For the past 3 years, brothers Jim Wilson, Jeff Wilson and friend Rob Striebich have run a small record shop in Uptown Normal. In recent years vinyls have been growing in popularity, and North Street Records just might be the hiding of that precious favorite record.… Post the First Comment

The American coed Pageant's Web site says, "National Miss American Coed Pageants encourage and reinforce the confidence and natural beauty that is within each girl." ISU senior Krystal Williams was crowned this year's Miss Central Illinois Coed through the Coed pageant program.… Post the First Comment

(U-WIRE) ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Most college students probably don't need an introduction to "Halo" and its superhuman star, the Master Chief. The first game, "Halo: Combat Evolved," revolutionized first-person shooters on the Xbox. Its sequel, "Halo 2," thrust gamers onto an online battlefield, making it quick and easy to play with friends, no matter where they are.… Post the First Comment

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Fonz in bronze? It could happen. Visit Milwaukee, a group that promotes the city as a tourism and convention destination, is leading an effort to raise money for a bronze sculpture of the character played by Henry Winkler on TV's "Happy Days," which was set in Milwaukee.… Post the First Comment

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Text messaging, a favorite mode of communication for many college students, can now be used to help make environmentally conscious purchases thanks to a program developed by nonprofit group Climate Counts. The group, which is based in New Hampshire and funded by organic yogurt manufacturer Stonyfield Farm, has taken on the task of rating 56 major corporations on how their operations contribute to global warming with its Climate Counts Company Scorecard.… Post the First Comment

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Although money does not grow on trees, a recent drop in lending rates could make it easier to come by. Last week the Federal Reserve Bank announced a half-percent drop in a key interest rate, referred to as the prime rate. The lower rate applies more to home equity and commercial loans than auto and mortgage loans, but could also affect private student loans.… Post the First Comment

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Robert Ford, the coward, shot Jesse James. But before that, Henry McDougal, the lawyer, sued Jesse. And won. McDougal, practicing in Daviess County, Mo., appears to have prosecuted the only successful lawsuit against James, obtaining a judgment, collecting - and living to tell about it.… Post the First Comment

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Dan Weirback swore years ago that pumpkin beer was just a fad. There was no reason for his Weyerbacher Brewing Co. to brew one, since the seasonal beer would fade in popularity, he thought. But after watching pumpkin beers continue to sell well each fall and his wholesaler constantly bugging him to make one, Weirback cracked three years ago and created Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale.… Post the First Comment

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Thirty years ago, a shopper could drive all over town on 65-cents-a-gallon gasoline looking for stores that sold environmentally "greener" products. Today, those products are far more commonplace. If they aren't on the shelves of stores where we already shop, they are nearby.… Post the First Comment

(U-WIRE) EVANSTON, Ill. - The popcorn is spinning in the microwave and your friends have made themselves comfortable on the couches in the dorm lounge. You walk to the mailbox for that Netflix movie you rented, but instead of this summer's blockbuster, you find a rental copy of that Calculus 101 textbook you need.… 1 Comment

Today's birthday (09-27-07). You remember the route to Carnegie Hall: "practice, practice, practice!" That's what you'll get to do this year. Your destination makes it all worthwhile. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.… Post the First Comment