Former President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Doug Whitley joins us ahead of a speaking engagement at SIU's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Friday.

SIH Vice President and administrator of Herrin Hospital and Harrisburg Medical Center Rodney Smith joins The Morning Newswatch.

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens joins us to talk about the town, including renovations to Walnut Street, the Big Muddy River Overpass and a banner he wants residents to sign in response to a woman who wrote to the town about her experiences with a soldier from Murphysboro during World War II.