The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network recently rallied in Springfield for legislation they believe will aid the fight against Cancer. The two pieces of legislation being backed by the Cancer Action Network include BioMarker Testing Legislation which would create the opportunity to help catch Cancer diagnoses in their earliest stages and Out-of-Pocket Legislation which is targeted at helping Cancer patients in relation to the cost of prescription drugs. Shana Crews, Government Relations Director with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network talked with RegionalDailyNews.com about why the American Cancer Society is backing these pieces of legislation in Springfield and how this legislation will help in the fight against cancer.

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined WKEI on Thursday with the latest on COVID-1 Recovery Rate Data in Henry and Stark County. Henry and Stark County have fewer active ongoing cases of COVID-19 than last week with a total of 98 between the two counties. However, there is a continuing issue of people belng reluctant to get vaccinated. RaeAnn Tucker tells WKEi that Friday clinics at the Henry and Stark County Health Department will now be for first and second dose patients and that vaccine availability is continuing to expand at local pharmacies, hospitals and retail outlets such as Wal Mart. You can set your appointment with the Henry and Stark County Health Department for tomorrow's, Friday, May 7th clinic, or look at future clinic options by going to HenryStarkHealth.com.

Did you know that the well known Five Stages of Grief, created by Elizabeth Kubler Ross, was actually intended to comfort those who were dying and were not meant for those that were left to mourn? It's a common misconception that mourning follows a particular and familiar path for everyone. In fact, grieving is deeply personal and filled with very specific aspects for those who lose a loved one. Pastor Jim Reynolds from OSF Grief Support and OSF Hospice, joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday, May 6th, to discuss the individual experience of grief.

The incredible Kewanee Girl Scout Troop 4444 are finishing up their Silver Project, an effort to create a pollinator garden that has morphed into a Citywide project to help others create their very own pollinator garden in their backyard. Through research supported by Black Hawk College and the local library, among many others, the Kewanee Girl Scout Troop 4444 has created thousands of take home pollinator garden kits that will be handed out by the Kewanee Library among others. It's an effort to take part in saving bees which have struggled toward lower and lower numbers across America for the past several years. Bees are an urgent part of our ecosystem and the effort by the Girl Scouts is one that is being praised across the area and across the state of Illinois.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener training will begin soon in McDonough County and across the state of Illinois. Horticulturalist Chris Enroth with the University of Illinois Extension tells MacombNewsNow.com that now is the time when many gardeners are getting ready to plant and some have already begun. Chris says however, beware of the unusual weather of May as cool nights can have an affect on your garden if you aren't careful about protecting your plants. Chris also dropped in on MacombNewsNow.com to talk about a new survey that the Extension is putting out this month to find out about how McDonough County residents feel about recycling.

Debuting today, Thursday, May 6th, on the streaming network Discovery Plus is a new documentary called Citizen Penn. The documentary follows actor Sean Penn as he traveled to Haiti in 2010 following a devastating earthquake that killed thousands, injured scores more and led to widespread displacement and poverty in the country. The documentary shows the Academy Award winning actor attempting to his celebrity to garner attention and aid for the country as it was desperately in need. The documentary also follows the hardships the actor faced as people accused him of burnishing his reputation via the charity work he did on behalf of Haiti. Sean Penn and director Don Hardy walk a very difficult line in Citizen Penn on how Penn worked to help people while doing all that he could not overshadow the tragedy that he was try to help people overcome. It's a powerhouse story that takes viewers on to the ground in Haiti and makes use of Penn as a gateway to teach people about what happened to Haiti and the extraordinary efforts that people alongside Sean Penn did to help those in need. You can see Citizen Penn on Discovery Plus as of Thursday, May 6th, and my interview with Director Don Hardy is below.

Wake Up Sauk Valley-What's Happening in Morrison with Kim Ewoldson by Regional Media

Great Dane is set to hold a job fair at their Kentville Road location on Monday, May 10th, beginning at 9 Am. Sarah Murphy from Great Dane, one of Kewanee biggest and best employers, joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss the positions, pay and benefits that can be earned by becoming a Champion at Great Dane. Don't miss the Great Dane Job Fair, 2006 Kentville Road in Kewanee on Monday, May 10th at 9 Am. If you'd like to apply for a job at Great Dane, go to Kelly Services to fill out an application.

Wethersfield Schools Superintendent Shane Kazubowski was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday morning. the Superintendent joined WKEI to follow up on the swearing in of the new and returning members of the Wethersfield School Board this past Monday, May 3rd. The Superintendent also discussed School Lunches and whether or not the federal government will continue to make the school lunch program free for the next school year. And, we discussed the graduation and end of the year plans at Wethersfield. Wethersfield Graduation is set is for May 21st on the Football Field at Wethersfield.

The moving mental health drama Paper Spiders will arrive in theaters on Friday, May 7th. The film stars Lili Taylor as Dawn, a mother to a teenage daughter who is about to leave for college. Just as her daughter is beginning to move away, Dawn begins to exhibit signs of paranoid delusions that centered on their neighbor whom Dawn believes has begun to target and threaten her. This is all in Dawn's head. The story of Paper Spiders, written by Natalie Shampanier, is based on Natalie's own experience with her own mother who went through a similar mental health crisis. Recently, as part of National Mental Health Awareness Month, I spoke with Inon and Natalie Shampanier about Paper Spiders ahead of this Friday's release in theaters and for On-Demand rental.