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Zoe Howlett, 6, stands by her lemonade stand. Zoe’s mother, Tiara Moore, and their family are working together to have a lemonade stand and movie night in their community. The story was reported by Belleville News-Democrat reporter DeAsia Page, who came to the BND via the Report For America program. (Photo submitted by Tiara Moore)
By CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN For Illinois Press Association
For underserved communities and strapped local media outlets that historically couldn’t cover them, something of a cavalry has arrived in the form of 226 rising journalists placed in newsrooms coast-to-coast by Report for America.
That’s a nearly 400 percent increase from the 2019-2020 corps.
Illinois, with its 11 burgeoning reporters, has the third-most RFA corps members.
“It’s amazing,” said Kim Kleman (left), RFA’s national director. “We got a lot of great applications from Illinois — from both newsrooms and reporters.”
Supported by a $5 million grant over five years from the Knight Foundation to The GroundTruth Project, RFA pays up to half of the reporters' salaries for the first year, which runs June through May; local newsrooms and their supporters pay the other half. RFA also provides training and counsel for reporters and the newsrooms that hire them.
Some newspapers’ plans to add an RFA reporter fell through because COVID-19 wreaked havoc on local fundraising. But, Kleman said, many more newsrooms were actually able to tap into their communities in a way they might not have been able to do before the pandemic.
“We also had other newsrooms that stepped forward saying they were getting more contributions,” she said. “COVID has made it clear that local news is so essential. When your local newsroom is not strong, and when there are glaring coverage gaps and news holes, the community feels it.”
The Belleville News-Democrat brought two RFA reporters on board: Megan Valley, 24, who covers education, and 21-year-old DeAsia Paige, who covers East St. Louis — a massively undercovered community that, by all media accounts, is rife with violent crime.
RFA reporters are tasked with covering those sort of often overlooked, misrepresented communities.
“All I’ve ever heard about is how the violence is prevalent in [East St. Louis],” said Paige (left), who grew up in the west Chicago suburbs and graduated from the University of Kansas. “I also knew there were stories in the city that needed to be told.”
One of her favorites she’s written is on a 6-year-old Black girl who, when relegated to e-learning and unable to go to school, started an outdoor community movie night and opened a lemonade stand.
“There’s more to a city than the crime in the area, and I’m highlighting other aspects of the city,” Paige said. “This is a very tight-knit community. Everybody looks out for everyone.”
Jeff Couch, the BND’s editor and general manager, said the paper has long wanted to spotlight the good things happening in East St. Louis.
“What we’ve been covering in those areas is crime, sports and some investigative work,” he said. “We needed a more holistic approach to covering those places and the issues that are important to the people there. We just needed the resources to do that.”
While the reporters are employees of their respective media outlets, RFA provides training and support in each of its five regions. A training program is tailored for each beat, so reporters regularly attend Zoom meetings featuring experts on the subjects they cover.
Along with Valley and Paige, Juanpablo Ramirez (left), a 26-year-old corps member covering social justice for DeKalb’s NPR affiliate WNIJ, had a training session on budgets on a Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday, he interviewed DeKalb’s city manager regarding the city’s plan to sell its old City Hall meeting, a conversation that centered around – you might have guessed it – the city’s budget.
“Just because of those two hours listening to an expert budget guy, I was able to have a killer conversation,” Ramirez said.
RFA also offers pop-up training on pressing topics — such as a pandemic or civil rights upheaval. Two days after protests erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s death, reporters were trained on how to cover those volatile scenes — right down to what to bring, what not to bring, and where to stand.
Reporters working in the path of Hurricane Isaias also got invaluable training.
“If you’re in Florida, you’re going to cover a hurricane at some point in your life,” Kleman said.
Beyond providing training, RFA has given Ramirez his dream job, more or less. He grew up in Rockford, where he has exhaustively covered protests.
“I’m from Rockford, so this is my home,” he said. “This is all I’ve wanted to do. These are the stories I get to work on, are the ones I want to see broadcast.”
He graduated from Knox College, and felt regret as he looked down at his bachelor’s degree in international relations. He can laugh now.
“I graduated college, and I was like, ‘Fudge. I want to be a journalist, and I didn’t take a single journalism class,’ ” he said.
He worked internships, including a prime opportunity as a reporting fellow for City Bureau in Chicago, but he needed an opportunity like the one RFA provided — a chance to work full-time, reporting in the field, while also getting invaluable training.
RFA has provided not just that, but also a contact that reporters can call at any time — which of course is key while corps members scarcely set foot in their new offices.
“I’ve been to the studio like once,” Ramirez said. “I record my stories in my shed.”
Valley (left) is also something of a nontraditional corps member. She was covering education — her same beat at the BND — at the Quad City-Times, but in earning degrees in English and liberal studies, like Ramirez she didn’t take any J-school courses. And newsrooms such as the QC-Times don’t have the resources to do extensive training.
Having determined grad school wasn’t an option, Valley jumped at the chance to become an RFA corps member.
She said she appreciates RFA’s constant contact in such a strange time.
“You’re trying to build relationships with administrators, but your first phone call is, ‘Hi, it’s nice to meet you. How are you holding up during this unprecedented time?’ ” she said, while laughing. “It’s all very weird.”
Facing a budget cramp, the Illinois Press Foundation initially backed out of adding an RFA reporter who would cover ethnic, minority and rural community issues for its statehouse news bureau, Capitol News Illinois – a beat Florida transplant Raymon Troncoso (left) was excited to work.
“It was pretty much everything I’d been looking for in a position,” he said.
A couple of months later, however, thanks to a contribution by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Capitol News Illinois was able to bring Troncoso on board. He’s thriving, and points to statehouse training with Steve Bousquet, a columnist who’s covering the Florida statehouse, as game-changing.
“The guy’s basically a master,” he said.
RFA also trains its newsroom partners on how to raise funds – a foreign concept to longtime editors such as Couch.
“This is new for me, asking for contributions,” he said. “It’s hard as a journalist. You’re not used to doing that. But in the new world of community-supported journalism, that’s part of our job.”
Besides, it reveals a comforting reminder.
“People are by and large supportive,” Couch said. “They want local journalism.”
Jeff Rogers, director of the IPA Foundation, said RFA has allowed media outlets to continue to operate as both vital sources of information for readers, and watchdogs.
“Report For America has been a great partner, and its mission is much like ours at Capitol News Illinois: to strengthen communities and democracy through impactful journalism that not only informs consumers about the news of the day but also gives them insight into the processes that make government work – or in some cases prevent it from working well.”
Bored at home during COVID-19 pandemic, East St. Louis six-year-old Zoe Howlett, has enlisted the help of her family to run a lemonade stand and Zoe's 6 Feet in the Street Community Movie Night that caters to children ages 2 through 10. (Belleville News-Democrat photo by Derik Holtmann)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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