https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news WNIJ News en-US Copyright Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:27:39 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2026-07-29/city-of-woodstock-set-to-unveil-new-statue-honoring-filming-legacy-at-weekend-celebration Woodstock, Illinois was the principal filming location for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day. This weekend’s Halfway to Groundhog Day celebration will include a landmark dedication honoring Woodstock’s film legacy. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:27:39 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2026-07-29/city-of-woodstock-set-to-unveil-new-statue-honoring-filming-legacy-at-weekend-celebration Sam Naftzger https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-29/game-changing-former-niu-football-coach-joe-novak-has-died Novak led the Huskies from 1996-2007, turning a struggling program into one that in 2003 ranked as high as 10th in the nation and in 2004 made its first bowl game appearance in 21 years. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:43:37 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-29/game-changing-former-niu-football-coach-joe-novak-has-died Jason Cregier, Guy Stephens https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2026-07-27/dekalb-park-district-says-re-opening-of-hopkins-park-pool-slated-for-aug-15 There hasn't been any swimming at Hopkins Park since the pool closed for the season in 2023. After years of waiting, a new pool with updated amenities is set to open this August. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:58:11 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/illinois/2026-07-27/dekalb-park-district-says-re-opening-of-hopkins-park-pool-slated-for-aug-15 Sam Naftzger https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/rockford-mayor-says-hes-stepping-down Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara says he's leaving at his post at the end of August to become CEO of the Illinois Municipal League Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:24:42 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/rockford-mayor-says-hes-stepping-down Jason Cregier https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/sticky-air-and-hot-temps-could-bring-on-strong-thunderstorms-today-for-northern-illinois 13-WREX meteorologist John Jurgens discusses hot weather and possibility of thunderstorms. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:39:48 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/sticky-air-and-hot-temps-could-bring-on-strong-thunderstorms-today-for-northern-illinois Jason Cregier https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/saying-yes-has-opened-up-new-opportunities-for-a-rockford-artist A Rockford artist was given a small piece of advice that opened something big. WNIJ’s Yvonne Boose learns how this muralist found his creative freedom. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:02:21 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/saying-yes-has-opened-up-new-opportunities-for-a-rockford-artist https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2021-07-26/this-week-in-illinois-history-barack-obama-steps-onto-the-national-stage-july-27-2004 A 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention propels Illinois State Senator Barack Obama into the national spotlight. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:58:00 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2021-07-26/this-week-in-illinois-history-barack-obama-steps-onto-the-national-stage-july-27-2004 Clint Cargile https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/dozens-in-galena-met-to-talk-about-the-impact-and-future-of-data-centers-in-illinois Data centers are coming to Illinois, and the response to this future has been mixed among residents and officials. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is hosting dozens of town hall-style meetings about data centers across the state, including one in Galena this past Wednesday. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-27/dozens-in-galena-met-to-talk-about-the-impact-and-future-of-data-centers-in-illinois Jess Savage https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-24/poetically-yours-you-make-the-choice Welcome to Poetically Yours. Poetically Your showcases poems by northern Illinois poets. This week’s poet is Rockford’s Welsh elementary school student Ka’Miyah Garcia. Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:54:40 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-24/poetically-yours-you-make-the-choice Yvonne Boose https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-24/poetically-yours-when-the-transformation-is-interrupted Welcome to Poetically Yours. Poetically Your showcases poems by northern Illinois poets. This week’s poet is Rockford’s Welsh elementary school student Conner Douglas. Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:09:34 GMT https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2026-07-24/poetically-yours-when-the-transformation-is-interrupted