In The Tri States

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from April 2012. 

During the month, NTN Bower announced a major expansion project in Macomb, Southeastern Community College's president announced her retirement, and Spoon River College announced the name of its next president.

Fort Madison city council members chose one of their own to serve as the city's next mayor, and Burlington's new city manager started work.

Ballot referenda in Clark and Lewis Counties fared quite well during the April 3 elections in Missouri. Residents also made decisions about who would serve on their local school boards.

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from March 2012.  

The proposed consolidation of the Abingdon, Avon, and Bushnell-Prairie City School Districts was soundly rejected during the March 20 Illinois primaries.  More than 80% of B-PC voters cast ballots against the idea and it was rejected by more than 74% in Abingdon. Only voters in Avon approved it.   The week after the election, reporter Jim Lenz took a look at what might be next for those school districts.

The Illinois Green Party held its state convention in Macomb during the first weekend of March. News Director Rich Egger found the party will need to attract a lot more followers if it hopes to make an impact.

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from February 2012. 

During the month, Caterpillar ruled out Galesburg or any other site in Illinois for a plant being relocated from Japan. The company eventually chose to build in Georgia.

Monmouth hired a new police chief, a northeast Missouri man was convicted of murder, and the Macomb School District cut ties with a former teacher accused of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. 

Bushnell took action to settle a case over a house explosion, and a Lee County community's mayor said his town should be the new seat of county government.

In The Tri States is a look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from the previous month.

In January 2012, Mitt Romney was initially named winner of the Iowa Republican caucuses, then a later count declared Rick Santorum the winner. Reporter Jason Parrott discovered paperwork errors in Lee County led to some of the confusion. The head of the Iowa GOP resigned as a result of the snafu.

Also during the month, US Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) suffered a stroke, Iowa's governor got roughed up a bit over his refusal to increase the gas tax to pay for road and bridge repairs, and Illinois' governor announced plans to shut down the state-run Jacksonville Developmental Center.