Nuclear giant Exelon will spare its power plant in Byron from slated closure Monday after the Illinois Senate passed massive energy and climate legislation that includes nearly $700 million in ratepayer subsidies to keep three of Exelon’s unprofitable nukes afloat.

Bill C. Malone, author of Country Music USA and advisor to Ken Burns’ PBS documentary on country music, provides the answer and talks about the appeal of country music, its roots, impact on our culture and more.

Listen to the conversation here with educator Dan Christian about some of the unique structural elements of the Divine Comedy, how Dante’s use of the vernacular language helped set the stage for higher levels of future literacy, and why it has remained relevant for readers throughout the centuries.

Rock Island Schools are back in session.

Bill Medley, half of the famous Righteous Brothers, shares how his music spanned five decades in popularity, its impact on American society and other stories from his autobiography, The Time of My Life.

Scott County and some of its union workers have agreed to extend their contracts. Instead of expiring next June (2022), the contracts with three bargaining units will not expire until June, 2023.

Hoping to make sure it spends millions of federal dollars wisely, Rock Island will call in some outside help.

On Arsenal Island Friday morning, hundreds gathered to honor those who died on September 11th, 2001, and in military service in the two decades since.