SIU in the News - August, 2025

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SIU research on mental health and aviation

Amy Rutledge and Elliott Benton, School of Aviation faculty, discuss their research on air traffic controllers’ mental health.

WSIL-TV – Aug. 21, 2025


Doomsday scenarios after Texas and California go nuclear on redistricting: See how it all plays out

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, provides perspective on redistricting in Illinois.

The Independent — Aug. 25, 2025


Bird behavior research

Research by Brent Pease, an assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Horticulture, and his colleague Neil Gilbert, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Oklahoma State University, on how artificial light reshapes bird behavior continues to receive coverage. Here is a sampling.

Light pollution is making days longer for birds, extending the hours when they’ll sing – Smithsonian Magazine – Aug. 22, 2025

Study finds light pollution makes birds sing longer each day – MSN.com/Talker News – Aug. 24, 2025

Bright city lights make birds around the world sing longer – Nature – Aug. 27, 2025

Birds sing longer when exposed to light pollution: Study – Earth.org – Aug. 27, 2025

Birds are increasingly boring. It is the fault of lamps – LNG in Northern BC – Aug. 22, 2025

Days are getting longer for birds – Newser – Aug. 24, 2025

Streetlights are quietly rewriting the rules of birdsong – Anthropocene – Aug. 27, 2025

Prolonged birdsong linked to light pollution: A disrupted natural symphony – Archyde.com – Aug. 23, 2025

SIU research finds birds in light polluted areas stay up late – Morning Ag Clips – Aug. 25, 2025

Light pollution is completely changing the lives of birds – BGNES News Agency – Aug. 26, 2025

Bright nights, tired wings: light pollution alters bird life – Industry tap – Aug. 26, 2025

These birds won’t stop singing, and it’s our fault – Stars and Stripes and other outlets (Washington Post story) – Aug. 25, 2025

Learn why and how birds and butterflies begin fall migration this soon. And monarchs, too. – South Bend Tribune – Aug. 26, 2025

Birds are singing nearly an hour longer every day because of city lights – ZME Science – Aug. 26, 2025


Opinion: John Shaw — State Sen. Dale Fowler prioritizes the public good over partisan concerns

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, highlights the bipartisan work of State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg.

Chicago Tribune — Aug. 25, 2025


Rolling through the rows: A high-tech solution to an age-old challenge

Chao Lu, associate professor, electrical and computer engineering, and former engineering students Curtis Shuman and Cameron Schwartzberg, discuss a robot they created for crop inspection.

Farmers Hotline — Aug. 25, 2025


Carbondale Chamber, SIU to dedicate fourth Saluki-themed mural

The dedication of a fourth SIU-themed Saluki Pride mural at 11 a.m. today (Aug. 28) at Moe’s Southwest Grill in Carbondale is highlighted. The mural was painted by Antonio J. Martinez, a professor of photography/intermedia arts at SIU, and inspired and designed by Dylan Chambers, former SIU Dawg Pound president.

KBSI-TV — Aug. 25, 2025


Bird behavior research

Research by Brent Pease, an assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Horticulture, and his colleague Neil Gilbert, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Oklahoma State University, on how artificial light reshapes bird behavior was published in the journal Science. It has received national and international print, online and broadcast coverage. Here is a sampling.

Light pollution prolongs avian activity – Science – Aug. 21, 2025

Artificial light has essentially lengthened birds' day – NPR (and public radio stations throughout the U.S.) – Aug. 21, 2025

Around the world, birds sing longer in light-polluted areas – Science News (and other outlets worldwide) – Aug. 21, 2025

Light pollution makes birds around the world sing longer each day – Earth.com – Aug. 21, 2025

These birds won’t stop singing, and it’s our fault – Washington Post (and other outlets in the U.S.) – Aug. 21, 2025

Light pollution causes urban birds to stay awake longer each day, study finds – The Guardian (and other outlets) – Aug. 21, 2025

Birds sing longer due to artificial lighting – Suedostschweiz (in German) – Aug. 21, 2025

Light pollution tricks birds into singing earlier in the morning and later at night – Mental Floss – Aug. 21, 2025

Daytime birds singing late in light-polluted areas – Life Technology – Aug. 21, 2025

Lights at night are changing birdsong – Courthouse News Service – Aug. 21, 2025

Birds in light-polluted areas stay up late into the night – Phys.org – Aug. 21, 2025

Birds across the world are singing all day for a disturbing reason – Gizmodo – Aug. 21, 2025

Birds are awake longer due to light pollution, according to huge research – de Volkskrant (in Dutch) – Aug. 21, 2025

Light pollution is causing birds like the Australian magpie-lark to sing for longer – ABC Science (Australia) – Aug. 21, 2025

Study shows light pollution impacting birds – KMOX – Aug. 21, 2025

Birds in bright skies stay up late, SIU researcher finds – Southern Illinoisan – Aug. 21, 2025

Light pollution makes birds across the world sing for longer each day – American Association for the Advancement of Science – Aug. 21, 2025

Urban birds extend daylight hours due to light pollution, study reveals – SSB Crack News – Aug. 21, 2025


Salukis kick off fall semester with support, smiles, and student resources

Tena Bennett, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary enterprise, discusses the first day of SIU’s fall 2025 semester.

WSIL-TV – Aug. 18, 2025


Billboard promoting far-right group Proud Boys springs up in Southern Illinois

William Freivogel, professor, School of Journalism and Advertising, discusses legal issues that surround a billboard in Clinton County that promoted a right-wing extremist group before being taken down. The story was written by Molly Parker-Stephens, an assistant professor in journalism.

Capitol News Illinois (and other outlets) – Aug. 18, 2025


Capitol View — Aug. 21, 2025

Deborah Barnett, executive director of Southern Illinois Now, discusses the state’s economic outlook. Barnett was also recently appointed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to the SIU Board of Trustees. Barnett's comments start at 20:00.

WSIU-TV — Aug. 21, 2025


Illinois’ laidback college city is a family-friendly getaway with lakeside sun

SIU Carbondale is highlighted in this travel planning publication.

Islands.com – Aug. 18, 2025


Office Hours Podcast: Exploring the future of AI in higher education

Pinckney Benedict, a professor in the SIU School of Medicine and former creative writing faculty member at SIU Carbondale, discusses bringing artificial intelligence into the humanities, medicine and emerging technologies and the future of AI in higher education.

WSIU Radio-TV – Aug. 18, 2025


Move-in day for SIU students

The SIU Carbondale campus was filled with activity as new students arrived for the start of the fall 2025 semester.

Students are back on SIU's campus moving in for the fall semester – WSIL-TV – Aug. 13, 2025

New SIU students move in to on-campus housing – Southern Illinoisan/Paxton Media – Aug. 13, 2025

Students move in for beginning of 2025-26 school year – WSIU Radio – Aug. 13, 2025

Students move on to campus at SIU Carbondale – KFVS-TV – Aug. 13, 2025


Gavin Newsom just launched his unofficial 2028 campaign for the White House

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s move to gerrymander the state’s congressional districts and his possible presidential bid.

Yahoo News/The Independent — Aug. 15, 2025


The Impact Report

The Impact Report from the SIU Foundation includes such topics as demolition of old Greek Row to make way for the proposed Saluki Village student housing, the Tedrick Welcome Center, the Campus Lake Fountain dedication, the SIU Alumni Association’s Saluki Market and more.

WSIU TV — Aug. 14, 2025


Newsradio WJPF interview with Harvey Henson

Harvey Henson, director, SIU STEM Education Research Center, discusses the three seismic zones in the region, the July 29, 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia, engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach programs.

WJPF Morning Newswatch — Aug. 14, 2025


Arkansas using funds to help fight Asian carp incursion

James Garvey, director, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, discusses concerns about the invasive Asian carp.

Northwest Arkansas Gazette-Democrat – Aug. 13, 2025


Banterra Bank continues partnership with Saluki athletes

Banterra Bank’s partnership with Saluki athletics is highlighted.

Southern Illinoisan — Aug. 15, 2025 


Newsradio WJPF interview with John Jackson

John Jackson, visiting professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses such topics as the 2026 statewide and local primaries and redistricting. 

WJPF Morning Newswatch — Aug. 11, 2025


SIU Move-In Day is Wednesday

Tena Bennett, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary enterprise, discusses move-in day for the fall 2025 semester and weekend events for students.

WSIL-TV — Aug. 12, 2025


Touch of Nature welcomes students early with SIU Dawg Days retreat

The Dawg Days New Student Retreat for incoming freshmen is highlighted.

Southern Illinoisan — Aug. 12, 2025


Saluki murals spread SIU pride all through Carbondale

Antonio Martinez, associate professor, School of Art and Design, discusses Saluki-related murals in the community.

Southern Illinoisan – Aug. 7, 2025


Demolition begins on Greek Row at SIU

SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec discusses the demolition of old Greek Row to make way for the proposed Saluki Village student housing.

WSIU Radio – Aug. 7, 2025


Demolition of old Greek Row

Chancellor Austin Lane and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec were among university officials and alumni on hand for the start of demolition of old Greek Row to make way for the proposed Saluki Village student housing development.

Demolition begins on SIU Old Greek Row – KFVS-TV – Aug. 6, 2025

SIU begins demolition of Old Greek Row – Southern Illinoisan – Aug. 6, 2025

SIU begins demolition on Old Greek Row – WPSD-TV – Aug. 6, 2025

SIU begins residence hall demolition on the former Greek row – WSIL-TV – Aug. 6, 2025


SIU Carbondale dedicates new Campus Lake Fountain

Mark Owens, director, Facilities Energy and Management, discusses the addition of the new fountain at Campus Lake.

KFVS-TV – Aug. 6, 2025


Illinois researchers highlight mental health struggles of air traffic controllers

Amy Rutledge, assistant professor, School of Aviation, discusses ongoing research at SIU on the need to address air traffic controllers’ mental health.

WQAD-TV/MSN – Aug. 4, 2025


Bipartisan plan for political redistricting in Illinois

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, discusses a new effort to take politics out of legislative redistricting in Illinois.

KMOX Radio – Aug. 1, 2025


Tom Weber retires from Saluki Athletics to start his own media outlet focused on SIU football

Tom Weber, who recently retired as SIU sports information director and senior associate athletics director, discusses his career and his new business Strong Dawgs, along with assisting the Saluki football program with name, image and likeness.

WSIU Radio – Aug. 4, 2025


SIU in the News highlights selected media coverage featuring the work and contributions of the university and members of the SIU community. Contact Pete Rosenbery, University Communications and Marketing, prosen@siu.edu, 618-453-1439, to add or remove faculty and staff from the internal distribution list.


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