Hi, I'm Mandy James. I'm a proverbial Midwestern girl that was born and raised in Minnesota don't chya know, but thanks to radio, I now call Illinois home. I fell in love with radio at a very young age; my career actually began when I was just 5 years old. I would walk around my grandma's house, pretending to be a DJ while interviewing people with her curling iron. Shortly after I turned 6, I decided to take a 24-year hiatus to get my act together and finally landed my first real job in radio as a polka DJ when I was 30. After spinning records and reading farm news for 5 years, I finally ended up here, in Rockford, where I enjoy doing things such as taking long naps on the couch, eating carbs and watching Netflix. Sometimes I like to do all three at the same time. I also love waking up with you every weekday morning on the Steve Shannon Show from 5:30 to 10 a.m. Thank you for making me part of your day.
Mandy James
What Does Illinois Smell Like? You Can Find Out With This Candle
A candle company has found the cure for homesickness in the form of candles made to smell like your home state. Did they get it right with Illinois?
Illinois Mom Writes Letter to Her Husband Before Leaving Him Alone with Their Six Kids
A woman from Illinois penned a hilarious public letter to her husband with real talk instructions on how to take care of their kids while she's out of town.
7 School Supply Requests That Will Leave Rockford Parents Baffled
School is back in session and this year some schools are asking you to get some of the strangest supplies; here's 7 of them that will leave you baffled.
Illinois Farm Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Star Trek with Epic Corn Maze
Boldly go where no family has gone before; a favorite fall tradition is coming to the suburbs of Chicago this fall in the form of a Star Trek themed corn maze.
Rockford Teen Spends Summers Collecting School Supplies for Students in Need
14-year-old Max Freund has been collecting school supplies for fellow students in need for the last 5 years; here's how he pulls it off.
Touching Video Shows Local Family Getting Surprise Homecoming at a Rockford Rivets Game
A local family was recently surprised at a Rockford Rivets game with a special homecoming that was caught on video; see how it all went down here.
The State of Illinois Wants Your Money Saving Ideas
Do you have a money saving idea that could help Illinois solve it's budget crisis? Find out how much you could get paid and how to submit your idea.
Loves Park Police Officer Gets Trolled During Teen’s Birthday Scavenger Hunt
A local birthday girl had a very special request for a Loves Park police officer while completing her birthday scavenger hunt and it's pretty funny.
Woman Calls 911 After Getting Stuck in a Tree Playing Pokemon Go
Well this is embarrassing, a woman had to call 911 after getting stuck in a tree while playing Pokemon Go.
Rockford Park District Offers Free Ways to Keep Cool This Summer
The Rockford Park District is offering a unique and free way to stay cool this summer. Did you know that these existed and how they work?