Dr. Jeff Ripperda 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.

[caption id="attachment_9542" align="alignright" width="183"] Steve Brown[/caption]

Steve Brown, spokesman for the Speaker of the Illinois House, Michael Madigan, joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss current state politics, including the senate's school funding bill.