Podcast

“Day” Jones interviews Derek Barichello of the Streator Chamber of Commerce on the chamber’s “Christmas in July” event this weekend

The TALK-LINE interview for July 22 featured City of Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes discussing the most recent Dixon City Council moves on zoning change procedures through the city council and Lee County Board

The Chicago Bears will start their first training camp under new head coach Ben Johnson this week. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar preview camp and the major storylines they're looking at over the next six weeks

The TALK-LINE interview for July 21 featured Lee County Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Katie Baker discussing youth summer workshops coming up at the end of this month.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 18 featured Illinois 74th District state Rep. Brad Fritts of Dixon discussing the wrap-up to the most recent General Assembly work on June 1.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 16 featured Lee County Sheriff Clay Whelan looking back at services offered during the 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival and the work of multiple law enforcement agencies to handle big events.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 16 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark discussing local happenings, including the homeless situation in Sterling.

J.T. Pedelty, Eddie Carifio and Sam Ramirez react to the IHSA football schedule getting released in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast, and break down games in DeKalb and La Salle counties, along with the Sauk Valley region

Dani Holland interviews Ashley Ryan, an up-and-coming artist from Music Row in Nashville, talking about her new single, “My Crazy” on Walls 102

Steve Soucie and Josh Welge preview the 2025 IHSA high school football schedule, including games to watch and more in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast

Friday Night Drive’s Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz discuss what the IHSA football schedule will look like in the western suburbs for the 2025 season, games they are looking forward to, and more

Steve Soucie and Mason Schweizer discuss the upcoming IHSA football schedule release and how it affects teams in Kankakee County on the latest Friday Night Drive podcast

The TALK-LINE interview for July 15 featured Visit Northwest Illinois Executive Director Matthew Lenox discussing the recent physical moves made by the organization, relocating from Polo to the River Works complex in Dixon.

Shaw Local reporter Joey Weslo sat down for a chat with Kristen Desler, assistant director of Batavia MainStreet, to learn more about this year’s featured artisans

The TALK-LINE interview for July 14 featured Lee County Health Department Maternal/Child Health Director Lisa Wiggins discussing the end of the Family Case Management program in June and the start of the Better Birth Outcomes comprehensive program this month.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 11 featured Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA Marketing and Development Director Ellie Hanlon talking about the success of the summer day camp program for 2025.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 10 featured Lee County State’s Attorney Charley Boonstra discussing the current criminal court cases being handled by the state’s attorney’s office.

"Day" Jones interviews Annie Pesola and Laura Walker from Hegeler Carus Mansion. They discuss their Third-Thursday Concert Series, with Steve Sharp performing on July 17. Tickets are $5.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 9 featured Shaw Local News Managing Editor of the Dixon Telegraph and Sterling Gazette, Charlene Bielema, looking at stories of interest to the area.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 9 featured Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Comprehensive Community Based Youth Service Representatives Kindra Short and Dan Ramirez.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 8 featured Kreider Services of Dixon Administrative Manager Sue Ely reviewing the recently held Florissa Center 5K run/walk fundraiser at Sauk Valley Community College.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 7 featured the Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Knack, discussing upcoming events on the chamber’s calendar.

"Day" Jones interviews the cast of Stage 212's Legally Blonde. Tickets are already on sale, and the show runs from July 11-July 27

The TALK-LINE interview featured Sauk Valley Community College Marketing Director Jim Grot discussing some upcoming trips planned through the college, open to the public.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 1 featured Dixon Park District Executive Director Duane Long.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 2 featured Dixon Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Andy McFarlane and Dixon Petunia Festival Reagan Run board member Deb Trancoso previewing the 25th annual Ronald Reagan 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 5.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 2 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark with an update of news coverage across the area including extensive Dixon Petunia Festival reports.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 30 featured Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Dixon Main Street Marketing Director Lucas Pauley.

A TALK-LINE interview for June 25 features Reagan Mass Transit District Executive Director Greg Gates and Director of Human Resources Kendra Hull.

In a TALK-LINE interview for June 25, Charlene Bielema, Shaw Local’s editor for the Dixon Telegraph and Sterling Gazette, discusses street repair projects in Dixon, a local Dixon native making her mark in music and other news.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 24 featured the second vice president of the 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival, Leah Nelson, previewing the entire event starting with pre-festival information leading up to the four-day celebration, running July 3 through 6.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 23 featured 2025 Reagan Run Committee member Nancy Varga, spotlighting the 25th Reagan Run 5K Run/Walk coming up on Saturday, July 5, during the annual Dixon Petunia Festival.

"Day" Jones interviews Myracle Johnson, the current National Christian Miss Jr. Teen. She also is involved heavily in 4-H in La Salle County. She made it all the way to the state 4-H public speaking competition this year, placing third

The TALK-LINE interview for June 20 featured the executive director of the Lee County Council on Aging, Susie Welch, discussing upcoming events on the LCCOA calendar, including a senior fair and open house June 24 at the Senior Center in Dixon.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 29 featured the president and CEO of the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sam Kersey, previewing the upcoming 2025 “Summer Splash” event Saturday, June 21, at the Rock Falls riverfront.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 18 featured Hope Cancer Wellness Center Executive Director Joan Padilla.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 18 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark talking about important happenings across the area, including the new name for the Sterling riverfront park and an issue with motorbikes in Dixon.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 17 featured Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes discussing the road construction situation for the city leading into the summer of 2025.

“Day” Jones interviews Derrick Barichello about his transition from working with The Times and NewsTribune to the Streator Chamber of Commerce and the chamber’s upcoming events

Dani Holland of Walls 102/Shaw Local Radio talks about the official winner of this year’s Teacher Of The Year Award. This year’s winner is Carrol Happ, a third grade teacher from Northview School in Peru

The TALK-LINE interview for June 16 featured the 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator for Lee County Extension, Katie Baker.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 13 featured Illinois 37th District State Senator Li Arellano of Dixon discussing the close of the most recent legislative session in Springfield and passage of the new state budget.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 12 featured Betty Clementz, chairperson of the 2025 Sauk Valley Relay For Life.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 11 featured Dixon Park District Executive Director Duane Long discussing the construction taking place in Vaile Park and the “Project Rock” walking bridge construction in Page Park.

The first offseason program under new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and his staff is officially over. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down what we learned and what to expect before training camp starts in July

The TALK-LINE interview for June 11 featured Shaw Local News Reporter Brandon Clark giving an update on the Sterling Riverfront development and a look at area events on the calendar from June through July.

Read the transcript of our interview with Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tanisha Cannon as they talk DEI, AI and much more

The TALK-LINE interview for June 10 featured 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival Board President Bethany Wright.

Read the transcript of our interview with Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Superintendent Dr. Glenn Wood on DEI and the future of funding in the district, along with AI policies

Read the transcript from our Talk-Line interview with Ogle County Health Department Environmental Health Director Ashly Whaley discussing the West Nile Virus