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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One hundred and fifty years ago, a DeKalb farmer created a legacy in DeKalb. His original home is still in place, but most people don’t realize what it is.
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A former community reporter uses Illinois landmarks as a backdrop for her children’s stories. The latest project includes a northern Illinois park with cliffs and waterfalls.
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State Sen. Karina Villa shared key agenda items for the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus including expanding Medicaid to young adults regardless of immigration status.
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A Rockford native who recently finished a run in the musical Hamilton is now starring in another Broadway hit.
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A downstate teen started a nonprofit that helps educate the youth. Now she’s taking things a step further by adapting a concept that one Princeton change agent helped start.
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A northern Illinois art organization has announced the recipients for one of its annual grants. One organization received grants for two different projects.
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Illinois Attorney General's Office filed new lawsuit alleging 14 companies knowingly enriched themselves while promoting toxic PFAS products.
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A former Rockford pharmacy has transformed from helping the community internally to something more external.
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It’s the time of the year where one creature predicts the fate of winter. A northern Illinois city is celebrating the making of a movie that derived from this phenomenon.
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The Natural Land Institute notified state and federal officials of intent to file another lawsuit over the prairie