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Susan Stephens

WNIJ News Reporter/Producer

Susan’s parents should have known she’d end up in radio: her favorite toys were tape recorders, cameras, notepads, and books. Many years later, she’s an award-winning reporter at her favorite radio station. Formerly WNIJ’s News Director, she asked to return to the role of full-time reporter/anchor/utility player in 2010 (less paperwork, more reporting!). Her #1 goal is to tell the most compelling stories in the fewest words possible…all the better if a little humor can be thrown into the mix.  It should come as no surprise, then, that she can whip up a haiku for any occasion. She also enjoys the Detroit Tigers, learning pioneer skills (Gardening, canning, and the like. Just in case.), traveling with friends, and pretending she’s going to get around to playing her theremin.

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State of the University
10:10 am
Fri October 12, 2012

Reaction To NIU President's Planned Exit

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Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
NIU President John Peters delivers his State of the University address, a multi-media affair.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
State Representative Bob Pritchard chats with NIU president John Peters following the annual State of the University address.
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Northern Illinois University’s long-time president is stepping down at the end of the academic year. John Peters made the announcement at his annual State of the University address Thursday. 

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Rockford Airport
5:08 am
Thu October 11, 2012

Bad News, Sun-Seekers: No RFD To RSW This Season

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Plans to offer flights from Rockford to southwest Florida have fallen through. Chicago-Rockford International Airport director Mike Dunn announced Wednesday that after long and intense negotiations, the airport will NOT be able to provide service to Fort Myers this travel season. 

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Prison Closings
3:38 pm
Wed October 10, 2012

Judge Extends Order To Keep Two Illinois Prisons Open

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
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An Illinois judge is citing "safety concerns" in his order keeping Governor Pat Quinn from moving forward with plans to close two Illinois prisons.

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Arts
4:03 am
Fri September 28, 2012

Fifty Years Of Old-School Country At WLUV

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Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
WLUV AM, Loves Park.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Joe Salvi: WLUV's owner, DJ, programmer, salesman and much more since 1962.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
The control room at WLUV in Loves Park.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Joe Salvi mentions two turntables and a cart machine in the interview. Well, here they are.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Carts and other traditional radio tools at WLUV.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
A photo of Joe Salvi's beloved dog Snowball hangs on his office wall.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Name-brand clocks and Sing-Along With Mitch Miller grace the lobby walls at WLUV.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Need quick facts about country legends? Reach for the nearest Staroscope!
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
It's a long walk from the picnic grounds to studios of WLUV.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
The live stage at WLUV's 49th anniversary party.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Live performance at WLUV's 49th anniversary party in 2011.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Songwriter/performer Gary Mullis helps WLUV owner Joe Salvi cut the cake on the station's 49th birthday in 2011.
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  • WLUV feature, including an interview with station founder Joe Salvi. Music by Tiger Johnson and Bunny Berigan.

Travel down the long dirt driveway leading to WLUV just north of Rockford and you’ll find yourself in a different time and maybe even a different place. Not much has changed at the tiny AM country radio station since it signed on the air 50 years ago this weekend. 

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Dixon Comptroller
8:29 am
Tue September 25, 2012

Crundwell Horse Auction Nets Nearly $5-Million

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Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Gabe Deckard of Marshall, IL makes friends at Rita Crundwell's horse auction.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Painting of Rita Crundwell riding her star stallion, Good I Will Be. The horse known as Willie sold for $775-million to a horse breeder in Canada. The painting is on the side of one of Crundwell's trailers.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
The award-winning stallion Execute, who went for $245,000 at auction, the second highest amount in the Rita Crundwell auction.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Blackhawk College equestrians Abbie McCabe and Courtney Ewing working at the Rita Crundwell horse auction.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Rita Crundwell's ranch in Dixon, site of the horse auction.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
The mare Absolute Iron.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
Horse handlers keep the horses flowing to the auction block.
Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ
The horses were polished and their hooves were blackened before they made their way to the auction block.
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  • Rita Crundwell horse auction, extended feature.

A  two-day horse auction in Dixon has netted nearly five million dollars, according to a U.S. Marshals Service representative. More than 300 of Rita Crundwell’s horses were sold Sunday and Monday. The former Dixon comptroller is accused of stealing more than 53-million dollars from the city. WNIJ’s Susan Stephens has more from Monday’s auction at Crundwell’s horse farm.

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