Marion Mayor Bob Butler speaks on WJPF about the overlooking of southern Illinois by lawmakers in Springfield and the money owed from the state of Illinois to the city of Marion for the construction and opening of the Hub Recreation Center. Butler also discusses the growth of business needed for the area and status of the Star Centre Mall.

Historian and author Jon Musgrave joins The Morning Newswatch.

Dr. John Jackson with SIU's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute joins Tom Miller in the studio.