"Echoes of Change: Central Illinois Journalism and Social Justice in the 1980s" was a forum hosted by the Sangamon Experience at the University of Illinois Springfield and co-sponsored by NPR Illinois. The conversation explored the impact of local journalism during a transformative era. Mary Bohlen, journalist and UIS associate professor emerita of communication, moderated the conversation. Panelists included Fletcher Farrar, editor of the Illinois Times; Ann Anderson Mustard, former WCIA-TV reporter who covered the Illinois State Capitol; Larry Golden, professor emeritus of political studies and legal studies and founding director of the Illinois Innocence Project at UIS; and Frank McNeil, former Springfield alderman and plaintiff in the 1987 lawsuit that changed the city’s commission form of government.

Dr. Dee Stern is a licensed counselor and expert in bereavement. She has a doctorate in psychology and a master’s degree in psychology and pastoral studies. She spoke to Community Voices about her book “Signs or Coincidences: What are the Deceased Trying to Tell Us?” In the interview she explains the research she conducted and gives advice on how to talk to the bereaved.

Jane McBride is the president of Illinois Humane. She spoke to Community Voices about the five Carolina dogs who are still looking for homes since fall of 2023. She also explained the primitive history of this unique dog breed and how they form strong bonds with humans after three or four weeks.For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/illinoishumane/

Blue Iris is based in central Illinois and consists of two married couples, the Hargis and Schaut families. The band is nominated for seven Josie Music Awards recognizing excellence in the independent music industry. They will be attending the ceremony in Nashville at the end of October. In the meantime, they are performing around central Illinois including the State Fair to support their new single and video, Beautiful Sound.

Faith in Place is an interfaith environmental nonprofit that works with faith communities to enact more sustainable and healthy practices. Central Illinois Outreach Coordinator Aiden Meyer spoke to Community Voices about his experience with Faith in Place and the ways in which he assists his Green Teams.For more information about Faith in Place visit: https://www.faithinplace.org/

From stage combat to dialect coaching, Kenny Kendall spoke to Community Voices about how he brings his theatre experience to the Springfield area.

Melanie Reynolds is a nurse practitioner, and she organizes the Central Illinois Nurse Honor Guard. She spoke to Community Voices about the service the Nurse Honor Guard provides to nurses who have passed and what life is like for nurses as they care for their patients.

Susannah Scaroni is a paralympic gold medalist from Tekoa, Wash. She competes in wheelchair racing and will soon head to Paris to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games. Scaroni spoke to Community Voices about life after her injury, adaptive sports and her time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also shared her most memorable races and what she is looking forward to during the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Illinois State Fair opens Aug. 8 and runs through Aug. 18. Craig McFarland from the Beyond the Mouse podcast sat down with Rebecca Clark the Illinois State Fair manager to discuss the upcoming events including Fairytales on Ice and the Jonas Brothers concert.

Dr. Brian Mullgardt is the author of the book “Wear Some Armor In Your Hair: Urban Renewal and the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Lincoln Park.” He spoke to Community Voices about his research of the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the ensuing police riot. He also shared what he learned about the Lincoln Park area residents and their role in the protests during the convention. Dr. Mullgardt will speak more about his book on Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at Books on the Square in Springfield.For more information about the book visit: https://www.siupress.com/9780809339358/wear-some-armor-in-your-hair/