From the Newsroom: The Journal Star

Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM and Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star talk to Gale Thetford and Tim Riggenbach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM and Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star talk to Charles Grayeb and Peter Kobak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM and Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star as they talk to the candidates for Peoria City Council District 5: Denis Cyr and Ryan Hite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star and Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM talk to Peoria mayoral candidate Jim Montelongo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star and Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM talk to Chama St. Louis and Andres Diaz, candidates for Peoria mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star and Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM as they talk to Rita Ali and Sid Ruckriegel, candidates for Peoria mayor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star and Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM talk to the candidates for Peoria Township Supervisor: Frank Abdnour and Latrina Leary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM and Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star talk to District 1 City Council candidates Denise Moore, Aaron Chess and Denise Jackson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich, hosted by Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star and Marc Supreme of 90.7 FM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Journal Star's Chris Kaergard and 90.7 FM program director Marc Supreme interview Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis about his tenure and the city's future in the inaugural episode of our new series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jodi Hoos, a former judge and incumbent candidate for Peoria County State's Attorney, speaks to the Journal Star editorial board about her campaign and proposals.

Peoria trial lawyer Chris McCall, candidate for Peoria County State's Attorney, speaks to the Journal Star editorial board about his campaign and proposals.

Rachael Parker, incumbent candidate for Peoria County Clerk, speaks to the Journal Star editorial board about her campaign and proposals. Parker was appointed in August to succeed Steve Sonnemaker, who died in June. Her appointment lasts through Dec. 1, 2020, and her candidacy is for the Democratic nomination to fill the remaining two years of the term.

Gabe McLeod, candidate for Peoria County Clerk, speaks to the Journal Star editorial board about his campaign and proposals.

Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard interview Peoria Public Schools Board District 3 candidate Anni Reinking.

Journal Star crime reporter Andy Kravetz discusses Peoria's recent, record-setting spate of deadly violence with Urban Acres owner Andy Diaz, New Millenium Institute founder Agbara Bryson and community organizer Chama St. Louis. The City of Peoria recently set a new modern-day record of 25 homicides in one calendar year, surpassing the previous record of 23 set in 2010.

Edith Barnard of peoriamusiclady.com chats with the Journal Star's Chris Kaergard about the upcoming screening of the Christmas classic "It's A Wonderful Life" at the Apollo Theater and the the popular singalong before the show. The movie airs at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15 at the theater, 311 Main Street, in Downtown Peoria.

Executive editor Dennis Anderson talks with Peoria Riverfront Museum chief curator Bill Conger and president & CEO John Morris about some exhibits leaving soon and new ones to come.

Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill and Deputy Director Brent Wheeler join the Journal Star's Chris Kaergard and Nick Vlahos to discuss what's new for Peoria's parks and possible plans for the future.

Peoria artists Doug and Eileen Leunig chat with the Journal Star's Chris Kaergard about the upcoming Big Picture Peoria street festival on Oct. 12, 2019 in Peoria's Warehouse District. The festival will feature chalk artists, live music, an open-mic competition and much more, with funds raised going towards arts education at after-school programs and community centers throughout the city.

Recent data shows that violent crime in Peoria has increased, but more-common property crime is on the decline. Reporter Andy Kravetz talks to Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion about the trends.

Community activists Ryan Hidden of Change Peoria, Chama St. Louis of the Black Justice Project and Peter Kobak join the Journal Star's Andy Kravetz discuss reforming the current cash bond system for criminal arrests.

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza joins the Journal Star's Chris Kaergard to discuss issues with the state's finances in light of the recent tax legislation and state budget signed by Gov. Pritzker.

In the wake of successfully legislating the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth chats with the Journal Star's Chris Kaergard about the controversial legislation and its potential impact on state finances, community redevelopment and justice reform.

Peoria police cybercrimes investigator Det. Stevie Hughes, and Public Information Officer Amy Dotson chat with Journal Star reporter Scott Hilyard about the proliferation of online and phone scams, what to do if you become a victim, and how to prevent falling prey to them in the first place.

Beth Jensen joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about her candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Rita Ali joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about her candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Andre Allen joins Journal Star managing editor Sally McKee and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Beth Akeson joins Journal Star managing editor Sally McKee and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about her candidacy to retain an at-large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Kevin Sibley joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Zach Oyler joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Jim Golden joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to chat about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Branden Martin joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to chat about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Peter Kobak joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to chat about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Sid Ruckriegel joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

John Kelly joins Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard to talk about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Aaron Chess chats with Journal Star executive editor Dennis Anderson and associate editor Chris Kaergard about his candidacy for an At Large seat on the Peoria City Council.

Reporter Andy Kravetz talks about needle exchange programs, fentanyl test strips and distribution of naloxone with two members of the JOLT Foundation and Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.

Why does it take so many firefighters to battle a blaze? What other dangers, besides fire, do firefighters face?  How has firefighting changed over the years? Veteran firefighter Tony Ardis, division chief of operations for the Peoria Fire Department, shares his insights on fire response and safety with the Journal Star's Matt Buedel.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood and Pat Kennedy and Chrissy Smith from the Human Service Center talk with reporter Andy Kravetz about opioid addiction, how the drugs work, signs to look for and other alternatives for pain relief.

April Scott, mother of missing 21-year-old Alexis Scott, joins Lt. Mike Boland of the Peoria Police Department to talk with reporter Andy Kravetz about missing persons investigations.

Peoria County coroner Jamie Harwood, Peoria City/County Health Dept. head Monica Hendrickson and epidemiologist Katie Endress join Journal Star public safety reporter Andy Kravetz in a discussion about opioid abuse and local efforts to combat the deadly addiction.

The opioid crisis is hitting central Illinois hard. Chris Shaffner, grant coordinator with the Human Service Center and a drug and alcohol counselor, joins Journal Star health beat reporter Leslie Renken to discuss the stigma of drug addiction, the use of naloxone to treat overdose victims, and a new initiative to stem the tide of abuse through awareness and education.

Welcome to the Journal Star's third panel conversation on sexual misconduct. This podcast series is the result of the Journal Star’s monthly community meetings with readers. Last month, a group of Peoria women -- including Sherry Cannon and led by Bradley Professor Portia Adams -- talked in frank and disturbing terms about their experiences as victims of sexual harassment. A week later we had a panel of men talking about the issue. This installment brings members from both panels together for a conversation on how we got here and what’s next. The panel includes Jessie McGown, Mo Washburn, Sally McKee and Sherry Cannon. Executive Editor Dennis Anderson is the moderator.

A group of four Peoria-area men gathered on Nov. 15 at One News Plaza in our second part of a discussion on sexual harassment, sexual assault and the #metoo movement. Executive editor Dennis Anderson moderated.

A group of six Peoria-area women gathered on Nov. 8 at One News Plaza to discuss their thoughts, feelings and experiences on the subjects of sexual harassment, sexual assault and the #metoo movement.  

Justin Dwyer, a sanitarian with the Peoria City/County Health Department, walks us through the process of health. Dwyer explains how he assesses violations ranging from leaking faucets to mold in the ice machine.

In his first budget, President Trump proposed abolishing the national Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment of the Humanities. While congress essentially ignored that suggestion with the budget they passed - actually increasing spending on the arts and humanities - the budget year ends in September, and the issue will be coming up again soon. What would happen in central Illinois if the NEA and NEH were abolished?

Ecosystems all over the world are under stress, and that includes the prairies, wetlands and other biologically diverse habitats of central Illinois. Mike Miller of the Peoria Park District is teaching a class and leading a tour of ecosystems around Peoria. He joins the Journal Star's Nick Vlahos in a discussion about the area's various ecosystems, what is being done to help preserve and protect them, and what you can do to help as well.

Dr. Larry Weinzimmer, a professor of strategic management at Bradley University, has spent his career developing strategies for growing private business, but he's recently used his number-crunching prowess to help local hospitals assess community health. In a 2016 survey, Weinzimmer's team found, among a wealth of data, that people are not as healthy as they think they are.

Couri Thomas works to help the disadvantaged at Peoria Area Food Bank, but is a newcomer to politics as he seeks the Peoria mayor's seat. He discusses how he'd like to revitalize Peoria in this interview with political reporter Chris Kaergard.