Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, September 27,2006

Topinka's last best chance

Voters need something better than her Rod-like casino stopgap plan

There is still time for Judy Baar Topinka to talk straight to the people of Illinois. That’s the only thing that might help her win this disappointing campaign against Gov. Rod Blagojevich and h

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, September 13,2006

Renewing the spirit of Atlanta

When 39 Springfield leaders got together and saw what can be done

By Fletcher Farrar

Just over a decade ago, in October 1995, Springfield saw a huge outpouring of civic energy into what has become known as “the trip to Atlanta.” That’s when 39 of Springfield’s

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, August 30,2006

The plague of corn

Another bountiful harvest, and everybody gets rich but the farmer

By Fletcher Farrar

Illinois farmers have a big problem on their hands: They’re about to harvest a huge crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture started the bad news when it predicted a few weeks ago that total U.S

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, August 2,2006

Homeless Suggestions

Here's what the homeless say should be done about homelessness

By Fletcher Farrar

When I noticed that the City Council was preparing to address the problems of homelessness, I stopped by outside St. John’s Breadline after lunch to ask the poor and the homeless, and those who

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, July 19,2006

How to swing a Sierra club

If CWLP can be forced to do the right thing, other energy companies can, too

By Fletcher Farrar

Nobody likes deals done in secret, or under the threat of a lawsuit, but the substance of the Sierra Club deal with City Water, Light & Power is excellent. It gets Springfield involved in wind ene

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, June 21,2006

Bill Clinton on his best behavior

He outlines a tame, but wise, way forward

By Fletcher Farrar

“The greatest thing about not being president anymore,” Bill Clinton told our crowd at the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies gathering in Little Rock last weekend, “i

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, June 7,2006

Springfield’s race history haunts City Hall

The city is still fighting, tooth and nail

By Fletcher Farrar

Last week’s panel discussion of race relations in Springfield was well under way when Mayor Tim Davlin slipped into the room and sat in the back row, but he was there for the best part

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, May 24,2006

Downtown St. Louis tries another comeback

Developers are investing billions. Will the loft boom last?

By Fletcher Farrar

There wasn’t much that was more exciting for this small-town boy 50 years ago than to load up with my family in Dad’s Oldsmobile and drive two hours to go shopping in downtown St

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Thursday, May 4,2006

The tallest Elk in Springfield

John Kenneth Galbraith and the eggheads of 1952

By Fletcher Farrar

John Kenneth Galbraith was 43 years old and already had a national reputation when he arrived in Springfield in the summer of 1952 to work as a speechwriter for Gov. Adlai

Fletcher Farrar: Reporter at Large | Wednesday, April 19,2006

Corruption comes in many colors

Adlai Stevenson on public morality and patriotism

By Fletcher Farrar

In the wake of the George Ryan verdict, there is a need to consult another Illinois governor about public morality and corruption. Ryan got caught in the basest kind,