This year's cohort has been placed with more than 160 local news organizations across 45 states and Puerto Rico, including two journalists right here at WNIJ. We are thrilled to announce the addition of JuanPablo Ramirez-Franco to our news team, and a new role for WNIJ reporter Yvonne Boose.
Yvonne Boose covers artistic, cultural, and spiritual expressions in the COVID-19 era. 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.
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco covers substandard housing and police-community relations. An audio producer and journalist based out of Chicago, he’s also been a bilingual facilitator at the StoryCorps office.
He will continue Sarah Jesmer’s award-winning work at WNIJ covering issues of social justice and identity. Jesmer earned a top award from the Illinois Associated Press for reports including: Inside DeKalb County's Unincorporated Apartments; Wigs, Lipstick & Sparkles: The Thriving Drag Scene In Northern Illinois; and Kish College: Anonymous Letters And A Controversial Investigation.
These reporting positions come at a time when local journalism is already reeling from years of newsroom cuts and unforeseen challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both positions are partially funded by a grant from Report for America. WNIJ must raise an additional $30,000 in local matching funds. Support these important voices in our community by donating to WNIJ’s portion here.
Yvonne and Juanpablo’s stories on our community will be collected below.
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A competitive bicycle race is set to whirl through the streets and roads of southern Wisconsin. Paul Murphy is the co-chair of the Janesville Town Square… -
A northern Illinois musician wants to use their story to inspire other LGBTQ individuals who are still dealing with acceptance and self-love. Some may…
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A national poetry organization announced the names of 23 poet laureate fellows last week.The Academy of American Poets offered a combined total of $1.1…
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A Rockford Arts organization is bringing back summer programs that sprouted from the effects of the pandemic last year -- putting their former programs on…
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Three Illinois ICE Detention Centers Could Close Under New BillsA new set of bills from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus could mean the days are numbered for the state’s three immigration detention centers. The…
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The roof of a northern Illinois theater collapsed a few months ago after a snowstorm. But now the decision has been made to rebuild the entire structure.…
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Last week marked the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Floyd was a Black man who was killed in Minneapolis by white police officer Derek Chauvin. The…
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Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their budget business this week, successfully passing a $42 billion dollar plan for the coming year. But talks surrounding a…
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A historic northern Illinois theater is kicking off the return of live audiences, the first since the onset of the pandemic, with a musical centered…
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and WNIJ is putting the spotlight on a Rockford artist who stuck with his passion, despite many…
