AM-580 News Features

Disabled people in Africa face significant discrimination.  But this is changing in Ghana, where as part of a long-term effort, a wheelchair athlete at the University of Illinois is helping Ghanaian athletes with disabilities (left to right: Emmanuel Boateng, Patrick Obeng and Ajara Busanga) prepare for next year's Paralympics in Beijing.  AM 580's Michael Koliska has their story.

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One American POW's Story

Curt Campbell (left, holding a copy of his memoirs) is a retired farmer -- and an American serviceman who experienced prison life behind enemy lines. AM 580’s Tom Rogers talked with him.

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To Fight or Not to Fight

Two central Illinois men had to choose between their country’s call and their church’s teachings. These men (Merlin Taber, upper left, and Delbert Augsburger, lower left) were members of historic peace denominations that preach against military service. As AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports, these two men made two different decisions.

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Hoopeston's POW Camp

Little remains of what was once a bustling vegetable-canning industry in Hoopeston Illinois. And even less evidence remains of the town’s unique place in World War II history. AM 580’s Tom Rogers tells us about a camp where dozens of German prisoners of war provided manpower to keep Hoopeston’s biggest industry moving.

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Remembering the Indianapolis

In 1945, a Japanese submarine fired torpedoes at a Naval cruiser called the USS Indianapolis. Nearly 900 men would die in the ship's sinking and in the days that followed.  It's been called the worst at-sea disaster in the history of the US Navy.  But news of the deaths was overshadowed by Japan's surrender and the end of the war.  Only in recent years have details of what led up to the attack -- and the efforts to hide it -- been discovered.  AM 580's Jeff Bossert reports.

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Debi Thomas has swapped her ice skates for scrubs. The former figure skating World Champion and Olympic Bronze medal winner now works at Carle Clinic in Urbana. As a figure skater, she was a specialist in triple axels. Now as an orthopedic surgeon, Thomas specializes in hip replacements. She tells AM 580’s Michael Koliska she doesn’t miss the life of a figure skater.

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August 31 was the last day of production at the three Collins and Aikman auto parts plants in Rantoul. If anyone returns to work at the buildings, it will be for a different company that might move in. AM 580’s Jeff Bossert spoke to a few of the 500 employees about their final week of work and their prospects for the future.

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A century-old barn in Allerton Park will be the home of a new sonic experience for central Illinois.  The Allerton Music Barn festival opens for the very first time in Monticello.  The festival will feature five performances ranging from American classical to Balinese gamelan.  AM 580's Michael Koliska has the first sound check of the new venue.

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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says he will veto a portion of the state budget approved by lawmakers, and redirect those funds to universal health care.  Former Republican state lawmaker Rick Winkel (left) says he sides with those who question the legality of that move. AM 580’s Jeff Bossert spoke with Winkel about what could occur before lawmakers conclude the longest overtime session in state history.  Winkel is now a senior fellow with the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs and an adjunct professor in the College of Law.

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A day old newspaper may be good for lining a birdcage, but a 90-year old newspaper can be a doorway into history. Now, the University of Illinois is putting the earliest years of the old Urbana Daily Courier online, providing a glimpse at the people and events of another era.  AM 580's Jeff Bossert reports.

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Read copies of the Courier at the library's site (operational later today)

The death from suicide of tenor Jerry Hadley (left, in 2000's The Song and the Slogan) touched many people in Illinois.  Hadley died July 18, two days after he was taken off life support.  While his singing career took him around the world, Hadley was an Illinois native who studied music at Bradley University and the University of Illinois.  He often returned home to visit, perform and teach.  AM 580's Jim Meadows talked with some of Hadley's Illinois friends to gather their memories.

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Come Labor Day, Central Illinois will be one sonic experience richer. The Allerton Music Barn Festival will kick off for the first time in Monticello August 31. The festival will feature a wide range of musical genres, from American classical and Latin jazz to zydeco to Balinese gamelan. University of Illinois School of Music director Karl Kramer has been working toward this new music event since he came to Urbana Champaign five years ago. AM 580’s Michael Koliska talked to him.

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