InFocus News

(WSIU / WSIU)

Leah Lerner reports the news.

Cheri Bustos(SIU-Carbondale (provided))

Former Illinois U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos visited the SIU-Carbondale campus this week as the guest for the Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture.

WSIU's Brad Palmer sat down with her to talk about the state of politics in America right now, but they started discussing her ties to SIU.

(Merakist/Unsplash)

The introduction of social media has transformed how millions of people communicate with friends, family, strangers and businesses. But, it has also provided an outlet for fraud, scams and unethical business practices to reach a broad audience.

WSIU's Brad Palmer talks about the issue with Better Business Bureau regional director Sydney Waters.

Harris Prairie, Green Earth, Inc( Mike Baltz)

Ornithologist Mike Baltz continues his look at the many natural resources across our region. This month, his audio essay looks at the history of Green Earth Inc.

Colby Chapman(SIU Black Resource Center)

Current SIU-Carbondale students are always looking for advice and often times they look to the past for inspiration.

SIU recently hosted alumnus Colby Chapman to talk with students and community members about her life on campus and beyond.

The current alderperson in Harvey said her path has been filled with obstacles, but the role models she met at SIU have helped her along the way.

(SIU SBDC)

Entrepreneurs in the area are being called to embark on a journey of innovation and growth through the Southern Illinois 2023 Business Plan Competition.

WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke with Melissa Ray Roach – Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU Carbondale -- about the upcoming competition.

Competitors are required to attend and complete three mandatory workshops (in Carbondale, Marion, Mt. Vernon, or Red Bud) held during the following weeks:

• The Business Plan - Week of September 18th.
• The Business Financials - Week of October 2nd.
• The Pitch - Week of October 16th.
• Local Competitions - Week of October 30th.
• Regional Competition - Week of November 13th.
• Award Ceremony - November 30th.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to participate:

• Be a start-up or existing for-profit small business, focused on innovative ideas, products, or services. Pre-venture entrepreneurs may also enter.

• Submit new ideas or expansion opportunities that are not current business operations.

• Have a business located in one or more of the following Southern Illinois counties: Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White, and Williamson.

• Not be a public governmental entity, nonprofit organization, public/private school, or university/college.

For more information, click here.

Sierra Hull(Sierra Hull (provided))

The Clemens Fine Arts Center in Paducah welcomes singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sierra Hull on September 8.

At just 31, Hull already has two decades of performing under her belt.

WSIU's Brad Palmer had a chance to talk with her ahead of her performance.

(Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash / https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1634128222187-18eababc763d?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2070&q=80)

People struggling with debt or seeking to fix their credit score often turn to credit relief companies. And some of these companies make big promises, but then don’t deliver, leaving people further in debt.

WSIU's Brad Palmer talked with Sydney Waters, regional director of the Better Business Bureau, about advice for people considering debt relief or credit repair.

(Southern Illinois University / Provided)

The SIU System now has a better idea of how to respond to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which effectively ended race-conscious admission programs at colleges and universities across the country.

WSIU's Brad Palmer talked about that and more with SIU System President Dan Mahony.

(Unsplash)

A new school year is upon us and you might be considering hiring a tutor to keep your child on the right path in a subject that is difficult for them or to help prepare them for a challenging assignment.

Sydney Waters, regional director of the Better Business Bureau, has some tips on how to hire a tutor.