The Crisis
The collapse of local journalism has created a crisis for democracy. Residents no longer get the information they need to understand the critical issues facing their community, to make good decisions for their family, and hold elected officials accountable.
This problem is not going to be solved by a new phone app or an increase of a few pennies in digital ad rates. It’s time to try something dramatically different.
The Solution
Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. An initiative of the nonprofit media organization, The GroundTruth Project, it is structured to harness the skills and idealism of an emerging group of journalists plus the creative spirit of local news organizations.
The Corp
Yvonne Boose covers artistic, cultural, and spiritual expressions. This includes how members of community cultural groups are finding creative and innovative ways to enrich their personal lives through these expressions individually and within the context of their larger communities.
Maria Gardener Lara reports for WNIJ Hola with a focus on keeping families informed on the programs and policies that affect the growing Latino community.
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco covers the environment includes a sharp focus on water including the quality of rivers and groundwater, and how climate-driven rain and flooding are fundamentally changing the course of life in the region. Additionally Juanpablo can be heard covering stories related to substandard housing and community policing.
These positions are partially funded by a grant from Report for America. WNIJ must raise an the remainder through local matching funds. Support these important voices in our community by donating to WNIJ’s portion here.
Maria, Juanpablo, and Yvonne’s stories from our community will be collected below.
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In an effort to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Biden administration is offering more tax credits for carbon capture sequestration and utilization. The program once expected to cost $3.2 billion now could exceed $100 billion. -
The disease, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2, was first observed in the southwest United States in March of 2020 and has rapidly spread to nearly half of all states. -
Keily Delerme Sierra, meteoróloga de Servicio Nacional de Clima describe que puedes ser para mantenerse seguro durante un tornado. -
It’s National Poetry Month. One award-winning poet is coming to Oglesby, Illinois to perform and discuss his poetry this Wednesday, April 5. -
Aquí hay un repaso detallado de los argumentos propuestos durante un debate contencioso antes de que la Junta del Condado de Boone decidiera, por un márgen estrecho, en contra de la reducción del número de rodeos permitidos por cada organizador de rodeos. -
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and one northern Illinois library is giving the community the opportunity to jazz up their skills and knowledge for this music genre. -
Here is a closer look at the arguments made during a contentious debate before the Boone County Board narrowly decided against reducing the number of rodeos permitted per rodeo operators.
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Welcome to Poetically Yours. Poetically Yours showcases poems by northern Illinois poets. This week’s featured poet is Judy Cummings. -
A 2022 Women’s Health Report study states that Black women are more stressed than white women in the U.S. A Naperville nurse has a program that teaches Black women how to slow down and is now working on a documentary highlighting this program. -
High School students in Boone County prepare to host a school board forum as part of the Democracy Schools initiative.
