News

By Mike Moen

Rockford, IL – In recent weeks, there's been an outcry over the proposed shutdown of Rockford's Lewis Lemon Library. Supporters continue their fight, to prevent the facility from closing. WNIJ's, Mike Moen, talked with a key decision maker, and some library patrons, who describe how essential the building is to their neighborhood:

By Susan Stephens

Rockford, IL – The investigation continues into the shooting death of a Rockford man more than two weeks ago. 23-year-old Mark Barmore was shot by two police officers in a downtown church daycare center. Barmore was black, and the officers are white. And while the city waits for a special state police task force to finish its independent investigation, community leaders are looking at deeper issues the incident has brought up. WNIJ's Susan Stephens has the latest:

By Guy Stephens

DeKalb/Rockford, IL – Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet appears on the Left Bank Stage Labor Day Sunday at On the Waterfront. For more than three decades the group has blended Cajun traditions with zydeco, jazz, Tex-Mex, country, rock and blues. Their thirty albums have earned numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards- the latest in 2009 for best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album.

By Christopher Hosken

Rockford, IL – We continue our On The Waterfront preview with a chat WNIJ's Christopher Hosken recently had with Janiva Magness. The blues singer will perform at The Left Bank Stage this Sunday night at 6-45 in Rockford. We hear some of Magness' oldest memories about being a foster child, plus some of her newest music from the C-D titled What Love Will Do.

By Mike Moen

DeKalb, IL – Earlier this week, WNIJ reported on the popularity of community colleges in this struggling economy, and how administrators are meeting the growing demand. We also got feedback from those attending the schools, as a result of the recession. Our own Mike Moen spoke with a student at Kishwaukee College in DeKalb County: