WNIJ and WNIU | Northern Public Radio

Health Costs Bear Down On Families Who Don't Qualify For ACA Subsidies

Like millions of Americans in this final week of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, Diane McCabe is shopping for health insurance. "At my age, I can't go without it, even though I'm healthy now," says McCabe. She's 62 and a self-employed real estate agent in Luzerne County, Pa. "But the process is frustrating, and the expense significant." That's because McCabe is one of the 5 million people who buy their own coverage (either on of off the ACA marketplace) and pay the...

Wisconsin's Walker Signs Sweeping Lame-Duck GOP Bills

Behind The Numbers: A Closer Look At Campus Safety

Statewide: Climate Change In Illinois; Schools Fail Dealing With Sexual Abuse

By Sean Crawford • 9 hours ago

With all the talk of climate change and what the future may bring, turns out we're already seeing effects in Illinois. And a report outlines where schools are missing the mark in helping sexual abuse and harassment victims.

Statewide brings you reports and conversations from in and around Illinois.

Perspective: Re-Gift Of The Magi

By Jim Kline • 19 hours ago

In O. Henry's short Christmas story "The Gift of the Magi," a husband and wife each sell a prized possession in order to buy a special gift for the other. But because of what was sold, neither can use the gift that was given.

Nation-Wide Wave Of Bomb Hoaxes Includes Some Illinois Businesses And Organizations

By Associated Press • Dec 13, 2018

A wave of bomb threats emailed Thursday to hundreds of schools, businesses and government buildings across the U.S. triggered searches, evacuations and fear — but there were no signs of explosives, and authorities said the scare appeared to be a crude extortion attempt.

Law enforcement agencies across the country dismissed the threats, saying they were meant to cause disruption and compel recipients into sending money and were not considered credible.

Sessions from Studio A - Lehto & Wright

By Carl Nelson • Dec 13, 2018

Lehto & Wright performs in WNIJ's Studio A.

Find the music of Lehto & Wright online.

Large Gifts Reflect And Define Museum's Identity

By Guy Stephens • Dec 13, 2018

People donate art to museums from time to time. But a really large donation – a whole collection – can help define a museum's very identity.

Laura and John Fraser, both artists, have collected contemporary art together for decades. Over the years, they amassed a large set of pieces rich - if that's the right word for so subtle a collection – in abstract images and shapes, with the occasional bit of whimsy.

'Keep the Wreath Red' Campaign Tries To Prevent Holiday Fires

By Peter Medlin • Dec 13, 2018

Red wreaths hang from many fire departments across the state from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

For every dry Christmas tree that catches fire, a red light on the wreath flips from red to white. The same goes for holiday lights that spark. The goal is to keep as many of the lights red as possible.

The wreaths hang as part of the “Keep the Wreath Red” program. It’s been around for over 70 years promoting fire safety during the holidays, reminding people to keep Christmas trees watered and an eye on their lights.

Judges Ask ICE to Make Courts Off Limits To Immigration Arrests

By Matthew S. Schwartz • Dec 13, 2018

For 25 years, schools, hospitals and places of worship have effectively been off-limits to federal immigration officers. Now, a group of dozens of former state and federal judges is asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to add courthouses to the list of "sensitive locations" where their officers generally do not go.

What You Need To Know About Another Wild Week In The Russia Investigation

By Philip Ewing • Dec 13, 2018

Updated at 9:47 a.m. ET

Each new dawn seems to bring a major new headline in the Russia investigation, including a number of important courtroom developments this month.

Here's what you need to know about what has happened so far this week in this often complex and fast-moving saga.

Michael Cohen is going to prison, but he says he isn't finished yet

Perspective: We Are Not Alone. Now What?

By Gregory Taylor • Dec 13, 2018

The recently published Harvard scientific paper suggesting that an alien probe might have passed through our solar system awakens memories of my own DeKalb County UFO experience in the fall of 1974.

First Free Delivers Presents For Those Who Cannot

By Connie Kuntz • Dec 12, 2018

More than 2.5 million children in the United States have at least one parent in prison. For the past 25 years, First Free Church of Rockford and Prison Fellowship have worked together as a bridge between the parent in prison and the child at home. This partnership ensures that the children will receive Christmas presents from their imprisoned father or mother. This is the well-organized Angel Tree Program and Susan Schumacher is the coordinator.

Community Events Calendar

News From NPR

Trump Announces Mick Mulvaney As Acting White House Chief Of Staff

By Scott Horsley • 5 hours ago

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

President Trump Names Mick Mulvaney As Acting White House Chief Of Staff

By Jessica Taylor • 6 hours ago

Updated at 8:35 p.m. ET

President Trump said Friday evening that Mick Mulvaney, his director of the Office of Management and Budget, will be the acting White House chief of staff.

It's unclear how long Mulvaney will serve in the role, succeeding outgoing chief of staff John Kelly. Trump announced on Dec. 8 that Kelly would leave at the end of the year.