WILL-AM 580 News Staff

AM-580 News Features
October thru December 2006 listen to these stories in RealAudio (RealPlayer required)
	Tapping Unknown Literary Treasures Thousands of books from around the world never make it into American living rooms or even libraries just because they are not in English. But the non-profit Dalkey Archive Press wants Americans to read these books. For more than two decades the Press has found overlooked literary treasures from all over the planet and translated them. Recently the Press moved from Normal, Illinois, to Champaign to establish a unique literary translation program with the U of I. AM 580’s Michael Koliska talked to Dalkey Press founder John O’Brien (left). He says less and less foreign literature gets published in the US, but these books are important to learn about the world. Listen to interview Dalkey Archive Press site
	Illinois and the Movies Champaign County may be best known for its agriculture and higher education. But as AM 580’s Jeff Bossert reports, local tourism officials, with the help of some high school students (left, with Parkland College professor Paul Young), hope to make another industry -- filmmaking -- part of the region’s economic picture. Listen to story Champaign County's website for film production (currently under construction)
	Remembering a Local Science Fiction Legend To many who knew him in the Bloomington Normal area, Arthur Wilson Tucker -- Bob to his friends -- was a movie theater projectionist and family man. He was active in his union local, and worked occasionally as a stage electrician for Illinois State University. But Tucker -- who died recently at the age of 91 -- was also a published author who wrote more than 20 science fiction and mystery novels. And as AM 580's Jim Meadows reports, for a small but widespread community, he was a beloved celebrity. Listen to story a remembrance page on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America site
	New Leadership in Ecuador with a UI Connection A University of Illinois economics professor says the winner of presidential elections in Ecuador fits the trend toward the left in Latin America. Werner Baer was Rafael Correa’s advisor when the 43–year old former finance minister (at left) gained his doctorate from the U of I in 2001. Baer spoke with AM 580’s Tom Rogers – he stresses that Correa is not necessarily in the mold of the most well-known of those new leaders, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez. Listen to interview as aired on Morning Edition Listen to an extended interview
	ELECTION '06: Developing the Economy Last summer, east central Illinois lost out to Greensburg, Indiana in a bidding war over Honda's new auto assembly plant. Vermilion County came up short in its bid for the facility, leaving some to question Illinois' economic climate. The ability to change it has become a campaign issues this fall for two state senate candidates. AM 580's Jeff Bossert looks at how each wants to lure in the next large employer, and what industry experts think of these ideas. Listen to story
	ELECTION '06: Here Come the Blogs Society is still trying to figure out what place the Internet has in our political life. In eastern Illinois, candidates and political watchers are taking to weblogs, either to get their messages out or to hear what like-minded or opposite-minded people have to say. But is the buzz from blogs percolating out into the general public? And do they add to the political discourse or lower it? AM 580’s Tom Rogers takes a look. Listen to story Illinipundit It's Matt's World Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
	ELECTION '06: Will the Voters Show? While politicians band over backwards to convince voters to choose them, what are voters themselves thinking? Are they interested? In recent years, many voters have succumbed to apathy, turning a cold shoulder to politics. AM 580's Michael Koliska talked to some of those voters and asked why cynicism is so high. Listen to story
	ELECTION '06: Champaign County Board While Democrats around the country are hoping to win control of Congress, Republicans in Champaign County are hoping to retake the majority on the county board. Democrats took control of the county board in 2000, and currently hold a 15 to 12 majority. Now Republicans think 2006 just might be their year. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports. Listen to story
	Bringing Christians and Muslims Together Religious observers see a troubling – and widening – gap in understanding between the Christian and Muslim worlds. But two congregations in Urbana – one Muslim, one Mennonite -- are trying to bridge that gap with a weekend seminar and joint worship services. A featured speaker is David Shenk (left), a Mennonite missions director and author who has written extensively on building understanding. He talked with AM 580’s Tom Rogers. Listen to interview as aired on Morning Edition Listen to an extended interview
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AM-580 News Features

October thru December 2006