Sam Naftzger
General Assignment ReporterSam Naftzger is a general assignment reporter with Northern Public Radio. As a DeKalb native, they grew up listening to WNIJ on car rides to and from school with their dad. They are a graduate of Knox College and the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois-Springfield. Naftzger previously worked at WNIJ as a multimedia producer for music program Sessions from Studio A. Outside of work, they enjoy writing fiction, playing the bass guitar and watching old B movies.
-
Ottawa Debate Days runs from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23. The nine-day America250 event commemorates the first Lincoln-Douglas debate held in 1858 with historic tours, a citywide tasting contest and longest beard competition. -
An additional .25 miles are being added to Sycamore’s stretch of the Great Western Trail. The Sycamore Park District-led project will traverse the Kishwaukee River and connect Page St. to Old Mill Park. -
In 2023, Stellantis indefinitely closed its Belvidere Assembly Plant resulting in the layoff of over 1,000 workers. Now, the multinational manufacturer is committing $800 million to its re-opening and the assembly of new Jeep Cherokee. -
The incumbent U.S. congresswoman representing Illinois’ 14th District fielded questions from constituents and acknowledged America’s tense political climate at Thursday night’s town hall. -
15-year-old Alana Vanmeter died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism last September. A memorial 5K on Aug. 22 will fund a scholarship created in her honor. -
The 2026 Environmental Scorecard gave 100 percent scores to 95 state legislators based on how they voted for 13 recent bills. -
People had a chance to touch and feel period accurate reproductions of items carried by Revolutionary War soldiers Wednesday night during an America250 presentation at the DeKalb Public Library. -
The Oregon Ganymedes went toe-to-toe with the Creston Regulators in Sunday's game. The afternoon exhibition was played at Malta's Lions Park under rules from the 1860s. -
No ha habido ninguna natación en el parque Hopkins desde que la piscina cerró para la temporada en 2023. Después de años de espera, una nueva piscina con comodidades actualizadas está lista para abrir este agosto. -
Momentum Art Guild's Transcending Reality and Away I Must by artist Matt Pulford will be on display from July 31 to Sept. 12.
