MURPHSYBORO, IL (KFVS)- Teen unemployment has reached nearly 25 percent nationwide, according to the Employment Policies Institute. That number has been above 20 percent for more than four years and does not show signs of improvement.

Brooke Reeves is a recent high school graduate who says she has been searching for a job for three years, but has had no luck.

“Any kind of job opening, I was like ‘pick me!’ and still to this day, I’m still putting in applications, still getting no calls back,” Reeves said.

While the extra cash would be helpful, Reeves said it’s about more than the money. She said she wants a job to help her gain work experience.

“If you want to get a better job, you need experience to work up to that,” Reeves said. “But you can’t get a job unless you have experience. So, it’s kind of a vicious cycle.”

MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - Several residents and community leaders will host an event to benefit the victims of the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. 

Cathy Bailey of Heavenly Gateway charities and Aid Center, with the help of a number of others, is planning a pasta dinner on Sunday, June 23 at the Murphysboro Knights of Columbus Hall located at 606 Plum Street. 

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Tickets for this event are $8 for adults and $5 for kids. 

“The people of Murphysboro have a heart for those effected by tornadoes," said Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens, in a letter. "The impact of the 1925 tornado on Murphysboro is still seen and felt even today, and we encourage those people who are doing what they can to support the people of Oklahoma during this difficult time.”

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - For the first time in more than 30 years, the annual Guitar Camp at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will be “plugged in.”

The camp, which runs Sunday, June 16, through Friday, July 21, is including electric guitar instruction during the previously classical guitar-only session to draw more and diverse guitar players.      

Students will still receive classical guitar instruction, but will also explore jazz and rock techniques. The idea, said camp conductor Isaac Lausel, a lecturer in SIU’s School of Music, is to provide instruction in different styles to provide camp attendees the opportunity to strengthen the style with which they may already be familiar and also challenge them with something new.