drugs coupled with income tax fraud. Ng practiced medicine at Sauk Medical Clinic offices in DeKalb and Sterling. His license was suspended in 2011 when the accusations were first reported. Also indicted is Ng's wife who was the office manager for the clinic.

4:50 am

Thu May 16, 2013

Government Finishes Sale of Crundwell Assets

Credit Jenna Dooley / WNIJ

By Jenna Dooley

U.S. Marshals Service Says Selling Crundwell's Assets Was Not All "Smooth Sailing"

Federal marshals have now liquidated all of the known assets of Rita Crundwell, the former Dixon comptroller who admitted to embezzling nearly $53 million from the city.

Last week, marshals sold Crundwell’s final three assets, including two vehicles and a trailer. That sale brought in about $36,000.

Crundwell was sentenced in February to 19.5 years in federal prison.

4:43 am

Thu May 16, 2013

Agreement Reached On "Fracking" Package

Credit Illinois Chamber

Tom Wolf

By WNIJ

After several stumbles, an agreement has been reached on how to regulate "fracking" in Illinois. An Illinois House committee could vote on the package Thursday. Tom Wolf heads the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Energy Council.

"At the end of the day I think we've found what I would call the regulatory sweet spot." - Tom Wolf

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