AM-580 News Features
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 October
thru December 2004
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Bringing the Orpheum Back
The Orpheum Theatre entertained people in downtown
Champaign for 72 years. Now it's entering its second
decade in its new role as a children's museum. AM 580's
Jim Meadows stopped by the Orpheum Children's Science Museum
for its tenth anniversary celebration.
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to story
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(Thompson-McLellan Photography)
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Trusting the Computers We Work With Modern life is balanced on the backs of computers, from the
personal laptop to the most powerful supercomputer clusters at
universities, corporations and government agencies. That
means when one small part of a system goes down because of a
technical problem or wrongdoing, we all feel the
consequences. Bill Sanders (left, foreground) is the
head of a new UI agency called the Information Trust
Institute. He talked to AM 580's Tom Rogers.
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to interview
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Iris Chang Memorial
Chinese-American author Iris Chang was remembered December
2nd as a women mature beyond her years who lived life to the
fullest. Chang died last month near her home in
California. Those who knew her at the University of
Illinois gathered on campus to share their memories. AM
580's Jeff Bossert has this report.
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to story
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(U. of Michigan)
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A New U of I President
B. Joseph White will officially occupy the University of
Illinois president's office next February. He
comes from the University of Michigan, where he served about a
year as interim president; he also headed the business
school. As he moves from one Big Ten institution to
another, he took time to talk with AM 580's Tom Rogers about
his decision to come to Illinois and the challenges he faces
once he takes over for retiring President James Stukel.
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to extended interview
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Election Day Results
This year's race for Illinois' US Senate seat had plenty of
scandal, but in the end, Democrat Barack Obama rose above the
problems of his opponents. He easily won the seat, which
just a year ago seemed out of his reach. Illinois Public
Radio's Sean Crawford reports.
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to story
An extraordinary number of Champaign County voters went to
the polls. The 84,051 voters cast ballots that gave
Republicans a small gain on the county board, while Democrats
won an important victory in a countywide race. AM 580's
Jim Meadows reports.
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to story
visit our Election 2004 Results page
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Who Should Handle Elections?
Near the end of the fall Champaign County election ballot,
voters will be asked a simple, one-sentence question:
"Shall a Board of Election Commissioners be established
for Champaign County?" That question has generated
heated remarks -- Democrats and the Republican county clerk
have been at odds with each other for years. AM 580's
Tom Rogers reports.
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to story
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Narrowing the Funding Gap: Where C-U Candidates Stand
A bill to change the way public schools are funded in has
become an important issue in the 103rd Illinois House District
campaign. The bill proposes lower property taxes -- and
more income and sales taxes -- as a way to boost state funding
for schools. No one says the bill is perfect, but
Republican Deb Frank Feinen (left) supports the proposal, and
Democrat Naomi Jakobsson (right) opposes it. AM 580's
Jim Meadows reports.
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to story
one take on HB 750 from the Center for Tax and Budget
Accountability
Find candidate links and other information on our Election
2004 website
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Voters Will Decide on At-Large Council Seats in Urbana
There are seven members on the Urbana City Council, one
elected from each of seven wards (left). A referendum on
the November 2nd ballot proposes adding two more
seats. But these council members would represent the
entire city, not individual wards, and supporters say that
would add to the voices heard in Urbana city government.
Opponents say at-large seats would take voices away. AM
580's Jim Meadows reports.
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to story
"Plus 2 for Urbana" website
"Vote No At-Large" website
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Property Tax Money for Developmental Disability Services?
Parents, caregivers and social service agencies say
services for developmentally disabled people in Illinois --
those with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy or other
disabilities are chronically under-funded. Champaign
County advocates hope voters will approve a new property tax
levy to raise money for housing and other services. As
AM 580's Tom Rogers reports, it's drawn support and some
opposition.
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to story
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An Argument Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The executive director of the Tennessee-based Christian
Medical Association says the use of embryonic stem cells for
medical research is immoral -- but also less promising than
using other types of stem cells. Family practice
physician David Stevens is speaking on the issue around the
Midwest, and he spoke with AM 580's Jim Meadows.
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to interview
Christian Medical and Dental Associations website
American Medical Association FAQ on stem cells
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Is Champaign County Smiling Healthier?
Last year, AM 580 launched Smile
Healthy!, a seven-month series of reports on the
status of dental health in the county. The reports
outlined what's available for people who may not be able to
afford a dentist -- resources are out there, but many needs go
unfilled. A lot has happened in the 15 months since the
stories aired -- one agency discontinued, then reinstated its
dental clinic, while another program for children of
low-income families has expanded to serve more people.
AM 580's Tom Rogers revisits the issue.
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to story
Smile Healthy! website
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