Coronavirus has highlighted the digital divide among low-income as well as rural students. Schools that don’t send students home with laptops rushed them equipment so they could do their homework online. School administrators say some parents claim to have internet access, but it may only be through a phone plan. Districts have distributed hot spots for families without a plan or where service is undependable. Particularly in rural communities like Montmorency, reliable internet connectivity is a major hurdle. Montmorency is a K-8 district in Whiteside County with around 230 students. Alex Moore is the superintendent. “On a good day, I get four megabytes per second download speed, so I knew that was going to be an issue. About half of our families probably have decent internet,” said Moore. Even that “good day” download speed doesn’t meet the FCC’s minimum recommendation for e-learning. For many younger students, remote learning has to be pencil and paper. Schools like Somonauk set up

All Illinoisans are required to wear a mask when they are doing things like grocery shopping, using public transportation or any other activity where they can’t maintain a distance of six feet. This order went into effect May 1. But what about other things like walking or running outside? The Illinois Department of Public Health’s guidelines suggest that masks are not needed when you are doing things like mowing your lawn or even running and walking in your neighborhood. Sandra Martell is the public health administrator for Winnebago County . She said that although a mask isn’t required, people should be prepared. “I think it always becomes important for people to always be intentional about it. To have one with them if they need to wear one,” she said. “They see someone approaching them to be able to put that on or if they are going to pass someone, to make sure that they can put one on as well.” She said there is a theoretical risk that extends past a direct encounter. Martell said a

The Illinois State Police on Friday made an announcement about the May 6 arrest in Iowa of Clark Terry Baldwin. He was wanted for the 1991 Tennessee murders of Pamela McCall and her unborn son, and the murders of two unidentified women discovered separately in Wyoming in 1992. In the ISP announcement, titled "Illinois State Police Announce An Update to the Tammy Zywicki Case," the ISP indicated that "at this time, Baldwin does not appear to have been involved with the murder of Tammy Zywicki." Zywicki, a 21-year-old college student, was abducted and killed by an unknown assailant after experiencing car trouble on I-80 near LaSalle, IL in August 1992. Reports at the time that she had been picked up by a trucker led nowhere. Baldwin was a long-haul trucker and suspected serial killer operating during the same time frame. He fit the profile of Zywicki's murderer and it was reported that authorities were investigating whether he might be involved. The ISP said it was continuing to

Delta County Candidate Forum brings together Republicans, Democrats Hunting, fishing and wildlife on BLM land generates big tax revenue Mesa County school district 51 names interim superintendent

ONE of the first things you notice about the Jacobs brothers is that they finish each other’s sentences.

THE irony that the recent weather would have been ideal for the start of the domestic cricket season is not lost on Kyle Coetzer.

On today's show, we provide the latest highlights from the governor's daily coronavirus response briefing. Plus, we speak with representatives from Communities Unlimited about a new toolkit the nonprofit has put together to help people and small businesses navigate the relief options provided through the federal CARES Act. And, we find out how you can still get your Girl Scout Cookie fix.

On today's show, we have an update on the state's coronavirus response from the governor during his daily briefing. Plus, we hear about a new food access map developed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Uplift Arkansas. And, we find out about Southwestern Electric Power Company's purchase of new wind generation and transmission facilities in Oklahoma.

On today's show, we have the latest information from Governor Asa Hutchinson's coronavirus response briefing. Plus, we begin our series of conversations with instructors who will lead sessions next month for a University of Arkansas Honors College course about the pandemic. And, we speak with a local hair stylist, who has been connecting with her clients during the outbreak through virtual appointments.

Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis haven’t stopped Hurlford United from doing what they almost always do at this time of year… ready themselves to take part in a Macron Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final tie

Beith defensive mainstay Ryan Docherty has called today’s Macron Scottish Junior Cup clash against Kello Rovers “a great opportunity” as he and his team-mates prepare to go toe-to-toe with the rank outsiders for a place in this season’s semi-finals.

There was a peaceful anti-war protest in DeKalb on Thursday evening. The event was part of a nationwide effort led by MoveOn.org. It gave people the opportunity to gather at 5:00 p.m. in their cities and say, "No War With Iran." DeKalb's protest took place at Peace Corner, just off Lincoln Highway and 1st Street. More than 50 people gathered to express their concern. Dani Brzozowski is running for Congress in Illinois' 16th District. She said, "I think President Trump and people like Representative Kinzinger thought they'd be able to take military action in Iran without fear of any consequence from the American public." She gestured to the cars driving by and the dozens of people around her and said, "That's not the case, right? People did not just sort of turn a blind eye to this." Matthew Fazekas said, "I'm 23. We went to war with Iraq when I was six years old. I think it's time for this kind of thing to stop." He continued, "We live in a very unpredictable time. Another war is just

Women's March Rockford held a sign making party at Womanspace on Saturday. It gave people the opportunity to create signs not just for themselves, but for anyone who shows up to the assembly empty-handed. Mary McNamara Bernsten is an event organizer for the march. She was cutting cardboard with a utility knife so she and others could paint and transform the rectangles into protest sign art. She said last year they had several signs ready to go. "When people got to the march, you could kind of see them looking around and thinking, 'I wish I had something to hold.'" McNamara Bernsten continued, "If you've never done it before, it's not as easy as you think it is to go out and express yourself." She said people responded favorably to the pre-made signs. "A lot of people were happy. They were, 'Oh great! Give me a sign!' They picked one that they related to personally and took off with it." Though there will be a supply of extra signs handy, marchers are encouraged to create their own

Cold temperatures didn't stop a diverse crowd of marchers at Women's March Rockford. More than 200 gathered to express themselves, support each other, and peacefully march. Jennifer Stark held a sign that said "Voting Is My Super Power." She said, "I want to represent and remind everybody that if we don't like where the world is today, we can vote. We can make a difference." Men showed up, too, including Barry Champion. He said, "I'm here to support everyone's right to equality." He continued, "I have been to probably all the women's marches since they started, as well as other women's rights marches." Gerri Hood was there with her grandchildren, London and Paris. She said, "I'm here to make sure that everybody is accounted for, and to teach my granddaughters that we can help people." Hood, whose degree is in human services, said that the march is personal for her. "I've fallen through so many cracks myself. It's very important that we get more attention focused on women's rights. It's

Listen, believe, provide. That's the mission of Rockford's Family Peace Center. It will provide safety and services for survivors of violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder or dependent abuse, and human trafficking. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara announced that "Phase 1" of the center will open in the next six months. It will be located on North Main Street, across from the Coronado Theater. He said, "We are terribly excited to create a safe space that survivors can get all the services they need -- and not just the services they need, but the hope they need -- that tomorrow's going to be a better day for them and their family." Judy Moe serves on a committee that represents a variety of religious organizations who work together to help survivors. She said they have been meeting for several months so they can warmly welcome and help any person who enters the door. "We are going to work with people when they come in and do it in a way that is non-threatening." She continued, "We will

There are many opinions on how to broadcast a presidential impeachment trial. To be sure, the stakes are high when the highest office in the land is given this level of scrutiny. How should it sound on your radio? There are often factors that are out of our control. For example, sometimes the coverage is scheduled with a start time of 11:00 a.m. Sometimes, it’s been noon. Sometimes, the proceedings are scheduled for the weekend. They can last a few hours or go deep into the night. That means your favorite program may be preempted during times we’re in “special coverage.” Faced with these moving parts, the WNIJ news team is committed to the public service of carrying balanced coverage. That means perspectives from both sides of the aisle and the White House are given airtime. We also believe in addition to live testimony, daily analysis is a vital component of understanding the day’s proceedings. That’s why we'll continue to carry live testimony as it begins each day, and conclude live

President Trump is delivering the 2020 State of the Union address, which comes under the shadow of his impeachment trial. Watch his remarks live and follow a live annotation of his remarks, including fact checks and analysis from NPR reporters. Loading...

Illinois elected officials have strong feelings about former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's early release from prison. He served eight years of his 14 year sentence because President Donald Trump commuted his sentence earlier this week. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara doesn't agree with the president's move. "I really think it was a horrible decision and sends a really bad signal, not just to politicians, but to all citizens across the state." McNamara elaborated. "Look back at what he did. He literally tried to do one of the worst things you can do in politics, which is to enrich himself while selling a public seat." Rockford's Democratic mayor said Blagojevich bypassed the trust of the citizens. McNamara emphasized that this is not a partisan issue. "Republican, Democrat, Green Party, Independent -- what he did is despicable and I think he should serve his full sentence." John Beck identifies as a moderate Republican and is the alderman for Rockford's 12th ward. He said the

Governor J.B. Pritzker was in Rockford on Friday with Mayor Tom McNamara, State Sen. Steve Stadelman, and State Rep. Maurice West. The Democrats came together to celebrate the progress of the $45 billion capital plan known as Rebuild Illinois. Money from the plan is being used to improve statewide infrastructure like roads, bridges, education and broadband internet services. The governor also said that part of the money will go toward a much anticipated train project. "We're dedicating $275 million to establish passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago." The governor was quick to credit State Sen. Stadelman with getting this project pushed forward. He said, "Senator Stadelman made this a priority. He mentioned it over and over and over again, and told me that the people of Rockford wanted it. And we're bringing it to you, Senator!" The senator, in turn, expressed appreciation for the governor. "He's no stranger to Rockford and I can't even count the number of times he's been

Comic Relief and Children In Need are teaming up for the first time ever to hold a special fundraising night on BBC One.

Hollywood actor Tom Hardy will read out more 'Bedtime Stories' for children's channel CBeebies.

Glasgow certainly looked different before the coronavirus lockdown.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of one of the most dramatic missions in human spaceflight: Apollo 13.

AS A teenager in the 40s and 50s, Glasgow was the place to be if you loved a dance - the Locarno, the Barrowland, the Majestic and more were the stuff of legend.

BONFIRES so hot they cracked tenement windows. Jiving with the GIs in George Square. Singing and dancing with joy, knowing that finally, the war was over….

We take a look back into the archives and explore Glasgow's past.

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl has become an online sensation after her videos as Glasgow characters have gone viral.

TWO city theatres have suspended all shows until the end of June.

Tory impact on country

STRIKING the right balance between decision making and maintaining robust scrutiny and accountability is a constant conversation at the best of times, and is ever more important during a crisis. This played out strongly at the Scottish Parliament this week, and raises important questions for our own council too.

Follow along here for all the coronavirus developments in Glasgow, Scotland and further afield.

James Kelly has hit out at the news Glasgow University teaching staff will lose their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis

GLASGOW CLAN chief operating officer Gareth Chalmers has admitted that the team’s recent run of form has been hugely frustrating, and he admits that he has never seen a team as badly hit by from illness and injury as his side have been in recent weeks.

JOHN THAIN has been on quite a rollercoaster over the past year.

BEING on the same team as Carl Frampton did Josh Taylor no harm at all at the start of his boxing career.

CELTIC hero Chris Sutton has joked that Rangers' SPFL dossier has "shaken Scottish football to the core".

RANGERS claim that the SPFL failed to inform its members of a potential £10million liability and “substantial problems” with league reconstruction before asking clubs to vote to conclude the 2019/20 campaign.

LAST week, the council announced plans for a Covid-19 Recovery Group to steer the city’s response to the profound economic shock that has accompanied the public health crisis.

I DIDN’T think I’d be writing again this week about Glasgow City Council’s administration of Coronavirus Business Support Grant funding but the poor progress made over the past seven days has compelled me to continue to shine a spotlight on this issue.

IT’S the smiling faces which keep you going.

I NOTE the council stopping the free bulk uplift service.

Glasgow's own screenwriting star Krysty Wilson is returning to her Royal Conservatoire roots in April for an exclusive conversation and Q&A event.

A film festival postponed due to the coronavirus is going virtual and moving part of its programme online to ensure that audiences do not miss out.

Secret Cinema has invited fans to enjoy past events from the comfort their home to sign up to their virtual film club.

SPFL directors have today issued their detailed response to claims made in Rangers' dossier yesterday.

THE SPFL have claimed that Rangers chairman Douglas Park made a "threat" to chief executive Neil Doncaster.

RANGERS managing director Stewart Robertson last night dismissed claims the Ibrox club are attempting to prevent Celtic from being awarded the Ladbrokes Premiership title.

Lawrie Sanchez watched a young Steven Davis tear it up on a Northern Ireland training pitch and knew he had a serious leader on his hands.