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Tri States Public Radio
@tsprnews.bsky.social
Part of the NPR Network. Serving west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri with news and diverse music.

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Macomb is preparing to break ground on William H. Thorpe Memorial Park.
Groundbreaking set for park honoring Macomb’s first Black police officer
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for August 4 at the future site of William H. Thorpe Memorial Park.
www.tspr.org
July 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
In Galesburg, former mayor John Pritchard's campaign spent more than $135,000 between Jan. 1 and March 31, which was 20 times more than incumbent Peter Schwartzman's campaign spent during the same time period to win the race.
Money flowed and PACs attacked in local mayoral elections this year. Here’s what the candidates spent.
Quarterly reports filed this week with the Illinois State Board of Elections show a couple of trends in local mayoral elections.
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April 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Western Illinois University says visas for “a small number” of its international students have been revoked.
Visas revoked for some WIU international students
The university's current international student enrollment is 652.
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April 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
As some immigrants and refugees living and working in Monmouth are being notified by the federal government that they need to leave the country, faith leaders will host a prayer service for them on Wednesday night.
Prayer service to support Haitian, other immigrants in Monmouth
The prayer service for immigrants and refugees will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in the sanctuary of First Lutheran Church, 116 S. B St., in Monmouth.
www.tspr.org
April 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary, 1900 Wigwam Hollow Rd., includes 200 acres of oak and hickory forests along with a five-acre restored prairie in the middle.
Bird sanctuary opens to the public in Macomb
The Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary includes 200 acres of oak and hickory forests along with a five-acre restored prairie in the middle.
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April 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Schwartzman received 2,831 votes to win 54 percent of the vote, defeating challenger and former mayor John Pritchard by 376 votes, according to unofficial election results.
‘The people have spoken and I’m so excited.’ Schwartzman wins second term
In a consolidated election that saw the highest voter turnout in decades, Peter Schwartzman won a second term as Galesburg mayor.
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April 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees gave unanimous approval to a starting salary of $320,000 for President Kristi Mindrup.
WIU board approves presidential salary
Board of Trustees Chair Carin Stutz praised the work done by WIU President Kristi Mindrup and her administrative team.
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March 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Board member Alyson Sturgis said they’re also trying to raise the co-op’s profile in the community.
Macomb Food Cooperative looks to buy its own building
The co-op board is now putting together a building campaign to raise the money.
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March 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
As TSPR reported previously, 11 allegations of sexual harassment against Idle dating back 20 years were reported to the city’s human resources department on March 4.

www.tspr.org/tspr-local-n...
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March 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Macomb city council members have a big decision to make. They’re considering whether to spend tens of millions of dollars to build an indoor sports complex.
Macomb’s proposed sports complex: ‘A game changer for our community’
A study says an indoor sports complex would generate millions of dollars in annual economic activity in the community.
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March 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Tara Roberts has chronicled the experience for National Geographic.
Diving to the bottom of the ocean to document slave shipwrecks
Tara Roberts, Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic, came to Western Illinois University in Macomb to talk about her experiences.
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March 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A Galesburg mayoral candidate who was unable to participate in a forum last week due to illness says he’ll let his campaign materials “reverberate” for the time being and has not accepted a challenge from his opponent for a debate.
Pritchard: ‘At this point I have nothing to add’
A Galesburg mayoral candidate who was unable to participate in a forum last week due to illness says he’ll let his campaign materials “reverberate” and has not accepted a challenge from his opponent f...
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March 4, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out the murder conviction for Richard E. Glossip, 62, saying the admission of false testimony at the trial violated his constitutional rights.
Supreme Court overturns murder conviction, death penalty for Galesburg native
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out the murder conviction for Richard E. Glossip, 62, saying the admission of false testimony at his Oklahoma murder trial violated his constitutional rights.
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February 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
We're live from the Galesburg Public Library for the NAACP Candidate Forum featuring candidates for Galesburg mayor, city council, and township supervisor.
Galesburg NAACP Candidate Forum 2025
YouTube video by Tri States Public Radio
www.youtube.com
February 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
It’s a rematch of sorts in the race for Galesburg mayor.

Incumbent Peter Schwartzman is seeking a second term in the April 1 consolidated election. He’s facing former mayor John Pritchard, who previously served two terms in the role.
Meet the candidates for Galesburg mayor
Incumbent Peter Schwartzman is seeking a second term in the April 1 consolidated election. He’s facing former mayor John Pritchard, who previously served two terms in the role.
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February 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
“I've always been interested in this idea of suspending time in music where you can't tap your foot to the music and you can't necessarily tell what the meter is or if there is one." — Ashlee Mack
Ashlee Mack’s ‘green’ features quiet piano music by living composers
An album release concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Macomb Arts Center, 25 East Side Square.
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February 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Around four dozen people boarded a charter bus in western Illinois on a seasonably chilly winter morning for a day-long excursion in southeast Iowa.
Birds, Brunch, & Beverages: ‘A great group of people to spend the day with’
Around four dozen people boarded a charter bus in western Illinois for a day-long excursion in southeast Iowa.
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February 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The Anew WIU initiative is reviewing the data and ideas collected during its first public meeting.
Anew WIU strives for a thriving university
Organizers describe Anew WIU as a collaborative and forward-thinking effort to reimagine the future of Western Illinois University.
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February 4, 2025 at 1:18 AM
As rumors swirl that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were spotted in Monmouth, local law enforcement and the corporate office of Smithfield Foods say they’re not aware of any local raids or ICE presence.
Smithfield, police not aware of ICE presence in Monmouth
Police Chief Joe Switzer said there is no truth to the claims, to his knowledge.
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January 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra is close to matching the largest challenge grant in its 75-year history.
Supporting the arts in rural areas – SEISO closing in on matching grant
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra is close to matching the largest challenge grant in its 75-year history.
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January 28, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Western Illinois University is implementing a furlough program for administrative employees who are not part of a bargaining unit.
WIU announces nearly 90 administrative furloughs
The administration said the furloughs will save the university nearly $500,000.
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January 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
An autopsy on Wednesday determined a Colchester woman died from a gunshot wound.
Law enforcement investigating homicide in Colchester
McDonough County Sheriff Nick Petitgout is hoping for help from the public as they investigate the death of Cheyenna Decker.
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January 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Two internal review panels have absolved a Macomb police lieutenant in last year’s fatal shooting of two people, including a four-year old boy.
Internal review absolves Macomb police officer in fatal shooting
The police department’s internal affairs board and deadly force review board have both issued their findings in the case.
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January 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
People’s Marches are planned for Saturday, Jan. 18, in Washington D.C. and across the country, including in Burlington and Galesburg.
‘It’s a stepping stone:’ People’s March an incentive to speak up, get involved
People’s Marches are planned for Saturday, Jan. 18, in Washington D.C. and across the country, including in Burlington and Galesburg.
www.tspr.org
January 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM