On last week's episode, we looked back at some of the stories we covered in 2019. But with the new year upon us, we thought it would be a good time to look forward. We discuss some of the issues you'll be hearing more about this year.

On our final episode of the year, we remember some of the top reports and conversations from 2019. On this show we tried to give an example of the type of journalism we bring you each week: coverage of public affairs, examining problems and solutions, inspirational stories and the voices that make up the state we call home.

Victims of domestic violence are told to seek help. But what happens when a child is violent toward parents? A central Illinois couple says there's not enough support available. We'll have a report. We also hear about special education students being shipped out of state. There are questions about the schools where they are kept at taxpayer expense. And we hear how some people handle a holiday tradition: the political argument among family members. That and more on this week's Statewide.

This episode looks ahead to the new recreational marijuana law that will take effect the first of the year. You might have questions and we will try to provide answers. We'll also hear how marijuana growers are working to meet the expected demand. A new biography tells the story of Lane Evans, the late Illinois congressman from the Quad Cities. Evans died in 2014 from complications related to Parkinson's Disease. And racism in a suburban school district has led to a concerted effort to rebuild

Buying and using marijuana will be legal in Illinois as of January 1. We asked top state experts what that does and doesn’t mean, and compiled their answers in this Q&A.

On this episode of Statewide, we learn why some colleges say there is too much emphasis on standardized tests in the admissions process. There is a growing movement to drop the requirement or place less of a priority on scores. Is an historic home a good fit for you? Many are bypassing newly built houses for ones that have more character. But they can be a lot of work. We'll find out more. And a new proposal threatens to end minor league baseball in some Midwest communities. These stories and

Many Illinois colleges and universities are struggling to attract and keep students. The problem, along with what some are doing about it, is outlined in the Illinois public radio series Enrollment Exodus. On this episode of Statewide, we re-cap the series from earlier this year and hear from journalists throughout Illinois. This week's lineup: * Sean Crawford talks with Jenna Dooley of WNIJ, who served as coordinator for the series. She gives an overview of the problem and what the reporting

As recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Illinois January 1, some parents are worried it sends the wrong message to kids. We'll hear from experts and young people about ways for parents to have a dialogue on the subject. Not that long ago, southern Illinois was known as a place where geese would spend the winter during colder weather. But recently, that trek to the area has stopped. We'll hear some of the reasons why. And, a reporter shares her personal account of adoption and the

This week, we hear about a community once known as a "sundown town" because African Americans were warned to be out of the city limits by nightfall. It can be difficult for towns to shake that history. We hear from a reporter who spent time in one to see if things have improved today. A northern Illinois man shares his story of getting to know German POW's who were kept in the state during World War II. And we learn about a camp for kids with type 1 diabetes. That and more on this episode of

This week marks 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down. In Illinois, there are two locations where pieces of the wall are on public display. You can see a chunk of the wall at a Chicago CTA station. Or in a more relaxed setting in a peace garden at Eureka College in Woodford County. The college is the alma mater of President Ronald Reagan, who gave the famous directive to Soviet Leader Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”