The Kewanee Public Library is once again open to the public. Kewanee Public Library Director Barbara Love talked to WKEI about re-opening to the public, guidelines that must be followed in order to re-open safely and how the library is handling their summer programs such as the Summer Reading Program which is still taking place but will start later and go on until August. The current hours at the library are 9 Am to 4 Pm, Monday through Friday for the time being to give staff more opportunities for cleaning.

Dr Cliff Martin Chief Surgical Officer at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center joined WKEI on People to People on Wednesday. Dr Martin talked about the latest headlines related to COVID-19 including debunking the longstanding notion that heat kills COVID-19. That's not the case as the outbreaks recently in South America indicate. We also talked to Dr. Martin about progress on cures or treatments for COVID-19 and which of those is more likely as we progress in research of the virus.

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau tells WKEI that crop planting numbers are greatly improved over 2019. That doesn't mean the season is without issues however. Issues related to COVID-19 have affected the marketplace and that has created a different kind of challenge from last year where flood waters washed away so much good progress. Katie also took the chance to tell WKEI about the virtual Henry County Farm Bureau Golf Outing. Players are on the honor system and must take a selfie while they play at any course they want and then turn in a copy of their scorecard with their selfie. Cost to participate in the Virtual Golf Outing is $40.00.

The IHSA has released their return to play guidelines for players to return to certain activities at school. Wethersfield Athletic Director and Basketball Coach, Hall of Famer Jeff Parsons joined WKEI on the LocalSportsNow.com Noon Hour Sports Show to discuss what players and Coaches are able to do amid the restrictions imposed to protect players and coaches from COVID-19. Coach Parsons tells WKEI it was an adjustment but it will be worth it to keep players safe and get them back into a routine for fall sports.

Rotary on The Radio by Regional Media

State Representative Dan Swanson is among a group of lawmakers who would like to see the deadline for the use of Dicamba Herbicide extended further into the summer. These lawmakers sent a letter to Governor J.B Pritzker on behalf of Soybean farmers who may not be able to plant nearly as much soybeans without the use of Dicamba. Dicamba was ruled out by a court ruling in California court regarding the environmental impact of the use of Dicamba which many argue has the ability to drift from one farm to another or to local waterways. The EPA indicated that farmers across the country can use what remains of their stock of Dicamba before restrictions on the use of the product go into effect. The goal of Rep Swanson and his fellow lawmakers is to convince Governor Pritzker to allow for the use of Dicamba past June 20th. That's typically the time of the year when Dicamba use ends for reasons set forth by the Illinois EPA.

Nancy Huls from Memorial Hospital in Carthage called WLMD's Mid Morning in Macomb to discuss a loosening of the hospital's visiting policies during Phase 3 of the state's Restore Illinois plan.

Regional Media is talking about what we are calling The Greatest Comeback and it is all about small businesses, local businesses, those businesses that are bouncing back as Phase 3 of the re-opening of the state economy begins. Paula's Design Team was one of those businesses that was forced to close during the height of the pandemic. That provided an opportunity for Paula, her husband Jim, and the staff at Paula's Design Team to prepare for re-opening by instituting more social distancing and expanding their already rigorous cleaning and sanitizing regimen.

For the first time in his illustrious career, Don McLean has entered the streaming world with ALL of his music available. As part of a partnership with Time Life and Warner Brothers, every Don McLean record dating back to his debut LP in 1969 has been uploaded on all of the major streaming services. Regional Media's Sean Kernan spoke with Don McLean about this new era of music, what he's been up to on YouTube and, of course, conversation turns to American Pie.

Freedom House Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services is noting June as National LGBT Awareness Month. Ashli Fisher and Kayla Majors from Freedom House visited with WZOE-AM morning host Paul Bomleny recently on Wake Up Princeton.

They said LGBT people are no different from anyone else when it comes to facing domestic violence. In fact, they are at a greater risk for sexual assault. Forty-four percent of lesbians and 61 percent of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. That compares to 35 percent of straight women. Twenty-six percent of gay men and 37 percent of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. That compares to 29 percent of straight men. They say this is because LGBT are a more vulnerable group. But they also add that our community has made great strides in acceptance and inclusion of all marginalized people.

They said Freedom House expects to experience an increase in demand for their services in general as people leave self-quarantine. The 24-hour hotline for Freedom House is 800-474-6031. More information is available online at freedomhouseillinois.org.