InFocus News

(Provided by Mike Baltz / Mike Baltz)

Southern Illinois ornithologist and ecologist Mike Baltz starts the new year off with his monthly commentary on the natural history of southern Illinois.

(Illinois Secretary of State)

Last week we introduced you to one of the ten finalist designs for a new Illinois state flag.

Today, we hear from another finalist. This design features a monarch butterfly, which happens to be Illinois’ state insect, encircled by 21 stars, since Illinois was the 21st state to join the union.

Two students at Fairfield High School created the design. WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke with the two students, Spresalynn Tipps and Johna Kinney, and their Social Studies teacher Hayden McDuffee, about their design.

You can view all ten finalists by clicking here.

(Better Business Bureau)

As the year winds down, the Better Business Bureau is out with its naughty list of the top 12 holiday scams.

WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke about them with BBB regional director Sydney Waters.

(BBB)

It’s the busiest delivery season of the year, and unfortunately, that means scammers will be busy, too.

Home delivery is the most popular delivery method for people who plan to shop online for the holidays this year – and with delivery comes the risk of scams and package theft.

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

(Provided by Mike Baltz / Mike Baltz)

Southern Illinois ornithologist and ecologist Mike Baltz is back with his monthly commentary on the natural history of southern Illinois.

One of the many participants in SIU’s annual 9/11 Saluki Stair Climb at the Banterra Center shows support for veterans.(Deangelo Handley)

On this Veteran’s Day, we learn more about the work a Southern Illinois University Carbondale faculty member is doing to recruit rural veterans for a study about adjusting to civilian life.

WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke about the project with Justin McDaniel, an associate professor of public health in the School of Human Sciences.

(Provided by Mike Baltz / Mike Baltz)

Southern Illinois ornithologist and ecologist Mike Baltz is back with his monthly commentary on the natural history of southern Illinois.

(WSIU / WSIU)

Leah Lerner reports the news.

(Provided by Mike Baltz / Mike Baltz)

Southern Illinois ornithologist and ecologist Mike Baltz returns to WSIU with his monthly commentaries on the natural history of southern Illinois.

(Brad Palmer)

Gus Walz is the son of Governor Tim Walz, the democrat’s vice-presidential candidate.

Gus’ emotional appearance at the Democratic National Convention has brought his experiences with Nonverbal Learning Disorder – or NVLD -- into the public eye, sparking significant conversation on social media.

At Brehm Preparatory School in Carbondale, Deb Browne, their Speech and Language Pathologist, is an NVLD Specialist. She has been at the forefront of supporting students with the disorder.

WSIU's Brad Palmer sat down with her to learn more about NVLD.

This is an example of how folks with NVLD think LOTS OF WORDS. They need to learn how to organize thoughts, their writing, into chunks of main ideas versus details.(Deb Browne from Brehm)

Here are blog links provided by Deb Browne for more information on NVLD.

The NVLD Journey

A Parent's Story: Brehm and NLD Transition