Kat Chow is a journalist covering race, ethnicity, and culture for NPR's new Code Switch team. In this role, Chow is responsible for reporting and telling stories using social media, sparking conversations online, and blogging.

Prior to coming to NPR, Chow worked with WGBH in Boston and was a reporting fellow for The Cambodia Daily, an English-language newspaper in Phnom Penh.

While a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, Chow was a founding member of a newsmagazine television show and freelanced for the Seattle Weekly. She also interned with the Seattle Times and worked on NBC's Winter Olympics coverage in Vancouver, B.C. You can find her tweeting away for Code Switch at @NPRCodeSwitch, and sharing her thoughts at @katchow.

Early Settlers of Nauvoo
3:28 pm
Wed May 29, 2013

The French Icarians in Western Illinois

Credit Chris Lovingood
Dr Theodore Georgopoulos

While Nauvoo is well known today for its ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, another group also has a long history with the Hancock County town.  

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Bill Knight – May 30
1:50 pm
Wed May 29, 2013

Your Lyin’ Eyes

Bill Knight

More and more, so many media so deftly defy logic, the smooth-talking liars on radio and cable seem like the man in the old joke by the late, great comic Richard Pryor. His wife catches him betraying her and he coos, “Who you gonna believe: me or your lyin’ eyes?”

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Flash Flooding
10:02 am
Wed May 29, 2013

Flash Flooding in Western Illinois

Credit Jane Carlson
Flooding on North Third St in Monmouth

Security cameras at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg captured video of flood waters bursting through the front doors during Tuesday night’s heavy downpour.

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More Federal Money for Residency Spots
9:46 am
Wed May 29, 2013

Legislation to Alleviate Doctor Shortage

Credit Congressman Schock's Office
Schock says GME slots haven't been increased in over ten years.

An Illinois Congressman has introduced legislation that he says will help alleviate an upcoming doctor shortage.

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House Democratic Proposal
6:40 pm
Tue May 28, 2013

Budget Cuts Might Spare Illinois Universities

Funding for Illinois’ public universities would stay about the same under a budget proposal released by House Democrats. That contrasts with Governor Pat Quinn’s budget, which proposes cutting university funding by 5%.

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Kurt began his radio career at 16 as weekend disc jockey at KOLS-AM/KKMA-FM (now KMYZ) in Pryor, Okla. He gradually began doing news work at his home town radio station. Kurt studied journalism at Oklahoma State University, serving two terms as managing editor of "The Daily O'Collegian." He returned to his radio roots while at Oklahoma State, working first as a part-time news producer, then as Morning Edition host at KOSU. Kurt left the station in 1990 returning to Pryor to be a part of a new business, ViaGrafix, that developed computer training videos. He eventually sold his business to attend seminary at The Iliff School of Theology in Denver and Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Okla. He served as minister of communications for St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City for five years before starting his own media business, Discuss Communications LLC. In 2005, he once again returned to radio as the operations manager and Morning Edition anchor at KGOU, eventually transitioning to news director in 2009, where he also serves as editorial director for StateImpact Oklahoma.

Kurt is secretary of the Oklahoma Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and member of the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters board. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, the Rev. Charla Gwartney, and daughter, Elizabeth.

Shop Talk – May 28
2:11 pm
Tue May 28, 2013

Tale of Regret for Powerhouse Newspaper

The Shop Talk panelists discuss the struggles endured in the past year by The Times-Picayune of New Orleans.

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Progress Continues
10:37 am
Mon May 27, 2013

Re-energizing Downtown Monmouth

Credit Rich Egger

A couple projects are moving ahead as the Maple City works to breathe new life into its downtown.


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Teachers Get New Contract
11:13 pm
Sun May 26, 2013

West Burlington Schools Increasing Fees

West Burlington School Superintendent Dave Schmitt

It will cost a little more to attend school in West Burlington next year.

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