Former Illinois congressman Paul Findley passed away this month. He was 98. Findley served 22 years in the U.S. House. We look back at his career - his successes and controversies. Also, this week we find out why some say a new requirement that students participate in active shooter drills could be doing more harm than good. And, a group of students in western Illinois are getting involved to get improvements made on a dangerous stretch of highway. That and more on this episode of Statewide.

As Illinois has lost more students to colleges elsewhere, certain schools have benefitted more from that change. We'll look at why students are choosing to leave Illinois for their higher education. Also, the Illinois River is a major shipping channel in the state. But much of it will close next year while construction work takes place at locks and dams. What will that mean for farmers? And, we'll introduce you to a clinic that helps pregnant women addicted to drugs. That and more on this

This week, we learn how thousands are kept in Illinois jails awaiting trial simply because they can't afford bail. The Illinois Supreme Court is expected to make recommendations to improve the situation later this year. Also, singer-songwriter Tom Irwin used an 1890's diary of a man who lived in central Illinois to develop his "Sangamon Songs" album. Now, there's a play based on the man's life. That and more on this episode of Statewide.

The wet spring in Illinois is reflected in the latest crop numbers that show Illinois' corn and soybeans are behind their normal pace. We'll discuss what challenges remain in the growing season and what it all means for consumers. Also, in the summer of 1919 a deadly race riot in Chicago was one of several across the country. We look back at that incident in what's known as "Red Summer." That and more on this week's Statewide.

This Saturday, July 20, marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Thousands of individuals contributed to that moment in history. That includes an airplane engineer from Illinois, John Houbolt. An Audible original puts the spotlight on him. We talk with the author. Also , Andrew Carnegie is known for gifts that helped create libraries and other education opportunities. You might not realize that he is also responsible for thousands of pipe organs given across the world, and here in

Can the racial divide be overcome through a basketball tournament? Al Klunick tells us he wants to try with a unique event where kids of different races play together on the same team. It's one of the rules for the Community Unity tourney. This week marks 40 years since a baseball promotion in Chicago turned into chaos. While some look back on Disco Demolition Night fondly (the team even celebrated the anniversary this season), others see darker motives. We talk with the man who came up with the

DNA testing in criminal cases goes to the Illinois State Police crime lab. And in recent years, more evidence is being submitted. That is helping add to a huge backlog that results in delays for victims, the accused and the justice system. Also, we find out what an Illinois survey on sexual harassment discosvered in the wake of the #MeToo movement. That and more on this week's Statewide.

On this episode, while President Donald Trump has rejected the scientific evidence of climate change, nearly half of his voters — many in Midwestern states — believe in global warming . This bucks stereotypes about a rural voting bloc that doesn’t care about the environment. However, don't expect all of them to use the term "climate change." Also, a major warehouse fire is believed to have destroyed thousands of original master recordings, including many from the legendary Chicago rock and blues

Officials with Western Illinois Unviersity will be looking for a new president after Jack Thomas announced his resignation. Thomas' tenure was rocky at the school that has campuses in Macomb and the Quad Cities. His replacement will deal with an institution still trying to rebound from a state budget impasse and enrollment declines. The WIU Board Chair gives his view of the situation. We also check in on a new law requiring cursive writing be taught in schools. But just because kids are shown

Our Education Reporter Dusty Rhodes examines what's wrong with the teacher pension system in Illinois and why it needs to be fixed soon. Also, gambling addicts are warning the state's gambling expansion will result in more compulsive bettors. And, the governor signs the most comprehensive abortion rights law in the country. That and more on this episode of Statewide.