April is National Poetry Month. Aurora’s poet laureate Karen Fullett-Christensen and the City’s deputy poet laureates talked about the power of poetry and how this pandemic is influencing their writing. The conversation took place Monday on Facebook live. Fermina Ponce is one of Aurora’s deputy poet laureates. She said she can’t avoid writing about COVID-19. “I’m not unaware and my creation and my muse is not getting detached or free from what we are living,” Ponce said. Anthony Stanford, another poet laureate, isn’t writing much poetry these days. He said the pandemic has inspired him to write short stories about how things will look in 10, 15 or 25 years. “Because this will be with us. If not this, then something else. This has forced us to change in all manner of things,” he said. Quentin Johnson is the third deputy poet laureate. He said even though we are inundated with daily updates about COVID-19, he wants to take a different approach when he writes. “It’s been my mission to

The East State Street Kmart in Rockford and four Sears stores elsewhere in Illinois have been targeted by Sears Holdings to close in early September. The Kmart store on Sandy Hollow Road in Rockford closed in early April this year. A Kmart store formerly located at Riverside Boulevard and Forest Hills Road closed more than a decade ago and was replaced by a Sears Essentials store, which closed in 2011. While reporting a net loss of $424 million in its quarterly report this morning, Sears Holdings announced it had identified 100 unprofitable stores across the country, “72 of which will begin store closing sales in the near future. ” A list of 15 Kmart stores and 48 Sears stores was posted on the corporate website early this afternoon. The announcement included this statement: “We continue to evaluate our network of stores, which are a critical component in our transformation, and will make further adjustments as needed and as warranted.” It said a small group of stores was pulled from

Unemployment can happen to anyone, and state government and colleges have resources to help those who are looking to increase skills while they are between jobs. The state's latest jobs numbers indicate that unemployment was at 4.7% in February. However, this rate was higher in many of the state's metro areas. The highest was Kankakee, at 6.7%, followed by Rockford at 6.4. Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesman Bob Gough says jobless people can sign up for unemployment insurance to stay afloat. "You also have to, of course, be looking for work, available for work, and ready for work during that period," he said. "You have to check in regularly online, call in, in order to ensure that you are indeed out there trying to find work while you're out." This state program provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. Gough says people stay on the program for an average 16 weeks. To link these people with jobs, IDES runs regional employment centers. Here, clients can submit their resumes

Last Thursday during XPN’s Non-COMMvention, the Tupelo, Mississippi brothers and sister trio, the Homemade Jamz Blues Band, performed in concert with Super Chikan for the final Mississippi Blues Porject concert series. The band performed songs from its new album, Mississippi […]

The legendary James Cotton is playing a free show at the TLA on South Street in Philadelphia on Friday, September 6. It’s the finale concert of the year long Mississippi Blues Project and will be hosted by Jonny Meister, host […]

Around 60% of DeKalb students qualify as low-income, according to the Illinois Report Card . That means they also qualify for reduced or free meals. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, schools scrambled to keep providing food for students who rely on their district for much more than education. Pansy Oderio is DeKalb’s food services director. Her team serves around 700 meals a day. They have 10 locations either at schools or mobile sites in the community. She says it’s mostly a combination of fruit, cereal, sandwiches and milk, but they try to offer more variety when they can. The program is also largely run by dozens of volunteers. “It's community members. It's teachers, our administration, they all can sign up and pick time slots to help distribute the meals,” she said. Soon they’ll also be offering boxes with a week’s worth of meals at DeKalb High School. Oderio says that’ll double the number of meals they give out. They’re also exploring ways to get more pre-cooked options for

ONE of Glasgow's biggest music venues has announced that all shows will be postponed until May 7 but insist they will do their best to reschedule performances.

Bennett, Hickenlooper request that BLM oil and gas lease sale be deferred Health clinics in Colorado serve a vital role for low income health care Western State University in Gunnison gets largest ever donation

Bull Draw Fire flares up in warmer, drier weather; smoke expected Engage Energy Conference brings together stakeholders in energy industry Transition from older, outdated energy sources to new ones a hot topic Governor Hickenlooper forms Federal PAC, signals possible Presidential run

Candidates for 3rd Congressional District disagree about Jordan Cove project Flare up in the Bull Draw Fire causes more closures of the Divide Road Changes to Endangered Species Act could impact oil and gas, recreation in Colorado Glance at high school football schedule this weekend

Colorado has fourth best economy in the country Statewide surplus expected this year and next The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun Recycling, election security, Governor possibly running for President

Toxic algae confirmed in Blue Mesa Reservoir Boaters encouraged to stay away from Iola Basin, protect pets Paonia Elementary School wins prestigious award

Water Sheriff patrols Four Corners, water theft up during drought season Historic Leadville Opera House eligible for preservation grant Update on investigation of two bodies discovered outside Hotchkiss

Blue Mesa Reservoir at record low volume, toxic algae blooms confirmed Bull Draw Fire 95 percent contained, special techniques aid firefight Statewide expansion of Medicare greatly benefitted rural residents Victims of shooting outside of Hotchkiss identified, investigation ongoing

ICELAB comes to Delta County, promotes job growth and new business Amendment X would take hemp out of state constitution

Report indicates drought in Colorado is getting worse Flu season last year in the state was busiest ever The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun Purple State talks Club 20 Debates, state economy and beer industry

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

Neilston’s aspirations of making a first-ever Macron Scottish Junior Cup semi-final appearance were given a reality check in quite atrocious footballing conditions at Brig O’Lea on Saturday.

Twelve candidates take the stage for October's Democratic primary debate, which begins at 8 p.m. ET. NPR reporters are posting context and analysis in real time. Loading...

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

Despite coronavirus-related shutdowns across Illinois, primary campaigns remain in full swing. The Illinois Primary election takes place Tuesday. Campaigners for democratic presidential frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders say they’re still optimistic about turnout. Retired Senator John Kerry is a Biden campaign surrogate and praised Sunday night’s debate performance. “Joe really came out sounding like a president -- sounding like a guy who really had a plan for coronavirus as well as for other things. I think the key is just to stay steady and keep going straight ahead and not take anything for granted,” Kerry said. Ari Rabin-Havt is Deputy Campaign Manager for Bernie Sanders. He emphasized the importance of science and expertise, both in Sanders’ platform and on public health. “People and government officials should talk to public health experts in their state, speak to the CDC, and issue the guidance necessary for people to vote and not get sick," he said. Tulsi Gabbard will

Like everyone else, my hands have taking a true beating from hand sanitiser, hand wash and cleaning products throughout this pandemic.

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….

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland commissioned a series of portraits of WW2 veterans as part of the national celebration.

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

Glasgow Clan Chief Operating Officer Gareth Chalmers has revealed the club have signed a defenceman, who should be ready to play in tomorrow's clash with Manchester Storm.

Perhaps there were some who had hoped for a dossier of lurid juiciness.

HOW many hearts have been broken under that disco ball?

THE accommodation more often than not leaves a lot to be desired.

The Glasgow Film festival continues its series of exciting events today, including two red carpet premieres which will see Simon Pegg and Bill Paterson in Glasgow.

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

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed he and his recruitment staff are continuing to look at players to improve their squad ahead of the Premiership return.

Steven Gerrard believes there has been an 'almighty rush' from the SPFL to conclude the current Premiership season.

SFA vice-president Mike Mulraney believes it would be “foolhardy” to dismiss the chances of any of Scotland’s major clubs going out of business due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

PARTICK Thistle today branded the SPFL a "disgrace" for failing to inform them that league reconstruction had been abandoned and revealed they are "deeply angered" by Ladbrokes Premiership clubs scuppering the plans.

DOZENS of staff have been made redundant after home furnishing store Remnant Kings went into administration.

Health, beauty and pharmacy chain Boots has said it is 'temporarily closing' 60 of its branches during the UK lockdown.

The long-awaited Arkansas Valley Conduit has gained more traction. The Bureau of Reclamation and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District have adopted a management plan for the pipeline. It will eventually channel clean drinking water from Pueblo Reservoir to six counties in the lower Arkansas River Valley, serving an estimated 50,000 people.

With all that's going on in the world right now, we wondered what life experience and family history might be able to tell us. As part of KRCC's Shortening the Distance project, producer Shanna Lewis got in touch with historian Carolyn Newman. She's 88 years old and has lived in the same house in Walsenburg for 60 years.

On tonight's show host Joseph Pace will examine the flaws in our legal system that have contributed to the mass incarceration of Americans, particularly impoverished Americans. The discussion will include San Mateo DA Steve Wagstaffe and lawyer Alec Karakatsanis, author of Usual Cruelty: The Complicity of Lawyers in the Criminal Injustice System, whose ideas often challenge our assumptions about justice, poverty, and opportunity in our country. Guests: Steve Wagstaffe, District Attorney of San Mateo County. Alec Karakatsanis, Lawyer and Author of Usual Cruelty, The Complicity of Lawyers in the Criminal Injustice System. You can join Alec for a lunch and talk about his book on Thursday, Dec 5 from 12:30-1:30 in the Google Community Space (188 Embarcadero). Sponsored by Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights . RSVP to Producer: Wendy Holcombe

San Francisco Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday and UCSF infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong discuss the latest coronavirus-related news. In the second half of the program, a panel of nonprofit leaders explore how COVID-19 is impacting local nonprofits. How can you help -- from home?

Schools are closed, and Zoom is the new classroom for thousands of Bay Area students. We'll discuss how local school districts are handling distance learning, get tips from teachers and hear about what we can do to create equitable learning experiences for all. We'll also get a update on the lastest local pandemic developments and hear a specially composed reflection on life in the coronavirus era by Bay Area novelist Vanessa Hua. And we want to hear from you. Call us during the show with your questions and experiences: 866-798-TALK or send an email anytime to cityvisions@kalw.org . Wednesday, April 15 at 9 PM. Guests : Erin Allday , health reporter, San Francisco Chronicle Peter Chin-Hong , professor of medicine and infectious diseases specialist, UCSF JC Farr , principal, Tamalpais High School in Marin County Lisa Kelly , 6th grade English teacher at the Life Academy in Oakland Jill Tucker, K-12 education reporter, San Francisco Chronicle Vanessa Hua , novelist whose books include

Is COVID-19 impacting your mental health? You're not alone. Host Grace Won speaks to healthcare professionals about strategies to combat loneliness, anxiety and depression during this pandemic.

Host: Jeff Hayden, certified criminal law specialist, California Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of California. Jeff welcomes employment law specialists: -- Margaret Grover, Esq., Partner, Wendel Rosen Black & Dean LLP, Oakland, CA. Maggie is a 30-year attorney practicing employment law and member of the Labor and Employment Section of the California Lawyers Association (CLA). -- Ellen Mendelson, Esq., San Francisco, CA. The law office of Ellen A Mendelson focuses on representing public and other employees. With over 25 years experience, Ellen is a member of the Labor and Employment Section of the CLA. -- Douglas Robbins, partner in Wood, Robbins LLP, San Francisco, California. Wood Robbins focuses their Employment Law practice in three areas of Employment Litigation: Trade Secret Litigation; Misclassification (Independent Contractor/Employee) Litigation; and Wage & Hour Litigation. Douglas is a member of the Board of Directors of the San Mateo County Bar Association.

On this edition of Your Call, we speak with veteran science journalist Miles O’Brien about his new FRONTLINE documentary Coronavirus Pandemic.

On this edition of Your Call's Media Roundtable, we're discussing the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil and its impact on p oor and marginalized communities . So far, more than 81,000 people have tested positive and at least 6,000 have died.

On this edition of Your Call’s One Planet Series, we're discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the US food supply. Across the country, farmers are destroying tens of millions of pounds of fresh food.