Travis Aiken is the Executive Director of the Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watchdog group, or I-LAW. Aiken joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss "judicial hellholes" and how they relate to issues affecting Southern IL.

Williamson County Commissioner Brent Gentry joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss the County taking over Whiteash and the Commission's steps moving forward.

SIU President Randy Dunn joins  Morning Newswatch to discuss what's in store for Southern Illinois University.

Willie  Shaw from the Harlem Globetrotters joins the Morning Newswatch to discuss an upcoming event at Southern Illinois University.

Congressman-Elect Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss his thoughts on various issues as he prepares to step down from his position as State Representative and be sworn into Congress.

Bryan McDaniel with the Citizens Utility Board joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss the rate hikes currently being undertaken by Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison.

Former SIU President and former Congressman Dr. Glenn Poshard joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss the efforts of Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner's transition team and a meeting between all the members of the transition team happening later this week in Chicago.

Gary Williams, the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Carbondale and Steve Mitchell with Connect SI join The Morning Newswatch to discuss the process underway to build an ultra high-speed broadband internet network in Carbondale, making Carbondale the region's first "Gigabit City."

Annette McMichael, Communications Director for Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment (S.A.F.E.) joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss the appeals process for an injunction on fracking that was denied in Madison County Circuit Court.

Carbondale Interim Police Chief Jeff Grubbs stops by The Morning Newswatch to discuss policing the City of Carbondale, and the relationship the citizens of Carbondale have with officers after the recent events in Ferguson, MO and New York City.