InFocus News

A woman reacts to totality during the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on April 8, 2024.(Ethan Holder )

WSIU's Brad Palmer visited with Blair Allen, a producer at NASA EDGE, and Franklin Fitzgerald, a producer and videographer for NASA EDGE, to hear their thoughts on the total solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on April 8.

A view of Saluki Stadium during totality on April 8, 2024.(Ethan Holder )

WSIU's Brad Palmer recaps a remarkable day on the SIU-Carbondale campus.

Two members of the SIU Marching Salukis check out the eclipse.(Ethan Holder ) A view of the sun funnel from a telescope on the roof of Saluki Stadium.(Ethan Holder ) A science balloon released by students at Iowa State University soars above Saluki Stadium.(WSIU ) SIU student Will Sutton helping kids learn about sound and light waves inside Banterra Center during the Crossroads Astronomy Science and Technology Expo.(Brad Palmer)

Close up of a young girl smokes a disposable electronic cigarette. Bright yellow background. Alternative to regular cigarettes and vape(brillianata - stock.adobe.com / 422944137)

While e-cigarette use has declined since 2019, it remains a serious public health problem for teens.

Southern Seven Health Department is increasing its Catch My Breath vaping prevention education program for that age group.

WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke with Southern Seven health educator Sydney Shelton about the program and more.

For more information, you can visit the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, Southern Seven Health Department, or call 866-QUIT-YES or (618) 634-2297.

The Tiny Desk Crashers crew featuring left to right: director Rob Rindfuss, audio coordinator Mike Arthur, co-producers Maxwell Senteny and Nathan Columbo(Brad Palmer)

NPR listeners are most likely aware of the Tiny Desk Concert series, a national video music competition.

Four men in southern Illinois took it upon themselves to create a production called Tiny Desk Crashers to highlight the talented musicians in the region and to get at least 100 entries for the contest.

WSIU's Brad Palmer talked about the project with director Rob Rindfuss, audio coordinator Mike Arthur, co-producers Maxwell Senteny and Nathan Columbo.

To watch the videos produced during Tiny Desk Crashers, click here.

(SIU-Carbondale)

Representatives from multiple state agencies provided updates Friday, March 8 on their preparations for the April 8 total solar eclipse in southern Illinois.

One of them, Illinois Department of Transportation District 9 bureau chief for operations Robert Graeff, discussed IDOT’s issues during the 2017 eclipse and what the traveling public can do to minimize problems this time around, especially after the eclipse as people head home.

WSIU's Brad Palmer (right) and Blair Allen from NASA EDGE (left) sitting in front of microphones in the WSIU studio discussing the upcoming total solar eclipse experience in Carbondale.(NASA EDGE)

Representatives from NASA EDGE were in Carbondale last week to scout locations at Saluki Stadium as they prepare to manage the telescope streams and imagery coming in from their sites throughout North America on eclipse day.

During his visit, WSIU's Brad palmer talked with NASA EDGE producer Blair Allen.

Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather speaking into a microphone during a visit to WSIU on February 26, 2024.(Brad Palmer)

Golden Apple is an organization that works to prepare, support and mentor aspiring teachers.

WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke with Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather during his recent visit to southern Illinois.

(Jud Mackrill/Unsplash

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Multiple revenue streams
They are crucial for any small business's long-term success.

WSIU'S Brad Palmer talked with Better Business Bureau Regional Director Sydney Waters about how in the current economic environment, many business owners are looking hard at their revenue sources and finding ways to improve their bottom line and their business' overall sustainability.

(Kelly Sikkema / unsplash.com)

When you think of a broken heart, you may picture a cartoon drawing with a jagged line through it. But a real-life broken heart can lead to cardiac issues. Depression, mental health and heart disease have established ties. Read on for more information about how an extremely stressful event can have an impact on your heart.

Allison Campos, DNP with SIH Prairie Heart Institute answers questions about the condition. Learn how it affects the heart, the signs, the symptoms and the treatments for Broken Heart Syndrome by clicking the "Listen" button above.

SIU Law School Dean Camille Davidson speaks at the podium during the announcement of the $10 million donation on Feb. 5 from John and Jayne Simmons.(SIU Law School)

The largest gift in the history of Southern Illinois University Carbondale will lead to plenty of enhancements at the SIU School of Law.

The University reports a $10 million gift from John and Jayne Simmons will impact generations of SIU-Carbondale law students and strengthen the law school’s ability to serve its students and the region.

After the news conference Monday announcing the record-making donation, WSIU's Brad Palmer spoke with the Dean of the SIU School of Law, Camille Davidson, about the importance of a major investment like this and how this money can be utilized.

In honor of the generosity of John and Jayne Simmons, the law school will be named Simmons Law School, pending approval from the SIU Board of Trustees in April.

The Simmons’ legacy at SIU, which includes a $10.2 million commitment to the Simmons Cancer Institute at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Their most recent contribution comes as a major step in the ongoing $500 million Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign.

John Simmons has served two stints on the SIU Board of Trustees, the first from 2004 to 2015, and he was appointed again in 2019 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He has previously functioned as the board’s secretary and chairman. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University and previously served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer.

In 1999, John founded Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest plaintiff’s law firms.