Looking for something to do this weekend that's not the state fair? Check out the opening of "Big River," a musical retelling of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. We sit down with director Rich McCoy, cast member Kimberly Johnson and Director of the Hoogland Gus Gordon to talk about the show and what we're looking forward to.

Carla Jimenez sits down with State Fair Manager Luke Sailer to talk about what fairgoers can expect for the 2018 Illinois State Fair. We've got all the state fair scoop for you.

State Journal-Register medical reporter Dean Olsen previews his latest installment of his ongoing series exploring the opioid drug crisis in the Springfield area. His latest story looks at the plight of patients who have legitimate pain issues but are being weaned off or cut off opioids by their doctors amid concerns about the drugs' addictiveness. Read the full story on SJ-R.com on Saturday, March 24, 2018, and in The State Journal-Register print edition on Sunday, March 25, 2018.

Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois Executive Director Bill Legge and Director of Operations Emily Bergschneider discuss 21st Century after-school programs the group operates in Springfield Public Schools.

State Journal-Register education reporter Jason Nevel talks with Springfield High School social studies teacher Jeff Lightfoot to get a teacher's perspective on District 186's facilities plan, as well as how he got into teaching and what he feels are some of the factors contributing to a teacher shortage in Illinois.

Mike Zimmers has played a role in Springfield Public Schools since 1977, including as a special education teacher, administer and now as a board member. Zimmers, 68, spoke with The State Journal-Register on the most recent episode of the education podcast about his time in the district, community views and standardized testing, among other things.

SJ-R education reporter Jason Nevel sits down with Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Gill to talk about the recent bomb threats at school buildings, Southeast High's 50th anniversary, the district's plan to overhaul its facilities and more.

This week, we bring on Craig McFarland and Jeremy Goeckner from Front Row Movie Reviews to recap the summer movie season.

This week on the podcast we bring on Business Editor Tim Landis to talk about a story that will appear in The SJ-R on Sunday about Illinois students leaving the state to go to college.

SJ-R education reporter Jason Nevel talks with Riverton School District Superintendent Lance Thurman about the landmark education funding reform bill, the district's course offerings, whether Riverton is still talking about merging with another district (not right now) and the hardest parts of being a superintendent.