Statewide: A Half Century Later, the Mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Half a century has passed since the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared beneath the waves of Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. The tragedy claimed the lives of 29 crew members and left lingering questions about what exactly happened that night.
Remembering the Wreck
The anniversary rekindles memories of that stormy evening and prompts new discussions about the vessel’s final hours. The author of The Gales of November joins the conversation to share what is known and what remains a mystery about the ship’s last voyage.
“Listen to the radio transmission from the ship that fateful night.”
Community and History
In Urbana, former students recall how their friendship was strengthened during the desegregation of local schools—moments that reshaped their community and their lives.
Voices from the Newsroom
Sean Crawford speaks with Steven Herman, former White House Bureau Chief for Voice of America. The international news outlet, once a prominent source for global audiences, was closed earlier this year by order of the Trump Administration.
Stories of Redemption
Lauren Frost explores the experiences of incarcerated individuals who carry memories of their past through tattoos and examines the emerging efforts to help them start anew through tattoo removal programs.
Life by the River
Reporter Chris Bentley travels to southern Illinois, near the Mississippi River, to understand what it means to live day to day beside this powerful waterway.
Author's Summary: Half a century after the Edmund Fitzgerald sank, its mystery endures, alongside human stories of loss, change, and resilience across Illinois.