Dan Klefstad

WNIJ Morning Edition Host

Dan Klefstad is a graduate of Northern Public Radio's "Slacker to Professional" program, starting as a part-time announcer in 1990. He was a student then and had trouble getting to work before noon. In 1997 Dan ceased being a night owl and began greeting the dawn, and listeners, as WNIJ's Morning Edition host. Because of his 8pm bedtime, Dan doesn't have much of a life outside work. But every now and then he writes a novel and, every now and then, one gets published. He lives vicariously through his fictional protagonists and antagonists. He shares a home in DeKalb with his wife and two cats.

dklefstad@niu.edu

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stepping down

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald

By Dan Klefstad

Patrick Fitzgerald has scheduled a news conference Thursday to announce his resignation, according to the Justice Department. Fitzgerald was selected as northern Illinois' top prosecutor in 2001.

During his tenure he successfully tried two Illinois governors, George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich, and media mogul Conrad Black.

As a special prosecutor, he investigated Lewis "Scooter" Libby, then chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. Fitzgerald's investigation led to Libby's conviction on charges that he leaked the covert identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson.

6:27 am

Wed May 9, 2012

GOP freshman gives qualified thumbs-up to President Obama

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U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)

F-22 Raptors (courtesy of Wikipedia)

By Dan Klefstad

Northern Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger says President Obama has "been aggressive" when protecting Americans from terrorism. The freshman Republican cites the Obama administration's increase in the use of drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen.

Kinzinger spoke a day after U.S. intelligence officials announced they foiled an alleged attempt to bomb a U.S.-bound airliner. But in an interview with WNIJ, Kinzinger stressed he has "fundamental disagreements" with the administration's handling of Afghanistan.

4:00 am

Mon April 30, 2012

What's the impact of Gov.'s pension fix?

NIU's Steven Cunningham, VP for administration & human resources

By Dan Klefstad

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wants state institutions, such as Northern Illinois University, to contribute to their workers' pensions. Currently, the state pays the employer share of contributions. Quinn's plan would slowly shift the responsibility for paying the "normal cost of pensions" to universities, community colleges and school districts.

4:37 am

Thu April 12, 2012

Drums out front at NIU Spring Concert

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Composer and percussionist Victor Lewis

NIU Jazz Ensemble director Ron Carter

By Dan Klefstad

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Northern Illinois University's Jazz Ensemble invited two percussionists to perform with them at Thursday's Spring Concert. The headliner is Victor Lewis, an internationally renowned recording artist. He'll share the stage with Robert Chappell, NIU Presidential Teaching Professor, who's retiring after 30 years with the music department. Ensemble director Ron Carter sat down with WNIJ's Dan Klefstad to talk about this evening of music.

Local

4:47 am

Wed April 4, 2012

Study: 9-1-1 dispatchers at risk for PTSD

Michelle Lily, NIU psychology professor

By Dan Klefstad

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A new study links indirect exposure to trauma with an increased risk of post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Northern Illinois University psychology professor Michelle Lily, and research associate Heather Pierce, followed 171 on-the-job emergency dispatchers from 24 states. Dr. Lily discussed their findings with WNIJ's Dan Klefstad.

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12:19 pm

Wed May 23, 2012