Guy Stephens

On Saturday, April 27th,  Northern Illinois University’s Graduate Research Association (GSRA) holds its 5th annual Research and Artistry Conference.  The academic event is unique in that it includes work from across many disciplines in the arts and sciences.

Rachel Moran is a master’s student in biology at NIU. She’s also the chair of the Graduate Research Association and helped plan this year’s conference. And she’s a participant. She says this event is a great opportunity for students like herself.

Update, 4/23/13

All absentee ballots have been counted...Hall High School referendum supporters have still won. Two absentee ballots from the Hall district were added to the vote totals today: one yes and one no, so the extremely close margin stands. The measure to raise $32-million to build a new high school passed 1,717 - 1,714.

Laura Vasquez,  professor of media studies in the School of Communication at Northern Illinois University, says she started the Reality Bytes Independent Student Film Festival a little over a decade ago as a showcase for her students' work, as well as a chance for them to get some real-world experience.

"To learn what was the bar, what other people in college were producing, and how they could learn to tell stories that were engaing, that were well-produced, that were well-shot, and that had an audience."

As you head off Interstate 39 and drive west toward Mendota, the sign inviting you to the city’s annual summer sweet corn festival reminds you that you’re in farm country. The big Del Monte processing plant further in confirms that. But manufacturing has long been a big part of Mendota’s economy, too. So R.R. Donnelley was hailed back in 1992 when it bought a closed local printing plant, adding high-skilled, high-wage jobs to the community.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn gave his State of the State address this week. He repeatedly hammered a theme of political courage during his speech to the General Assembly.