Susan Stephens
Reporter, All Things Considered HostSusan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. Her #1 goal is to tell the most compelling stories in the fewest words possible…all the better if a little humor can be thrown into the mix. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered. Interests outside of the newsroom include spreading the word about pawpaws, employing her skills as a Master Naturalist, thinking about baseball, and pretending she’s going to get around to playing her theremin.
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So you want to build a home studio. You can do it! Two important factors are what you want to use it for and how much you'd like to spend.But let's start… -
STRONG SOUND = STRONGER STORIESUse of sound sets public radio reporting apart. Always ask yourself what sound you can get as you are planning your story…
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So what’s the difference between a podcast and a radio show, besides where you listen to them? 1) Podcasts have no time constraints. They can go long,…
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What do you think of when you hear the word "mead?" Vikings, Renaissance Faires, a cloying sweet nectar? The Under Rocks team discovers the joy of modern mead during a visit to downtown Elburn.
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The Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois are preserving our stories, recipes, and community cookbooks -– and putting it all into a bigger societal context. Join WNIJ’s Under Rocks team as we take a deep dive into grandma’s recipe box and serve up a big slice of chocolate kraut cake. Your ideas are welcome at rocks@niu.edu!
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The Amsterdam-based automaker blames microchip shortages and supply chain issues for the shutdown.
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Flags fly over Sycamore, Illinois as it celebrates the world’s favorite orange gourd: The Pumpkin Festival gets underway the last full weekend before Halloween. It’s those orange flags with the grinning jack-o'-lantern that drove a listener to contact WNIJ’s Under Rocks team to get answers to some burning questions. And make sure you listen ‘til the very end of the show for a special appearance by our favorite Illinois Enthusiast!
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So you've spotted a flock of huge white birds with comically-large beaks riding the Rock River surf. They couldn't possibly be pelicans, could they? They're far too exotic for the Midwest. Right?WNIJ's Under Rocks team heads out in search of the American White Pelican — and finds a festival devoted to these spring-time visitors along the way.Email us your story ideas at rocks@niu.edu!
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Sometimes, the best way to fix something is to burn it down -- especially when it comes to natural areas choked with invasive plants. Things heat up for the Under Rocks crew as they tag along with Jack Pizzo and Associates for a prescribed burn at his house.
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The iconic Rockford Register Star News Tower will become Iconic Energy's headquarters while continuing to be home base for the city's daily newspaper.
