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Story Subject Category: Travel
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China is one of the fastest growing nations on Earth. China is changing in many regards. The economy is booming. China is becoming a more vital part of the world—politically and economically, positively and negatively. Air pollution from China drifts half way around the world. Some Chinese are becoming more affluent and more Western.
John Paul produced this feature report about China as part of his graduate studies in journalism. John was part of an international reporting class, taught by Professor Nancy Benson, that took 10 University of Illinois students to China in May 2007.
Each student reported on a different aspect of China—from its growing economy to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the increasing amount of electronic waste sent there from America. The students produced a two hour radio documentary titled “Beyond the Great Wall,” which aired on WILL-AM 580.
This story for Prairie Fire gives the viewer a glimpse of the China the students saw—from the Great Wall to Tiananmen Square and the streets of Shanghai. It also tells what it’s like to report in China.
Segment duration: 09:02
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Producer: John Paul
This segment is filed in these categories: Travel • University of Illinois
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The Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya borders the famed Serengeti, where the wildebeest migrate. Recently named one of the seven tourist wonders of the world, this territory was once a favorite hunting ground for big game. The elephants, lions, buffalo, hippo and leopards are now protected. But the Maasai tribespeople say they need protection, too. They are being attacked by the increasing numbers of wild animals that roam outside the game reserves. This story takes you on safari to Kenya where you will hear from the Maasai. University of Illinois journalism professor Nancy Benson traveled with U of I law professor Patrick Keenan who is working with the Maasai to write new laws designed to provide compensation when a life, or crop, is lost. This story provides one example of what is happening in many developing countries where tourism is big business.
Segment duration: 07:24
Producer: Nancy Benson
Chief Camera - Segment: Abby Rhodes
This segment is filed in these categories: Livestock/Animals/Zoology • Travel • University of Illinois
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The Monticello Railway Museum is another reason I love living here in central Illinois. How amazing that a group of volunteers has resurrected railroading one train at a time. The volunteers here are tireless in their efforts to keep the museum going and in their love of trains. When we shot the story in 1997, we saw how much work it took to run a mini railroad ... laying track, mowing the track, restoring engines and cars and entertaining school groups from around the area. But the payoff is great. Where else can grown-ups fulfill their dreams of being a train conductor or engineer? When I’ve visited the place with my own kids it is incredible to see their eyes light up as a train enters the station. There is a mad scramble as all the kids try to get a seat in the caboose ... but every car is a great experience. Volunteers at the museum are still acquiring new cars and engines and returning them to mint condition. For the past 15 years they have been working on a former Southern Railroad engine that had to be completely rebuilt. It is set to debut on the tracks the summer of 2007. Tim Hartin and I got to fulfill one of our fantasies as filmmakers while we were taping this story. We set a shot at one of the museum line’s cross streets in Monticello. Then we got to cue the train to go in front of our camera so that we could get the perfect shot ... we felt like Steven Spielberg! Over the years this story continues to be one of our most popular and we are very proud to pay this tribute to this incredible place.
Segment duration: 08:08
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Illinois Culture/History • Railroads • Travel • Monticello
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Vincennes, Ind., on the banks of the Wabash River, has 14 state and national historic sites, a thriving downtown, and a colorful history as one of the most important cities in the Midwest. The city was settled by the French in 1732 and once was the capital of the Indiana territory governing five Midwestern states. Shown at right is the Old Capitol building.
Segment duration: 09:48
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Producer: Eleanor Stasheff
Chief Camera - Segment: Darren Warren
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • History • Travel
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Quen Cultra grew up in landlocked Onarga, but his childhood was filled with dreams of sailing around the world. Prairie Fire follows Cultra on his journey around the world in a plywood and fiberglass boat that he built on his family’s farm before he ever learned to sail. Cultra relives his two and a half years traveling around the globe, navigating by the sun and stars with a sextant, and meeting people who had never seen a white man before.
Segment duration: 12:01
Producer: Steve Drake
Associate Producer: Jeff Cunningham
This segment is filed in these categories: Sports • Travel
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For a group of University of Illinois graduate journalism students, the beat was a foreign country with an unfamiliar language. Prairie Fire follows the 10 students through three weeks in Peru, where they talked with government leaders, poor villagers, alleged terrorists and ordinary Peruvians.
(Above: Student reporter Adam Jadhav interviews Peruvian sociologist Pilar Arroyo)
WILL-AM news director Tom Rogers talked to two of the student reporters and the professor who oversaw their South American trip.
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Students produced a radio documentary about their experiences. Hear Assignment: Peru.
Segment duration: 11:47
Producer: Abby Rhodes
This segment is filed in these categories: Ethnicity/Culture • History • Travel • University of Illinois
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Eric and Maria Rund have lived and farmed in rural Pesotum for 27 years. Eric met his wife in Ecuador, where he spent five years with the Peace Corps from 1969 to 1974. When he’s not growing corn and beans, or raising hogs, Eric is building bridges of understanding between farmers in North and South America. His farm is often a stop on tours of farmers from South America, who leave with a better impression of American farmers. He and Maria also organize tours of American farmers to South America.
Segment duration: 05:38
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton, Mark Williams
This segment is filed in these categories: Agriculture/Agribusiness • Travel
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Segment duration: 05:24
Producer: Eleanore Stasheff
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Hobbies • Illinois Culture/History • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Travel
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Segment duration: 06:20
Producer: Eleanor Stasheff
Chief Camera - Segment: Ange Albsmeyer, Chris Stasheff
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • Parks/Outdoor Recreation • Travel
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Prairie Fire recalls the era when much of central Illinois was connected by the inter-urban railway, an electric rail system that also helped bring electricity to small towns and rural areas.
The program includes interviews with several people in Monticello who remember riding the inter-urban, which used overhead power lines and large trolley cars.
Although only traces remain of central Illinois’ inter-urban, many people still fondly recall the system, developed in the 1890’s by Champaign resident W.B. McKinley of Illinois Power and Light. It carried freight and passengers from Danville to Peoria and from St. Louis to Kankakee. Prairie Fire associate producer Ian Mitchell visits McKinley’s headquarters in Champaign, the hub of operations for the railway, and substations still standing in Fithian, Bondville and Bement.
Segment duration: 07:34
Producer: Ian Mitchell
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • History • Illinois Culture/History • Railroads • Travel
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