Susan Stephens

4 weeks ago | northernpublicradio.org | Dan Libman |Spencer Tritt |Susan Stephens

1 of 4  — IMG_7759.JPG Spencer Tritt 2 of 4  — IMG_7764.JPG Spencer Tritt 3 of 4  — IMG_7761.JPG 4 of 4  — IMG_7753.JPG Spencer Tritt People in the Rockford area may know Asher as the man they turn to to fix their ailing stringed instruments, or the trumpet and viola player with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, or the maker of intricately-inlaid wooden boxes, or that guy they see on his bike all the time.

2 months ago | northernpublicradio.org | Spencer Tritt |Susan Stephens |Dan Libman

The year 2000 might not seem so long ago for some of us – and for others, it was a lifetime away. On April 16, 2025, the generations came together at Northern Illinois University’s Student Life Center. They were there to crack into a time capsule sealed up in a wall by employees of the student newspaper, the Northern Star, 25 years ago. WNIJ’s Under Rocks podcast team joined them to document this little piece of local history.

2 months ago | northernpublicradio.org | Susan Stephens

Thousands of people across northern Illinois gathered on street corners, in parks, and along roadways this weekend as part of the nation-wide “Hands Off” protests. Passions ran high in demonstrations from Chicago to Freeport against the Trump administration and the President’s advisor Elon Musk. In DeKalb, speakers and signs laid out the participants’ biggest issues with the Trump administration, including immigration, voting rights, the economy, and the slashing of federal jobs and programs.

Mar 27, 2025 | northernpublicradio.org | Spencer Tritt |Jason Cregier |Susan Stephens

1 of 5  — IMG_7634.JPG 2 of 5  — IMG_7633.JPG 3 of 5  — IMG_7631.JPG 4 of 5  — IMG_7607.JPG 5 of 5  — IMG_7609.JPG Thanks to our wonderful hosts at the Edith Farnsworth House, Kristen Lochner, Scott Mehaffey, Arianna Kiriakos, and of course, our excellent tour guide, John Palmatier. Where should the Under Rocks team head next? Let us know at [email protected].

Jan 30, 2025 | northernpublicradio.org | Dan Libman |Susan Stephens |Spencer Tritt

1 of 4 — DSC06878.JPG 2 of 4 — DSC06865.JPG 3 of 4 — DSC06872.JPG 4 of 4 — IMG_7497.JPG Bellairs has a real estate office right in the heart of the action of Woodstock Square, Ground Zero for the filming of the 1993 hit “Groundhog Day.” We’re just steps away from the stretch of sidewalk where Bill Murray soaked his feet day after day in an icy mud puddle, the park where the Hollywood version of Punxsutawney Phil checks for his shadow, the tower where Murray’s character takes a plunge (a.k.a....