AM-580 News Features

There will be no funeral for Iva Toguri, who lived a quiet life in Chicago until her sudden death at age 90. But in the late 40’s, Americans knew Toguri as Tokyo Rose, the fabled woman who broadcast Japanese propaganda to troops in the Pacific. But there never was a Tokyo Rose -- though Toguri did broadcast over Radio Tokyo under the name “Orphan Ann”, it was never proven that she hurt American morale. In fact, it was later revealed that she assisted US prisoners of war. Nevertheless, based on the coerced testimony of two other Japanese-Americans, Toguri was convicted of treason. Twenty years after her release, Chicago Tribune reporter Ron Yates uncovered evidence that led to Toguri’s pardon. Yates – now the dean of the UI's College of Communications – talked with AM 580’s Tom Rogers about Toguri’s eventful life.

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NPR interviews Yates on All Things Considered

A recent newspaper report said the University of Illinois had made tentative plans to transfer ownership of the Chief Illiniwek symbol to a group of alumni who had portrayed the Chief. All sides deny that any agreement is in place but confirm that "informal" talks have occurred.  The former student quoted in the report, Steve Raquel, remains hopeful that Chief supporters and opponents alike can find a way to see beyond their differences.  AM 580's Jeff Bossert spoke with him.

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Conan is best known as an NPR reporter, anchor and talk-show host.  But he's also touring the nation with the Celtic/Renaissance quintet in a production called "Universe of Dreams," where he provides poetry readings and narrative accompanied by the Ensemble and by images from the Hubble space telescope.  Conan talked with AM 580's Tom Rogers in advance of his performance at Terre Haute's Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

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Ensemble Galilei site

The one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is approaching, and yet the planning to bring New Orleans back from the devastation is still in the formative stages. But a University of Illinois professor of urban planning believes after months of problems, the planning effort is finally on solid ground. He spoke with AM 580’s Tom Rogers.

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Leaders in the east-central Illinois cities of Tuscola and Mattoon have gotten a visit from their state and federal lawmakers. Together, they’re trying to build a unified campaign to land the one-billion dollar power plant project known as FutureGen (artist concept from the US Department of Energy left). AM 580’s Tom Rogers went to the Tuscola meeting.

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USDOE's FutureGen site

The Champaign school superintendent says a new bond referendum to fund school construction won’t be coming to voters this year or next. But Arthur Culver says Unit Four’s building needs still remain, as does a mandate under the district’s Consent Decree to build new classrooms north of University Avenue. Culver told AM 580’s Jim Meadows that the district will be taking a new look at their building needs this fall -- but that a decision on another referendum is still some time away.

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The new president of Parkland College says he knows he has some big shoes to fill. Robert Exley (left) has taken the helm of the community college in Champaign, succeeding Zelema Harris, who retired after 16 years as president. In a talk with AM 580’s Jeff Bossert, Exley says he wants the college to establish stronger ties with the community.

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Parkland College site

Toty Issa and her infant son John are back in Champaign, after their visit with family in Lebanon was cut short by the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. For Toty and her husband, Sam Issa, the conflict marks a resumption of the violence they had hoped was disappearing from their home country. AM 580’s Jim Meadows has this report.

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Krannert's "Canvas" site, which has more information on Calcul*rt

The public television series “Nova” knew it long ago – people are interested in science, especially if it’s boiled down into how it affects their life and the world around them A Champaign woman (Carla Scaletti, left behind presenter Ty Newell) is helping turn that interest into a two-way discussion in a friendly atmosphere – it’s a new concept called Café Scientifique. AM 580’s Tom Rogers went to the first local meeting.

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CU Cafe Sci website