To play piano one usually has to learn how to read music. But to play piano well, one needs to know how not to read the notes, or at least not to be totally dependent on the songbook. This is the purpose of the Pop Piano Workshop being offered from 9...

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is one of the most important parts of the historic document. This amendment is certainly one of the most frequently discussed and interpreted. This is the amendment that guarantees freedom of speech, but the...

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER ISAAC LEVI MEXICO CITY (AP)—The chief of General Motors threw the giant automaker's full weight behind the North American Free Trade Agreement Thursday. He denied that NAFTA would drain off U.S. jobs and called arguments against...

A fraternity is losing its Homecoming dance privileges as a result of an alleged fight, and the fraternity says it has not been treated fairly by the university. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi allegedly was involved in a fight with a member of Alpha Phi...

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER MICHELLE FAUL MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)—U.S. helicopter pilot Michael Durant, battered but buoyant, returned to freedom Thursday on a stretcher after 11 days as a captive of a Somali warlord. The United States said no deal was...

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER PEGGY FIKAC AUSTIN, Texas (AP)—A federal judge Thursday blocked from taking effect a U.S. Agriculture Department rule requiring safe handling labels on uncooked meat and poultry. Many food suppliers planned to comply anyway....

Four individuals recently were honored by the Northern Illinois University Foundation with the presentation of its prestigious Humanitarian and President's Awards for Service. The four recipients, Dick Boardman, Richard Brown, John Castle and Bob Wildenradt,...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Gov. Jim Edgar wants a federal program altered to let farmers who weren't flooded pay those who were for the right to plant on set-aside land. The plan would need the Clinton administration's approval. In a statement issued Wednesday,...

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER CHRISTOPHER WILLS SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)—State Treasurer Patrick Quinn launched his high-profile campaign for term limits Thursday by dropping the provisions that would affect statewide officials. Quinn is pushing ahead with...

How many college students wake up each morning with the questions, "Where can I find a daycare center close to home?," "How will I afford child-care?," "Can I find someone who will watch my child in my home?" Not many, yet these are decisions the majority...

The Illinois Board of Higher Education might try to eliminate some programs at NIU by deeming them economically and/or educationally unjustified. The IBHE does not have the power to eliminate a program, but the board can make program recommendations to...

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER KAREN BALL WASHINGTON (AP)—Small companies would pay 15 cents to 34 cents an hour to provide health coverage for each minimum-wage worker under President Clinton's plan, Labor Secretary Robert Reich told Congress on Thursday....