Guy Stephens

Zambian Matthew Tembo got his bachelor's degree in classical music-playing Bach on the piano. He moved on to become a leading touring and recording artist in both the reggae and Afropop genres. But for the last several years, he's devoted himself to kindling an interest in his countrymen for Zambia's traditional instruments and music. To that end, he founded the Sing Your Own Song Festival, which encourages musicians to create music that embraces that tradition. More recently, he has come to Northern Illinois University, where he is working on master's degree in World Music.

The Chicago Teachers Union president says the city's students will be back in class Wednesday after delegates voted overwhelmingly to suspend a seven-day teachers strike. 

Karen Lewis spoke during a Tuesday evening news conference after delegates met to consider a tentative contract proposal. The teachers walked out last week over issues including how they are evaluated and job security. Some 350, ooo students were affected.   

This week, two northern Illinois businesses are closing their doors. Both of these family owned operations had served their communities for generations.

After more than 40 years in Rockford as an independent organization, Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts is becoming a division of the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.  

Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts has long been known for presenting an eclectic mix of folk, blues and other types of ‘roots’ music. For most of its 128 years, the focus of what is now the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center has been classical music.

The Rockford Police Department hosts its eighth Citizens Police Academy beginning September 19. The 8 week class will be held Wednesday afternoons at the city's Public Safety Building.

The course will cover such topics as community policing, recognizing drug and gang activity, crime prevention through environmental design, crime analysis, seasonal crimes/scams/ID theft, organizing and sustaining a watch group, “Shoot, Don’t Shoot” scenarios and more.