Dr. Jeff Ripperda joins The Morning Newswatch.

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens joins us to talk about the town, including renovations to Walnut Street, the Big Muddy River Overpass and a banner he wants residents to sign in response to a woman who wrote to the town about her experiences with a soldier from Murphysboro during World War II.

The Old King Coal Festival continues this weekend! Marcia Raubach joined Tom Miller in the studio to tell us more about the traditions of this event honoring coal miners of Southern Illinois.