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.

sstephens@niu.edu

A Team Of Their Own: Women Playing Hardball

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Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Rockford Starfire's new hat, Rockford Peaches vintage cap

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Representatives of the Rockford Aviators, Rockford Starfires, and Rockford Park District join Rockford Peach Helen Wyatt at new team announcement.

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

The Rockford Starfires, new Rockford women's hardball team

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Rockford's new women's baseball team, The Starfires.

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Former Peach Helen Wyatt and current Starfire Beth Layng

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Helen "Sis Waddell" Wyatt and family model the past and future uniforms of women's baseball in Rockford

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

The "dirt on the skirt" is still visible on the late Dottie Key's Rockford Peaches uniform.

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Rockford Peaches' uniforms sported the seal of the city.

By Susan Stephens

Rockford has a long, proud baseball history: it’s where sports pioneer Albert Spalding got his start. It’s where every company in town had its own industrial league team. And during World War Two, the most famous women’s professional baseball team drew thousands of fans. Now there’s a new team trying to revive the tradition of women playing hardball.

1:18 am

Wed April 10, 2013

Robin Kelly Wins Big, Replacing Congressman Jackson

Representative-elect Robin Kelly, 2nd Congressional District

By Susan Stephens

Illinois’ Second Congressional District has a voice again. Democrat Robin Kelly easily beat five opponents in the special election to fill former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s U.S. House seat. The district has been without representation since Jackson resigned in November, shortly after winning re-election, in spite of corruption allegations and an extended leave to deal with bipolar depression.

9:27 am

Tue April 9, 2013

Citizens Demand More Trees For DeKalb Nature Trail Restoration

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Josh Clark of the DeKalb Park District presents the plan to add plants, shrubs, and prairie along the DeKalb Nature Trail.

By Susan Stephens

Planting will begin soon along a DeKalb nature trail that was clear-cut below Com Ed power lines last November. The group tasked with coming up with a restoration plan presented it to the public last night.

7:30 am

Mon April 8, 2013

Four Vying For DeKalb Mayor

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Four candidates for DeKalb Mayor. Clockwise, starting from upper left: : Jennifer Groce, David Jacobson, John Rey, and Mike Verbic.

By Susan Stephens

There’s a lot of change in store for the city of DeKalb…at least when it comes to who’s in charge. There’s turnover in most leadership positions, from Northern Illinois University to city government. WNIJ’s Susan Stephens takes a look at the four-way race for DeKalb mayor.

4:02 pm

Thu April 4, 2013

Theft Charges Against Two More NIU Workers Dismissed

Credit NIU

By Susan Stephens

Felony theft charges have been thrown out against two more NIU employees.

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6:09 am

Mon April 15, 2013